Black Pond Black Hole Black Pond WMA, Middlefield January 2026 Another day, another WMA. Wildlife Management Area, that is. The majority of these places exist for hunting and aren't worth my time. Note, I'm not saying they are worthless, I'm saying they don't have established trails for me to hike. Black Pond … [Read more...]
Millers Pond State Park Trails
Hike It or Bike It Millers Pond State Park & Cockaponset State Forest, Durham/Haddam Septemeber 2016 & November 2023 There are several trails at Millers Pond and aside from the Mattabesett, they all pretty much loop back to the same parking lot near the Durham/Haddam border off of Foot Hills Road. In fact, the … [Read more...]
Farnum Falls
Far OutNumbered By Better Falls Farnum Falls, Durham November 2023 To my knowledge, there's no such name as Farnum Falls attached to what I'm calling Farnum Falls, deep within Cockaponset State Forest just west of Miller's Pond State Park in Durham. But what the heck, I found these falls to be a nice little scenic … [Read more...]
Cockaponset State Forest Intro
Cockaponset State Forest Haddam, Chester, Deep River, Killingworth, Durham, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, Middletown & Middlefield I listed all the towns above not because there are worthy CTMQ things do within the Cockaponset in each, but just to make the point that this is a disjointed and sprawling … [Read more...]
NNL: Chester Cedar Swamp
National Natural Landmark: Chester Cedar Swamp Chester Designation Date: 1973 Prior to this one, I’d only visited two other National Natural Landmarks. One was inside (Dinosaur Trackway in Rocky Hill) and the other has an extensive and well-maintained and documented trail system (McLean Game Refuge). This one, a … [Read more...]
4 Cockaponset Area Trails
PattaconkaCockaponset Chester/Haddam, ~ 4 miles March 15, 2009 A funny thing happened after "publishing" the page describing my experience hiking with Rob Butterworth along the Cockaponset Trail. It turns out that the esteemed Mr. Butterworth has a kajillion friends who have a strong interest in him and/or his … [Read more...]
Cockaponset Trail
C-C-Cockaponset! Haddam/Chester, 7.4 miles March 15, 2009 When Rob Butterworth asks you to join him on a Cockaponset hike, you clear your calendar and go. You arrive on time fully prepared, physically fit, and you listen to him while hiking. And learn... A lot. And once finished, you consider yourself … [Read more...]
Mattabesett Trail: Section 9
Section 9: I'll Be Mattabe-Seein' Ya Bear Hill Road - River Road (Eastern Terminus), 4.9 Miles November 9, 2008 Since this was hiked and written, the Kleen Energy plant has been built near the terminus and the trail has been rerouted/shorted a bit. It no longer has the road walk at the end. This is it. My … [Read more...]
Mattabesett Trail: Section 7
Section 7: Not Resting on my Mountain Laurels Harvey Road - Seven Falls (Route 154), 7.2 Miles September 21, 2008 Continuing along the Mattabesett, still in Durham, but later crossing into Haddam, the woods are mostly populated by mountain laurel, maples, and beeches. Lots and lots of laurel abounds. I'm sure … [Read more...]
Mattabesett Trail: Section 6
Section 6: That's Mica, alLedgedly Lone Pine Trailhead (east) - Harvey Road September 2008 & November 2023 In 2020, this section had a fairly significant reroute between Mt. Pisgah and Harvey Road. This added over 4 miles of woodland trail and eliminated the mile-long road walk. I completed the new miles and … [Read more...]