Hartford Area Hiking™

The Salmon River Trail begins at the Comstock Bridge and travels to Day Pond State Park. There is a 2.9 mile closed loop that goes to the south loop. A 2.0 leg connects the south loop back to the bridge. Total distance will be about 7 miles. The trails are well traveled with moderate climbs. We will detour to the waterfall.

You should bring a pack with snacks, water, layered non cotton clothing, hiking boots-waterproof as the bare minimum. As the event gets closer suggestions will be made based on weather and trail conditions. Consider getting microspikes if winter hiking appeals to you.

No children please. Well mannered dogs are ok.
There are no bathrooms at this trailhead.

Items you must consider for every event:

• If you have an event after a hike, please do not sign up for the hike.
• End times are only an estimate.
• The group will not adjust speed or trail route to accommodate your schedule.
• If you cannot attend an event, please cancel 48 hours before. Late cancellations are rude and take away the option for others to join the event.
• Be a good hiking human.

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/DayPond2015rpdf.pdf

--- Legal Stuff ---
HAH COVID update for this event
Any attendees who have tested positive, have symptoms or have been in direct contact with an infected person should not attend.

By clicking on "Yes" for this event you agree, warrant, and covenant as follows:

In consideration for accepting this entry, I, the registrant, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, my executors and administrators, do waive and release any and all rights for damages I may have against any parties or persons connected with the Hartford Area Hiking meetup group for and related to the above listed event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit to participate in any portion of this above listed event. I grant Hartford Area Hiking permission to use any photographs, film or videotapes of this event for any purpose. I further attest that I, the registrant, am fully and completely responsible for any guests that I bring to the event, whether registered or not.

PLEASE KNOW THAT END TIMES ARE AN ESTIMATE. THE GROUP WILL NOT ADJUST PACE TO ACCOMMODATE ANYONE WHO HAS OVER BOOKED THEIR DAY. GROUP HIKING IS ABOUT THE ENTIRE GROUP AND BEING FLEXIBLE.

Happy New Year to All. This event is for beginners and first times hikers. All levels are is welcome.

We will hike Sessions Woods Preserve in Burlington. We will make this a 3.5 mile loop on the groomed trail that circles the park. We will check out the beaver pond, the waterfall and the fire tower.

The Sessions Woods preserve has a large sign on the road. When you pull in the road doubles back, at the top of the hill turn left into the parking area. There will be a bunch of state vehicles and a large building with flags. If the preserve is open, there will be a bathroom. There have been port-o-potties on the property this season. I will park somewhere in the middle and have my back gate up.

You need to bring pack that includes water, snacks, winter gear, possibly traction devices. I will check closer to the date with the weather. Please no children.

ttp://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=326220&deepNav_GID=1655%20 (http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=326220&deepNav_GID=1655%20)

http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/maps/maps_other/swtrail.pdf

We are in the bear's home so will be loud and leave them alone.

--- Legal Stuff ---
HAH COVID update for this event
Any attendees who have tested positive, have symptoms or have been in direct contact with an infected person should not attend.

COVID AGREEMENT:
There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where other people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and even death. By voluntarily participating in an event hosted by the Hartford Area Hiking you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. If you test positive for COVID in the next 14 days, you agree to contact the hike leader who will provide contact tracing information.
By clicking on "Yes" for this event you agree, warrant, and covenant as follows:

In consideration for accepting this entry, I, the registrant, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, my executors and administrators, do waive and release any and all rights for damages I may have against any parties or persons connected with the Hartford Area Hiking meetup group for and related to the above listed event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit to participate in any portion of this above listed event. I grant Hartford Area Hiking permission to use any photographs, film or videotapes of this event for any purpose. I further attest that I, the registrant, am fully and completely responsible for any guests that I bring to the event, whether registered or not.

First Thursday hike locations vary; every month I try to find a different place but will revisit favorites from time to time. This Spring, it may vary between Thursday and Friday.

ATTENTION: First time hikers with me must have details about their hiking experience in their description. You may also message me, but I won't have time to track you down and ask each of you individually. If I don't have that info, I will move you to the waiting list.

The hike to Mt. Sanford will take us from Hamden to Cheshire, and Bethany in about 6 miles. Trail is a combination of wooded, rocky, and muddy in places, trail and unpaved woods road with pretty stone walls and old foundations along the way. For a change, most of the uphill part is about 2 miles in when we'll ascend about 450 ft up Mt. Sanford. The north side is steeper and we will ascend from that side.

The entrance and parking area are in Brooksvale Park in Hamden on Brooksvale Ave. in HAMDEN. Don't be confused by the similarly named S. Brooksvale Rd. in Cheshire. We'll meet in the parking area next to the ball fields which holds at least 20 cars. I have a blue Kia Niro or my wife's Subaru Crosstrek and will park in the lot with my hatch open. We'll try to start at 9:30am promptly so plan on being there 15 minutes beforehand.

Usually a port-a-john available here and there are gas stations and many Dunkin Donuts on Rt. 10 in Hamden and Cheshire.

Plan on at least 3 hours and possibly closer to 4 hours depending on pace of group. This can be a beginner's hike but it is longish and has a good steep elevation gain in the middle. The good news is we can leave you at the base of the mountain and pick you up on the way back. I don't run in the woods, but average 25-30 minutes/mile depending on terrain and weather. I do take breaks and we will stop for photos and snacks.

You will need to bring at least a liter of water, snacks and a pack to carry them. If it's sunny, bring sunscreen and additional water. If it's very cold, in the 20's, I'd just bring a bottle in your pack; hydration pack lines freeze.

Dress in layers; it's likely to be chilly to start. If it's super chilly, wear a hat and gloves. Hiking boots are a must for this hike as well. Traction devices and hiking poles will help greatly in places that are slick or steep. Jeans will chafe and ruin your day. See Janice's excellent description of winter weather gear.

Dogs must be leashed in the park and should be able to make the ascent and descent. This one's not for younger kids; teens may enjoy this but they'll never tell you that.

If the weather turns completely crappy, I'll make a decision at 7am about cancelling; I'd hate for people to die driving to a hike.

COVID AGREEMENT:
There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where other people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and even death. By voluntarily participating in an event hosted by the Hartford Area Hiking you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19. If you test positive for Covid in the next 14 days, you agree to contact the hike leader who will provide contact tracing information.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/0/f/9/600_456465305.jpeg

Repost from December 21
You need to have hiking experience for this event due to elevation and distance. Please don't be a first time ever hiker.

We are going to cross and head out to the Broom Stick Ledges area, cross route 77 and head to summit Totoket Mountain and then back to cars.

We will head down to route 77 on the Durham Guilford line for the Lone Pine Trail connected to the Mattabesett Trail-a blue blaze trail. This will be a 7 mile hike. We will find the headwater of the Cognichaug River to the top of Totoket Mountain at a blistering 720 ft.

This is going to be a loop. As you get to the big intersection, with Rts 79, 17, and 77, head down 77 south. About 4 miles down you will see a parking area on the left. DON'T PARK THERE. Continue down the road to a parking area about a mile down on the right. This is the beginning and end of the hike.

Bathroom info-none at the trail head-there is a Dunkin Donuts at the three route intersection.

You need a pack with water, snacks, and dress in layers. Please bring traction devices. I am not sure what kind of trail conditions we will encounter. I STRONGLY recommend waterproof hiking boots with ankle support. Cold weather is here so synthetic layers need to be worn. No jeans and no sneakers. There will be lots to photograph too.

For this hike, dogs on leashes and no children please. You will need to assess your ability to complete this hike. There is no place to bale out early. I am estimating that this will take no more than 4 hours. Please do not schedule your day with say a 2:00 event. We hike as a group so if that does not appeal to you please pass on this event. You must be able to keep a 2 mile an hour pace.

Items you must consider for every event:

• If you have an event after a hike, please do not sign up for the hike.
• End times are only an estimate.
• The group will not adjust speed or trail route to accommodate your schedule.
• If you cannot attend an event, please cancel 48 hours before. Late cancellations are rude and take away the option for others to join the event.
• Be a good hiking human

https://connecticutexplorer.blogspot.com/2013/09/mattabesset-trail-bluff-head-lone-pine.html

--- Legal Stuff ---
HAH COVID update for this event
Any attendees who have tested positive, have symptoms or have been in direct contact with an infected person should not attend.

By clicking on "Yes" for this event you agree, warrant, and covenant as follows:

In consideration for accepting this entry, I, the registrant, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, my executors and administrators, do waive and release any and all rights for damages I may have against any parties or persons connected with the Hartford Area Hiking meetup group for and related to the above listed event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit to participate in any portion of this above listed event. I grant Hartford Area Hiking permission to use any photographs, film or videotapes of this event for any purpose. I further attest that I, the registrant, am fully and completely responsible for any guests that I bring to the event, whether registered or not.