SPRING 2021
8 hikes beginning April 22nd. Click here to register now.
Thursday, April 22, 8:45 am, Holcomb Farm and Carpenter Falls, West Granby
We will hike 2 ¾ hours/4 miles of the western trails with an out-and-back detour to Carpenter Falls on McLean Game Refuge property for our break. Nice combination of easy and moderate hiking on flat, hills, and water crossings in the woods. Bring dry socks and shoes for afterwards in case spring runoff gets our feet wet at the end. Clean porta-potty near parking lot. GPS: 113 Simsbury Rd, West Granby.
L: Anne Fitzgerald (H) 860-673-1216, (C) day of hike 860-839-1755
Thursday, April 29, 2021, 8:45 am, Timberlin Park and Short Mountain, Berlin
Meet at Timberlin Golf Course in Berlin, Connecticut, off Rte 79A (Chamberlain Highway) and Southington Road. We will gather at the East Side Parking Area (just to the right of the Golf Club House).
Hike will follow a Blue-Red Trail through the woods north of Fairway 10 and 11, back across the parking lot on the Blue-Red, up to the Green Trail leading to base of Short Mountain and the Metacomet Blue Trail, a.k.a. The New England Scenic Trail. The plan is to hike to the top of Short Mountain, stopping with views of the Hanging Hills (and its Mysterious Black Dog), Castle Craig, and West Peak radio towers).
Depending upon trail conditions, we may descend to the north side of Short Mountain with views of Ragged Mountain, but then we will return to Timberlin parking area by the same route. Total hiking distance about 3 miles.
Directions to the parking area: from Rte 9 South take Exit 22, right turn at light at bottom of exit. Go straight up slight hill about 0.4 miles and right on Hudson Street (follow several miles to Chamberlin Hwy stop sign) and left about half mile to Southington Road traffic light. Follow GPS to 330 Southington Road, Berlin CT.
L: Ed Shaskan (H) 860-561-0040 (C) 860-833-8009 Hike Day
Thursday, May 6, 8:45 am, Farmington Canal and River Trail, Avon
We will hike sections of the Town of Avon's Fisher Farm Open Space property.
We start in Avon on the River Trail which parallels the Farmington River and ends in Farmington. We cross the road and hike parts of the Canal Trail that leads back to Avon. The Canal Trail follows a portion of the historic Farmington Canal constructed in 1835. Click here for more information.
Driving from the Simsbury and Farmington areas, take Waterville Road (Route 10) to the traffic light at Old Farms Road in Avon. Turn right if driving from Simsbury. Turn left if driving from Farmington. Drive 100 yards on Old Farms Road and turn left at the Hiking and Boat Launch sign to reach the trailhead.
Avon drivers should follow Old Farms Road and go past Tilllotson Road to the Hiking and Boat Launch sign. Turn right to reach the trailhead.
View 41°46'20.4"N 72°49'23.9"W in Google Maps for the trailhead location.
The distance is approximately 4 miles and is mostly flat. L: Tom Iezzi. (H) 860-413-2627; (C) on day of the hike, 860-856-1753.
Thursday, May 13, 8:45 am, 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.
We will hike the reverse of our usual route. We will hike clockwise to the Nature Center Connector, following it to the Mainline Tunxis Trail and finally returning via the Beaver Pond Trail. Distance 4.3 miles.
L: Dick Trask 860 670 2353
Thursday, May 20, 2021, 8:45 am, FCE, Norbrook Farm Brewery Trails
Best description of this outing can be read in Connecticut Magazine February 2021 Issue article by Peter Marteka entitled "Brews and Views", pp 36-37 (click here).
Go past the Brewery parking lot (with clean Porta-Potty) to the trails parking lot in the north woods. We will hike the Rte 66 trail past the high tower and follow a few wooded trails passing northwest of Phelps Pond and the marsh, to Old Oak Climb and a northward view towards Massachusetts. We'll then take several interconnected trails back to the parking area. The brew pub opens at 12 noon for those interested. Total hiking distance about 3 miles.
Directions to the parking area: Take Rte. 44 north from Winsted and follow GPS directions to 204 Stillman Road, Colebrook, CT 06021
L: Ed Shaskan (H) 860-561-0040 (C) 860-833-8009 Hike Day
Thursday, May 27, 8:45 am, Granby Land Trust, Seth and Lucy Holcombe Preserve
We will hike the Seth and Lucy Holcombe Preserve, a Granby Land Trust property. The Preserve is located in North Granby at 70 Silver Street. The blazed trails cover 3.7 miles of this 152 acre beautiful property.
To reach the trailhead from Simsbury, drive north on Route 10/202. At the
traffic light in the center of Granby, follow the sign directions and turn left
for 189N and 20W. Quickly bear right and follow 189N for about 4 miles. You will
come to a stop sign and flashing red light, and East Street will be on your
right. Continue straight on 189N (Granville Road) . Take the first right which
is Silver Street. The trailhead will be on the right.
Google Maps location is 42.012789, -72.835448.
Parking spaces are limited for this hike. PLEASE car pool.
A detailed description of the hike can be found here.
L: Tom Iezzi. (H) 860-413-2627; (C) on day of the hike, 860-856-1753.
Thursday, June 3, 8:45 am, Antolini Woods Hiking Area, New Hartford
Meet
at the trailhead across the street from the South End Fire District Facility at
20 Antolini Rd., New Hartford. Parking is available at the fire station, on
street and at the school at the top of the hill.
We will start by hiking the White Trail to the Peak and back, then hike the Blue Trail clockwise. A new section of the White Trail will take us south towards East Cotton Hill Rd. Once there we will return to the start. The terrain is rugged with trails sometimes grown over and poorly marked. The conditions will make up for the hike being somewhat shorter than usual. Distance 3.8 miles.
L: Dick Trask 860 670 2353
Thursday, June 10, 8:45 am, Simsbury Land Trust Trails, Tulmeadow Farms and
Ethel Walker Woods
Meet: 86 Town Forest Road, Simsbury. Hiking approximately 2-1/2 hours at moderate pace.
From Route 167, Bushy Hill Road and Stratton Brook Road, Simsbury, go west on Stratton Brook for 1/2 mile to Town Forest Road, turn left and go 1 mile to 86 Town Forest Road Parking on left
Group picnic luncheon after hiking. Bring your own food and beverage. Picnic tables available or you can bring your own seating.
L: Jerry Marcum
860 810 0087
Phone or Text