CT Trails Day 2007

Story and photos by Jim Murtagh

The surface of Coan Pond in Madison ’s Rockland Preserve is dotted with white flowers from blooming water lilies. Along its bank, Green Frogs bellow to one another. Their low bass tones rumble across the marshland like thunder from a distant storm. Under the dense forest canopy, the air is cooler and the strong morning sunlight is obscured. The rustling from squirrels and birds searching for nuts and berries in the thick underbrush elicits a quick glance, but the animals are difficult to find.

This Saturday, become a participant in Connecticut Trails Days 2007 and choose your own path to follow. Over 125 hikes, walks and educational activities are planned in towns across the state. Climb a mountain, hike around a pond, or just ramble down a wooded trail. For 15 years, the Connecticut Forest and Park Association has coordinated this event to expose people to Connecticut ’s numerous and diverse trail systems.

Coan Pond in the Rockland Preserve has literally had its ups and downs. The original pond dried to the point where it became a fen, with dark, damp bog like soil. In 2002, a single beaver made the pond his home, and after building his dam, the water level rose until the area became a pond once again.

Aaron Barriger will lead a hike beginning at Rockland Preserve in Madison , making his way across Mica Ledge and Mt. Pisgah . Appointed as the trail manager for this section of the trail, he is intimately familiar with the surroundings and describes the view as “absolutely beautiful.” An avid birder and member of the Hartford Audubon Society, Barriger will intertwine bird identification into his walk, and predicts guests will see “at least ten different species of warblers” and “probably hear 30-35 species” along the route.

Listed below are a series of trail events that are scheduled along the shoreline. Many of the events feature guided walks by land trust or conservation group members. Plants, birds and wildlife will be topics for discussion and fascinating stories about how the trails came into existence may be shared. Walks vary in length and difficulty as well as the natural scenery they offer. Choose an event that appeals to you, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the outdoors.

Be sure to bring water and a snack with you, and take the necessary tick precautions before hitting the trail. Contact the event leader for more details and to register. The CT Forest & Park Association offers a downloadable brochure providing detailed descriptions of all events across the state at: www.ctwoodlands.org

The abundance of aquatic plant life in Coan Pond is an ideal breeding habitat for frogs and turtles as evident by this Green Frog.

Branford: Supply Ponds and Queach Preserve

Saturday, June 2 ( 10:00 am to 11:30 am) Rain date Sunday, June 3.

Explore the mature beech, oak, hickory and maple forests during this moderately difficult 1.5 hour hike through the 150-acre Queach property. Pass stone cellars, cross wetlands and a continental fault as you explore the many facets of this wonderful preserve. The hike is sponsored by the Branford Land Trust and there is one steep grade on the route. Meet 10:00 am at the Supply Ponds parking area. From I-95 exit 55, go south on Route 1, turn right on Mill Plain Road, and left on Short Rocks Road to parking area. Contact: Co-Leaders Bill Horne, billhorne48@yahoo.com, 203-488-6146, and Ainsley Highman, 203-483-6939.

Guilford: Blue-Blazed Mattabesett Trail and Northwoods

Saturday, June 2 ( 9:00 am to 12:00 noon) Rain date Sunday, June 3.

Hike the southernmost section of the Mattabesett Trail and the beautiful Broomstick Ledges during this 3-mile trek over moderate to level terrain. Also explore a portion of the proposed Menunkatuck Trail which will connect the Mattabesett Trail to Long Island Sound at Guilford Harbor. Meet 9:00 am at Bluff Head hiker parking lot, Route 77, North Guilford. Contact: Paul Mei, 203-457-1938.

Madison/Guilford/Durham: Rockland Preserve, Blue-Blazed Mattabesett Trail, Mica Ledges, Mt.Pisgah

Saturday, June 2 ( 8:00 am to 1:00 pm) Rain or shine.

Departing from Rockland Preserve, this four-mile hike over easy-to-moderate terrain with some hills, will bring hikers to the Mattabesett Trail, the Mica Ledges, and then continue north over Mt. Pisgah. Wildlife and birds species will be identified as seen along the route. Meet 8:00 am at Rockland Preserve parking lot on Route 79, 0.9 mile south of Route 148/Route 79 junction in North Madison. Contact: Aaron Barriger, CTHiker20@aol.com, 203-213-4815.

 Madison: Rockland Preserve

Saturday, June 2 ( 9:00 am to 12:00 noon) Rain date Sunday, June 3.

This almost 3-mile long beginner to intermediate hike over moderate terrain with a few hills will expose guests to the Coan Pond Trail and the Houston Nature Trail. An historian will describe the process used to produce charcoal in Rockland from the 1700s to the 1930s. Meet 9:00 am at Rockland Preserve. From Route 79 north in the Rockland section of Madison turn left on Dorset Lane, right on Devonshire Lane, right on Renee’s Way to parking area at end. Contact: Madison Beach and Recreation Dept., 203-245-5623, or e-mail halla@madisonct.org Leader Joseph Oslander, 203-421-3369.

Killingworth

1. Killingworth and Kelseytown Reservoir

Saturday, June 2 ( 10:00 am) Rain or shine.

Diversity will be the highlight of this 2.5 mile trek within the Connecticut Water Company’s watershed properties. Participants will trek open fields, cross a river via a footbridge, view a pond, and wander down old woods roads on this mostly level terrain. Contact : Mary Ingarra, 860-669-8630, x3014, mingarra@ctwater.com

2. Shotpouch Plains Trail

Saturday, June 2 ( 10:00 am to 12:00 noon) Rain date Sunday, June 3.

While walking this 1.5-mile wooded level terrain loop, guests will be provided with an introduction to letterboxing and geocaching. The Killingworth Land Conservation Trust’s newest trail connects Ironworks Road to Roast Meat Hill Road and is appropriate for children. Meet 10:00 am at trailhead between 119 and 125 Roast Meat Hill Road, one mile south of Route 80, 0.4-mile south of Stevens Road. Contact: Debby Butler, debby_butler@hotmail.com, 860-663-2231.

3. ChatfieldHollowState Park

Sunday, June 3 ( 12:00 noon)

Discover the essentials of basic orienteering with Gary Tierney of North Cove Outfitters and Art Allen, USCG Oceanographer, as you hike the park’s trails. Learn how to “stay found” in the woods and also search for a hidden treasure known as a geocache. Maximum of 24 participants and you should bring a compass or GPS unit if you own one. Meet at 12:00 noon in the parking lot of Chatfield Hollow State Park, Route 80. Contact: Gary Tierney, gmtierney@snet.net, 203-458-3956.

Clinton: JesseBuellForest

Saturday, June 2 ( 9:00 am to 11:00 am) Rain or shine.

An easy to moderate 2-mile walk through woodland is being sponsored by the Clinton Land Conservation Trust on the land bequeathed by Clinton native and Yale forest researcher, Jesse Buell. Meet 9:00 am at the trailhead on Cream Pot Road. Contact : Mike Houde, 860-669-2466.

 Westbrook: Salt Meadow Unit, Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

Saturday, June 2 ( 10:30 am to 1 pm)

Staff members from the Refuge will lead an easy to moderate paced trail walk. The 225-acre area offers walkers views of many different habitat types including a tidal salt marsh, open fields, and a hardwood forest. Throughout the walk, leaders will discuss trail safety, hiking gear, and wildlife conservation. Meet 10:00 am at Refuge headquarters. From I-95 exit 64, go south to blinking light and turn left onto Old Clinton Road; continue approximately 1.0 mile to Refuge entrance on right. Contact: Ava Kahn, Ava_Kahn@fws.gov, 860-399-2513.

Essex: Cross Lots Nature Preserve

Sunday, June 3 ( 4:15 pm)

A large dogwood grove borders the mowed trails along this 1-mile walk through the 16-acre Essex Land Conservation Trust property. The naturalist led trek will conclude with a “bring your own” picnic supper and a band concert. Meet top of hill in grassy area at Cross Lots, 40 West Avenue. Park across the street at Essex Town Hall. Contact: Carol MacElwee, elct@comcast.net, 860-767-2023.