Monday: Devil's Den & Great Ledge
Details
Overview:
10 am, Monday, May 4
Devil's Den Preserve, Weston CT (Fairfield County)
7-8 miles; 800-900 ft elevation
Terrain - low-moderate; pace - moderate
Register here: https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX0000017IsT2AU/act00020708
Details: At 1800 acres, Devil's Den is one of the largest contiguous parklands in Fairfield County. It is managed by the Nature Conservancy, whose website notes that the preserve provides a “patchwork of woodlands, wetlands and rock ledges and a series of north-south ridges and valleys woven with streams and swamps,” making it “ideal for low-impact outdoor activities such as hiking.”
Our last two weekday hikes at Devil's Den were in wintertime, and this is an opportunity to enjoy the preserve in full bloom, including the Great Ledge overlooking the Saugatuck Reservoir, where we'll stop for lunch. We plan to cover 7-8 miles on various red (primary) and yellow (secondary) trails, beginning on the Pent and Saugatuck Trails and proceeding clockwise (north), mostly around the outer perimeter. The terrain is predominantly flat with some mild ascents and descents, but no serious climbs of more than a few minutes, no rock scrambles and no bushwacking; overall, an easy-to-moderate outing, with the “moderate” part due to the pace and mileage. About 800-900 feet total elevation. Expected duration is 4 to 4 1/2 hours, but please allow time in your day's plans for a potentially later finish.
Early Outs: There are many early outs along the way, which can reduce the total mileage by anywhere from 1 to 3.5 miles. If this is your plan, please have a preserve map with you, as there are many turns to navigate. Trail maps are occasionally available at the parking lot, or you can download it here: https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/DevilsDenTrailMapTNC2019SmFile.pdf Also, please keep in mind that if you take an early out, the AMC considers you to have left the organized hike voluntarily.
AMC Health Advisory: Covid and other respiratory illnesses are circulating in our communities. Do not participate in this hike if you, or someone who you have recently been in contact with, is either infected or symptomatic.
RSVP for "yes" only, by 6:30, Sunday, May 3, at https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX0000017IsT2AU/act00020708. A pre-hike note, including detailed logistical information, will be sent to all hikers signed-up at activities.outdoors.org at that time.