Hiking events for Winter 2019
Hike Leader Bio: Steven Troop is a Recovery Support Specialist, Army Veteran, Appalachian Mountain Club Hike Leader, Sierra Club Outings Leader, Wilderness First Responder and Hike Leader for Resilience Grows Here. The following group hikes will be offered in conjunction with Appalachian Mountain Club (ct-amc.org) activities. (Leader’s phone: 860-480-9926)
1) Talcott Mountain State Park, Simsbury, CT. Friday November 29, 2019 @ 11:30 – 2:00 PM. Black Friday Opt-Outside Hike
Wouldn’t you rather be outside hiking on a beautiful Fall day rather than going to the mall shopping with a million people? If so, then come on out for a short 3 mile hike to Hublein Tower on Talcott Mountain! The first section is a moderate climb for a quarter mile up to the ridgeline; it then levels off for a leisurely hike along the ridge over-looking the valley below. Please wear hiking shoes or boots, bring a backpack with at least 1 liter of water, healthy snacks, hot coffee or tea, first aid kit, extra clothes and anything else you might need. Always be prepared for any weather while hiking. (Hike Rating: C3C) Steady rain or ice will cancel the event.GPS Address: 1 Summit Ridge Drive, Simsbury, CT off Route 185. For more info please visit ct.gov/deep/talcottmountain2)
2) Mount Tom State Park, Litchfield, CT. Saturday Nov 30, 2019 @ 11:00 AM.
This will be a short 2 mile hike over somewhat rocky terrain that leads to the summit of Mt Tom (1,325 feet above sea level). At the summit is a stone tower, which provides a nice view of the valley and pond below. Please wear hiking shoes or boots and bring a backpack with at least 1 liter of water, snacks, first aid kit, extra clothing and anything else you might need for the hike. Always be prepared for any weather while hiking but steady rain or ice will cancel the hike.
Directions: Mt Tom State Park is located just off Route 202 about 2 miles southwest of Litchfield, CT on Old Town Road. Once inside the park, follow the one-way road signs to a marker directing you to the Tower Trail, just before the Main picnic area. Steady rain will cancel the hike. For more info & trail map please visit ct.gov/deep/mounttom (Hike Rating: C4C)
3) Cranberry Pond Trail at White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield, CT. Saturday Nov 30, 2019 @ 2:00 – 4:00 PM.
This will be a short, leisurely 2 mile nature walk along the Cranberry Pond Trail at White Memorial with a special treat of homemade pies and coffee at the end of the hike made by Gerri Griswold! Please call White Memorial Conservation Center at 860-567-0857 to register for the hike, it’s free but donations to White Memorial are always appreciated! (Hike rating: C4D) Address: 80 White Hall Road, Litchfield, CT 06750
4) Metacomet Trail, East Granby, CT. Saturday Dec 7, 2019 @ 10:00 AM
This will be a 4 mile out & back hike starting at East Granby Farms Recreation Area. From the trailhead it’s a gradual climb up an old logging road (which is now a hiking trail) for 1 mile to the Metacomet Trail. From there we will hike north about 1 more mile to an over-look and stop for a snack and rest, then turn around and head back. Please wear hiking boots and bring a backpack with at least 1 liter of water, healthy snacks, a thermos of hot coffee or tea, and anything else you might need for the hike. Always be prepared for any weather while hiking. Bring traction devices for snowy conditions. (Hike Rating: C3C) Steady rain, sleet or icy conditions will cancel the hike.
Address: East Granby Farms, 79 North Main Street, East Granby, CT. For more info please visit eastgranbyrec.com
5) Full Moon Night Hike at Peoples State Forest!
Come join us for a Full Moon night hike on Friday Dec 13th at Peoples State Forest. We will gather at the Matthies Grove parking lot at 5:00 PM and leave at 5:15 PM to carpool up the road to the Agnes Bowen Trailhead on East River Road. We will hike approximately 1 mile to the Beaver Brook Marsh Boardwalk to view the Full Moon coming up over the horizon. According to the Lunar Calendar the Full Moon in December is called the Cold Moon or the Moon before Yule in the Northern Hemisphere. Please dress in layers for cold weather hiking including: winter hiking boots, a backpack with extra clothes, a thermos of hot coffee or tea, some healthy snacks to share, hiking poles and a headlamp with extra batteries! Also, please bring some traction devices (Microspikes) for your boots in case of snowy conditions! If you have any questions please contact the hike leader. (Hike rating: C3C) Steady rain, sleet or ice will cancel the hike.
Directions: On Route 44 in Barkhamsted, CT take Route 318 and go across the steel bridge and take an immediate left onto East River Road. Go 1 mile to the Matthies Grove main entrance on the left and then turn right into the main parking area, where you will see us. Note: Cell phone service is limited in this area. For more info please visit ct.gov/deep/peoples Nearest GPS address: 100 East River Road, Barkhamsted, CT 06063
6) Penwood State Park, Bloomfield, CT. Sunday Dec 15, 2019 @ 10:00 AM.
This will be a 5 mile loop hike along the blue-blazed Metacomet trail to lake Louise and the Pinnacle. This hike will consist of some trap-rock sections and moderate hilly terrain along the ridge. Please wear hiking shoes or boots and bring a backpack with at least 1 liter of water, snacks, and anything else you might need for this hike. Always be prepared for any weather while hiking. Steady rain, sleet or ice will cancel the hike. Bring traction devices for your boots for snowy conditions. (Hike Rating: B3C)
GPS Address: 560 Simsbury Road, Route 185, Bloomfield, CT.
For more info please visit ct.gov/deep/penwood
7) Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted, CT.
Saturday December 21, 2019 @ 10:00 AM.
This will be a 6.5 mile loop hike around the perimeter of Peoples State Forest, which will consist of a mix of varying terrain. There will be gradual climbs with one steep section leading up to an over-look on Chaugham Mountain. Along the trail we will pass through giant glacial boulders, a picnic area, beaver brook, a marsh and more. Please wear hiking boots and bring a backpack with at least 2 liters of water, snacks, a thermos of hot coffee or tea, first aid kit and anything else you might need for the hike. Always be prepared for any weather while hiking. Steady rain or icy conditions will cancel the hike. Bring traction devices (Microspikes) for snowy conditions!
Directions: On Route 44 in Barkhamsted, CT take Rt 318 and go across the steel bridge and take an immediate left onto East River Road. Go 1 mile to the Matthies Grove main entrance on the left and then turn right into the main parking area, where you will see us. Note: Cell phone service is limited in this area. For more info please visit www.ct.gov/deep/peoples (Hike Rating: B3B) Nearest GPS Address: 100 East River Road, Barkhamsted, CT.
8) Christmas Eve hike at White Memorial Conservation Center!
Tuesday December 24, 2019 from 10:00 – 12:00 PM.
This will be a short 2 mile hike up Apple Hill at White Memorial with an over-view of Bantam Lake below. Please call White Memorial to register for this free event @ 860-567-0857. Please wear winter hiking boots and bring a backpack with at least 1 liter of water, snacks, hot coffee or tea, and anything else you might need for the hike. Always be prepared for any weather while hiking. (Hike Rating: C3C) Steady rain or ice will cancel the hike. Please bring traction devices for your boots for snowy conditions. (hike rating: C4C) Address: 80 White Hall Rd, Litchfield, CT. 06759
9) Bear Mountain, Salisbury, CT. Sunday Dec 29, 2019 @ 10:00 AM.
This will be a 7 mile loop hike up to the highest summit in CT. We will start at the Undermountain Trailhead and gradually climb uphill for about 1.2 miles and then turn north on the Paradise Lane trail where it becomes more level for about 2 miles until we reach the Appalachian Trail. From there, we start a steep climb going up the north face of Bear Mountain until we reach the summit at 2, 316 feet above sea level. We’ll stop here for a much deserved rest and snack, then continue hiking south along the AT until Riga Junction, then head east going down Undermountain Trail back to the parking lot. This is an advanced level hike, please be aware of your ability level and consider this before joining the group. Wear winter hiking boots, bring at least 2 liters of water, healthy snacks, first aid kit, a headlamp, a thermos of hot coffee or tea, trekking poles and anything else you might need for this hike. Always be prepared for anything while hiking in the mountains. Bring traction devices (Microspikes & snowshoes) for snowy conditions!
Directions: Drive on Route 44 west until you reach Salisbury, CT center then turn right on Route 41 North. Go 3.2 miles north until you reach a small dirt hikers parking lot on the left side of the road. There is a small oval Trailhead sign on the side of the road. Note: Cell phone service is limited in this area. Steady rain will cancel the hike. (Hike Rating B3A)
For more info please visit www.berkshirehiking.com or www.mountainsummits.com
Hike Ratings
| Distance | Leader’s pace | Terrain |
| · AA = over 13 miles
· A = 9-13 miles · B = 5-8 miles · C = under 5 miles |
· 1 = very fast (2.5+ mph)
· 2 = fast (2-2.5 mph) · 3 = moderate (1.5-2 mph) · 4 = leisurely (less than 1.5 mph) |
· A = very strenuous
· B = strenuous · C = average · D = easy |
| Unsure of your ability? Try only one grade higher than you previously attempted. | ||
| Dogs: Owners must obtain the permission of the Leader before bringing a dog on a hike. | ||
NOTE: Please check the AMC Connecticut chapter website for any hike cancellations before driving to the location at www.ct-amc.org, click on “hiking” then “all chapter hikes and ski trips” for the latest information.