hikes 2019

Please call FCE at 860-404-0290 and register for Course NAT102 "Hikes", or click here to enroll on-line. Distances will be about 4 - 6 miles, with back-to-cars goal before 12:30pm. Also see Hiking Notes.

Meet in the Crescent Lake parking lot on Shuttle Meadow Rd in Southington. From Farmington Center take RT 10 south and bear left onto Cooke Street when you see the Mobil station. Go left onto RT 372 and continue past Shopping Centers to the traffic light and sign to 84. Go right (this is Crooked St) and continue to traffic light at the end. Go right (this is Woodford Ave) and then take the first left onto Ledge Rd. Follow Ledge Road (Plainville) which becomes Shuttle Meadow Rd in Southington.

We will hike the Crescent Lake Blue-Orange trail, connect to the Metacomet trail and then return on the Crescent Lake Orange and Red trails. A 3+ mile moderate hike with one major hill climb. Please click here for the trail map.

From the Hill-Stead Museum parking lot, we will walk the road northerly and take the Woodland Trail past the overlook and merge with the Metacomet Trail and head south. We will then cross Mountain Road and continue on the Metacomet Blue Blazed Trail to nearly Rte 6 and with overviews of the Farmington Reservoir and hills and lakes West. With a short back-track, we will end up on Reservoir Road and walk back to our cars. An easy hike but with rocky terrain in places which will require sturdy boots. Approximately 2.5 hours.

Meet at Giuffrida Park parking area for a 2.7 mile, 530 ft total ascent of the Chauncey Peak Loop trail with several viewpoints on the ridge. For details of this and related trails, click here.

From Rte 9 take I-91 South to Exit 20 (Country Club Road). At bottom of the exit ramp turn left at the stop sign for about 200 yards, and then turn right onto Country Club Road. Proceed on Country Club Road for 2.3 miles to yellow curve arrows and immediately turn right and parking lot is ahead.

Thursday, May 16, 8:45 am, FCE, Suburban Park, Unionville plus Optional Horseguard State Park, Avon

On April 28, Peter Marteka wrote about a park most of us drive by every day but have never explored. We will do that today. Despite Peter saying there are four miles of trails, it's closer to two so this will be a shorter hike than most but informative. This early spring an Explorer Scout and his team cleaned up the trails and placed signs telling us about this park that was full of activity from 1895 until 1905. Moderate difficulty with a few steep climbs. About 1 1/2 hours.

From the corner of Rt. 4 and 167, drive north just past Sanford and Hawley then turn left onto Cottage Street. GPS use 59 Cottage Street and park at the end of the road in the circle, leaving room for many cars. Click here for Courant article.

For those who wish to hike longer, we will then drive 3.8 miles to Horseguard State Park next to the Derrin House, 249 West Avon Rd (just past Arch Rd on the left), for a 45 minute up and back hike to a rock-scramble peak offering great views. From Peter's October 15, 2016 article (includes video) - click here.

L: Anne Fitzgerald (H) 860-673-1216 (C) 860-839-1755 Hike Day

Thursday, May 23, 8:45am at Northwest Park, 145 Lang Rd, Windsor

Add new sightings to your life list of birds, butterflies, wildflowers, and fungi. Visit the Heritage Breed farm animals. Stop by the nature center to explore exhibits, live animals, and the gift shop for their maple syrup and honey. Click here for info and trail map.

L: Grant Summers at 401-575-0343.

Thursday, May 30th, 8:45am at Penwood State Park, 560 Simsbury Road, Bloomfield

In spring, the trillium is common, as are Dutchman's breeches, hepatica, bloodroot, and trailing arbutus. Occasionally the hiker may glimpse the flight of the pileated woodpecker, turkey vulture or bald eagle.

Located on Route 185, west of Route 178, and east of Route 10. Follow Route 10 north until you reach Route 185 in Simsbury. Follow 185 heading for Bloomfield. At top of the hill, Penwood is on your left. Click here for trail map.

L: Grant Summers at 401-575-0343

Thursday, June 6, 8:45 am, FCE - Sessions Woods, Burlington

Meet at the trailhead north of the Education Center at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area, 341 Milford St, (Rte 69) Burlington, CT. This is a moderate hike on the Beaver Pond Trail and the mainline Tunxis Trail returning via the Nature Center Connector. Distance 4.3 miles. L: Dick Trask 860 670 2353.

Thursday, June 13th, 9:00am Burr Pond, Torrington postponed to June 20th due to weather

Note: Meet 9:00 for 9:15 start. Hike 3 miles around Burr Pond. There are two peninsulas jutting out into the water. Great views and photo opportunity.

From RT 8 exit 46, go west at end of ramp onto Pinewoods Road. At first stop sign turn left onto Winsted Road; go south for about one mile to Burr Pond State Park sign and blinking yellow light. Turn right onto Burr Mountain Road, go one mile to park entrance on left.

Following the hike: group luncheon at Zach and Lou's Barbecue near Burr Pond.

L: Gerald Marcum 860 810 0087

First hike: Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted (Postponed to November 7)

We will hike portions of the Robert Ross (Blue) and the Agnew Bowen (Blue-Orange) trails and explore the recently completed boardwalk.

From Canton, take Rte 44 West to Rte 181. Go right onto 181 and right again at the steel bridge and then a quick left onto East River Road. Continue for approximately 1 mile to the parking lot on the left side of the road.

Click here for the trail map.

L: Tom Iezzi 860-413-2627(H); 860-856-1753(C), day of the hike.

Thursday, Sep 19, 8:45 am, FCE - Tariffville Gorge/ Route 20 to Old Hartford Ave.

The hike is N to S on the Metacomet Trail (part of the New England Trail) along the ridge line, from Rt 20 to Tariffville with spectacular views of the Farmington River, Simsbury and East Granby. 4.1 miles. Click for map and details: CT NET: Section 19 (Metacomet Trail) | New England Trail

Meet at Old Hartford Ave., East Granby. Take Rt. 189 N bridge across Farmington River just beyond Tariffville Village, look for the blue Metacomet Trail marker on the east side of the road. Limited parking is available by the marker with additional parking along Old Hartford Ave. We will car spot to Rt 20.

Meet at the east end of the Marshall's/Michael's shopping plaza at 315 West Main St., Avon. We'll car spot about two miles to the Nod Way trailhead where drivers will pull up over the nearby curb onto the grassy area. We'll hike up the grassy Nod Way trail onto the white Garvin Trail, blue Maher Trail, red Red Blaze Trail, and back to the blue and white, then down the grassy trail.

Difficulty ranges from an upward climb to begin with, flat, down, mild upward, almost bushwhacking on a rarely used but well-blazed trail, and stream and fallen tree crossings. Easy to strenuous for about 2 ½ hours.

The park is located at 145 Lang Road in Windsor. From Interstate 91 heading north take Exit 38. From Interstate 91 heading south, take Exit 38A. Turn right at the exit on to Poquonock Ave (Route 75N). Go about 1.5 miles and turn left on to Prospect Hill Road. Turn right at the second traffic circle on to Lang Road and continue up the road to the park. Click here for the trail map. L: Grant Summers 402-575-0343

Thursday, October 10th, 8:45am, West Mountain Trails, West Simsbury (Postponed to November 21)

The parking area is on the right across from Pasture Lane on Westledge Road (Rt. 309) just past The Master’s School at 36 Westledge Road in West Simsbury. For those fit, using poles, we’ll hike the 6 mile red/blue loop which has a descent from the peak and a rock hopping section on our way back through the valley. Click here for the trail map. L: Grant Summers, 402-575-0343.

Thursday, October 17, 8:45 A.M., F.C.E. Hike of Ragged Mountain postponed to 12/5

From Farmington Country Club (corner of Rtes. 10 and 4) head south on Rte. 4 following signs to South 9 which leads onto Farmington Avenue and South Road onto I-84 East and Exit 39A onto Rte 9. Take Rte 9 south to Exit 23 (Berlin), turn right at end of exit ramp and go approximately 0.4 miles to second set of lights. Turn right onto Rte 372 (Farmington Ave) and in 0.3 miles turn left at traffic light (just under pass railroad) onto Main Street (Rte. 71). Follow Main Street approximately 0.7 miles to second stop sign where you turn right and an immediate left onto Hart St. Follow Hart St. for 0.7 miles and at second stop sign intersect with sometimes busy Rte 71a (Chamberlain Highway). Crossing this highway straight away puts you onto West Lane and in 0.6 miles reach parking area on the right (across from #437 West Lane).

We will hike the Blue-Red Trail to the top of Small Cliff with views south to Meriden's West Peak and more proximally to Short Mountain as the Metacomet Trail winds northward and up a treacherous shoot that rises beneath our bearing on Small Cliff (Note: this for observation only). We will then hike the Blue-blazed Metacomet to two overlooks westerly towards Southington ridge and, more proximally, the New Britain reservoirs. About 0.7 miles after the second overlook, we will take the Blue-Yellow Trail back to the middle of the Blue-Red and descend back to the car park. This hike will be moderate to difficult in places. Be certain to bring water and snacks. Heavy rain and/or thunder showers cancel.

From Avon, take Route 44 West to Norfolk center and merge onto Rte 342 and proceed north past original Infinity Hall and north straight away for about 0.3 miles (and about 100 feet past where Rte 44 turns sharply west) where small road on left leads into Haystack State Park. Drive up the road to dead end parking lot with comfortable CT State outhouse.

Bring a lunch/snack for eating at picnic tables or at the top of the tower with views of Connecticut and Massachusetts in hopefully full fall foliage. We will spot cars at base of mountain where there is limited parking. Hiking up the main trail to the summit at 1716 ft. above sea level will give an elevation gain above Norfolk of about 500 feet in slightly less than one mile (somewhat steep in parts). Dress appropriately and remember Norfolk's peaks weather, noting delayed starting time for temperature and travel time.

Thursday, October 31, 8:45 A.M., FCE, Penwood State Park, Simsbury/Bloomfield (Postponed to November 14th)

Four mile loop on Blue,& Yellow Trails. Moderate terrain with some climbs. Meet at Penwood State Park on Route 185 - entrance at Bloomfield/Simsbury Town Line.

This is the FCE end-of-season group luncheon hike:
Iron Horse Pub, 21 Iron Horse Blvd., Simsbury, CT
10 minutes from Penwood. Moderate pricing. Individual checks

Thursday, November 7, 8:45am, Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted (Postponed from September 12)

We will hike portions of the Robert Ross (Blue) and the Agnew Bowen (Blue-Orange) trails and explore the recently completed boardwalk.

Thursday, November 14th, 8:45 A.M., FCE, Penwood State Park, Simsbury/Bloomfield (Postponed from October 31)

Thursday, November 21, 8:45am, West Mountain Trails, West Simsbury (Postponed from October 10)

Thursday, December 5, 8:45 A.M., F.C.E. Hike of Ragged Mountain cancelled due to heavy snow

Thursday, December 19, 2019, 8:45am: Tulmeadow Farms Hike (substitute for December 5th cancelled)

Considering snow/wet conditions, hike will follow Tulmeadow Farms and Simsbury Land Trust trails and Ethyl Walker School trails and make a loop back to parking area. As icy spots could exist, sturdy boots and stabilizers are recommended.

CONNECTICUT HIKING