20s & 30s Van Sinderen Loop Hike At Hidden Valley Preserve

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/a5UVX000001J11R
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join us for a fantastic Sunday afternoon fall foliage trek along the Van Sinderen Loop at Hidden Valley Preserve in Washington Depot! We’ll be exploring one of Litchfield County’s premier conservation areas, featuring scenic river views, suspension bridges, historic remnants, and vibrant autumn colors. 🌄🍁🌲 Starting from the main trailhead, we’ll make our way along the network of well-maintained trails to tackle the Van Sinderen Loop. Traversing rolling wooded hillsides and peaceful valleys blanketed in brilliant fall foliage, we’ll cross the picturesque swinging suspension bridge over the Shepaug River and pass by interesting historic stone foundations and old quarry sites along the way. This route is roughly 3.6 miles, 472 ft elevation gain — a rewarding, moderately paced Sunday afternoon outing to take in some of the best autumn scenery along the river. 🎒 What to Bring: 1–2 liters of water 💧 Trail snacks to keep your energy up 🥨 Sturdy footwear / hiking boots (Recommended; the trails can feature roots, rocks, and occasional damp sections) 🥾 Headlamp or flashlight (Always a smart safety essential in case we take our time enjoying the foliage and finish near dusk) 🔦 Hiking poles (optional) 🦯 🅿️ Parking: FREE for all visitors. 🍽️ Social Dinner: After we finish the hike, we’ll head over to The White Horse Country Pub & Restaurant in New Preston (6 min drive) for a well-earned post-hike dinner! It’s a fantastic country pub and restaurant nestled right along the river, offering great food, cozy ambiance, and a wonderful atmosphere to unwind after the trails. https://whitehorsecountrypub.com/ Address: 258 New Milford Turnpike, New Preston, CT 06777 Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2yf23hEid3frNnNM6 📧 Confirmed participants will receive: Weather updates A Google Sheet for optional carpooling Exact meeting location / pin via Google Maps 🔗 Helpful Links Steep Rock Association: https://steeprockassoc.org/preserve/hidden-valley-preserve/ Connecticut Trail Finder: https://www.cttrailfinder.com/trails/trail/hidden-valley-preserve Connecticut's Official State Park Site: https://ctvisit.com/listings/hidden-valley-preserve AllTrails Hike Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/connecticut/van-sinderen-loop

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!