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 worth CTMQ things do within the Cockaponset in each, but just to make the point that this is a disjointed and sprawling … [Read more...]
TSTL’16.10: Millers Pond State Park
The Sky's the Limit 2016 Hiking Challenge #10 Millers Pond State Park, Durham/Haddam Septemeber 4, 2016 Now into the double digits for our 2016 Sky’s the Limit Challenge hikes, I was feeling confident about our chances for completion. (Well, let’s be honest – we all knew we’d complete all 14.) Millers Pond … [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, 7.9 Miles September 1, 2008 Another holiday weekend, another beautiful day here in Connecticut. Time to lace up the trail shoes, fill up the water bottles, grab the maps and hit the trail! I utilized (I never say "used") a friend from … [Read more...]
Mattabesett Trail: Section 5
Section 5: A Fun Hike; No Bluffing Stagecoach Road - Lone Pine Trailhead (East), 6 miles August 1, 2008 Life is about decisions. Decisions like, "Can I hike 10.6 miles after work in August?" Apparently, I told myself that I could. I neglected to factor in the 35 minute drive to the trailhead and that other … [Read more...]
Mattabesett Trail: Section 2
Section 2: Higby Hollow... Hollow Head Country Club Road Trailhead - Route 66 Crossing (Middlefield), 4.4 Miles July 11, 2008 Note: This was written in 2008, so please forgive the tiny picture formatting. If you want to start at the beginning of the trail, go the Mattabesett Intro here. I'd really like to not … [Read more...]