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05/18/2016 07:00 AMWith more than 225 events in more than 100 towns across Connecticut, there are plenty of events to pick from on Connecticut Trails Day 2016 in Connecticut, which runs two days, on Saturday, June 4 and Sunday, June 5. The event is part of the National Trail Day celebration. Connecticut can boast of having the largest trails day celebration in the nation, says Eric Hammerling, executive director of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), which is coordinating the Trails Day celebration in the state. He said Connecticut’s is the largest because it has been participating since 1944, when the national event started, and because there is a very large number of land trusts, watershed associations, and conservation groups in the state, and in many towns. “Every town is really thinking about how they can get people outside,” he said.
North Haven Hike
Sunday, June 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Peter’s Rock Park / Red Summit Trail
Moderate (Gently rising/temperate terrain with occasional obstacles). Good for families. No dogs permitted. The hike will be a two mile round trip to the summit (the highest point in North Haven), crossing moderate terrain that is steep and rocky in places. The view is expansive, reaching to Sleeping Giant and the Hanging Hills of Meriden to the north and New Haven Harbor and Long Island Sound to the south. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Heavy rain cancels.Leader(s): Michael Fletcher , Christopher Fletcher. Meet at the Peter’s Rock Park main entrance adjacent to the First Fuel gas station (133 Middletown Avenue/Route 17). Rain cancels. Pre-registration is not necessary. Questions, contact: Michael Fletcher, info@petersrockassociation.org. Sponsored by: Peter’s Rock Association.
East Haven Trolley Ride, Walk
Saturday June 4, 10 a.m. to noon
Shoreline Trolley Museum/Shoreline Greenway Trail walk
Easy (Mostly level/calm terrain with few, if any, obstacles). Good for families. Leashed dogs permitted.
The Branford and East Haven Shoreline Greenway Trail teams and the Shore Line Trolley Museum are co-sponsoring a walk and free Trolley Ride for Connecticut Trails Day. Gather at 10 a.m. at the Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River Street in East Haven, which houses nearly 100 vintage transit vehicles. There will be a brief tour of the antique trolley museum before visitors board a trolley for the trip along the scenic track trail. Participants will disembark at a platform to walk to the Farm River at the old dike crossing. Along the way hikers will visit the remains of an old crushing plant and talk about its history. Returning to the trolley, participants will ride back to the museum. The event will highlight the Connecticut shoreline’s historic attractions including the Shore Line Trolley Museum, Beacon Hill and environs, and the Farm River. For further information, visit www.shorelinetrolley.com or www.shorelinegreenwaytrail.org. Leaders are Judith Miller , Leo Cristofar. Total Distance: Two miles by trolley and on foot. Rain or shine. Pre-registration is not necessary. Questions, contact: Judith Miller, 203-589-8335, j.miller@snet.net. Sponsored by: Shoreline Greenway Trail, Shore Line Trolley Museum.
North Branford Hike
Saturday, June 4 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Big Gulph Trails
Challenging (Steep/choppy terrain with periodic obstacles). No dogs permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. A vigorous hike of about four miles over steep terrain. The hike crosses some wet spots, so have appropriate footwear. The loop will include steep areas going up Totoket Mt. Meet at the Northford Playground parking lot on Rt. 17. Meeting Place: Northford Park Playground parking lot, 1825 Middletown Avenue (Route 17), Northford. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is not necessary. Questions, contact: John Triana, 203-401-2749, jtriana1@rwater.com. Sponsored by: Regional Water Authority.
North Branford Educational Walk
Saturday, June 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Northford Park/Big Gulph
Easy (Mostly level/calm terrain with few, if any, obstacles). Good for families. No dogs permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. Join the North Branford Land Trust and The New Haven Hiking Club for a walk in the Big Gulph Trail system, Regional Water Authority property. The route will be family-friendly, mostly flat, on a well-maintained woods road. The hike will pass a variety of structures used by the RWA to channel water into Lake Gaillard. Return by the same route. Roundtrip distance is three miles. For those interested there will be an option for a longer and more challenging hike to the top of the ridge, through a diverse forest landscape. Leader: Geoffrey Smith , Otto Schaefer. Meet at Northford Park, 1829 Middletown Ave (Route 17) in Northford. Rain date: Sunday, June 5 at 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration is appreciated. Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Geoffrey Smith, 203-488-3352, info@nblandtrust.org. Sponsored by: North Branford Land Conservation Trust.
Branford Hike
Saturday, June 4, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Hammer Woodlands and Sliney Family Property, Branford
The 26-acre Hammer Woodlands and Sliney Family Property includes a pond, traprock ridge, and a meadow. There is one short stretch that is moderately steep but not particularly challenging. This one mile hike will take approximately one hour. The leader is Bill Horne. Meeting Place: Please park in parking lot behind Jalapeno Heaven Restaurant at the corner of North Main Street and Cherry Hill Road, at 40 North Main Street, Branford. Rain Plan & Registration Details: Rain postpones. Rain date: Sunday, June 5, 2016 - 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration is not necessary.
Questions and/or participant registration (if applicable), contact: Bill Horne at billhorne48@yahoo.com. Sponsored by: Branford Land Trust.
Guilford Hike
Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m. to noon (meet at 8:45 a.m.)
Timberlands/New England Trail (Menunkatuck Trail)
Moderate (Gently rising/temperate terrain with occasional obstacles) Good for families, No Dogs Permitted. CFPA Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System NET (New England Trail—National Scenic Trail) Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event.
A family-friendly hike in the northern portion of Timberlands. Meet at 8:45 a.m. sharp at the New England Trail parking area on Route 80, for introductions & orientation. Hike begins at 9:00 a.m., heading south on the blue-blazed trail. We’ll traverse varied terrain, from level walking through a wide corridor to narrow ledge scrambling. Lovely views of Upper Guilford Lake. We’ll stop for a snack where the rushing waters of Iron Stream flow into the lake. Mountain laurel may be in bloom. From the bridge across Iron Stream, we’ll head back via the white-blazed trail. Total Distance: 2.2 miles. Meeting Place: Parking area on Route 80 (Old Toll Road), just east of where Maple Hill Road intersects Route 80. Contact leader for rain plan. Pre-registration is recommended. Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Doug Clark, 443-852-2439, revdlmc@gmail.com. Sponsored by: CFPA, Guilford Land Stewardship Committee.
Madison Educational Walk
Sunday, June 5, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Madison Land Conservation Trust/Blinnshed Loop Trail
Easy (Mostly level/calm terrain with few, if any, obstacles). Good for families. No dogs permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. Amphibian Hike! Join Yale ecologists Kealoha Freidenburg and David Skelly on a search for frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts. This trail features extensive wetlands and old logging roads through the woods. Please wear boots and bring a dip net if you have one. Total Distance: 1 mile. Meeting Place: Meet at the trailhead across the street from the Country School, which is at 341 Opening Hill Road, Madison, near the intersection of Opening Hill and Blinnshed Roads. Rain or shine. Pre-registration is not necessary. Questions, contact: Julie P. Ainsworth, 203-435-2925
julieainsworth@live.com. Sponsored by: Madison Land Conservation Trust.
Clinton Hike
Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m to noon
Peters Memorial Woods
Moderate (Gently rising/temperate terrain with occasional obstacles). Good for families. Leashed dogs permitted.
A two-mile hike that will traverse almost all of the trails at this land trust property. Hikers will pass by rock formations, over streams, and through old mountain laurel stands. Bring water. Place: Meet at the parking lot of Peters Memorial Woods, 35 Valley Road, Clinton. Rain or shine. Pre-registration is not necessary.
Questions, contact: Michael Houde, mhoude01@aol.com. Sponsored by: Clinton Land Conservation Trust.
Killingworth Hike
Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to noon
Killingworth and Kelseytown Reservoir Watershed
Easy (Mostly level/calm terrain with few, if any, obstacles) Good for families. Leashed dogs permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall, www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. This scenic trail is located within two of the Connecticut Water Company’s watershed properties. On the 2.5-mile journey, hikers will encounter relatively flat terrain with some minor hill climbing (not handicap accessible), traversing open fields, crossing the Menunketesuck River via a footbridge, passing a pond, and traveling along some old woods roads. Total Distance: 2.5 miles. Meet at the Platt Nature Center at 344 Roast Meat Hill Road in Killingworth. Rain or shine. Pre-registration is recommended. Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Dan Meaney, 860-664-6016, dmeaney@ctwater.com. Sponsored by: Connecticut Water Company.
Killingworth Hike
Saturday, June 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lake Hammonasset Reservoir
Moderate (Gently rising/temperate terrain with occasional obstacles). New hikers welcome. No dogs permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall, www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. The distance covered to circumnavigate the reservoir will be approx six miles on trails with irregular terrain, limited elevation, and good tree cover. Views of the reservoir are very good but limited for stretches due to terrain and heavy lakeside pines. We will take a snack/lunch break at the head of the lake. Leaders are Janet Ainsworth and Bea Holt. Meeting Place: Gated parking lot at 549 Connecticut 80. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is required. Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Janet Ainsworth, 203-530-7826, janetkainsworth@gmail.com. Sponsored by: Appalachian Mountain Club, Connecticut Forest and Park Association.
Westbrook Educational Walk
Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to noon
Chapman Mill Pond Conservation Area
Moderate (Gently rising/temperate terrain with occasional obstacles). Good for families. Leashed dogs permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. This educational walk will follow a two-mile route through Westbrook’s 86-acre Chapman Mill Pond Conservation Area, a gateway to the state-recognized Menunketesuck Greenway. From the new parking area on the west side of Route 145 (Horse Hill Road), the trail slopes down to a woods road paralleling a series of vernal pools, then north through mixed hardwoods, and a scattering of hemlock and white pine, to Chapman Mill Pond. The trail crosses a small bridge (Eagle Scout Project) then goes uphill to the ridge top overlooking west the 40 acre pond, an impoundment of the Menunketesuck River. The ridge, once covered by majestic Hemlocks is reforesting after an infestation of the invasive Hemlock Wooley Adelgid killed 95% of the trees; large downed trees provide convincing evidence of the invasive pests’ destructive capability. The trail continues down the south end of the ridge then follows the scenic shoreline trail at the base of the ridge back to the bridge. If there is time other trails will be explored. Meet leaders Tom ODell and Marty Marx at the new parking area on Route 145. Attention: There may be wet areas and rocky sections of trails so please wear appropriate footwear. Directions: From I-95 Exit 64, go north 0.8 miles on Route 145 (Horse Hill Road), parking area is on the left. Watch for Chapman Mill Pond Trail signs. State Support: The newly constructed parking site was funded in part by a grant from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Recreational Trails Grant Program. Meeting Place: From I-95 Exit 64, Westbrook, go north 0.8 miles on Route 145 (Horse Hill Road), parking area is on the left. Watch for Chapman Mill Pond Trail signs. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is appreciated. Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Tom ODell, 860-575-0969, todell@snet.net. Sponsored by: Westbrook Conservation Commission.
Old Saybrook/Westbrook/Essex Hike
Saturday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Preserve
Moderate (Gently rising/temperate terrain with occasional obstacles). New hikers. No dogs permitted Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. This will be a 3.75 mile hike on interim trail system of the 1000-acre state forest, led by Chris Cryder. Please wear appropriate attire, and bring some water and snacks. Leaders: Jonathan Paradis and Chris Cryder. Please meet at the parking lot next to 1226 Essex Rd, Westbrook. Rain cancels. Rain date: Sunday, June 5, 2016 at 10 a.m.
Pre-registration is required. Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Jonathan Paradis, 860-395-3152, Jonathan.Paradis@OldSaybrookCT.gov. Sponsored by: Old Saybrook Parks and Recreation (OSPR).
Old Saybrook Letterboxing
Sunday, June 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Great Cedars West
Easy (Mostly level/calm terrain with few, if any, obstacles). Good for families. No dogs permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. This event will feature a newly refined letterboxing trail. Girl Scout Toop 62128 refurbished and improved the trail for their Silver Award project. This is the big unveiling. The troop will be onsite to guide you as you go searching for letterboxes. This event is perfect for all ages and all levels of experience. A station will be set up for participatns to make their own stamps that can be used on the trail. Log books and directions for the trial will be provided. Please bring a light snack and water. Leaders: Brenda Maseli and Jonathan Paradis. Total Distance: 1 mile Meeting in the parking lot of Great Cedars West at 121-135 Ingham Hill Road, Old Saybrook. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is appreciated. Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Jonathan Paradis, 860-395-3152, Jonathan.Paradis@OldSaybrookCT.gov. Sponsored by: Old Saybrook Parks and Recreation.
Old Saybrook/Essex Nature Walk
Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to noon
Turtle Creek Preserve
Easy (Mostly level/calm terrain with few, if any, obstacles). No dogs permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. This will be a relaxing and educational amble with stops to explore whatever the woods and wetlands offer. We will also talk about the larger context of this small open space parcel, positioned in such close proximity to the Connecticut River Estuary and Long Island Sound. Come learn about how every watershed connects to the Sound, and why what we do even in our backyards makes a difference. Wear comfortable walking shoes, tick protection (we will wander a little off trail), and bring your curiosity. Total Distance: 2 miles more or less. This event also passes through: Essex. Meeting Place: From Interstate 95: Rte 9 N to exit 2. N on Rte 154, 0.8 mile. Right on Watrous Point Rd.[easy to miss] Parking on left 0.2 miles. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is appreciated.
Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Judy Preston, 860-395-0465, jpreston65@sbcglobal.net. Sponsored by: Long Island Sound Study, Connecticut Sea Grant.
Old Saybrook Paddle
Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to noon
Oyster River
Moderate (Gently rising/temperate terrain with occasional obstacles). No dogs permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event. Join in at the salt marsh to explore the Oyster River and head out to the Long Island Sound for a break and beautiful view. Bring your kayak, row boat, canoe, or paddle bike. This paddle tour should last about two hours, and will cover roughly 4 miles of water trails. A personal flotation device is required. Total Distance: 4 miles. Meeting Place: Meet at the Launch under the bridge of Route 1, behind the produce stand, at Ingham Hill Road. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is appreciated. Questions and/or participant registration, contact: Jonathan Paradis, 860-395-3152
Jonathan.Paradis@OldSaybrookCT.gov. Sponsored by: Old Saybrook Parks and Recreation (OSPR).
Chester Trail Maintenance
Saturday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to noon
Cockaponset State Forest-Pattaconk Recreation Area/Yellow Blazed Trail
Moderate (Gently rising/temperate terrain with occasional obstacles) Leashed Dogs Permitted. Any change notices will be posted by the leader on the CFPA Facebook wall www.facebook.com/CTForestandParkAssociation by the morning of the event.
Join members of BPC, CFPA, CT-NEMBA and LCRVHC for their 10th annual “combined arms” trail maintenance event. Projects will include brushing, blazing, and treadway improvement. A pot-luck cook out will follow with hot dogs provided by the LCRVHC. Bring a dessert or side and stay for the raffle. Bring a friend or make a new one. Participants should come dressed appropriately for a day of work in the woods (including work gloves) and may bring loppers, pruners, or bow saws. All other tools will be provided. Participants should also bring along water, snacks, their favorite bug repellent and a healthy appetite. Leaders will be Robert Butterworth and Melissa EvartsT. otal Distance: 2 miles Meeting Place: The way will be signed. Take CT Route 9 to Exit 6, Route 148 Chester, Route 148 west for 1.6 miles to Cedar Lake Road for 1.6 miles. Follow signs for Pattaconk Recreation Area on State Forrest Road in Chester. Rain Plan & Registration Details: Rain date: Sunday, June 5, 2016 at 9 a.m.. Pre-registration is appreciated. For questions and/or participant registration, contact: Robert Butterworth, 860-526-3210, Robert.Butterworth@arris.com. Sponsored by: CFPA, Lower CT River Valley Horsemens Club, Bridal Path Conservancy, and CT-Nemba-Central CT Chapter.
Essex Paddle
Sunday, June 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Family Paddle to Chapman Pond on the Connecticut River
Moderate (Gently rising/temperate terrain with occasional obstacles). No Dogs Permitted. For this family-friendly paddle along the Connecticut River, provide your own canoe or kayak, safety equipment including Personal Floatation Devices, and water and a snack are recommended. The group will pass two small islands in the Connecticut River and explore the natural history of the small pond called Chapman Pond and the surrounding area. Binoculars are recommended. Leaders are Bill Yule and Jennifer White-Dobbs. The total distance is about four to five miles. Meeting Place: From the west cross the Connecticut River on Route 82 from Haddam to East Haddam. The Goodspeed Landing boat launch is on the east bank of the Connecticut River, just south of the Goodspeed Opera House parking lot. The address for the Goodspeed Opera House is 6 Main Street, East Haddam. Rain cancels. Pre-registration is required. Questions and participant registration contact: Bill Yule, 860-767-8269, byule@ctrivermuseum.org. Sponsored by: Connecticut River Museum.