E - East Kent Hamlet Nature Preserve, Kent, CT

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

E - East Kent Hamlet Nature Preserve, Kent, CT

After the strenuous and confusing climb to the "summit?" of Leonard Mountain, and a bit of trail mix to refuel, I drove up 341 to Kent Hollow Road, and the East Kent Hamlet Nature Preserve. According to the Kent Trails book, the Kent Land Trust has worked for some years to acquire this property; a former Girl Scout camp in use until the mid 1990's. 

A very well-paved parking area!

Evidence of this former camp abounds. Although the KLT had to raze many of the structures for safety reasons, there are still some stone fireplaces and chimneys (not sure how leaving those up is "safe," but they do look cool!)
 

Stone fireplace

The maps were clear, and the trails were somewhat well-marked (at least in the woods). The trails all spurred off of main paved roads, which made for some less-than-comfortable walking to already-tired feet.

Information board with complementary maps!

 My original plan to connect the two loop trails into a "figure 8" double loop was cut short by a missed turn, but it was for the better anyway.

After passing two stone fireplaces, the trail opened up to a meadow with potentially tick-infested taller grass, but I made it through safely! The meadow was very scenic, and a nice change of scene from the woods for a short stretch. The woods can feel comforting at times, but also make one feel claustrophobic at times.

Open meadow

An old, unblemished beech!

  After some momentary open sky, I entered back into the woods, but this time on a more conventional woodland path. There were some beautiful, and unscathed old beech trees!

I also was able to "pish" in some sort of warbler with a familiar, yet unidentifiable call. In the summer, most birding must be done by ear, as dense foliage and no incentive to come out of hiding, keep most birds unseen. This particular bird did come out when pished, and I was able to spot and identify a male American Redstart!

A nice bolete!

The trail climbed to a height, where it looked like it would open up to an overlook. However, upon reaching the top of the rise, the trail simply turned back downhill!  The trail passed an impressive, multi-angled rock wall. It made me wonder if adding rocks to the wall was a punishment for misbehaving campers!




 



I proceeded back to the parking area by way of a different paved road, and I decided to take the side trip down an unofficial trail toward the sound of water falling. I was rewarded with a very nice waterfall and brook!

Waterfall worth the small side-trip!

Notable Sightings:

• Wood Thrush (seen!)
• Hermit Thrush
• Black-throated Blue Warbler
• Pine Warbler (seen!)
• American Redstart (seen!)
• Veery (seen!)
• Red-eyed Vireo (seen!)
• Ovenbird
• Eastern Phoebe
• Eastern Wood-Pewee 
• Downy Woodpecker (seen)
• Hairy Woodpecker (seen)    

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Looks like a nice pond for paddling...next time!

E - Emery Park Leonard Mountain Trail, Kent, CT

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

E - Emery Park: Leonard Mountain Trail, Kent, CT

I got a bit of a late start today! I decided to climb what I thought was Segar Mountain first! Looking at a topo map though, it turns out the trail ascends Leonard Mountain - which is actually a little bit taller than Segar Mountain!

I drive past Emery Park every day on the way to and from work, but I've never stopped. I've heard they have a "natural" pool that's fed by a spring, and that it frequently gets water snakes and other "natural" neighbors. There is a trail that is "well-marked" (more on that later) and maintained by the Kent Parks and Recreation department.
 
Once I found the trail-head, which crossed a nice creek, I started up. It seemed rather pleasant at first, crossing an open meadow with the sun shining, before heading up into the woods for the ascent up the mountain. There was a kiosk with the phone number? for the parks and rec department, and a few tree identification trail signs that had fallen off their trees. No map, but that's okay (more on that later). The book I had said green and silver trail markers, but they were blue and silver: oh well!

The trail was rather overgrown, which made me go into "tick mode," tucking my pants into my socks, and remembering to do a thorough tick check at the end.

Tall grass, but it must be tough to get a mower up there!

Maple-Leaf Viburnum in bloom

There was no doubt that this trail was a mountain trail! There were very few sections of level ground; the pitch was a steady 45 degrees for most of the way! 

The Kent Hiking Trails book explained that there was a "barely discernible" side trail blazed with yellow that led to a stand of 300-year-old sugar maples, about half-way up. I must have missed it, but towards what I presumed to be the summit, there were two yellow-marked trails. The first trail I followed led to a partially-obstructed overlook of the village of Kent.

If you look closely, you can see Kent Center School!

 The second yellow "spur" trail led to an area of overgrowth, and a tree with two trail markers on it. Was this the summit???

 

 I looked around for a while, but couldn't see any signs of where the trailed continued. There were no more blue trail markers to be found, only yellow.  This part of the trail didn't seem to be recently maintained. There was a large, downed hemlock that I had to do a bit of "pickin' and a grinnin' " to get around. 

I decided I would call this the summit, so I sat down to have a refuel of some water and the banana that I had brought. When, noooooooooo! 3/4 of the banana broke off and plummeted to the ground! I ate what little remained, and left the rest for a lucky scavenger.

Me and a "gnarly" tree near the "summit?"

Back down the trail! This proved quick, but potentially dangerous. Gravity did most of the work, but there were some slick spots with lots of loose leaf litter. Some trekking poles would have been useful!

After checking out the spring-fed pool (very "natural" looking); I headed back to the car for some trail mix and air conditioning before the next hike.

Thanks for the advice, E.T.???

Notable Sightings:

• Eastern Phoebe (heard)
• Black-capped Chickadee (heard)
• Black-and-white Warblers (heard)
• Black-throated Green Warblers (heard)
• Eastern Wood-Pewee (heard)
• White-tailed Deer
• Sensitive Fern 

  

  Sensitive Fern

D - Dean's Ravine, Falls Village, CT

Monday, June 20, 2016

D - Dean's Ravine (Falls), Canaan (Falls Village), CT

Since I got such an early start on Caleb's Peak this morning, and got the "work" stop at my school done with quickly as well, I decided that there would be time for my next short hike, before some yard work at home.

That short hike was to Dean's Ravine near Falls Village, which is actually in the town of Canaan. 

The trail is in a spot you wouldn't expect. On US 7 North, just across from Housatonic Valley Regional High School, take a turn down Lime Rock Station Road, where it seems likely it was named for a former railroad station. There are railroad tracks that you have to cross to get down to Music Mountain Road. Head uphill for a mile, and there's a dirt pull-off parking area on your left.

A blue-blazed trail heads down immediately, and one can hear the rushing water of Reed Brook. 

 The trail descends gradually, then switches back, and you head directly toward the falls.

Dean's Ravine Falls

It hadn't rained in a while, so the water wasn't gushing, but it was still impressive and soothing!

Dean's Ravine Falls

After the waterfall, the trail continues along the brook to a nice camping area with a bench and fire pit, then continues back out to Music Mountain Rd. It's a pleasant enough hike, but the waterfall is definitely the highlight!

Camping area. A bit buggy to stay too long!

 Rather than take the familiar way home, I decided to get "adventurous," and drive on something called "River Road" back towards West Cornwall. The road went quickly unpaved, but did follow the Housatonic River, as well as leap-frogging the railroad tracks. There were quite a few houses along this road as well. A nice, scenic surprise!

River Road to West Cornwall

River Road to West Cornwall

I planned to get some lunch at The Wandering Moose restaurant in West Cornwall, but it was closed on a Monday! Next time!


Notable Sightings:

• Red Baneberry (Red Doll's Eyes)
  
  

C - Caleb's Peak, Kent, CT

Monday, June 20, 2016

C - Caleb's Peak, Kent, CT

There are several options when heading up Caleb's Peak (named for a farmer who lived to be 104!). You can approach from Rte. 341 in Kent, across the meadow and over Numeral Rock, where Kent students paint the year of the graduating class. This way is about a 7-mile round trip, which I might go back and do some day.

I had already gone up over St. John's Ledges on the AT two summers ago, and that was a challenge!

The route I decided upon was the most direct. An ascent from where the AT crosses Skiff Mountain Road.  It was steep at first, had a nice, level stretch in the middle (with evidence of a recent fire?), and a final ascent with switchbacks that make it more pleasant. A nice workout if you push yourself, but easy in stretches, and enjoyable overall!

Welcoming white blazes

There be rattlesnakes in them there rocks!

 My wife warned me to "watch out for rattlesnakes!" Where they have been seen in the state, frequent reports have come from the AT. Apparently rocky, south-facing slopes are where rattlesnakes are more likely. I didn't encounter any this time, just a garter snake.
   

Nice view overlooking Kent and the Housatonic River valley

View from the summit

Notable Sightings:

• Eastern Chipmunks (many)
• Gray Squirrels
• American Robins
• Garter Snake
• Veery (heard)
• Wood Thrush (heard)
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Eastern Wood-Pewee (heard)
• Tree Swallow
• Red-eyed Vireo (heard)
• Ovenbirds (heard)
• Black-throated Blue Warbler (heard)
• Canada Geese (heard)
• Blue Jays (heard)
• Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (heard) 

B - Beaver Pond Trail. White Memorial Conservation Center, Litchfield, CT

Sunday, June 19, 2016 - Father's Day!

B - Beaver Pond Trail, White Memorial Conservation Center

Litchfield, CT

To be honest, the first "B" hike I had my sights set on was Bear Mountain- the tallest peak in the state of Connecticut. After reading trail directions and tips, I came to the realization that I perhaps wasn't fit enough for the challenge just yet.

So when my wife suggested I "keep it local" with a hike at the White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, the Beaver Pond Trail looked like the perfect option!

A Father's Day hike with the family on a beautiful day after a pancake breakfast was just what the doctor ordered!

The hike!

The terrain was easy enough for a 3-year-old, with pleasant scenery, the sounds of wildlife filling the air, and a visit from a trio of friendly doggies (including 2 German Shepherds!).

Humorous and unintentionally cropped signage!

A favorite part of the hike was stone "bridge" dam, blooming mountain laurel, and our wildlife sightings (see below).

Across the Bridge!

American Toad

The "dinosaur foot" leaf of a sassafras!

Notable Sightings:

• Many Eastern Chipmunks
• Red Squirrel
• 2 German Shepherds (with owners)
• Red-eyed Vireo (heard)
• American Robin
• Veery (heard)
• Wood Thrush (heard)
• Grey Catbird
• Ovenbirds (several)
• Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (2)
• Eastern Phoebe (heard)
• Eastern Wood-Pewee (heard)
• American Toad
• Wood Frog
• Leopard Frog
• Sassafras Tree

  

  A Happy Father's Day, indeed!

Here it is! The (ambitious) schedule of Alphabet Hikes!

Saturday, June 18, 2016

I stayed up much later than normal for a Friday; researching and finding most of the "alphabet" hikes I'm going to attempt this summer.

Letter	Hike	Date	*= no blog post yet
A	Appalachian Trail - Mt. Algo, Kent	6/15/16
B	Beaver Pond, WMCC, Litchfield	6/19/16
C	Caleb’s Peak, Kent	6/20/16
D	Dean Ravine, Falls Village	6/20/16
E	Emery Park, Leonard Mtn. Trail, Kent and East Kent Nature Preserve Trails, Kent	6/21/16
F	Falls Brook Trail, Tunxis State Forest, Hartland	7/7/16
G	Green Circle Trail, Steep Rock Preserve, Washington	7/8/16
H	Haystack Mtn., Norfolk	7/19/16
I	Iron Mtn. Preserve, South Kent	7/25/16
J	Jug End Loop, Egremont, MA	8/3/16
K	Kent Mtn. Preserve, Kent	8/4/16*
L	Lover’s Leap-Falls Mtn. Trail, New Milford	8/4/16*
M	Mine Hill, Roxbury and Macedonia Brook SP, Kent	7/6/17* 7/10/17*
N	Nonnewaug Falls, Woodbury/Bethlehem	8/9/16*
O	Orenaug Park, Woodbury	8/9/16*
P	Pine Knob Loop, Cornwall	7/13/17*
Q
R	Rand’s View/Prospect Mtn., Falls Village and Race Brook Falls, Sheffield, MA
S	Steep Rock Loop, Washington
T	Mt. Tom SP, and Tunxis Trail, Barkhamsted	7/16/16*
U	Undermountain Trail, Salisbury
V	Turkey Vulture Ledges Trail, American Legion SF
W	Wheeler Hill, WMCC
X
Y
Z

As anticipated, it was difficult to find local hikes that started with Q, X, Y, or Z!  So I've decided to "double up" on some letters for which I found multiple hikes that sound interesting.

I don't think I'm in the physical shape to attempt Lion's Head nor Bear Mountain in Salisbury yet; but I'll try the Undermountain Trail which leads up to Bear Mountain. I should be in better shape by then!

Also, I might not tackle all of these hikes in exact alphabetical order. It might make sense to take two hikes in one day if they're relatively short and in the same geographical neighborhood; for instance: Race Brook Falls in Sheffield, Mass; and Jug End Loop in Egremont, Mass.

Here we go! See you on the trail!