DECEMBER 2003 SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Dec. 2, , Unofficial FCE Hike, AT: Tyringham, MA and North CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER & ROAD CONDITIONS.
Meet at Marandino's to do more of the MA AT. This section will be about 8 miles, mostly flat with an uphill section near the end, and some wet areas. Anticipate a 4 pm return time. Dress in warm layers. L: Marie Coons
Thursday, Dec. 4, 8:45 a.m., Unofficial FCE Hike, Connect Holcomb to McLean to Enders, Granby
Meet at Simsbury Commons in the parking lot adjacent to Borders. This will be an adventure! Anticipate a 2 pm return time. L: Marie Coons
Saturday, Dec. 6, 9:00 am, AMC Hike, Nehantic Trail to Hopeville Pond (B3C).
6.5 miles on Nehantic Trail starting from Pachaug State Park parking lot over Mount Misery to Hopeville Pond. Meet Griswold (Jewett City) CPL. From Norwich, go north on Rt. 395 to Exit 85. Take a left at first set of lights and another left at next set of lights. Go left into CPL. Rain or snow cancels. If doubt, call by 8:15 am. L: Ray Helie (860-564-3949)
Sunday, December 7, 10:00 am, AMC Hike, Shenipsit Trail to Belding Path (B3BC).
6 mi lollipop loop from Shenipsit Tr. in Bolton to Belding WMA, loop around Belding Path & return to cars spotted at Valley Falls Park. See rugged high ledges w/views, ponds, streams, mature hemlock and laurel growth. If > 6" snow, may XC ski or snowshoe, call for details. May substitute Hop River State Park for Shenipsit if icy conditions prevail or if skiing, & rating will turn to a C4C. Call for info. Meet CPL, Rt 6 and Rt 44 off I-384, Bolton. Steady precipitation cancels. If doubt, call by 8:30 am. Leader: Jenifer Nadeau (860-742-7203, jnadeau@canr.uconn.edu) CL welcome.
Sunday, December 7, 1:30 p.m., SG Hike, Holiday Hike & Social
Hike will leave from the bulletin board at the park entrance. The Sleeping Giant Park is on Mt. Carmel Avenue in northern Hamden, about 0.5 mile in from Whitney Avenue, on the left-hand side of the street. Hikers should wear comfortable, supportive shoes and bring snacks and water, as desired. Please do not bring pets. The hike is open to the public, and there is no fee. Social and singing at 3:00 p.m. follows hike.
Tuesday, December 9, 9am - Huckleberry Hills, Avon.
Meet at Stop & Shop parking lot and carpool to the former school on Huckleberry Hill Rd. Expect to return to cars around 11:00. L: self-led
Thursday, Dec. 11, 8:45 a.m., Unofficial FCE Hike, Mattabesett Trail, Durham-Haddam
Note: if the weather is as bad as the forecast, Marie plans to hike locally rather than in Durham. Same meeting time/place.
Meet in the commuter parking lot on the corner of Town Farm Rd. and Rt 4. Anticipate a 2:30 pm return time. L: Marie Coons
Saturday, December 13, 10:30 am, AMC Hike, Huntington State Park (C3B).
4-5 mi. loop hike in park. Meet at park entrance, Redding, 0.5 mi. up Sunset Hill Rd. from Rte. 58. Bad weather cancels. If doubt, call by 9 am. Leader: Rob Munro (203-406-9582).
Tuesday, December 16, 9am - Metacomet Trail, Bradley Mtn, Plainville.
Cancelled due to illness and conflicts.
Meet at Big Y supermarket in Plainville on Rt. 372 and we'll carpool to the trailhead. Expect to return to cars around 11:30. L: Diana Meyer
Thursday, Dec. 18, 8:45 a.m., Unofficial FCE Hike, Roraback WMA, Harwinton
Meet at Burlington Commons and anticipate an 11 am return time. We will do a short exploration in this area. L: Marie Coons
Tuesday, December 23, 9am - Winding Trails, Farmington.
Meet at commuter parking lot on Town Farm Rd. Farmington and we'll carpool in to the nearby recreation area for a short hike of probably 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Back to the CPL by 10:30-ish. L: Diana Meyer
Friday, December 26, 9:30 am, AMC Hike, Huntington State Park (B3C)
5 mile perimeter trail. Varied terrain, a couple of steep ups and downs. Bring crampons if icy conditions, snowshoes if 4+ inches of snow. Lunch after hike at Redding Roadhouse. Meet at park entrance on Sunset Hill Rd., Redding. Take Route 58 south 1.3 miles from the junction with Route 203 to Sunset Hill. Turn left on Sunset Hill and go 2.3 miles to the parking lot on the left. Rain cancels. If doubt, call L by 9:00 am. L Dale Geslien (203-778-3651, geslien@prodigy.net ) CL Welcome.
Saturday, December 27, 10:00 am, AMC Hike, Valley Falls Rails to Trails (B2B).
2 loop hikes on Shenipsit & Rail Trails, mountain laurel, lookout & pond, optional 3 mi. extra loop thru Belding WMA. Meet Valley Falls Park, Valley Falls Rd, Vernon. Unsafe driving, heavy rain/snow cancel. If doubt, call by 9 am. Leader: Connie Rokicki (860-228-0349, gbcar@aol.com ).
Sunday, December 28. 1pm, AMC Hike, Hammonasset Beach Walk (C3C)
Let's take a walk along the beach during the off season. 5-6 mile thru nature trails, and along the sandy beach. Meet Meig's Pt. parking lot. Possible pizza afterwards. Rain cancels. Leader: Barbara Beckerman (203-245-6731).