West Thompson Lake

REMEMBER - to register for this hike, you must click the link below. Do not just "join" via meet-up. Be sure to follow all the registration steps once you click on the link. You do not need to log-in or be a member to register.
Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 4 - Moderate
Trip Leader(s): Mary Anne Hardy
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001IdOv
Audience: Everyone

Description: Join me for this beautiful 6 mile loop hike with about 250 feet of elevation gain in the quiet corner of Connecticut. Registration requested but not required. We will hike counter-clockwise around West Thompson Lake, a 200 acre lake created in 1965 by the US Corps of Army Engineers. I will be using this hike as the final pass through to confirm directions for the upcoming new edition of 50 Hikes in CT, be prepared for short stops at each intersection and for photographs. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring plenty of water, and snacks/lunch. It is a good idea to also bring a personal first aid kit and rain gear. Heavy rain or thunderstorms will cancel this hike. We will meet at 10:00 for a 10:15 starting time at the West Thompson Dam Disc Golf Course parking lot, 400 Campground Drive in North Grosvenor Dale. Expect this hike to take at least three hours to accommodate stops and the inevitable slow downs of hiking in a group. Possible ice-cream stop after the hike (I know it’s late in the season but there is an amazing ice-cream place less than 2 miles from our meeting location). Any questions, do not hesitate to contact the leader. Mary Anne Hardy hardy.bujalski@gmail.com (203) 376-8791 (texts only, unknown callers ignored)
Directions: Parking is at the West Thompson Dam Disc Golf Course parking lot, 400 Campground Drive in North Grosvenor Dale. Traveling on I-84E towards Boston, take exit 73 for CT-190 toward Union. Turn right off the ramp on CT-190E. After almost 2 miles, turn right onto CT-171E. Continue following CT-171 East as it turns left in 6.8 miles to merge with CT-198N and then turns right in another 7.6 miles to merge with CT-169S. In 2 miles turn left onto West Thompson Road. In 2.4 miles turn left onto Reardon Road. Then turn left in 0.5 miles onto Campground Drive. Parking is 0.2 miles on your left in the disc golf parking lot. Alternatively, you can take I-395 N exit 49 Take a left off the ramp onto CT-12S. In 0.7 miles go right onto West Thompson Road. In 0.3 miles turn right onto Reardon Road. Then turn left in 0.5 miles onto Campground Drive. Parking is 0.2 miles on your left in the disc golf parking lot.

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!