20's & 30's Interchapter Fall Fest: West Thompson Lake Hike

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 3 - Easy
Trip Leader(s): Lee Thao, Conrad Ward
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX0000018413
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join us for a scenic, multi-terrain adventure around the picturesque shores of West Thompson Lake in North Grosvenor Dale. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this route crosses over a massive earthen dam for sweeping panoramic views of the water, and winds through quiet, mature woodlands, and grassy fields. From the boat launch our route will begin by following the West Thompson Dam Trail/Shoreline Trail north. Then proceed west by crossing the Quinebaug River at the Blain Road pedestrian bridge (built in 2022). At the Ramsdell Woods Trail intersection, we’ll hike through areas rich with local birdlife and history on the west side of West Thompson Lake as we head south toward the West Thompson Dam. 🌄🌲 This route is roughly 4.84 miles with ~220 ft of elevation gain — a fantastic, moderately paced day out in the "quiet corner" with gorgeous water views at nearly every turn.
🎒 What to Bring: 1–2 liters of water 💧 Trail snacks to keep your energy up 🥨 Sturdy footwear / hiking boots (Recommended; portions of the shoreline can feature roots, rocks, and damp sections near the water) 🥾 Hiking poles (optional) 🦯 Fluorescent Orange: Vest, Hat, Cape, etc. (Recommended; The western side of the lake is a hunting ground from mid Sept to Dec). 🅿️ Parking: FREE for all visitors. Exact parking and meetup location will be emailed to confirmed participants. 🍻 Social Gathering: After we finish the loop, everyone is invited to gather at Tree House Brewing Company in Charlton, MA for our post-hike social! It’s an incredible spot to grab a world-class brew and explore a variety of food trucks. Catch up with old friends and mingle with hikers from the other participating AMC 20s & 30s chapters. This event is part of the 20's & 30's Interchapter Fall Fest: Social at Tree House Brewing Company in Charlton, MA with the Connecticut, Narragansett, Southeastern MA, Western MA, and Worcester MA chapters. After the hike, participants are encouraged to attend the Social at Treehouse Brewing in Charlton, MA at 4pm. Please register for the Tree House Social at this link: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX000001Id8o/act00023773 . Tree House Brewing: https://treehousebrew.com/visiting-charlton-1 Address: 129 Sturbridge Rd, Charlton, MA 01507 Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KzhxATZBfQjDqpZeA 📧 Confirmed participants will receive: Weather updates A Google Sheet for optional carpooling Exact meeting location / pin via Google Maps 🔗 Helpful Links: West Thompson Lake Trail Map: https://www.thompsonct.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif5076/f/uploads/wtltrailmap.pdf U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Site: https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/West-Thompson-Lake/ Visit Connecticut: https://ctvisit.com/listings/west-thompson-lake-federal-park AllTrails Hike Route: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/west-thompson-lake-loop-4bddc1e?u=i&sh=yfqmuk

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!