Local Adventure Offered During CT Trails Day Weekend

There are over 250 events being held this weekend in celebration of CT Trails Day Weekend, including several activities in Durham, Middlefield and nearby.

CT Trails Day Weekend (Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2) is coordinated by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), located in Rockfall along Route 66, and offers families and individuals the opportunity to explore Connecticut's outdoors. 

This year's event has been expanded to the entire weekend and 152 of the state's 169 towns. 2013 is also the 100th anniversary of the State Park System and families are invited to explore places like Gillette Castle State Park, Hammonassett Beach State Park and Sleeping Giant State Park (for more info visit www.ct.gov/dep.stateparks).

Below are some local events: 

Field Forest Trail System - Durham
Saturday, June 1 - 9-12 p.m. 
Towering tulip poplars, shaded woodland trails, a vernal pool brimming with aquatic and amphibian life, streams harboring fish, wild turkeys, red-eyed vireos and pileated woodpeckers, views of the traprock ridge, magnificent specimen trees, and more than a million board feet of sawtimber—all of these elements are present at the Field Forest.

Join CFPA volunteer trail manager Howie Field for a leisurely 3-mile hike around this 152-acre property. Meet at the kiosk located on Bear Rock Road (road shoulder parking). Sponsored by Connecticut Forest & Park Association (ctwoodlands.org). Rain or shine. Pre-registration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact Howie Field, (860) 345-7458, howardfield@comcast.net.  

Mattabesett Trail Hike
Saturday, June 1 - 9-12 p.m.
This 5-mile hike traverses the CFPA Blue-Blazed Mattabesett Trail (part of the New England Trail, NET). We will follow along the scenic traprock ridge, up to 892 feet in elevation on Higby Mountain. 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. Preregistration is NOT NECESSARY. Questions: contact leader, Bob Hardy, (203) 630-2130.

Waterfalls Walk - Middlefield
Sunday, June 2 - 1-4:30 p.m.  (rain date: June 9)   
Join Everyone Outside naturalist and Durham resident Lucy Meigs and Rockfall staff & members for a fun 2 to 2.5-mile family hike followed by refreshments (provided by Rockfall.) On our route we will enjoy two beautiful waterfalls, look for interesting plants, trees, creatures, etc., and go on a letterbox treasure hunt on our route through the woods.

Meet at the Big Falls parking lot (not the main one) for Wadsworth Falls State Park, which is just north of Connwood Foresters (39 Cherry Hill Road, Middlefield). Extra parking will also be available at Connwood Foresters for hikers. Heavy rain postpones to June 9th at 1:00 PM.  We will contact all who have registered in the morning of June 2 if we need to postpone for weather.   

Pre-registration is RECOMMENDED. For questions and to register contact Rockfall attmarino@rockfallfoundation.org or 860-347-0340. To register on the weekend of the hike contact lucy@everyoneoutside.org or 860-395-7771.

Letterboxing & Paddle at Gillette Castle State Park
Sunday, June 2 -1-4 p.m.
Join State Representative Melissa Ziobron at the site of William Gillette’s yacht (Aunt Polly) for a letterboxing and kayaking adventure! Bring along your letterboxing notebook and stamps. Rep. Ziobron will hand out your clues to the wonderful letterboxes available in this beautiful state park. Joining her will be Quiet Kayak (quietkayak.com), owned by local resident Ed Gubbins. Ed will lead six kayakers every hour (from 1:00 to 3:00 PM) on an hour-long excursion to Whalebone Creek, just a short ride from the Hadlyme-Chester Ferry parking area and the site of the Aunt Polly.

Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes and bring a bottle of water. Rain cancels. Reservations CANNOT be made for this event. Quiet Kayak excursions are first come first serve ONLY. For more information and any rain cancellations notices, visit Rep. Ziobron’s blog at melissaziobron.blogspot.com.

For more information on CT Trails Day visit the CT Forest & Park Association's website at www.ctwoodlands.org.