Scant Indeed Northern Connecticut Land Trust: Scantic Riparian Area, Somers December 2023 At some point I decided to "hike" everywhere that some entity told me had a trail to hike. That's fine. It's the "then write about them all" part I still question myself about. But here we are. Underneath a powerline on a … [Read more...]
Read this first
State Parks, Reserves, Preserves, Forests, NAPs, WMAs, & Campsites
State Highpointing Intro
Why State Highpointing?
Land Trust Trails
Connecticut Hiking Challenges & Rewards
CFPA Trails & The Blue Trails Challenge
Town Owned Trails
Peakbagging Tallies
Highpointing and Peak-Bagging Intro
Mica Ledges Preserve
Drop the Mica Middlesex & Madison Land Trusts, Durham & Madison September 2023 "Hey Steve! Gimme a fairly short, moderately challenging, diverse and interesting hike in central Connecticut with nice views and ample parking!" Ok. Here you are. Go here. Mica Ledges. You're welcome. More accurately, go … [Read more...]
Schlaf Farm
The Sun Also Rises in Somers Northern Connecticut Land Trust: Schlaf Farm, Somers December 2023 The winter sun had risen a mere two hours before. The pale yellow ball glowed low in the eastern sky, hinting at some possible warmth later in the day. The December fields of corn, their dead stalks chopped down to the … [Read more...]
Stevenson Woodlands
Skip It Northern Connecticut Land Trust: Stevenson Woodlands, Somers December 2023 In my thoroughness, I visit any property that purports to have a trail. Sometimes, they don't. Sometimes, they don't when I visit and then years later, they do. That might be the case here at the Stevenson Woodlands in Somers... I … [Read more...]
Wellner Family Conservation Area
Well, Well, Wellner, What Do We Have Here? Wellner Family Conservation Area, Avon November 2023 Imagine being me and wanting to get out into the woods and finding out that the Avon Land Trust recently opened a newly cleared set of trails just 15 minutes away? Super exciting, right? Right. The funny … [Read more...]
CTfastrak Multi-Use Trail
Hoodie Ride Newington & New Britain November 2023 A month before Christmas Calvin and I went on a quickie 10-mile out and back jaunt along the CTfastrak bike trail. He was was too big for his bike at the time, but this would be the last ride before we traded up to an adult bike. The kid is 5'7" now and is still … [Read more...]
Somersville Mill Trail
Late Fall in Somers Somersville Mill Trail, Enfield & Somers November 2023 My wife has asked me on occasion if I remember every trail I hike for this website. For years, I'd confidently answer "yes." In fact, my hubris was so great that I would claim that I'd know on which trail any given picture was taken. … [Read more...]
Frederick White Farm Trails
White Farm, Brown Socks Frederick White Farm Trails, Durham November 2023 I like a good farm hike. I really like a good farm hike when the trails are well maintained. At the White Farm in Durham, the town does the best they can with what they have. They certainly can't help that many of the trails are … [Read more...]
Graham Thompson Preserve
Crackers! Graham Thompson Preserve, Litchfield Land Trust, Litchfield November 2023 I swear something weird happens to me every November in Litchfield. For several years running now, I reserve a turkey at Bunnell Farm in town and of course plan some CTMQ'ing around that trip. This usually involves some … [Read more...]
Coginchaug Cave
Chaugging Along Coginchaug Cave, Durham November 2023 I'd been to this fake cave before, way back in 2008 when it was right along the Mattabesett Trail. In fact, it was on the main trail for many decades, until a 2021 reroute put it onto the "Coginchaug Cave Connector" trail. This reroute is an excellent one, … [Read more...]