Hartford Area Hiking™

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This part of the Tunxis Trail will take us to the northwestern corner of Southington, into Bristol, and back.

This hike is considered strenuous due to the fact we will gain over 1800 feet over the duration of the hike. It is not a beginner hike. We will start on the Steep Climb Trail at the cul de sac on Panthorn Trail and head up onto the ridge. The trail is a challenging series of descents and ascents of the western wall of Connecticut's Central Valley.

The distance is about 6 miles round trip. I cannot put a time on completing so do not plan a tight schedule for the afternoon. We hike as a group and are only as fast as our slowest hiker. Those who have been with me before know there is no trail running but we keep a good pace.

You will need hiking boots, water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, a hat, whistle, clothes that wick. We will take breaks. And more water and food.
Please have trail experience, correct equipment- no jeans no sneakers. If we have not hiked together or you hide your Meetup groups or you show up online as a "First Timer" (Meetup term), I will contact you for some hiker info.

Dogs must be on a leash not running through the group and able to climb rocks. No Kids.

199 Panthorn Trail is the parking and meeting point. There is a cul de sac at the end of Panthorn Trail (that's the road name). There is no bathroom. You may not park in the circle. We have to park on the right side of the road only(drive to the cul-de-sac then head back out to be on the right)-per the residents.

Please check your route, download the GPS at home, know your travel time. Arrive early enough to start at the posted start time.
Items you must consider for every event:

• If you have an event after a hike, please do not sign up for the hike.
• End times are only an estimate.
• The group will not adjust speed or trail route to accommodate your schedule.
• If you cannot attend an event, please cancel 48 hours before. Late cancellations are rude and take away the option for others to join the event.
• Be a good hiking human

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HAH COVID update for this event
Any attendees who have tested positive, have symptoms or have been in direct contact with an infected person should not attend.

By clicking on "Yes" for this event you agree, warrant, and covenant as follows:

In consideration for accepting this entry, I, the registrant, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, my executors and administrators, do waive and release any and all rights for damages I may have against any parties or persons connected with the Hartford Area Hiking meetup group for and related to the above listed event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit to participate in any portion of this above listed event. I grant Hartford Area Hiking permission to use any photographs, film or videotapes of this event for any purpose. I further attest that I, the registrant, am fully and completely responsible for any guests that I bring to the event, whether registered or not.

This hike is open to everyone. This is a wonderful place for our hiking community to explore nature- wildlife including birds and trees. I will invite everyone to participate in a brief 10-15 minute mindfulness/sensory awareness practice during the beginning of the hike. This is a practice I like to do before I take a walk in a forest to help ground-relax myself and enhance my awareness to life in the forest. Our hike will be for about 2 hours and will take a casual to moderate pace with several stops for water/snack and to observe the beautiful scenery/waterfalls. The terrain is over uneven earth from tree roots to rocks to muddy ground so a pair of hiking boots is recommended. A pair of hiking poles may be helpful but not required. There are many hills throughout this park.
* Feel free to bring a pair of binoculars as this is good time of year to observe various types of woodpeckers.
I have limited the group size to 15 people as that is the group size I'm most comfortable leading.

Meeting location: Use main entrance and follow directions for 721 Wadsworth street, Middletown, CT

If you get lost or need help getting to the meeting place, you can text or call me on my cell at 563.650.0276.

Guests/friends that want to participate, may certainly sign up by creating a meetup account.

Make sure you bring some water. Dogs are are allowed if on leash at this event. Stormy weather/Steady rain will cancel the event. If i need to cancel the event, I'll post a announcement on this page at least two hours before our starting time. If in doubt, stay on the safe side.

--- Legal Stuff ---

By clicking on "Yes" for this event you agree, warrant, and covenant as follows:

COVID19 Consideration: There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where other people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and even death. By voluntarily participating in an event organized by Hartford Area Hiking you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

In consideration for accepting this entry, I, the registrant, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, my executors and administrators, do waive and release any and all rights for damages I may have against any parties or persons connected with the Hartford Area Hiking meetup group for and related to the above listed event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit to participate in any portion of this above listed event. I grant Hartford Area Hiking permission to use any photographs, film or videotapes of this event for any purpose.

I usually run this hike will run Thanksgiving morning. It is a beginner all levels event. The reservoir was originally created by the Cheney Family as a water source for their mills in Manchester.

This will be a 3 mile loop around the water on well traveled trails. There is still a bit of climbing with rocks and roots. The back of the reservoir is a little swampy.

I still suggest study shoes, water, and maybe a small snack. No children or dogs please. There is a large parking area down a dirt road left from the kennels. There is no bathroom.

---Legal Stuff ---
By clicking on "Yes" for this event you agree, warrant, and covenant as follows:
In consideration for accepting this entry, I, the registrant, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, my executors and administrators, do waive and release any and all rights for damages I may have against any parties or persons connected with the Hartford Area Hiking meetup group for and related to the above listed event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit to participate in any portion of this above listed event. I grant Hartford Area Hiking permission to use any photographs, film or videotapes of this event for any purpose.

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/7/a/0/0/600_460831232.jpeg

Please pay attention to the parking location. We are heading up the falls cut off near the Light House cemetery. I would suggest stopping at the restrooms at the main parking area. Then leave the lot and and turn left. The parking is on the left side of the road.

The hike is approximately 5-7 miles with the first half climbing out of the valley and then heading back down. There is a variety of wooded conditions from rocky to gentle paths. Due to the climbing-lots of climbing and distance, I would NOT classify this as a beginner hike-it is listed moderate. You should assess your ability to 2 miles per hours. I am all for stopping to catch your breath and taking photos. It is not a race.

You have signed up for a group hike so we hike as a group. We will keep the entire group in view. We leave no one behind and adjust the pace accordingly. Trail runners need not attend.

I always recommend hiking boots and a day pack with water, snacks, a whistle, small medical kit. I love hiking poles but they are not required. You are going to be burning calories the entire hike so please bring FOOD and WATER. Breakfast alone may not be enough. Also the sweating may require a gatorade style drink.

Please bring traction devices. I am not sure what kind of trail conditions we will encounter. Cold weather is here so synthetic layers need to worn-not cotton.

Dogs are allowed on a leash.
Items you must consider for every event:

• If you have an event after a hike, please do not sign up for the hike.
• End times are only an estimate.
• The group will not adjust speed or trail route to accommodate your schedule.
• If you cannot attend an event, please cancel 48 hours before. Late cancellations are rude and take away the option for others to join the event.
• Be a good hiking human.

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/Peoplespdf.pdf

All trails map of the loop
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/connecticut/falls-cutoff-jessie-girard-charles-pack-bowen-loop-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map

Google through the Meetup site has not been working. Here is a map link to the different hiking trail head.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Barkhamsted+Lighthouse+Archaeological+Preserve/@41.9424525,-73.0261901,15z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1speples+forest+falls+cutoff+trailhead+barkhamsted+ct!3m5!1s0x89e70bcdba54aeb3:0x132412256ede5a5a!8m2!3d41.9424525!4d-73.0071367!16s%2Fg%2F11dx8g_70s?authuser=0&entry=ttu

--- Legal Stuff ---

By clicking on "Yes" for this event you agree, warrant, and covenant as follows:
COVID19 Consideration: There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where other people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and even death. By voluntarily participating in an event organized by Hartford Area Hiking you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

In consideration for accepting this entry, I, the registrant, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, my executors and administrators, do waive and release any and all rights for damages I may have against any parties or persons connected with the Hartford Area Hiking meetup group for and related to the above listed event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit to participate in any portion of this above listed event. I grant Hartford Area Hiking permission to use any photographs, film or videotapes of this event for any purpose. I further attest that I, the registrant, am fully and completely responsible for any guests that I bring to the event, whether registered or not.