20s & 30s Old Furnace & Ross Pond State Park Blue Trails
Details
Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 2 - Relaxed
Trip Leader(s): Lee Thao
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX00000181ET
Audience: 20’s & 30’s
Description: Join us for a trek through one of the Quiet Corner’s best-kept secrets: the full Blue Trail at Old Furnace & Ross Pond State Park! 🌄🔥 This hike offers a surprising amount of variety packed into one loop. We’ll wind through mature hemlock forests, pass the historic remains of the 18th-century Bog Furnace—a key iron supplier during the Revolutionary War—and skirt the edges of peaceful Ross Pond. The true highlight is the climb to Ross Cliffs , where we’ll stand 200 feet above Half Hill Pond for an uninterrupted panoramic view stretching across Eastern Killingly and all the way into Rhode Island. This route is roughly ~ 4.5 miles with ~500 ft of gain — a moderate trek with a few steep, rocky sections that lead to some of the best vistas in the region. 🎒 What to Bring: 1+ liter of water 💧 Trail snacks 🥨 Layers — the cliffs can get breezy! 🌬️ Sturdy hiking boots (recommended for the rocky ridges) 🥾 Hiking poles (helpful for the descent from the cliffs) 🦯 🅿️ Parking: FREE for all visitors. This park does not charge out-of-state fees. We will meet at the main lot on South Frontage Road. 🥪 Social: After the hike, we’ll head out for lunch ! We have two great local options nearby to refuel and hang out: Heirloom Food Company (Danielson): A local favorite for fresh, organic grain bowls, hearty sandwiches, and great coffee. Sweet Peas Fine Foods (Brooklyn): A fantastic spot nearby offering seasonal prepared foods, specialty sandwiches, and elevated comfort food. 📧 Confirmed participants will receive: Weather updates A Google Sheet for optional carpooling Exact meeting location Connecticut's Official State Park Site: Ross Pond State Park Visit Connecticut Site: Old Furnace State Park Explore Connecticut: https://explorect.org/view-location.html?slug=old-furnace-state-park&nocanon=1 AllTrails: Old Furnace State Park Blue Trail Heirloom Food Company: https://www.eatheirloomfood.com/ Sweet Peas Fine Foods: https://www.eatheirloomfood.com/
Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!