Hike West Thompson Lake (plus Bull Hill)

Event Rating: Level 3 (Difficult)
(because of the distance)
Distance: ~7.5 Miles
Time Duration: ~3.5 Hours
Blaze Orange: required

Before signing up for this event, please read and understand the entire Write-Up and the Liability Waiver. By signing up for this event you agree to the terms of the waiver. Please sign-up only if you are sure that you can attend.

COVID-19 Instructions: Do not attend a hike if you or a person you have been in close contact with has tested positive for COVID-19 or has been experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

Description:
We will hike the Shoreline Trail that does a loop around the lake. We will also do a lollipop hike to the nice Bull Hill Overlook which is a Wyndham Land Trust property .

The West Thompson Lake Recreation Area is located in North Grosvenordale, CT. The US Army Corps of Engineers manages this ~1,900-acre property. About 200 acres are covered by West Thompson Lake, which was created in 1965 when the West Thompson Dam was built to control the flow of the Quinebaug River, The land surrounding the lake is a mix of woodlands, grasslands, and farmland that is leased to local farmers.

The recreation area is used for hiking, boating, fishing, and hunting. There is also a disc golf course and a campground on the property. For much of the hike, we will be walking on single-track woodland trails, with some forest roads and paved road. Much of the terrain is rolling hills, typical of NE CT.

You can find an trail map here:
https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/Recreation/WTL/West-Thompson-Lake-Trail-Map-South-Section.pdf

As always bring water and snacks. Wear a backpack or waist pack with footwear and clothing appropriate for hiking. You may also want bug spray and sunscreen.

Directions: From RI take Rt 44, Rt 101, or Rt 6 to I-395 in CT. Take I-395 North to Exit 49 which is a left exit for Rt 12. At the bottom of the ramp, take a left turn on Rt 12 South. Take Rt 12 South for 0.7 miles until you come to a traffic signal. Turn right at the signal onto West Thompson Road. Continue for about 0.3 miles, and take a right on Reardon Road before crossing the dam. The entrance road will be ~0.5 miles down Reardon Road on your left. Follow signs to the boat launch. Park in the boat launch area, but avoid the parking spots marked for boaters..

Liability Waiver: As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity, you acknowledge and agree to the following: This activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to participate in this activity safely; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com; the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you for yourself, your heirs, executors, and administrators release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons. The RIHC will not be held responsible for any COVID-19 issues including but not limited to the transmission of the disease, the cost of medical treatment, and/or death.

Safety First!