West Rim, Castle Craig & Merimere Reservoir Lookout

THIS IS NOT A BEGINNER'S HIKE!!!

This hike will be rated as a moderately strenuous B+ hike with 2 major climbs with approximately over 1,200ft in elevation gain with spectacular views. If we could keep a moderate pace, we should finish the 6+ miles in approximately 3 hours. Hopefully no more 3-1/2 hrs. No pets allowed.

Castle Craig sits at 976 feet on top of the east peak. The 32-foot stone tower went up in 1900, built from local traprock and given to the city by industrialist Walter Hubbard. Climb it and you can see Long Island Sound to the south and the Berkshire foothills to the north.
The surrounding Hubbard Park covers 1,800 acres, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and was designed with input from Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect who shaped New York's Central Park.

Please arrive ten to fifteen minutes early because we plan to start promptly at the time listed.

Be prepared and smart so please bring:
snacks and water
layered clothing, including hats and gloves
micro spikes in case it's icy or snowy
pickleball paddles if it's not.

Lunch at Viron Rondo, 1721 Highland Ave., Cheshire, CT. (optional).

If you RSVP “YES” and can’t make it, please change your RSVP so that the next person on the waitlist can attend.

We do ask for a contribution of $3 per hike, or $15 per year to cover meetup.com fees and our annual social event. Please Venmo Grace Best @ Grace-Best-1. Last 4 digits of ☎️# are 9912.

Hike Leader: Patrick Cunningham (203) 837-0912

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURE:
With your RSVP you acknowledge that “CT & NY Hiking Group” is not a professional hiking organization. The sole purpose of this organization is to enjoy the outdoors with like-minded adventurers. As a participant you understand that you are responsible for your own preparedness and wellbeing and will hold no one else liable in case of injury.