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Help for Greening Your Home To help consumers make smarter choices, the Sierra Club announces the launch of Sierra Club Green Home (SCGH). SCGH is designed to educate Americans on how
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Outings for CT Sierra Club 2009
(more to be added! keep checking back!)
Welcome to a big 2009!! Get the daypack ready and dust off the kayak!
The hikes listed below all start at 10 AM unless otherwise stated. Please bring:
Good hiking boots/shoes
Water
Snacks (we’ll always have a food break)
And the love of being outdoors!
Options: binoculars, camera, trek poles, sunscreen, bug spray (Herbal Armor has been the best
non-deet spray I’ve used)
Please email or call me with your best contact phone number just in
case something happens to your hike leader the day before or the weather turns horrible! We
usually make a decision on the weather the morning of the hike because forecasts can be dubious
at times. Our phone and email are:
860-236-4405 or connecticut.chapter@sierraclub.org The day of the hike; my cell phone: 860-508-9952
We would sure love it if you were a member of the CT Sierra Club but you don’t have to be a member
to come on a hike. All hikes are free of charge unless there are parking fees for State Parks or kayak
rentals. Please consider the length and duration of the hike when considering bringing children along.
We’ve had children on our hikes as young as 8 and then did fine, but you’ll know best. These are
educational hikes but 2-plus hours may be a little much for kids any younger.Rating the hikes:
A = very strenuous terrain; maximum elevation gain
B = Strenuous terrain; steep climbs, considerable elevation gain
C = Average terrain; moderate ups and downs
D = Easy terrain little or no elevation change
Notice: Please note your own limitations, if any. These are relatively short in duration and you probably
won’t be carrying a heavy load. If there is no rating, judge the hike by distance over time
July 11th; East Lyme, Rocky Neck (D, 3 miles, 1 ½ hours) This will be a great hike among almost deserted
woodland trails. And you can bring a bathing suit for the end of the hike! This is a very easy hike that every
member of the family will like. After the hike they can fish off the jetty or go for a swim! Or you can join us at
NYC Retro Chill for food or…you guessed it, ice cream. (17 Liberty Way, Niantic, (860) 691-1800, right across
from Rocky Neck State Park)
Directions: Take I-95 to exit 72 (Rocky Neck). Turn left (east) on Route 156 and follow the signs to the park.
Complete facilities here so we can have a picnic lunch after the hike. You can avoid the fee on parking if you
park 0.5 miles west on Route 156 and start the hike with us at the log gate.
July 18th 1pm Fenton River, Storrs (Max Participants: 15, Hike Length: ~3miles Hike Difficulty: Easy)
The state trails along the Fenton river are a great place to enjoy all year
round. We will be hiking past the Universities old Ski lift (no longer
operational) and down to the beautiful river. Lots of opportunity to see
the wild life (birds, deer and even the occasional fisher cat has been
rumored to have been spotted).
Directions: From the West: I-84 to the route 195 exit. Take 195 south
till you enter the campus. Take a left on to horse barn hill road, at the
bottom of the hill is a parking lot on your right. Park here and walk
across the road to the parking lot in front the beef and sheep barn
(we will meet here).
From the East: Follow32N to Willimantic take a left over the frog bridge
and go straight at the intersection.
Stay straight and you end up on 195N. Take 195N till you enter the campus. Take a right on to horse barn
hill road, at the bottom of the hill is a parking lot on your left. Park here and walk across the road to the
parking lot in front the beef and sheep barn (we will meet here).
Parking: University of Connecticut Student Parking lot A. Horse Barn Hill (Schools out they do not ticket
this lot during this period)
July 25th; New Fairfield, Squantz Pond (Flat water Kayak)
Squantz Pond is 288 acres with an average depth of 22.9 feet
(max 47 feet). The eastern side is dotted with homes while the
western side is steep and wooded.
Clark Outdoors (West Cornwall) or Eastern Mountain Sports
(Danbury) may rent kayaks for Squantz Pond. Availability should
be checked a minimum 3 weeks before the outing.
We’ll put in at the boat rampDirections: From the
West/New York area:
take I-684
onto I-84 east toward Danbury. Take Exit 5 and go left
at the traffic light onto Route 39 north, following the
signs to Squantz Pond. The park is located off Route
39 approximately 4½ miles north of the center of New
Fairfield.
From East on I-84: take Exit 6 in Danbury. Take a right
at the traffic light onto Route 37. Follow the signs on
Route 37 until you arrive in New Fairfield Center. Take
a right at the traffic light onto Route 39 traveling north
for approximately 4½ miles to the park entrance.
From lower Fairfield County area: go north on Route 7
onto I-84 east to Danbury. Take Exit 5 and go left at the
traffic light onto Route 39 north, following the signs to
Squantz Pond. The park is located off Route 39
approximately 4½ miles north of the center of New
Fairfield.
From Bridgeport area: go north onto Route 25 onto I-84
west. Take Exit 5 and go left at the traffic light onto
Route 39 north, following the signs to Squantz Pond.
The park is located off Route 39 approximately 4½ miles
north of the center of New Fairfield.
August 8th; Litchfield, White Memorial Foundation (D, 6.7 miles, 3 ½ hours). This 4,000 acre wildlife
sanctuary has more than 35 miles of crisscrossing trails! It also has family campgrounds, marina, and a
nature museum. The unusual highlight of this woodland is the fact that we can learn from the four open
tracks have been set aside as total wildlife areas to compare to adjacent areas over time.
Directions: From the Hartford area, take Route 44 and bear left onto Route 202. Take 202 west past Route 8.
Once you see the intersection of Route 118, it’s another 2.2 miles for the sign on your left for White Memorial.
Follow the entrance road 0.5 mile to the parking area beyond the carriage house.
From the south: Take Route 8 north to exit 42. Turn left (west) on Route 118. Follow Route 118 until you
intersect with Route 202. Follow Route 202 west for 2.2 miles to the sign for White Memorial. Follow the
entrance road 0.5 mile to the parking area beyond the carriage house.
August 15th 2pm Spignesi Memorial Park, Scotland (Max Participants: 15, Hike Length: ~3miles,
Hike Difficulty: Easy) This memorial park is newly established in memory of James Spignesi a conservation
officer of the Connecticut DEP. Bald eagles have been noted to be in the park by frequent visitors. Just
one of Scotland’s many little treasures. Beginning at the edge of an old field we'll hike into the forest and
end at a little stream where we will see a variety of wildlife. Questions? Contact Kate: 860-941-5659
Directions: From the West: Follow Route 6W until you reach Hampton and Turn left on to 97S. Follow 97S
until you reach Spignesi Memorial Park on your left.
From South: Follow 395N until you get to the Teftville/97 Exit. Turn left on to 97N. Follow 97 N until Scotland
turn right onto 14/97N. Turn left on to 97N and Spignesi is on your right.
From the West : Follow 6E until you reach Hampton and Turn right on to 97S. Follow 97S until you reach
Spignesi Memorial Park on your left.
Parking: Parking lot at trail head off Route 97 in Scotland CT
August 22nd; Ashford, Northern Nipmuck (C, 5 ¼ miles, 3 hours). By this time of year, this hike will
be a flower lover’s delight. From Virginia creeper to sarsaparilla; from rattlesnake fern to poisonous
mushrooms, this hike along two ridges and into meadows will be a day in the sun to remember. There
should also be blackberries to snack on instead of communicating with! (Quiz time: What Union General
(1862) was known as the “Virginia creeper?”)
Pollution and our Forests: As we hike through the beautiful Nipmuck forest we’ll learn about the latest
environmental research in Connecticut’s forests. Nipmuck’s 9,000 acres border the research forest of
Yale and is brimming with opportunities for a huge variety of outdoor activities. (Including fishing. so if
you are a fisherman/woman bring your poles!) There is an entrance fee to the park $7.
Directions: From Hartford and all points west, Take I-84 east to exit 69. Head east on Route 74 till you
intersects with Route 44. Take Route 44 east till it intersects with Route 89 and take a left (north) onto
Route 89. Go 4 miles and bear right at the Westford blinking traffic light. In 0.3 mile, where the tar road
bends right, stay straight on gravel Boston Hollow road. The trail crosses the road in another 1.3 miles.
There is a little room to park on the left.
From Southeast CT: Take I-395 to exit 93 and head west on Route 101. Route 101 will intersect with
Route 44. Take Route 44 west approximately 12 miles to the intersection with Route 89. Turn right (north)
onto Route 89. Go 4 miles and bear right at the Westford blinking traffic light. In 0.3 mile, where the tar road
bends right, stay straight on gravel Boston Hollow road. The trail crosses the road in another 1.3 miles.
September 5th; Simsbury, Farmington River Kayak. (about 5 miles,
2 hours)
This will be the more placid part of the Farmington River so if you’re just
starting out, this is a great stretch to ‘iron out the wrinkles’ in your skills.
It’s also a great place to end the kayak day. Curtis Park will be a nice spot
to enjoy an early Labor Day picnic.
Directions: From Hartford you can go Asylum (Route 44) to Route 189
Blue Hills Av. Continue north to you intersect Route 315. Turn left and
meet at Curtis Park of Route 315, near the river, which will be the end point
on the trip. You can also take Route 10/202 in Simsbury from Route 44 north
to the intersection of Route 315
and turn right. From there we can shuttle you up to the start of the trip at the Pinchot
Sycamour at route 185 and
Nod Road. This way all your cars will be ready at the end so anyone who is pressed for
time can take right off. It will
be about a five mile trip and should take around 2 hours. You can bring your own kayak
or canoe or rent one from
Main Stream Kayak. If you want to call ahead and
reserve one, call: 860-693-6791
(http://mainstreamcanoe.com/)
If you're on Route 44, go north on Route 202/10. Take a right on Route 185 and Nod Road is on your right.
September 12th; Colchester, Day Pond Loop (C, 4 miles, 2 ½ hours). We may get an Indian Summer
or some early Fall colors here. At least the Sumac and Red Maple will be turning scarlet by this time. It’s a
great place to find out what New England and Eastern China have in common….besides a shift in jobs.
These two places are known for their Fall leaves. We have more trees so our display is more prominent.
One theory linking the two places is that during warming periods between glaciations, Greenland acted
like a land bridge between the two worlds. The return of the ice pushed the forests south in both areas.
You know you live in New England when the Dairy Queen closes in September…or you’ve worn a parka
and shorts at the same time. But we may be able to catch some ice cream at Austin’s Ice Cream,
467 S. Main St. ((860) 537-6974) East on Route 16, under Route 2, and a right on South Main.
Directions: Route 2 to exit 16 and go south on CT 149. In 3 miles turn right onto Peck Lane at the sign for
Day Pond State Park. After 0.4 mile take your first left onto Day Pond Road, then turn right at the gate for
Day Pone State Park. The park is 1.1 miles north o CT 149. There is ample angle parking along the road
around the pond.
September 19th; Cornwall, Cathedral Pines and Mohawk Mountain (B/C, 6 miles, 3 ¾ miles). This
was once a premier stand of white pine. Learn what happened in 1989 to change that. This hike will start
out uphill and continue uphill after that! This makes the second half of the hike all downhill! We’ll get great
views of early Fall foliage from the top of Mohawk Mountain tower…bring a camera!
Directions: From the south take Route 7 north to Route 4 (Cornwall Bridge exit) and head east
approximately 3.5 miles; if you see Route 125 you’ve gone ½ mile too far. Turn right onto Bolton Hill Rd.
and bear right immediately onto Jewell Street. After 0.5 mile go left at the fork up Essex Hill Road 0.2 mile
to a pullout on your left; a great scarred pine stands alone across the street.
From the east take exit 44 on Route 8 and head west on Route 4 through Goshen. Go 0.5 mile past the
intersection with Route 125. Turn left onto Bolton Hill Rd. and bear right immediately onto Jewell Street.
After 0.5 mile go left at the fork up Essex Hill Road 0.2 mile to a pullout on your left; a great scarred pine
stands alone across the street.
October 3rd; Somers, Soapstone Mountain (4 miles, 2 ½ hours). An incredible Fall day and we’ll see for
miles (north) from the top of the tower on Soapstone Mountain. Learn why they call this Soapstone
Mountain and what the Native Americans and colonists did with it. Bring binoculars and/or camera for the
vistas at the top!
Directions: Take I-91 north to exit 47 (190 east). Drive north on Route 83 to Parker Road and turn right.
After 1.3 miles (the last 0.4 mile is a three-season dirt road) you’ll come to a dirt road intersection. Parking
is diagonally to your left.
October 17th; Meriden, West Peak and Castle Crag (B, 6.4 miles, 4 hours).
This is probably our most demanding hike of the year. Vertical elevation covered,
1200 feet and it’s almost six and a half miles. But the views will be worth it from the
top on what hopefully will be a clear Autumn day. The great views are topped by
the climb of metal stairs to the top of Castle Crag. Directions: Take exit 4 off I-691
and follow West Main Street east toward downtown
Meriden. After about ¾ mile turn left into Hubbard Park. Keeping the pond to your
right, bear right at the first intersection to continue around the pond to a stop sign.
Turn right toward the highway overpass and then park to your left in front of the
concrete roadblocks.
November 7th; Voluntown, Green Fall Pond (C/D, 5.7 miles, 3 hours). This secluded part of
Connecticut may remind us of hibernating for the approaching winter. It’s part of the Last Green Valley
and after this hike, I’m sure you’ll want to see it stay that way. You’ll learn about plans to acquire land
between patches of the Pachaug State Forest before development can get a foothold.
Directions: Take I-395 to exit 85. Be sure to go straight off the exit and keep looking for Route 138 signs.
It looks like you’re continuing on the highway if you go straight but you’ll be going to Route 138 east.
Take Route 138 to the intersection of Routes 138, 49, and 165 in Voluntown. They all meet at an intersection.
Take Route 49 south for 4 miles, and then turn left onto Sand Hill Rd. In about a mile turn right onto
Wheeler Rd. and go 0.5 mile, where you will see the blue blazes of the Narraganset Trail. Park near the
blazes, pulling off the road as far as possible.
November 21st; Barkhamsted, Peoples State Forest (B/C, 7 miles, 4 hours) There are always things
to learn on CT hikes and this state forest is no different with the Stone museum and the Barkhamsted
Lighthouse. This can be a long hike if we like; 7 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation rise in about 4 hours
with a stop for lunch.
Directions: From the junction of CT 318 and US 44 east of Winsted, proceed east of CT 318 across the
Farmington River and take the first left onto East River Rd. In 0.8 mile, by the Peoples Forest sign, fork
right onto Greenwoods Rd., the paved state forest road. You have missed your turn if you come to a picnic
area on your left. Then, in 0.2 mile, turn left up a short gravel road to a parking lot by a well-constructed
trailside museum.
Attention
Students!! The Connecticut Sierra Club has Sierra Student Coalitions. Get started
and get active on your campus! Check out: http://www.ssc.org/states/ct.php
Whether
it's starting or expanding the recycling on campus or telling your college to
go green power, let the Sierra Student Coalition help out!
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