Fall 2022
Thursday, September
15, 8:30am*, FCE, Jones Mountain, New Hartford
*earlier time than
usual
There is something for everyone in the 158 acre preserve on Jones Mountain in New Hartford: traditional hiking trails, steep climb, flat walking on a wide carriage road, a wooden man-made bridge, a rock crossing across a stream, an overlook. This 3.7 mile, 2 1/4 hour hike will take us through white pines, swaths of ferns, moss, and past beautiful stonework.
Click here for a description and map of the preserve.
Meet at the commuter parking lot at 8:30am behind Our Lady of Hope Parish, 3 Church St North, New Hartford. We will carpool 8/10 mile to the trailhead.
L: Anne Fitzgerald, Landline 860-673-1216; Cell day of hike only 860-839-1755, Anne@cthikes.com
Thursday, September 22, 8:45 am, Timberlin Park and Short Mountain, Berlin WEATHER POSTPONEMENT
Hike will follow a Blue-Red Trail through the woods north of Fairway 10 and 11, then back across the parking lot up to the Green Trail which leads west to the base of Short Mountain and the Metacomet Blue Trail. We will then hike towards the top of Short Mountain, stopping with views of the Hanging Hills (and their Mysterious Black Dog Legend), Castle Craig, and West Peak radio towers. Then, further to the northwest summit, we will stop to have a view of the Southington hills to the west and Ragged Mountain to the north. We will then return on the Metacomet blue-blazed trail to the Green Trail and back to the parking lot. Total Distance is about 3 miles.
From Rte 9 South: Take exit 22 and turn right at the bottom of the exit. Best directions are to follow GPS to 330 Southington Road and turn right into Timberlin Golf Course. (Southington Road intersects with Chamberlin Highway with a traffic light).
L: Ed Shaskan (H) 860-561-0040 (C) 860-833-8009 Hike Day Only
Thursday, September 29, 2022. 8:45 am, FCE, Lamentation Mtn. Meriden
Meet at Giuffrida Park parking area for a 4.3 mile, 500 ft total ascent of the Lamentation Loop trail with several viewpoints on the ridge. For details of this and related trails, click here.
To the parking area: from Rte 9 take I-91 South to Exit 20 (Country Club Road). At bottom of exit ramp turn left at stop sign for about 200 yards, and then turn right onto Country Club Road. Proceed for 2.3 miles to yellow curve arrows and immediately turn right. Parking lot is ahead.
L: Ed Shaskan (H) 860-561-0040 (C) 860-833-8009 Hike Day
Thursday, October 6, 8:45 am, Sessions Woods, Burlington
Meet
at the trailhead east of the Education Center at Sessions Woods Wildlife
Management Area, 341 Milford St, (Rte 69) Burlington, CT.
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,
trask.dick@yahoo.com
October 13, 2022 8:45 AM, FCE Katan-Ensor Preserve, Granby Land Trust
This is a hike of about three miles; the first half has some steep hills. We will hike the Katan Ensore Preserve, the Schlicht Preserve, and the Garmany Preserve. There are open fields and woodlands, rock formations and brooks. Read about this hike here. Look at the 2nd map: Katan-Ensor Preserve, Gateway to the GLT's Old Messenger Road Preserves. This hike is on the Avenza Maps app.
From Simsbury, head north on Rte 10/ 202 to Granby Center. Take Rte 20 West. Stay on Rte 20 (do not take Rte 189 North) for about 1/2 mile and turn right on Strong Road on your right. The parking area is at the end of Strong Road, 2.7 miles. You can put 61 Strong Road, or coordinates 41.963228, -72.838363, into your navigation system.
L: David Edwards: 860-413-2536 (H); 860-989-3962 (cell, day of hike only).
Thursday, Oct 20, 8:45 am, FCE - Tariffville Gorge
The
hike starts and ends in Tariffville. We will hike north from the Rte 189 bridge
towards Hatchet Hill Rd. Our return will take us south on the Metacomet Trail
(part of the New England Trail) along the ridge line, with spectacular views of
the Farmington River, Simsbury and East Granby. Approx 3.8 miles.
This hike route has one pathway that is impassable if wet and there are no good second options. Rain or existing wet conditions will cause it to be postponed.
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.
L: Dick Trask 860 670 2353, trask.dick@yahoo.com
Thursday October 27 8:45 am, Barndoor Hill Loop, Simsbury/Granby
Trailhead is located at GPS coordinates 41.920780,-72.825820. This is at the intersection of Simsbury Road and Barndoor Hill Road. The hike is 5 miles and should take about 2.5 hours with an elevation gain of 626 ft. The hike is considered moderately challenging.
We will view Spring Lake, an antique manure spreader, Kettle Pond and summit East Barndoor Hill for a panoramic view of the other Barndoor Hill.
From intersection of Rt 167 and Rt 44, take 167 (Bushy HIll Rd)/Left onto onto Stratton Brook RD/Straight onto Old Farms Rd/Right onto Holcomb St/Left onto Barndoor Hills Rd/Left Simsbury Rd/Quick Right onto Barndoor Hills Rd. Parking at this intersection.
L: Ronald Robinson 860-670-5137, robiron44@gmail.com
Thursday November 3, 8:45AM Agnes Bowen and Robert Ross Loop, Peoples Forest. Barkhamsted
The hike is in Peoples Forest and we'll be doing the Agnes Bowen and Robert Ross Loop. The trailhead is located at GPS location 41.925750,-72.999690 (If you use GPS location Peoples Forest Parking you will be just south of the previous location). The hike is about 4 miles long, the elevation gain is 603 ft and it is considered moderately challenging. We will use the boardwalk to view a secluded lake and take the new boardwalk through a marsh area.
This hike is the end of season picnic so bring a picnic lunch and we will eat on the bank of the Farmington River. If it's too cold, there is a covered pavilion nearby.
L: Ronald Robinson 860-670-5137, robiron44@gmail.com
Thursday, November 10, 8:45 am, Timberlin Park and Short Mountain, Berlin
Hike will follow a Blue-Red Trail through the woods north of Fairway 10 and 11, then back across the parking lot up to the Green Trail which leads west to the base of Short Mountain and the Metacomet Blue Trail. We will then hike towards the top of Short Mountain, stopping with views of the Hanging Hills (and their Mysterious Black Dog Legend), Castle Craig, and West Peak radio towers. Then, further to the northwest summit, we will stop to have a view of the Southington hills to the west and Ragged Mountain to the north. We will then return on the Metacomet blue-blazed trail to the Green Trail and back to the parking lot. Total Distance is about 3 miles.
From Rte 9 South: Take exit 22 and turn right at the bottom of the exit. Best directions are to follow GPS to 330 Southington Road and turn right into Timberlin Golf Course. (Southington Road intersects with Chamberlin Highway with a traffic light).
L: Ed Shaskan (H) 860-561-0040 (C) 860-833-8009 Hike Day Only