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| Hiking | 7.22 Miles |
1,159 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.22 Miles | 4 Hrs 38 Mns | | 1.82 mph |
| 1,159 ft AEG | 40 Mns Break | 10 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | I am hiking the 50+ mile Shenipsit Trail in sections. I was prohibited from the wilderness for almost a month by a non-Covid health issue, but I am back to my old self, and happy to be out in the woods again. Today, my wife dropped me off at the trail intersection with Bolton Center Road (CT-85), and I hiked south to Hebron Ave (CT-94). While there is a nice lot where the trail comes out on Birch Mountain Road near Hebron Ave., the nearest good parking at the Bolton end is about a mile away the Bolton Park and Ride at US 44 and I-384. From there, the Shenipsit Trail follows the paved bike path almost to the trailhead on Bolton Center Road.
The first couple of miles, down to Birch Mountain Road, are not in very good shape. The trail is overgrown, blazes are sparse, and at least at one point it was a total bushwhack to find where the trail went. At another point, the trail just blows by a No-Trespassing sign. This does not mean you if you are hiking the trail. Nevertheless, thanks to the Connecticut Forest and Park Association for all they do to maintain the blue-blazed trail system. Keep your wits about you and have the route loaded on your GPS.
After crossing Birch Mountain Road, the trail enters Case Mountain Park, and from here to the end, the trail is in beautiful shape. Case Mountain Park is quite nice. There is a white-blazed carriage road that goes to the summit of Birch Mountain. The Shenipsit Trail crosses it several times. In this area I encountered a large hiking club group and a couple of mountain bikers. Otherwise, I had the day to myself.
It was hot today, in the 90s, and very humid. I was soaked by the time I met my wife at the south end. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Some blackeyed susans, but that was all. |
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