AUGUST 2009 SCHEDULE
Saturday, August 8th; 10 am, SC, Litchfield, White Memorial Foundation
(Easy, 6.7 miles, 3 ½ hours). This 4000 acre wildlife sanctuary has more
than 35 miles of crisscrossing trails! It also has family campgrounds, marina,
and a nature museum. The unusual highlight of this woodland is the fact that we
can learn from the four open
tracks which have been set aside as total wildlife areas to compare to adjacent
areas over time. Take Route 44 and bear left onto Route 202 west past Route 8.
From the intersection of Route 118, it’s 2.2 miles to the sign on your left
for White Memorial. Follow the entrance road 0.5 mile to the parking area beyond
the carriage house. L: John Calandrelli (SC) 860-236-4405
Tuesday, August 11, 8:45 am, LH, Northwest Park, Windsor
An easy woodsy walk along the Farmington River up near Bradley Airport with an optional post-hike visit to a "Barns of Windsor" photo exhibit at the Windsor Historical Society. (www.windsorhistoricalsociety.org). Meet either at Farmington CPL Town Farm Rd. 8:45AM or at Northwest Park 9:20AM (directions: www.northwestpark.org). Bring water, bug stuff, snacks and lunch (optional), and a few $$$ (optional). Senior entrance fee at the exhibit is $4. L: Jane Macomber
Thursday, August 13, 8:45 am, LH, Metacomet Trail, Tariffville Gorge postponed due to heavy rain and muddy trail. See Aug 18.
Meet either at Farmington CPL Town Farm Rd. at 8:45AM or Rt. 189 opposite Old Hartford Rd., E Granby, at about 9:25. Out and back, no carspot. Stop for photos at Gorge overlook. Bring water, bug spray, snacks. Done by noon. L: Len Berton
Saturday, August 15th, 2pm, SC, Spignesi Memorial Park, Scotland
(Max Participants: 15, ~3 miles, Easy) This memorial park is newly established in memory of James Spignesi, a conservation officer of the Connecticut DEP. Bald eagles have been spotted in the park by frequent visitors. Just one of Scotland’s many little treasures. Beginning at the edge of an old field, we'll hike into the forest and end at a little stream where we will see a variety of wildlife. Follow Route 6W until you reach Hampton and turn left on 97S to Spignesi Memorial Park on your left. Parking lot is at trailhead off Route 97 in Scotland. L: John Calandrelli (SC) 860-236-4405
Tuesday, August 18, 8:45 am, LH, Metacomet Trail, Tariffville Gorge
Meet either at Farmington CPL Town Farm Rd. at 8:45AM or Rt. 189 opposite Old Hartford Rd., E Granby, at about 9:25. Out and back, no carspot. Stop for photos at Gorge overlook. Bring water, bug spray, snacks. Done by noon. L: Len Berton
Saturday, August 22nd; 10 am, SC, Ashford, Northern Nipmuck
(Moderate, 5 ¼ miles, 3 hours). By this time of year, this hike will be a flower lover’s delight. From Virginia creeper to sarsaparilla; from rattlesnake fern to poisonous mushrooms, this hike along two ridges and into meadows will be a day in the sun to remember. There should also be blackberries to snack on instead of communicating with! (Quiz time: What Union General (1862) was known as the “Virginia creeper?”) Pollution and our forests: as we hike through the beautiful Nipmuck forest we’ll learn about the latest environmental research in Connecticut’s forests. Nipmuck’s 9000 acres border the research forest of Yale and is brimming with opportunities for a huge variety of outdoor activities. (Including fishing. so if you are a fisherman/woman bring your poles!) There is an entrance fee to the park ($7). Take I-84 east to exit 69. Head east on Route 74 till it intersects with Route 44 east, then to Route 89 north. Go 4 miles and bear right at the Westford blinker. In 0.3 mile, stay straight on gravel Boston Hollow road. The trail crosses the road in another 1.3 miles. There is a little room to park on the left. L: John Calandrelli (SC) 860-236-4405
Tuesday, August 25, 8:45 am, LH, Johnnycake Mountain Tunxis Trail, Burlington
View Mtn Top Pass in a larger mapMeet at the corner of Johnnycake Mtn Rd & Mountain Top Pass. About 3 miles easy to moderate hiking plus history and description of the area. Prep for Burlington Land Trust 20th anniversary hike in October. Bring water, bug spray, snacks. L: BLT Secretary Karen Geitz, CL: Len Berton