Hike Penwood State Park from Wintonbury Land Trust, Bloomfield

Overview
Moderate, but mildly paced, nearly 7-mile hike with over 1000 feet elevation at Penwood State Park in Bloomfield

Hike Description
We'll be looking at Penwood State Park from a new angle, starting from Wintonbury Land Trust's Stout Family Fields (NOT from Penwood SP parking lot!) Features include hardwood and successional forests, an open field, western facing viewpoints, Lake Louise (really a big pond), wetlands, spring ephemerals (hopefully the columbines will still be blooming), an abandoned cabin, and traprock formations.
The plan is a 6-7 mile loop with more than 1000 feet elevation so you should be in reasonable shape with the stamina to go the distance. If you have been doing beginning hikes and would like to push up to moderate, this may be the time to do it! My pace is "mild": about 2 miles/hour, going slower up hills, and with stops to look at the features. We'll take a snack break on top of Pinnacle Peak about 4 miles into the hike. We hike as a group and leave nobody behind.

What to Bring
You must have hiking shoes or boots appropriate for roots and rocks and some soggy trails. Poles are helpful if you like using them. Bring at least one liter of water, a high calorie snack, sun protection, layers, and a backpack to carry it all. Bug spray, a basic first aid kit, backup battery for your cellphone, and a paper map of the area are wise to have.

Map of Penwood State Park is HERE: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/penwoodpdf.pdf

AS ALWAYS FOR LORI-LED HIKES
• Adult human hikers only. Leave Fido and kids at home.
• START time is the "step off time". Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to find the place and get your gear all together, as we start on time!
• END time is an approximation. We may end sooner - or later - depending on the pace of the group and how much we stop to play.
• I keep my groups small - be diligent and thoughtful with your RSVP.
• Oohing and Ahhing over flora and fauna and other cool stuff encouraged.
• We're here to enjoy nature with all of our presence and all of our senses, so please turn your cellphone off and join the Now.

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