More Chances to Hike

from WalkCT

Flat Stanley's CT Outdoor Adventure

Saturday, May 28, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Middletown
Help find Flat Stanley on the Mattabesett Trail. Flat Stanley has gone missing on the Connecticut portion of the New England Trail (NET) and CFPA needs your help to find him. Join us for a fun adventure as we embark on a scavenger hunt and search for clues to find the hidden CT Flat Stanley letterbox. Find Flat Stanley as we hike the NET and have your picture taken with him to be entered into a random drawing for a Connecticut Walk Book. Fun for families with school-aged children. Bring your own stamp and journal if you have one or borrow one of ours. Wear waterproof, comfortable shoes; bring your camera (optional). Rain postpones the fun to Sunday, May 29th, same time.

Pre-registration is recommended due to limited roadside parking; contact CFPA at

info@ctwoodlands.org or (860) 346-2372 before 4:00 p.m. this Friday.

For directions, please visit www.walkct.org

Connecticut Trails Day

Celebration

June 4-5, 2011

Middletown has 7 hikes to offer on Trails Day, second only to Guilford for most active town in the state!

Hike, Paddle, Run, Ride 190 Events Statewide

Middletown | Bike ● Saturday, June 4. 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Westlake Area Bike Path. Enjoy an introduction to the Mattabesset River

and Westlake Area Bike Paths. We will take a 10-mile family bike ride, and explore the proposed extension of the River Trail on foot, if time allows. We will begin with the ABC quick bike and a helmet check, followed by a discussion of trail etiquette and safety. Bring your bike and helmet, and meet at the bike path on Tuttle Road. Sponsored by Jonah Center for Earth and Environmental Art (thejonahcenter.org). Heavy rain cancels. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Questions, rain plan, and to register: contact leader, Beth Emery, (860) 346-7387, ctladycyclist@gmail.com.

Middletown | Hike ■ Saturday, June 4. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CVH Reservoirs/ Mattabeset Trail. This stretch of the Mattabeset Trail, just 10

minutes from downtown Middletown and part of the New England Trail, will take us through a fascinating section of wild that that surrounds the

Connecticut Valley Hospital Reservoirs. We will enjoy great vistas and incredible geology as we hike for 5 to 6 miles over varied terrain (not suited for kids). Park and meet in the upper most parking lot at Middlesex Community College off of Training Hill Road. Sponsored by Middlesex YMCA (midymca.org). Heavy rain cancels. Pre-registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact leader, Bob Spencer, (860) 759-4466, bspencer@midymca.org.

Middletown | Hike ■ Saturday, June 4. 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Scovill Rock Loop Trail. This 2.5-mile hike will introduce folks to the natural

beauty of the Maromas area of Middletown, where CFPA holds a conservation restriction on a portion of this wonderfully wooded and diverse NU property that sits on the Connecticut River in the vicinity of Scovill Rock. Come enjoy a walk on the newly created trail, take a rest on the property’s river beach, and have lunch with friends on this great piece of open space. Meet Clare Cain and Jeff Borne at the parking area on River Road (turn south off of Aircraft Road onto River Road and proceed for 0.25 miles to the parking area on the right-hand). Sponsored by Northeast Utilities (nu.com) and Connecticut Forest & Park Association (ctwoodlands.org). Rain or shine. Pre-registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact Clare Cain, (860) 346-2372, ccain@ctwoodlands.org.

Middletown | Hike ■ Saturday, June 4. 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Wilcox Woods Conservation Area. Join us for a 3-mile guided hike

through Middletown’s largest, and underutilized, conservation areas. What once was a golf course, then tree farm, is now a network of wooded trails with numerous hiking opportunities. The hike will wind its way up to Lamentation Mountain via the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System and part of the New England Trail. Bring your own lunch. Meet at Footit Road off of Atkins Street (follow the Conservation Area signs). Sponsored by NEAT Hiking Group. Heavy rain cancels. Pre-registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact Matt Dodge, matt.dodge@cityofmiddletown.com.

Middletown | Hike ■ Sunday, June 5. 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mattabesett Trail. Explore the easternmost section of the Mattabesett Trail

(between River Road and Brooks Road), which is also part of the New England Trail. The 4.7-mile route features rolling terrain with some rock scrambles and views of the Connecticut River and twin

reservoirs. Rides back to the starting point will be available. Time includes a break for lunch on the trail; bring water

and lunch/snack. Meet at the new kiosk by the parking lot opposite the power station on River Road. Sponsored by Connecticut Forest & Park Association

(ctwoodlands.org). Rain or shine. Pre-registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact leader, Chris Woodside, (860) 526-

9099; on day of hike, (860) 575-1024.

Middletown | Hike ● Sunday, June 5. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wadsworth Falls State Park. Join Everyone Outside naturalist, Lucy Meigs

for a fun 1.5- to 2-mile family hike followed by light refreshments provided by the Rockfall Foundation. We will look for interesting plants, animal homes, frogs, tadpoles, and other creatures on our route through these beautiful woods. Meet by the map kiosk near the parking lot of the Wadsworth Falls State Park’s main entrance on Route 157. Sponsored by Rockfall Foundation (RockfallFoundation. org) and Everyone Outside (EveryoneOutside.org). Heavy rain postpones to June 12, 1:00 p.m. Pre-registration is RECOMMENDED. Questions and to register: contact the Rockfall Foundation, (860) 347-0340, info@rockfallfoundation.org; weekend of hike contact Lucy Meigs, lucy@everyoneoutside.org, (860) 395-7771.

Middletown – Middlefield | Hike ◆ Saturday, June 4. 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Mattabesett Trail/ Higby Mountain. This 5-mile hike traverses the Blue-Blazed

Mattabesett Trail (part of the New England Trail). We will follow along the scenic traprock ridge, up to 892 feet in elevation. Great views, wildflowers, and birds will be observed—something for everyone. Some steep, rocky sections will be encountered; wear appropriate footwear, and bring a snack and water. Meet at Tynan Park (Higby Road). Rain or shine. Pre-registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact leader, Bob Hardy, (203) 630-2130.

Complete book with all state-wide listings for Trails Day available here:

http://www.ctwoodlands.org/CT-TrailsDay2011

Click on the link for "Click here to view an electronic version of the booklet."