Cockaponset SF is one of the state’s largest, comprised of several sections scattered around Chester and Haddam. This multi-use property boasts a number of trails and recreational options. The one recommended here starts at Pattaconk Lake, which is busy on weekends. Park at the southern end of Pattaconk Lake and take the trails clockwise around the lake. Parking is free for CT-registered vehicles.
REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!
HIKING HINTS is a program of the MIDDLETOWN CT REC office. Follow them on Facebook.
This 150+-acre preserve provides moderate to strenuous hiking. Mid-June is mountain laurel blossom time and Renee Smith has included this site, along with a few others, in her informative blog.
REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!
HIKING HINTS is a program of the MIDDLETOWN CT REC office. Follow them on Facebook.
This 300-acre preserve, located in Essex and Deep River, has multiple trails to cover the diversity of habitats included at this site. Trails are well-marked but tend to wind around each other, so be sure to take a copy/photo of the map. Overall preserve and trail information is available here: canfieldmeadow_map_description_062021.pdf (essexct.gov)
REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!
HIKING HINTS is a program of the MIDDLETOWN CT REC office. Follow them on Facebook.
The almost 1,500+ acres of Sleeping Giant SP provide a wide range of hiking opportunities. In fact, that might be overwhelming! Try the Nature Trail that begins at the park entrance parking lot. This area is rich with views and history.
REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!
HIKING HINTS is a program of the MIDDLETOWN CT REC office. Follow them on Facebook.
River Highlands State Park is tucked along the Connecticut River in Cromwell. The trailhead includes parking and an informative kiosk. Views from a 150-foot bluff provide an unusual perspective. Additional history can be found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Highlands_State_Park
REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!
HIKING HINTS are a program of the MIDDLETOWN CT REC office. Follow them on Facebook
Millers Pond State Park provides an opportunity to circle around this 33-acre pond filled with pristine fresh water. The white trail hugs the shore and is the easiest way to cover the area. Side trails head into adjacent protected land and are more strenuous. This park can be quite busy on a summer weekend, with the parking lot filled to capacity.
REMEMBER: Follow basic hiking guidelines: Wear good shoes, bring water and simple first aid kit, plus a copy/phone photo of trail map. Check the weather ahead of time, if you go alone, let others know where/when you’re going. All participation is at your own risk. Find a nearby restaurant or ice cream shop to reward yourself after your hike!
HIKING HINTS are a program of the MIDDLETOWN REC CT office. Follow them on Facebook
We spent the year hiking the 14 required sites of the challenge. We rewarded ourselves after each hike with a yummy local lunch.
2018 Favorite Hike: Housatonic Highlands2018 Favorite Lunch: Harry’s Place
Those who completed the DEEP Sky’s the Limit Challenge received a certificate and medallion. A subset was chosen to receive a hand-carved hiking stick. We won one!!!
2020: COVID hits. Cherry decides to sit it out. I keep hiking. The challenge is reduced in number of required hikes and doesn’t start until October. Because I was alone, there was no food reward!
2021: COVID still a problem; Cherry and I met at many sites. I hiked the rest without her, but was joined by others including Angie, Malcolm, and Tracy. The theme this year was bridges and boardwalks. I love boardwalks!
2021 Favorite Hike: Kent Falls202 Favorite Lunch: Two Wrasslin’ Cats
2022: Cherry joined me at a few sites, and Angie, Fred, and Malcolm stood in for some others.
2023: This year’s challenge included several Rail Trails, in addition to State Parks and Forests. I did a number of the sites on my own and appreciated the company of Cherry, Tom, Angie, Janice, Lindsey, and Malcolm this year.
2023 Favorite Hike: Chatfield Hollow2023 Favorite Lunch: Casa Villa
Six years of completing all the DEEP Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenges!! [If you want to (re)read all the blogs, just click on DEEP’s Sky’s the Limit.] Wow! It’s been fun and interesting. However, I decided this was my last time for this challenge.
But there was one more surprise: this year, I won another beautiful hand-carved stick!! One the first year, one the last year. Book ends!
Beth Lapin 