Third Annual Weathersfield Hiking Season Begins!

Greetings, clompers – and a few others, since TDS ate my hiking e-mail group folders
    
     The third annual Weathersfield hiking season begins with this notice, which also is attached. The hikes are being organized under the auspices of Weathersfield Parks and Recreation. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. We expect a range of hiking speeds.

Please try to make a commitment when you sign up. Things can come up, but let us know ASAP if they do. And be on time – we don’t wait for long, but experience consternation if you are expected and not there.

     Are you new to hiking? Wear footwear that is broken in and appropriate for uneven trails. Hikers join us at their own risk.

Feel free to call Steve, organizer, at 263-5439, or contact him by replying to stevea47@tds.net  .


     There will be more logistical details after hiking groups are organized.  Hikes continue into October.

The hikes! …

Saturday, June 20th, 9:30 AM:  Cathedral Rocks                                                
     This hike is partly on wood road and partly on a route that follows blazes through the woods. Its length has not been calculated, but it descends to Reservoir Road from Stokes Road, which is just short of Wellwood Orchard. The difficulty will be greater than a walk down the road. We will spot cars at the end of the hike for a ride back up to Stokes. There is a nice view near the top of the descent. The rocks are very big. Two hours?

Saturday, July 18th, 9:30 AM:  The Ancient Hemlocks
      This route – notice I don’t say “trail” – is over fields and through the woods, up and down a logging road and over a rivulet or brook. You won’t have to remove footwear. The last half mile is up Little Canada Road, past the 1791 John Warner house. Dave Noake will welcome us there with a brief tour of the house and refreshments. The trees are about 500 years old. Your guide will use a compass to find his way through one section – he’s confident. Total distance 2 miles?

Saturday, August 1st, 9:30 AM:  Tucker Trail Lookout
     From the green in Perkinsville we head up a road and a driveway and onto a wooded route that climbs to a fine southeastern view from the top of ledge. The difficulty is moderate to strenuous. The climb is steady, but the footing is good. The total distance is about 1.8 miles, up and back.

Sunday, August 9th, 5:00 PM:  Ferry Road and the Connecticut River                       
     This generally level route heads down shaded Ferry Road and into Skyline Nursery. Soon it follows the river, sometimes with views. The total length is about 2 miles. Carol Orth is the leader.

Sunday, August 16th, 11:30 AM:  To the Cabin                       
     We follow Swift’s Logging Road up to the crest of Pikes Peak ridge, then we follow a trail through the woods to Grace’s skiing trail, and then by woodsy trail on to Steve’s cabin. There is a nice view there. We will linger – some food will be available. The distance to the cabin will feel like 2 miles, plus a short walk on the Center Road. There might be No Trespassing signs at the beginning of this hike, but we natives are sure that they can’t mean us. We use the route many times.  

Saturday, August 29th, 9:30 AM:  Perkinsville Lower Valley
We will start at the Grange and take in the Lower Falls and the original site of Grout Cemetery. We will offer some historical commentary en route. There are river views and meadow views. The terrain is partly flat and partly of gentle slope. Distance will be optional, from 1.3 miles to 2.5 to 4.0. We’ll see what people want.

Saturday, September 19th, 9:30 AM:  Little Ascutney                                                              
    We will walk up to the ledges – very nice view – on a trail, or not, and then might loop around to the basin and its cellar holes. In large part this terrain is strenuous. There is first a steady climb, then a dip, and then a steep ascent to get from the parking lot at 900 feet to the summit of Little Ascutney at 1709 feet. The hike probably will take over two hours. Steve Snyder is the hike leader, we hope.

Saturday, October 10th, 9:30 AM:  Cooks Pond Loop
     This is a route on dirt road more than on trail. It is wooded, lovely in autumn colors. There are three beaver ponds along the trail and a framed view of Mt. Ascutney from the south end of Cooks Pond. Other mountain views occur at later points. Julia Lloyd Wright will be the hike leader.
    Difficulty: easy, with one longish incline. Distance: almost 3 miles.    
    
Please reply to us by June 2nd, the day we organize all hikes. Then Steve will get back to you. Include your name and phone number in case of changes, like postponement due to awful weather.