Eastern CT hikes in April

[Tom Rankin]

Any suggestions for a nice hike in the 1-3 hour range?

 

[Steve-o]

Foxwoods State park ?

 

[Tom Rankin]

Foxwoods State park ?

Are you sure of that name? I Google'd the CT state parks, and that did not come up. There are several state parks in the Foxwoods area though.

 

[Bob]

Foxwoods State park ?

good one Steve-O!
Maybe you can visit the Indian ruins there...

 

[nietzschescat]

We've hiked in Sleeping Giant State Park. There is a stone tower. Our daughter took us there when we visited her when she was going to grad school, so it's somewhat close to New Haven. There were a ton of people hiking, so it's not any sort of wilderness experience.

 

[wardsgirl]

If you can't make it to Foxwood's, you might try the "Gillette Castle"

http://www.ctrivervalley.com/4-Conn...s-in-CT/gillette_castle_state_park/index.html

They have lovely grounds, and you could certainly do a couple miles or so there.

 

[MadRiver]

Buy the CT walk book. There are a number of hikes in CT that fall within the 1-3 hour range.

 

[jfb]

You could try the Nipmuck Trail. There's also good bouldering at the Pothole in Gurleyville.

 

[John Satterlee]

Foxwoods State Park?

When I was a child my father was a trail maintainer of the CFPA Peqout Trail, which was once where the Foxwood casino complex is now. That brings a lot of sadness-of all places I have walked, that section of the Pequot Trail was the loveliest. Now it is all gone.

 

[swamp]

How eastern are you talking? Some of the best hiking in the area is on the Pachaug Trail on the Conn/RI border. Park at Beach Pond and follow the blue blazes north.

 

[Mike P.]

How far east?

RI CT border, Swamp nailed it

A bit further east & South: Devil's Hopyard, Airline Rail trail (I'd opt for the Hopyard)

Northeast Corner, Mashapaug State Forest North Central area, Soapstone Mt.

 

[Tom Rankin]

Thanks everyone (well - most everyone) for the suggestions!

 

[WinterWarlock]

Where are you thinking about going, Tom....I've started working in New Haven, and get down there twice a month. I'd love to see if there's anything nearby, and if you're in the same area that'd be a bonus!

Scott

 

[Tom Rankin]

Where are you thinking about going, Tom....I've started working in New Haven, and get down there twice a month. I'd love to see if there's anything nearby, and if you're in the same area that'd be a bonus!

Scott

I haven't picked a hike yet, but we'll be there the weekend of April 17th.

 

[Chip]

I haven't picked a hike yet, but we'll be there the weekend of April 17th.

Easier to stop in Western Ct on your way there or back and take advantage of some local.

I can send you the CT book if you want to review it.

 

[Stan]

... Maybe you can visit the Indian ruins there...

Did you mean Indians ruined?

Pachaug State Forest has some interesting hikes, especially in spring when rhododendrons would be in bloom. Near the rhododendron trail is another trail to Mount Misery, not very high but a nice view of the countryside.

Back at Foxwoods, nearby is Lantern Hill from where you can see out to Long Island Sound and Fishers Island. It is also the start of the Narragansett Trail.

Over in Watch Hill, RI there is a long beach walk to Napatree Point, site of an old fort but last I was there it was overgrown with poison ivy, truly a discouragement to anyone with romantic ideas. Bluff Point in Groton is a good loop ... poison ivy there, too. Aw heck, just get a motel ... what was the original question?

 

[Tom Rankin]

Bluff point sounds like a nice place, aside from the Poison Ivy, but in April it will not be a big threat yet.

 

[Stash]

Where are you thinking about going, Tom....I've started working in New Haven, and get down there twice a month. I'd love to see if there's anything nearby, and if you're in the same area that'd be a bonus!

Scott

As noted earler, Sleeping Giant State Park has quite a bit of nice hiking and is right up the road from New Haven. Another option a little further north (off 691) is Hubbard Park/Castle Craig in Meriden. The latter also has a road to the top that's quite a challenging bike ride as well.

I wouldn't consider either Eastern CT but nothing is really far in CT.

 

[WinterWarlock]

As noted earler, Sleeping Giant State Park has quite a bit of nice hiking and is right up the road from New Haven. Another option a little further north (off 691) is Hubbard Park/Castle Craig in Meriden. The latter also has a road to the top that's quite a challenging bike ride as well.

I wouldn't consider either Eastern CT but nothing is really far in CT.

Thanks - I'll actually be around for a full weekend in a couple weeks, so I'll try Sleeping Giant..

 

[Mike P.]

Google Sleeping Giant State Park & print a trail map. They have a maze of trails. When I did it, I did not print a map & they did not have any. I figured, how hard could this be, I just studied the kiosk. Well I got turned around, never happened hunting or in NH, but in the maze of options, I had to backtrack to get before dark.