Mark F 2/15/19 Mark F 2/15/19

People State Forest, Barkhamsted, CT

Located in Northwest Connecticut, the Jessie Gerard Trail is one of many exciting trails that wander through the 3000-acre Peoples State Forest. This fairly unknown hike is challenging with various terrain and magnificent views of Grand Vista Overlook and Chaugham Lookout. A great hike in the fall for amazing views.

Trail Description: The Jessie Gerard Trail is one of many exciting trails that wander through the 3000-acre Peoples State Forest. This fairly unknown hike is challenging with various terrain and magnificent views of Grand Vista Overlook and Chaugham Lookout.

Trail Info:

Where: People State Forest, Barkhamsted, CT Distance: 3.3 miles (2.5-3 hours) Difficulty: Moderate Trail Type: Loop Features: Waterfall, Valley, Views

How to get there:

Typing in Jessie Gerard Trail in your GPS will lead you to East River Road, Barkhamsted, CT. Once you get onto East River Road, drive a few miles and you will see a small parking lot on your left. The trail starts directly across from the lot.

Hiking Tips:

Take a DEEP People State Forest map at the kiosk in the beginning. This will be very useful.
Start with the Falls Cut Off Trail to your left (blue/red marked trail). Much easier to go up this section (than down). If it rained recently, the first 0.1m will be slippery up the rocks.
Pay attention to the markers changing colors

Jessie Gerard Trail, People State Forest, Barkhamsted, CT

The Hike

The hike begins up the Falls Cut Off Trail (blue/red markers) on the left. The beginning of the trail is difficult and there is an immediate steep incline up past the falls. The beginning of the trail is difficult and there is an immediate steep incline up past the falls. There was a huge rain storm the day before so the waterfalls were roaring. An awesome visual after 10 minutes into the hike. Though, the rocks were really slippery. Once reaching the top of the falls, turn left on the double marked Blue and Blue/Yellow markers, which is the Jessie Gerard Trail. Continuing straight ahead on the Blue/Yellow,do not veer toward Warner Road. After another half mile, boom shakalaka we emerged into the Grand Vista outlook. Magnificent views with all the fall colors. We continued following the Blue/Yellow for another half mile to the Chaughum Lookout for more awesome views.

From here, stay on the Blue/Yellow Trail. We went between the 2 Veeder glacial erratics aka big boulder rocks. Shortly after, take a right onto Greenwoods Road. This is where the Jessie Gerard Trail ends. Then turn left on the Charles Pack Trail, also Blue/Yellow markings.

Another half mile later, turn onto Beaver Brook Road. This is where things got interesting. Following the road, the map says turn right onto the Blue/Orange, Agnes Bowen Trail, on your right after a half mile. When we came up to this, it was nothing but forest. No sign of a trail. We walked up and down and this was the spot. However, I don’t know where the trail would connect. We decided to keep walking up Beaver Brook Road and take a right up the road. Eventually, we caught up with the Blue/Orange trail where we would have come out to the road.

We jumped on the Blue/Orange to the left until we reached the Robert Ross Trail (Blue markers). Turn right here onto the Blue. The trail we will begin to ascend and descend. A tough part of the hike but way better than going down the other way. Keep your eye out on the colors on the trees. We got a little stumped here as the Blue/Yellow connects with the Blue. However, staying straight on the Blue the trail switchbacks downhill to the Lighthouse Trail (Yellow). Of course, another trail. Fortunately, this was the home stretch. We passed a few kiosks with educational info but we were ready for the post hike meal. This will take you back to the Blue/Red and right to the parking lot.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

A blog for the outdoors foodie enthusiast

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every chance I get. A good trip has a great hike, great food, and something fun to do. My goal is to search out new trips and share them to inspire others to try something new and exciting.

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Sunset Rock State Park, Crescent Lake, Southington, CT

Check out the Crescent Lake trail in Southington, CT. This was a confusing trail but well worth the views. Enjoy!

Trail Description: Sunset Rock State Park offers a scenic hike around Crescent Lake that connects to the Metacomet Trail.

Trail Info:

Where: Southington, CT Distance 3.2 miles (2-2.5 hrs) Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Lake, Water

How to get there:

Address to GPS: 357 Shuttle Meadow Rd, Plainville, CT 06062. Parking lot is easy to find.

Hiking Tips

Three trails to choose from. The Blue to Orange trail takes you above the lake and is rockier and steeper. Much better views.
Be mindful if you lose the trail markings or end up on a different trail. There is a lack of trail markings. And, some confusing areas where trail markers change colors.

The Hike

On this brisk fall weekend, we decided to hike the Crescent Lake Trail in Southington, CT. This is one of those trails that there isn’t the best information online and it is poorly marked. I will do my best explaining but my advice is always have the map handy and make sure someone is good at directions!

The parking lot is easy to get to, it is off Shuttle Meadow Road. Once you park you will see the lake right in front of you and potentially some people fishing. There are 3 trails. The Red trail is the lower level trail which is mostly flat. This is to your far left from the lot. This is roughly 2m. The blue -orange trails takes you the upper levels to get good views above the lake and this is rockier and steeper. This trail is to your right from the lot. This is about 3.2m and this connects to the Red at the end once you descend down. There is also a green trail, but not sure where that takes you. It appeared to be just a woodsy hike.

We got lost a few times but Nichole is really good with reading trail maps. The issue is lack of markings/incorrect markings. And, the Metacomet Trail connects so you have to be very careful when the colors change. We took the upper trail followed blue-orange markers until we saw just orange then to red. There we were some tough sections where you could choose 3 directions but there are big orange arrows on trees along the way so be mindful of those. There is also an intersection where you see trail arrows for the Metacomet at the top, keep going toward the blue orange and you will pass a camp fire pit. Minus the confusion, it was a cool hike and the view was awesome from the top. I could of took pictures for an hour….luckily, Nichole stopped me. The upper trail I would suggest hiking boots. It was a moderate hike for beginner to intermediate. Some of the inclines got our hearts beating and needing some water. I think this would be a good spot to snowshoe. I hope to keep the fall hikes going. Another local spot in the books, glad we decided to try it even though the reviews were suspect.

Review:

Cresent Lake Trail, 3.2m (Southington, CT): 4 out of 5

Sunset Rock State Park, Crescent Lake, Southington, CT

iSunset Rock State Park, Crescent Lake, Southington, CT

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Chauncey Peak Trail, Giuffrida Park, Meriden, CT

It is leaf peeper season here in the Northeast. There is no better time to go hiking than in the fall. I am going to attempt as many hikes as I can get in. Here's the first of many! And, one of my favorites.

Trail Description: Located in Guiffrida Park, the Chauncey Peak Trail offers a scenic hike with beautiful ridge line views of Bradley Hubbard Reservoir.

Trail Info:

Where: Guiffrida Park, Meriden, CT Distance: 2.8 miles (2-2.5 hrs) Difficulty: Moderate Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Reservoir, Lake, Peak

How to get there:

This is fairly easy. Just GPS Guiffrida Park and the address should be 800 Westfield Rd, Meriden, CT 06450. Once you pull in, you will see the parking lot.

Hiking Tips

Start the hike to the right of the parking lot into the forest. Much easier route going up and down.
The trail has been updated and re-routed. Be sure to follow the blue trail around Chauncey Peak and past the landfill. Look for the Blue markings.
There are many great views from the ridge line, be sure to take them all in.

The Hike

It is officially fall. It is chilly in the morning, the leaves are changing, and it is getting darker out earlier. Time to get out there and be a leaf peeper. Sounds kind of sketchy…..But seriously, fall hikes are the best. I slacked a little bit this summer with hiking, but I intend to take advantage of the fall weather.

For my first fall hike, I chose the Chauncey Peak Trail at Giuffrida Park in Meriden, CT. This is my favorite hike in the Hartford area, hands down. I have hiked this trail multiple times and I enjoy it just as much each time. This is a very fun hike with great scenic views and a variety of terrains overlooking Bradley Hubbard Reservoir. Unfortunately, due to the fog on this day, it was tough to get that view in. I like to start the hike veering to the right under the trees into the woods on the Blue trail. You will get the strenuous part of the hike done in the beginning. You will immediately be on the incline ascent up the peak, this will be steep and rocky stretch. This won’t last too long. Once you get to the top, you will keep following the blue trail and this will bring you to the ridge line for great panoramic views. Once you are done taking hundreds of pictures, you will descend down until you meet a footbridge that takes you to the bottom of the reservoir. You will follow out the blue trail to the white trail along the water’s edge to the parking lot. This part will be flat and serves as a nice cool down.

The trail is well marked. They are taking great care of it. When I hiked this originally I got lost but since then the markings have greatly improved.I would consider this a moderate hike. You need hiking boots. Depending on the weather, it can be very slippery. I was slipping on the leaves and loose rocks myself due to some wetness. I finished hiking under 2 hrs. If you want a nice short day hiking with challenge and rewarding views, I highly recommend this trail.

Review:

Chauncey Peak Trail, 2.8m (Meriden, CT): 4.5 out of 5