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Details

Activity Type: Hiking, Local Walks, & Trail Running | Hiking
Difficulty: 3 - Easy
Trip Leader(s): Lee Thao
Registration Type: Registration
Please Click Here to RSVP: https://activities.outdoors.org/a5UVX000001J6U9
Audience: 20’s & 30’s

Description: Join us for a fantastic mid-week after-work fall foliage hike along the Jessie Gerard Trail at People's State Forest in Barkhamsted! We’ll be exploring one of the Farmington River Valley’s absolute crown jewels, winding through magnificent, mature hemlock and hardwood forests blanketed in brilliant autumn colors. 🌄🍁🌲 Starting right at the trailhead off East River Road, we’ll take on the Jessie Gerard Trail, rolling along the steep, wooded slopes high above the West Branch of the Farmington River. Expect gorgeous forest scenery, rugged rock formations, and peaceful views across the valley as the evening sun begins to filter through the changing leaves. This route is roughly 3 miles with 685 ft of elevation change — a rewarding, well-paced mid-week escape to unwind and enjoy peak foliage season.
🎒 What to Bring: 1–2 liters of water 💧 Trail snacks to keep your energy up 🥨 Sturdy footwear / hiking boots (Recommended; the trail features uneven terrain, roots, and rocky 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, but helpful for the rolling slopes) 🦯
🅿️ Parking & Meeting Location: We will meet and park directly at the Jessie Gerard Trailhead parking area off East River Road. Parking is FREE for in-state registered vehicles. For out-of-state vehicles, fees are $10 on weekdays, $15 on weekends/holidays, or $112 for a season pass. 🍜 Social Dinner: After we finish the hike, we’ll head over to Mama Pho Vietnamese Restaurant Click to open side panel for more information in Winsted for a fantastic post-hike dinner! It’s a wonderful local spot known for delicious bowls of pho, comforting noodle dishes, and tasty Asian cuisine—the ultimate way to warm up and unwind after hitting the evening trails. Mama Pho Vietnamese Restaurant: https://mamaphovietnameserestaurant.com/ Address: 242 Main St, Winsted, CT 06098 Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pp5ty6W7Z6joQHU16 📧 Confirmed participants will receive: Weather updates A Google Sheet for optional carpooling Exact meeting location / pin via Google Maps 🔗 Helpful Links Trail Map: https://ctparks.com/media/445/download?inline Connecticut's Official State Park Site: https://ctparks.com/parks/peoples-state-forest Connecticut Trail Finder: https://www.cttrailfinder.com/trails/trail/peoples-state-forest AllTrails Hike Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/connecticut/jessie-gerard-trail

Reminder: Please click the RSVP link above to register!

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