CONNECTICUT HIKING

Park at Satan's Kingdom Recreation area on Rt. 44 just W of the Farmington River bridge in New Hartford. We will carpool to the start of the hike near Rt. 202, and we will do the Tipping Rock trail and out to the Rome Spare Outlook. L: Len Berton

Meet on Mountain Top Pass. Two loops on the white- and yellow-dot Tunxis trail plus a section of unmarked trails.  First loop is about 2 miles and the optional second loop is about 3 miles.  Bring water, snacks, and bug spray, and lunch will be available at the party.  Click here for the details and all the other party events.  L: Len Berton

(4 miles, 2 ½ hours). An incredible Fall day and we’ll see for miles (north) from the top of the tower on Soapstone Mountain. Learn why they call this Soapstone Mountain and what the Native Americans and colonists did with it. Bring binoculars and/or camera for the vistas at the top! Take I-91 north to exit 47 (190 east). Drive north on Route 83 to Parker Road and turn right. After 1.3 miles (the last 0.4 mile is a three-season dirt road) you’ll come to a dirt road intersection. Parking is diagonally to your left. L: John Calandrelli (SC) 860-236-4405

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Meet at International Skating Center, Rt. 10 Simsbury to carpool to trailhead, and then we will carspot. Hike is 11+ mi. Return rough estimate is 9pm.  Bring water, snacks and lunch. We plan to stop for dinner on the way home. L: Marie Coons

On seldom-visited trails. 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.

Meet at 8:45 am in the commuter parking lot on Library Lane off Rt 4 in Burlington (adjacent to the Little League field) to carpool to this 2.8 mile hike that includes a view.  Anticipate a return time of 12:30 pm.  L: Marie Coons

(B, 6.4 miles, 4 hours). This is probably our most demanding hike of the year. Vertical elevation covered, 1200 feet and it’s almost six and a half miles. But the views will be worth it from the top on what hopefully will be a clear Autumn day. The great views are topped by the climb of metal stairs to the top of Castle Craig. Take exit 4 off I-691 and follow West Main Street east toward downtown Meriden. After about ¾ mile turn left into Hubbard Park. Keeping the pond to your right, bear right at the first intersection to continue around the pond to a stop sign. Turn right toward the highway overpass and then park to your left in front of the concrete roadblocks. L: John Calandrelli (SC) 860-236-4405

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.

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Meet at International Skating Center, Rt. 10, Simsbury, to carpool to Vermont for this hike of almost 10 miles. This is an "out and back," so you do not have to be able to hike the entire way. Anticipate a return time of about 8 pm (although, if all goes smoothly we could be back by 7 pm). L: Marie Coons

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Meet at International Skating Center, Rt. 10, Simsbury, to carpool to Vermont for this hike of almost 10 miles. This is an "out and back," so you do not have to be able to hike the entire way. Anticipate a return time of about 8 pm. L: Marie Coons  [Note: forecast is good... just a little cool.]