SEPTEMBER 2006 SCHEDULE
Saturday, Sept. 2, 7pm, PSF, Squires' Tavern Tour
Meet at the Stone Museum. A short walk explores how the owners of the Tavern made use of the natural resources of the area. We will then tour the ca. 1795 tavern, exploring its use, structure, and restoration by the Barkhamsted Historical Society. Bring a flashlight, as we will be returning to the museum after dark. Those who wish may drive to the Tavern for that part of the tour at about 7:30 pm. L: Walt Landgraf
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 10am, AMC, Farmington River Trail - Burlington to Collinsville
Although this is an AMC hike, you need not be a member to go. Round trip easy 4-mile walk, quite level. [Our local group may go further.] Lunch at a deli. Meet at River Trail parking lot on E side of Rt. 4 just S of jct.179 (traffic light) in Burlington. Rain Cancels. L Carolyn Olsen
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 8:45am, AMC, Chatfield Hollow, Killingworth (B3C)
Although this is an AMC hike, you need not be a member to go. Meet at the CPL on Rt. 4 & Town Farm Rd., Farmington, to carpool. 6-7 mile hike in both the State Forest and State Park, lunch at the pond and finishing with the boardwalk. Hike starts at 9:30 from the Chatfield Hollow lower lot. Bring lunch, snacks, water. Estimated return to Farmington about 3. L Gene Grayson (860-529-8434)
Sunday, Sept. 17, 9am, PSF, Soapstone Quarry Hike in Nepaug State Forest
Over 30 Native American bowl-making locations can be seen on the quarry face. Observe parts of the earth's mantle exposed by the erosion of 3 miles of the earth's surface. We will visit the site of mica and quartz mining. Meet at Matthies Grove (main picnic area) at Peoples State Forest. Bring water and insect spray. Heavy rain cancels. We will be walking about 2 miles of varied terrain, uneven ground, with sections of off trail hiking. Very relaxed pace, and estimated time is 3 hours. L: Walt Landgraf
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 8:45am, Tunxis White-dot, Burlington
Park along Mountain Spring Rd. just off Rt. 4, about 1/2 mile W of blinker. Will carpool to trailhead at Johnnycake Mountain Rd. and hike back about 5 miles. Bring lunch, snacks, water. Estimated return to cars about 1pm. L: Len Berton
Thursday, Sept. 21, 9 am, FCE, Sessions Woods, Burlington (The rest of the hikes in this series will meet at 8:45)
8+ weekly hikes begin. First meeting is at Sessions Woods, Rt. 69, 3+ miles south of the intersection with Rt 4, Burlington. Please call FCE at 404-0290 and register for Course #06F1301: "Hikes", or click here to enroll on-line. Distances will be about 4 - 6 miles, with back-to-cars goal before noon. We will carpool from Sessions to our first hike at Birge Pond in Bristol. Nice walk around large pond, then moderate climb to ridges, where we will see the large, glacially formed "hoppers" (aka "kettle holes"), and some nice overlooks. Also see Hiking Notes. L: Len Berton
Sunday, September 24, 1:30pm. SG, Fall Wildflower Hike
All hikes are open to the public. Hike will leave from the bulletin board at the Sleeping Giant Park entrance on the north side of Mt. Carmel Avenue in northern Hamden, about 0.5 mile east of Whitney Avenue. Hikers should wear comfortable, supportive shoes and bring snacks and water, as desired. No pets, please.
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 8:45am, FCE-U - Peoples State Forrest, Barkhamsted
Meet at Marandino's Market opposite Satan's Kingdom on Rt. 44 in New Hartford. We will do a broad loop including the famous "299 steps" trail, and the magnificent views from the overlooks on the Jesse Gerard trail, as well as several other beautiful trails. Maybe there will be some beginning fall color. Bring water, snacks and lunch. Estimated return to cars: 2pm. L: Len Berton
Thursday, September 28, 8:45am, FCE - Nature Center Connector, Bristol/Burlington
Meet again at Sessions Woods, and we will carpool to the trailhead in Bristol, and hike back to the parking lot. This trail is actually the black-dot Tunxis and it joins the mainline blue trail, which circles the Beaver Pond and joins the Sessions Woods loop trail. There are some fabulous rocky outcrops and the trail climbs up on some. L: Len Berton