Winter Valentine's Hike at Lovers Leap State Park in New Milford CT
Details
Our annual Valentine's Day related looping hike of about 3.7 miles and around 4 hrs. (plenty of stops for sights - time depends on how many people and how much snow/ice there is) has a tragic star-crossed love theme. Hear how the Indian Princess Lillinonah, her hand sought by many a man for miles around, met her love in the early 1700's and how because of her deep love she met an untimely death in the area of this hike. We can contemplate love, true love, and those people and circumstances that work against the same. (Or you can just enjoy a hike!) We will be hiking the hillside and cliffs on either side of the Housatonic River at the north end of Lake Lillinonah.
This hike will be a moderate with occasional high effort given steep sections for short distances and we will have snow/ice to deal with. We will have clifftop views of Lake Lillinonah, a gorge on the Housatonic River, an old (by foot only) iron bridge built in 1895, and ridgetop views.
The hike will be divided into 3 parts.
- Loop of about .8 mile, explore the ruins of the Silex Factory on the Old Factory Trail.
- Loop of 1.25 miles on the Waramaug Loop with Indian Spring House ruins as well as lakeside views.
- Looping/out-and-back hike of about 1.6 miles over the river, to the Lovers Leap cliffs (I'll read the story of Lillinonah here), to the "Castle" ruins, then up to a lookout, then back to start.
NOTE: There is currently 8"-10" of snow but I expect further melting and compaction to reduce to 6"-8" for the hike. Weather will be a "balmy" 46F for a high around hike end (likely about 25F at hike start), 6 MPH winds.
Those who wish to go should have:
- MICROspikes (or similar traction device) -required as I expect some ice with the melt/freeze cycle next few days
- Hiking poles (or snowshoe poles)
- Backpack
- Waterproofed warm hiking boots/winter boots
- Wool socks
- Gaiters or snow pants
- Layers of clothing - avoid cotton, legs can get cold too!
- Warm gloves
- Warm hat/hood
- 1 quart of water -preferably in an insulated carrier
Optional equipment depending on conditions:
- Snowshoes -it is questionable if the snow will be deep enough (at least 8" to use them)
- Trail snack/lunch
- Butt sled to sled down from the ridge
The meetup will be at 9 AM at the parking area of the State park (location/directions below). We will hike (with rest stops and sightseeing) 4 hrs. or less and get back no later than 1 PM.
Trail map:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/LoversLeappdf.pdf
Lovers Leap State Park - more info.:
https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Lovers-Leap-State-Park
Lillinonah's Leap - the story (no longer available online):
http://www.friendsofthelake.org/downloads/lillinonah_leap.20031211.pdf
-Close essentials of the legend above:
https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Legend-of-Lover-s-Leap-still-intrigues-64290.php
-Another looser accounting of essentials of the story and a book about it (2016 book by Peter Tomaino entitled, Lover’s Leap: Then and Now):
https://brealestate.net/lillinonahs-leap/
Approximate location/directions to meet at Meetup location (around 40 Pumpkin Hill Rd., New Milford, CT):
https://goo.gl/maps/VyUvHidKps2kkN1A9
(GPS location:
Lat 41.542727,
Lon -73.409438)
Song of Lillinonah's love - "Lovers Leap" by Bob Brophy & Felicia Michael at Blue Yodal Music:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=881671&content=songinfo&songID=8689718
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