Hartford Area Hiking™

 
 
 

https://bit.ly/3LGeAv1
Ready for an outdoor adventure exploring CT State Parks and Forests? If so, join the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) State Parks and Public Outreach Division as they ring in spring on Sunday, March 20, 2023, with the release of the 2023 Sky’s The Limit Hiking Challenge (“STL”).

Take the challenge to get outside for some fresh air and fun physical exercise. Hike and walk the highlighted locations/trails and take designated photos along the way to experience this year’s STL theme, “In, Under, Over and Through CT State Parks and Forests.” Fifteen park or forest locations have been identified for participants to explore, with varying scenery and highlights at each location. Walk up a tower, go underground, enjoy a scenic vista, or explore a linear trail.

Participants who hike or walk 10 of the 15 trails will receive a “Sky’s the Limit” hiking staff medallion and a certificate for their efforts. For hiking or walking all 15 locations, in addition to the medallion and certificate, 50 participants will have a chance to receive a hand-carved hiking staff made by the CT DEEP Sawyer from the DEEP Sawmill or from the CT Woodcarver's Association.

On January 1, 2024 (or another date if determined) names will be drawn from those who visited all fifteen locations and 50 winners will receive a hand-carved hiking staff made by our DEEP Sawyer who works at our CT DEEP Sawmill or by the CT Woodcarvers Association. All entries are due by 3 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023.
If you post your photos on social media, please use the #CTSTL2023 or #CTStateParks.
Please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Hike or walk the listed trails within the 15 CT State Parks or Forests.
Step 2: Snap a photo of yourself (and your dog if he/she joins you) by a designated State Park or Forest sign (this could be a state park shield sign, a sign in a kiosk with the name of the state park or forest, or a trail sign identifying the location).
Step 3: Take additional photos of yourself (and your dog if he/she joins you) at the location(s) described in the specific write-up below. Please note: Many locations will require several photos be taken.
Step 4: Please be aware that your Sky's the Limit (STL) 2023 submittal can now be completed/sent using a Google Form. To use this form, a person may be required to sign-in to Google or set-up a Google account.
By using the Google Form, no other document or email needs to be submitted.

Entries must be received by 3 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023.
Please note: If participants are unable to use the Google form, please contact [masked] for assistance.
When providing attachments (photo or document) please do no send links to external sources (Facebook, etc.). We often have a difficult time accessing external sources. Please be sure to include the following information: name, address, email, phone number, and signed photo release Photo Release Form (each STL hiking participant shall submit a signed Photo Release). This form can be printed out, filled out and then a photo of the form can be taken and sent in with your submission. Entries must be received by 3 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023.
Step 5: To be entered to win a hiking staff (live drawing on January 1, 2024 or another date, if determined) all entries (must include the completion of all 15 hiking/walking locations) must be received by 3 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023 to be entered into the drawing.
The majority of the park and forest maps attached below take you to DEEP maps (some of which are Geo referenced PDF Maps). There are other non-DEEP map references as well, for example, explorect.org, ctvisit.com, AllTrails maps, Google Maps, CT Trail Finder.
Please check out the additional information section below for suggestions of other hikes on-site and other things to do while at the various State Park or Forest locations below.

 
 
 

Mt. Sanford is part of the Naugatuck Forest System. It lies to the west of Sleeping Giant and is above Roaring Brook Falls. The plan is a 7 mile loop from the east side of Sanford up and over and then out and back to Roaring Brook Falls. We will be on the Quinnipiac Trail for the falls part. This part of the trail leads to the top of the falls. Once back from the falls we will finish the loop back to cars.

I strongly recommend waterproof hiking boots, hiking poles due to the uneven terrain, and a pack with water, food, and layered clothing. Dogs must be on leash and not running through the group. No kids.

Parking will be at the New Haven YMCA area. The forest entrance has very limited parking. There are no bathrooms at the trail head so plan ahead.
Finish times are approximate.

http://scrcog.org/wp-content/uploads/trails/hamden/RecTrails_H5_6-2-16.pdf

--- Legal Stuff ---

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.

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.

 
 
 

THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER HIKE. REVIEW YOUR EXPERIENCE ON CHALLENGING HIKING TRAILS PLEASE. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO PULL YOURSELF UP.

Come out to Bear Mountain in Salisbury CT. At 2316 feet we will climb up 1600 feet to the summit. We will head up the Undermountain trail to the Paradise Trail, then summit up the rocky north side of Bear. We will hook up on the Appalachian Trail and then back to the cars. This will be a 1600' vertical gain (with plenty of huffing and puffing) and approximately 6.5 miles. This is a challenging event and should be attended by those who have hiked similar terrain consistently. It is considered on the difficult side of the ratings. We will finish when the group finishes. Trail conditions will determine pace.

Required equipment: a pack with a water bottles, snacks (you will be burning a ton of calories), head lamp, first aid kit for yourself. This is a difficult hike, hiking boots plus layered clothing. NO COTTON CLOTHING-JEANS AND SWEATSHIRTS.

I know this an early start time. The parking is very limited. This is a very popular hiking trial head.

Please no dogs or children. This will be an awesome adult based hike.

Cell phone reception out there is sketchy. I would download directions before you go. This will take you 1.5 hours to drive out from the Hartford area. Please contact me with questions.

http://berkshirehiking.com/hikes/undermountain. (http://berkshirehiking.com/hikes/undermountain.html)html

http://hikingcampingtrails.com/bear-mountain-salisbury-ct/ (http://berkshirehiking.com/hikes/undermountain.html)

Lunch after is Great Falls Brewery in Canaan. We get food at Roma's next to the railroad and bring it to the brewery, route 44 and 7.

=== Legal Stuff ===

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.

 
 
 

https://bit.ly/3LGeAv1
Ready for an outdoor adventure exploring CT State Parks and Forests? If so, join the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) State Parks and Public Outreach Division as they ring in spring on Sunday, March 20, 2023, with the release of the 2023 Sky’s The Limit Hiking Challenge (“STL”).

Take the challenge to get outside for some fresh air and fun physical exercise. Hike and walk the highlighted locations/trails and take designated photos along the way to experience this year’s STL theme, “In, Under, Over and Through CT State Parks and Forests.” Fifteen park or forest locations have been identified for participants to explore, with varying scenery and highlights at each location. Walk up a tower, go underground, enjoy a scenic vista, or explore a linear trail.

Participants who hike or walk 10 of the 15 trails will receive a “Sky’s the Limit” hiking staff medallion and a certificate for their efforts. For hiking or walking all 15 locations, in addition to the medallion and certificate, 50 participants will have a chance to receive a hand-carved hiking staff made by the CT DEEP Sawyer from the DEEP Sawmill or from the CT Woodcarver's Association.

On January 1, 2024 (or another date if determined) names will be drawn from those who visited all fifteen locations and 50 winners will receive a hand-carved hiking staff made by our DEEP Sawyer who works at our CT DEEP Sawmill or by the CT Woodcarvers Association. All entries are due by 3 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023.
If you post your photos on social media, please use the #CTSTL2023 or #CTStateParks.
Please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Hike or walk the listed trails within the 15 CT State Parks or Forests.
Step 2: Snap a photo of yourself (and your dog if he/she joins you) by a designated State Park or Forest sign (this could be a state park shield sign, a sign in a kiosk with the name of the state park or forest, or a trail sign identifying the location).
Step 3: Take additional photos of yourself (and your dog if he/she joins you) at the location(s) described in the specific write-up below. Please note: Many locations will require several photos be taken.
Step 4: Please be aware that your Sky's the Limit (STL) 2023 submittal can now be completed/sent using a Google Form. To use this form, a person may be required to sign-in to Google or set-up a Google account.
By using the Google Form, no other document or email needs to be submitted.

Entries must be received by 3 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023.
Please note: If participants are unable to use the Google form, please contact [masked] for assistance.
When providing attachments (photo or document) please do no send links to external sources (Facebook, etc.). We often have a difficult time accessing external sources. Please be sure to include the following information: name, address, email, phone number, and signed photo release Photo Release Form (each STL hiking participant shall submit a signed Photo Release). This form can be printed out, filled out and then a photo of the form can be taken and sent in with your submission. Entries must be received by 3 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023.
Step 5: To be entered to win a hiking staff (live drawing on January 1, 2024 or another date, if determined) all entries (must include the completion of all 15 hiking/walking locations) must be received by 3 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023 to be entered into the drawing.
The majority of the park and forest maps attached below take you to DEEP maps (some of which are Geo referenced PDF Maps). There are other non-DEEP map references as well, for example, explorect.org, ctvisit.com, AllTrails maps, Google Maps, CT Trail Finder.
Please check out the additional information section below for suggestions of other hikes on-site and other things to do while at the various State Park or Forest locations below.