Haystack Mountain State Park, Connecticut

Trail Description: Haystack Mountain Trail contains an impressive stone fire tower with stunning views of the mountains in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont.

Trail Info:

Where: Norfolk, CT Distance: 0.8 mile (30-45 min) Difficulty: Moderate Trail Type: Out & Back Features: Views, Mountains, Valley, Tower

How to get there:

Haystack Mountain State Park On Rte. 272 Norfolk, CT 06058

Trailhead parking location here.

Easy to find off Route 272. The road goes halfway up Haystack Mountain to a parking lot, where the shortest trail starts. The parking lot can hold about 10 cars or so.

Hiking Tips

• Download park map, click here.

• Cell phone service is spotty. Hike carefully.

• There can be seasonal closures of the park.

The Hike

This guide will be for the shortest trail route at 0.8 miles from the top parking lot of Haystack Mountain. These days my time is a bit limited and the best bang for your buck is what is more appealing. If you want to make it a longer hike, there is the Yellow Trail that starts near the beginning of park road at the gate entrance.. This will be 1.8 miles, out and back. Both of these options will be great hikes to get to the main attraction, the amazing tower views.

Once you have parked at the top parking, which is about a mile once you enter the park, the trail is to the left to begin the summit.

This trail is fairly straightforward. It is well-maintained and clearly marked. The first 0.2 miles are flat and easy breezy. The next 0.2 miles will get your heart pumping as the trail bends to the left and starts a quick incline with 200 feet of elevation. Those quads might be on fire but it is all worth it once you see the bad ass tower at the top.

Now, it’s time to climb the 34 foot stone tower up to the top for the 360 views at 1,683 feet of elevation.

Definitely some of the best views you will have in Connecticut. It was a bit overcast and cloudy for me, but still impressive views nonetheless. On a clear day, there is visibility of the Riga Plateau in Northwest Connecticut, the Berkshires in Massachusetts, the Catskills in New York, and the Green Mountains of Vermont. That is quite a combination of views.

This would be great to pair with some other short hikes in the Litchfield County area. In addition, there are great local breweries as well such as NorBrook Farm for post hike brews.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

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.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Hiking Mount Agamenticus, York, Maine

Trail Description: The Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region is located in Southern Maine. The Mount Agamenticus Loop is a popular trail that provides 360 degree views at the summit of the surrounding mountains in the distance.

Trail Info:

Where: York, ME Distance: 1.8m (1 hour) Difficulty: Easy toModerate Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Valley

How to get there:

Typing the location “Mount Agamenticus Trailhead” into Google Maps will take you to the parking lot. You can’t miss it. There is a lot of parking. It’s $2/hr to park and there is a barcode to scan for the app to use to pay. It was easy peasy in my opinion. And, worth the money based on how well they keep up with everything.

Coordinates: 43.21720438450835, -70.69198787482621

Link to google maps location here.

Hiking Tips

• I suggest caution if it rained days prior. The trails in the forest are mostly roots and rock. Dry it’s no biggie but wet I don’t think it would be as enjoyable.

• Download a copy of the trail map here.

• There are multiple trail options. This guide is for the loop via Blueberry Bluff, Witch Hazel, and Ring Trail. The Big A trail has separate parking and is a 1 mile loop that’s mostly gravel & an easier option (stroller and wheelchair friendly).

• The trail and parking lots are well maintained and great facilities. Nicest outhouse bathrooms I ever been in!

The Hike

Once parked at the Mountain Road parking lot, the beginning of the trail head is visible with markers at end of the parking lot.

There will be trail signs promptly upon starting the hike at a fork. Stay right and hop on the Ring Trail, which is the white marked trail.

As stated prior, the trail is very well marked. However, the trail is mostly rocks and roots. I saw some reviews mentioning that it was muddy and unpleasant after a rainstorm. And, I totally understand what they meant. The rocks and roots could be slippery. For us, it was dry and there were no issues.

There isn’t much of an elevation gain, only about 340 feet. But there is a small incline as you make your way to the top. Hiking along the Ring Trail, at almost 0.7m, there will be a small foot bridge with a path to the left at the end. This is the Witch Hazel trail. I did not see signs but based on the trail map, this was the way to go.

The Witch Hazel trail is brief. Only a few minutes to reach the Big A Trail. There will also be a small foot bridge.

And following the Big A trail at the top is where the first lookout platform is to take in all the views.

There is another lookout platform with stairs where you can see even higher out into the valley. There is also a fire tower, but it is fenced out and cannot be climbed.

Follow the Big A Trail out until it connects to the Blueberry Bluff, which is marked red. There is also an additional viewpoint here before the Blueberry Bluff.

Continue down the Blueberry Bluff back to the Ring Trail. Take a left at the sign back to the parking lot. You will cross the road at the end to get back to your car.

Southern Maine is tracking to be one of our favorite areas to visit and this was a great first hike in the area. Good hike to get the heart going and see some cool views. The platforms are a cool feature for viewing on the summit. And, the trails and parking lots are so well maintained. I cannot speak highly enough on that. I was not able to find a great guide with details for this hike so I am hopeful this will be helpful for others. It’s also good to see directions/steps before you go to get comfortability. Not a hard hike to follow but I understand where folks can get tripped up. I still do it many times. Luckily, my wife is always the voice of direction. 

POST HIKE ACTIVITIES: The fun doesn’t have to stop here. Lots to do in the area. We stopped by the 90s themed brewery, Odd by Nature Brewing, for some post hike beers and nosh, which is about 8 minutes from the trailhead. And, the Nubble Lighthouse is roughly 15 minutes or so away. Definitely a trip to view. Cape Neddick is really cool. Many restaurants in the area as well. No matter what you decide to do, there is a lot to plan for a great weekend or day trip.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

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.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Zion National Park Travel Guide - Plan Your Trip

Located in Southern Utah, Zion National Park is one of the most popular National Parks. It has been in the top 3 most visited parks in the US over the past few years and I do not see that changing. Zion is a smaller national park but packs a punch with numerous thrilling hikes and breathtaking views. Lots of easy to moderate day hikes mixed in with some overnight backpacking adventures. Zion is home to many iconic trails such as the Narrows and Angel’s Landing. You don’t even have to hike to see Zion’s beauty. Just driving through the park is amazing. There is really a lot to do in Zion and there is something for all park visitors.

However, like most National Parks, it takes a lot of planning and research to maximize your trip and enjoy all the park has to offer in the allotted time available. There’s a shuttle bus to consider, weather, river flow rates, permits and reservations. In this guide, I hope to provide you with all the best information to have an incredible trip in Zion National Park.

About Zion National Park

Zion National Park is located in Southern Utah with the closest airport approximately 2.5 hours away in Las Vegas. And, the next closest is 4.5 hours away in Salt Lake City. You can either do this as a standalone trip and or make it a road trip for more Utah national parks. My trip included Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capital Reef from Las Vegas. You will need to rent a car from whichever airport you choose.

Travel Tip: Zion has limited parking. If you have an oversized vehicle, most parking lots are not accommodating. Parking in Springdale and hopping on their free shuttle or Zion Canyon Visitor Center would be my suggestion.

Zion National Park shuttle

The Zion Canyon Shuttle is in operation most of the year, typically mid-February/March to November. During the time frame, cars are not permitted to drive in the Park along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Fortunately, the shuttle operated by the Park Service is free, fast, and easy. You do not need to reserve shuttle tickets. The shuttle drops off at all major trailheads in the park and operates 7 days a week beginning mid-March. For more info on the full schedule and hours of operation, check out Zion's website, https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm.

The Park shuttle departs from the Visitors Center in short intervals. Just hop on and get off at your convenience. Make sure you know the correct shuttle stop for your hike. Lines start building up rather quickly mid-morning to board the shuttle. Sometimes over an hour wait during peak season and holiday weekends. 

Travel Tip: Try to get in the shuttle line by 8-9am to avoid long waits for the shuttle, especially if you are doing the Narrows or Angels Landing hikes. Also, make sure to check when the last shuttle time for that before you hike. Shuttle start and end times vary depending on the season. Don’t miss the last shuttle. Or else it is another 4 mile walk to the Zion Lodge and then you need to figure out how to get back to the Visitor Center!

If there is no parking at the Visitors Center, there is a second shuttle system in town, the Springdale Shuttle. This connects the hotels in Springdale with the main entrance of Zion in the case there is no parking.

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When to Visit Zion National Park

The best time to visit Zion National Park is in the Spring and Fall. The park’s mild weather is best for hiking. And, the crowds are not as bad. April/May and September/October would be ideal. Both times I went were in mid to late May, where the weather was great and crowds feasible for most of the park.

Summer is the peak visitation of the park where crowds can be excessive. Popular hikes can be unpleasant due to the amount of people on the trail. Also, temperatures can often reach over 100 degrees.

Zion National Park is open all year-round, which allows you to hike in the off-season. The park doesn’t see heavy snow in the winter, but it is not ideal conditions to hike the park due to some trails being icy and requiring traction equipment.

With that said, everyone goes to hike the Narrows. This requires more thought. The trail is typically closed in the March to May timeframe when water levels are high. The weather is cooler and the water is much colder. Same conditions apply for the fall. With that said, my last visit was in the middle of May with air temperatures mostly in the  mid to high 80s. The water was cold, about 45-50 degrees,but it was not bad at all since the air temperature was so high. No issues with water levels but always check the weather and prepare to rearrange your trip if needed. Summer is a great time to hike the Narrows because the weather is excellent with high temperatures. The days are longer, shuttles run all the way to 9pm, and the water in the river is at its warmest. However, the monsoon season creates the highest risk of flash floods during this time. This can be done in the Winter but the temperatures, air & water, are much colder. The shuttle bus does not run often, only on certain days. And, snowfall can potentially close the trail.

Best Things to do in Zion National Park

Hike the Narrows

The Narrows leads you through Zion Canyon and the Virgin River with twists and turns through the stunning slot canyon less than 20 feet wide in some areas stretching 15 miles. The “trail” is one of the most popular in the park. There are 2 ways to do this hike, bottom up or top down. Bottom up starts at the Riverside Walk at the Temple of Sinawava trailhead. The hike will continue upstream and the farthest you can go without a permit is Big Springs. This is the route most hikers take. However, for a more adventurous thrill, you can hike the full Narrows top down and a permit will be required. This journey will be 16 miles long and could span over 2 days.

Travel Tip: Catch the Zion Shuttle early. Make sure you watch the weather and bring proper gear for this hike. Do your research!

For more detailed info, including the trail, equipment and more helpful tips, check out my full guide on hiking the Narrows, click here.

Hike Angels Landing

Angels Landing is the most popular hike in the park. Thousands of visitors each year, mostly in the summer, seek out this hike. The trailhead is The Grotto (stop #6 on the Zion Shuttle). This hike is strenuous coming at about 5.4 miles round trip. The elevation gain is 1500 feet. The popularity of the trail due to not only the picturesque view but the thrilling journey to the top. The hike consists of chain-assisted rock scrambling sections and uphill switchbacks. With the final climb scaling a narrow ridge high above the valley floor. This is not for the faint of heart. If you have a fear of heights, this one may not be for you. At the time of my visit, there were no permits and the trail was pretty packed where people were literally on top of each other so I chose to skip. I did not feel comfortable or compelled enough to attempt the\is hike with hikers on my heels the entire time. Since that time, permits are now required via a lottery system. Both seasonally and the day before your planned hike. It costs $6 to enter an application and if you are one of the lottery winners, you will pay $3 per person.

Hike to Observation Point

For some of the best views in the park, the entire hike to Observation Point is stunning. However, the hike is extremely challenging at 8 miles long and 2300 feet of climbing. The climb is steady until the final viewpoint. The trailhead is Weeping Rock (stop #7 on the Zion Shuttle).

More Hiking

Zion National Park is full of so many great hikes. Everyone focuses on the Narrows and Angels Landing but there are others that offer a great hike and amazing views. The hike we were suggested to do by the ranger was The Watchman Trail. I don’t see too much mention of this hike on other guides and I don’t understand why. I felt every bit like I was immersed into Zion as the others do. The trail starts at the Visitor center and slowly climbs with switchbacks and moderate inclines. The total round trip is 3.3 miles. There is a small ¼ mile loop at the end of top of the one way that takes right under the Watchman.

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If you have read my guides before, I like to get the best bang for my buck sometimes hiking. They don’t all need to be 8 milers to get the wow effect. The Canyon Overlook Trail is a 1 mile out and back that offers one of the best views in Zion. This trailhead is located on the opposite side of Zion Mt. Carmel Tunnel on Highway 9. You will need a car as the shuttles do not run on this side of the park. This trail starts with climbing a series of steps before walking beside the steep drop-offs of the Pine Creek slot canyon. Eventually, this will lead you to the amazing view at the summit.

Travel tip: Go early or go later in the day for the Canyon Overlook Trail. There is not a lot of parking here.

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Looking for something less intense, flat, and has views, the Pa’Rus Trail is for you. The paved trail connects the Zion Canyon Visitor Center and Canyon Junction. The trailhead starts near the Watchman Campground and follows the river for just under 2 miles and ends at the Canyon Junction tram stop. It is accessible for wheelchairs, pets on leashes, and bicycles. The trail crosses the river a few times and wanders through the marvelous landscape of Zion Canyon. This trail should not be overlooked.

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Other hiking options include Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock, Riverside Walk, Hidden Canyon, West Rim Trail (full day hike), and The Subway (permit required). As always, check Zion’s website for any closures before planning your trip.

Drive the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

From the Canyon Junction to the East Entrance, this winding scenic drive is amazing. Along the switchbacks between Canyon Junction and the tunnel you have great views of Zion National Park and ample opportunities to pull over for impressive views. There is a $15 fee for oversized vehicles to drive through the tunnel. An oversized vehicle is any vehicle that is 11 feet 4 inches or higher and 7 feet 10 inches wide or wider. If your vehicle is taller than 13 feet 1 inch you cannot pass through the tunnel.

Explore Kolob Canyons

Kolob Canyons is the less visited area of the park in a smaller section that sits to the north of Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. There is another visitor center here and there are a few hiking trails.

Other activities include horseback riding, canyoneering, biking down Zion Canyon, and a jeep tour. 

Where to Stay

There is only one lodging option to stay inside Zion National Park, that is Zion Lodge. This includes cabins, hotel rooms, and suites, plus an on-site restaurant and cafe. Also, the shuttle services the lodges multiple times a day. If you are looking to stay here, this will need to be booked far in advance. Reservations open up 12 months or more in advance! In addition, guests of Zion Lodge are allowed to drive their car through the park to reach the lodge, unlike the other visitors at Zion.

The more common choice is to stay in Springdale, which is outside of the park’s Southern entrance. Springdale offers a wide range of lodging, from motels to luxury resort-style rooms. The small town is very welcoming for all the tourists and has a lively scene including many restaurants, breweries, and bars. In my opinion, it is one of the best National Park towns. Due to the proximity of the park, rooms fill up rather quickly. I would book as far in advance as possible. For more affordable options, the Driftwood Lodge is a great option. If you want more luxury, the Cliffrose Lodge and Cable Mountain Lodge are walking distance to the park’s entrance. My last stay was at Cable Mountain Lodge so I can speak to that personally. It was amazing, super convenient, and had nice views. It was cool to enjoy the pool at night under the red rocks. It was a little more pricey than most but we walked to the entrance most days (5 minute walk) and did not have to worry about parking. You will still need a car to explore other areas of the park/hikes, but not always. Also, the lot across the hotel had a grocery store, brewery, and Zion Narrow rentals. All things of need!

If you like to camp, I may not be the guy but here’s some brief info. Zion National Park has 3 in-park campgrounds: Lava Point, South, and Watchman. The South And Watchman campgrounds are less than 1/2 a mile from the Visitors Center at the entrance of the park. Hence, the most popular. Sites are $20 for tent camping or $30 for a site with an electric hookup. All sites have picnic tables, a fire pit, and access to potable water, bathrooms, and trash containers. No showers are available at the campsites. The Watchman campground has 190 campsites and reservations open 6 months in advance. South Campground offers 117 campsites and reservations open 14 days in advance. Both reservations can be made at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2994, or calling the reservation line at 877-444-6777. Lava Point Campground is typically open May through September, weather permitting. This campground is located in the Kolob Canyons part of the park, roughly 1.5 hours away from the main visitor center. There are 6 primitive campsites available to reserve. For more info on all camping, Zion’s website is very helpful and detailed and up to date on closings, https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/campgrounds-in-zion.htm.

Where to Eat

After adventuring and hiking all day, this guy needs a good meal. Sometimes it is hard to find when visiting a National Park. However, Springdale offers many options and varieties for restaurants. And, I would venture to say some of the best food spots near a National Park. Depending where you stay on the lodging strip, you could walk or it is a very short drive generally. There is a Thai restaurant near the South Entrance called Thai Sipa, which is pretty good. After some early hiking and needing a late lunch, we went to MeMe’s Cafe. This is a quaint cafe offering options such as burgers, bbq sandwiches, & crepes for breakfast. I recall having a pulled pork sandwich with a slice of pineapple, cheddar cheese, and teriyaki sauce. It was called MeMe’s Hawaiian Sandwich. My favorite spot was Whiptail Grill. This is a Mexican cantina that is very unassuming as this is a converted gas station. I had my favorite meal here. The Whiptail Burrito was one of my favorite burritos I have had. In addition, the Southwest Taco Salad is insanely good. The salad is served in a grilled flour tortilla with mixed greens, black beans, and rice. Topped with house-made vinaigrette, pico, queso fresco and crispy tortilla strips. Highly recommend it.

If you are a coffee fanatic, coffee shops are all over. If you are looking for some baked goods or ice cream, they have it. There is something for everyone, which is rare for a town next to a National Park. Other good options to dine include: Oscar’s Cafe, Kings Landing Bistro, Spotted Dog, Park House Cafe, Zion Canyon Brew Pub, Bit & Spur, Zion Pizza and Noodle Co., and Switchback Grille.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

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.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Lovers Leap State Park, New Milford, CT

Trail Description: Lovers Leap State Park has multiple hiking trails with views of the Housatonic River and other structural landmarks such as the popular Lovers Leap Bridge.

Trail Info:

Where: New Milford, CT Distance: 1.8 miles (1.5 hours) Difficulty: Moderate Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Valley, Bridge, Lake, River

How to get there:

178 Short Woods Rd, New Milford, CT 06776

https://goo.gl/maps/4FUFjzSinExpgzHfA

Hiking Tips

• Click here for trail map

• Be cautious switching trails. If markers cannot be found, turn back to retrace steps. Also, the blue trail appears to have a fake marking on top of the hill toward the wrong direction.

• Don’t just hike up to the popular scenic view & leave. There is another cool view from the East on the Blue trail.

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The Hike

Lovers Leap State Park is pretty easy to find. The parking lot is pretty big as this does seem like a busy hike. The wife and I caught a good time of day as the lot was almost empty. From the parking lot, we headed towards Lovers Leap Bridge. The bridge will appear pretty immediately. The structure is interesting. The lighting was spotty with shadows so I did not successfully get the best picture for the insta. Darn it!

We crossed the bridge and got the first view of the Housatonic River. Taking a right off the bridge took us down a gravel road, also known as the Lovers Leap Trail. Within 0.3 miles of some incline, the money shot picture awaits. This scenic view offers the best one in the park overlooking Lake Lillinonah. From here, you could take your donut and go home, but there is some more hiking to be had at this park.

There are some interesting features and landmarks on some of the other trails. We decided to trace back our footsteps on the gravel road until we noticed the red markers for the Castle Trail on the right. Have a map handy, we had an issue finding. Pretty sure we did not go the way intended but it worked. The red blazed was a pretty good incline. Got my lungs working. Within a short distance, we came upon the castle ruin, which was just its foundation and a tall chimney. And, across from this was a castle-like turret. As I try to sit here explaining it, here’s a picture. If you must know more, I suggest the google machine.

In between the castle features, there is a trail we took that connects the red blazed trail to the blue blazed trail, known as the Falls Mountain Trail. We took a right from the red to the blue. This took us up a steeper hill.

Once we reached the top of the hill, we saw a blue marker to the left but that was not correct. We met just bushes and the end of a ledge. It appears that it was painted incorrectly as a joke perhaps. That could be very dangerous if you are not paying attention. This is why we can’t have nice things. That person sucks who did that. Fortunately, we found other lost hikers and we noticed the view was behind us and we needed to retrace our steps and keep going straight and the ridge is on the right. From the ridge line, there is an open area view from the east that is pretty nice. From here, we retraced our steps down the blue to the red trail back to the gravel road.

Bonus Foodie Find: 

After hiking, the post meal is important. Not all hikes are near donut shops unfortunately. However, other great food spots can be found. This hike is close to the downtown area of New Milford, CT. We stopped at Johana’s Restaurant for a brunchy meal. Great menu. I got the English Scramble - eggs, bacon, scallions, cheddar cheese in a skillet with home fries. Hell yes. And, my wife got the corn cheddar pancakes. That’s how we get down. Everything was delicious. Also, if you go in the warmer months, check out the farmers market. There’s an awesome bread company there.

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HIKING FOR DONUTS

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.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Poets’ Walk Park, Red Hook, NY

Trail Description: Poets’ Walk Park is an easy jaunt through scenic meadows that offers wonderful views of the Hudson River and Catskills.

Trail Info:

Where: Red Hook, NY Distance: 2.4m (1.5 hours) Difficulty: Easy Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Water, River, Bridge

How to get there:

776 River Road, (County Road 103) Red Hook, NY

https://goo.gl/maps/y9V6GaXcWxRzqd6P9

Hiking Tips

• Walk the entire loop. Many see the views of the bridge initially and turn around.

• Not great phone service, so make sure to screenshot a map. Or my guide!

• For trail map, click HERE.

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The Hike

As I continue to look for the best bang for your buck views, I really don’t think it gets better than taking a stroll through Poets’ Walk Park in the fall.  The Hudson Valley is full of amazing landscape and mountainous views. Most of those views require challenging hiking. However, a leisurely stroll in Poets’ Walk Park offers stunning views of the Catskills and the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge.

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From the parking lot, begin walking on the gravel road by the trail signage. Continuing straight through the open field will lead you to a gazebo structure. Walking through the gazebo, there is the first “oh snap” view of the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge with the Catskills looming in the background. There is a neat little wooden bench to take a seat and enjoy the views.

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The trail will split from here, where the loop begins. Either direction will bring you back to this spot. We chose left heading toward the river. Some great views of Catskills to the right and a closer view of the bridge to the left. The loop will begin on the right and suddenly you will find myself thwarted into the woods. There will be a few bridges to cross. If you need a moment of solitude, the Summerhouse gazebo area is a good spot to take a seat and look out into the mountains above the river.

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From the Summerhouse structure, just retrace your steps back to the trail split and head on back to the parking lot. Easy peasy. The skies cleared on our the way back and the fall colors really popped. Just incredible views.

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Depending on how long you choose to explore, take pictures, and enjoy the benches, this shouldn’t take more than an hour and half, give or take. Definitely one of those places I considered keeping to myself but the place was crazy packed. There is no secret here. It’s a spectacular park to visit for stunning views.

HIKING FOR DONUTS

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.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Jordan Pond Loop Trail, Acadia National Park

Trail Description: The trail is an easy hike that circles Jordan Pond with many opportunities to explore the shore and observe wonderful views.

Trail Info:

Where: Mount Desert, ME Distance: 3.4m (1.5-2 hours) Difficulty: Easy Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Pond, Water

How to get there:

The Jordan Pond North Parking Lot is located on the left side of Park Loop Rd at the Jordan Pond House. There is another lot next to the restaurant for additional parking as the lot fills up quickly.

https://goo.gl/maps/oQGDyrrCaNHjccsb8

Hiking Tips

• Weekends are super crowded. Beware! Parking can be tough.

• Post hike, eat at the Jordan Pond House. Get a popover & blueberry lemonade!

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The Hike

One of the more iconic landscapes you will see at Acadia National Park is Jordan Pond. If you find yourself in Acadia, this has to be added to your list of things to check out. The shoreline of the pond has amazing views of The Bubbles, two glacially sculpted mountains at the northern end of Jordan Pond. The views are great all times of day, especially sunset and stargazing at night. Not only are the views spectacular, but the rewards of delicious food at the Jordan Pond House is almost worth the visit alone. 

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This was my very first trip to Acadia. I was not a happy camper to show up to nothing but fog. However, as I am learning, planning trips for national parks is impossible. You take what you can get from mother nature. Even though it was foggy, my wife and I decided to circle Jordan Pond as intended. We did have a few moments where the fog began to lift for some cool views on the pond and a tease of that fall foliage we drove 6.5 hours for! But that dissipated rather quickly. Even so, the eerie look was pretty cool. 

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The beginning of the trail can be found at the end of the field at the Jordan Pond House.  The trail will be split as you approach. We chose to head right to stroll along the east side first. This section of the trail is more level. There are some bridges to cross over the streams that flow into the pond. As we made our way to the left side, there is a dirt trail, boulders, and a wooden plank path through the wetlands. The last 0.5m of the hike was on elevated boards, which I thought was a really cool way to protect the ecosystem. There are various points on the trail where you can hop off and explore the pond's shores. Other than that, the trail is well-marked and pretty self-explanatory. 

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The other great thing is that you do not need to really hike that entire trail to see some amazing views. The Jordan Pond House practically overlooks the pond. We did not get a chance to eat there the first day so we came back the next day and the weather was beautiful. I walked around the east side again briefly and I was able to see the stunning views I came here for.

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Make no mistake, the views are as advertised. BUT do not, at any circumstance, miss out on a popover from the Jordan Pond House. By far, the best meal I have ever had in a national park. That popover with the jam and butter and you have to get the blueberry lemonade, magnifico! We actually tried the bison meatloaf sandwich too. Pretty damn good.

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For views like this in a national park, this is as easy as it gets for a hike, or leisurely stroll. The trail is for everyone including children & dogs. It’s a great starter hike to get blood flowing or cool down after some more treacherous trails. This is a classic Acadia hike that should be added to your National Park bucket list. The view of the water with the curves of The Bubbles in the background is quite memorable. And, when you finish, it’s time for a popover!

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every change 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.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

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Pine Knob Loop Trail, Sharon, CT

Trail Description: The Pine Knob Loop Trail is located in Housatonic Meadows State Park and Housatonic State Forest. This short, challenging trail connects to the Appalachian Trail. The hike will bring you to a beautiful vista view of rolling hills over the Housatonic River valley.

Trail Info:

Where: Sharon, CT Distance: 2.8m (2 hours) Difficulty: Moderate Trail Type: Loop Features: Views, Mountains, Valley, River

How to get there:

By google mapping, “Pine Knob Loop Trail” this should lead you to the trail parking area. Link below.

https://goo.gl/maps/36Fa5oy7HjjrHTZP9

You will see the parking lot located on the left coming from Route US-7 N. There is a visible sign as well. The lot can fit 15-20 cars.

Hiking Tips

• Go counter clockwise if you like your knees!

• Not great phone service, so make sure to screenshot a map. Or my guide!

• Due to storms, some trees are down with trail markings. Just make sure to keep an eye out.

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The Hike

Beginning the hike, the trail leads directly into the woods. There is a small brook to cross that leads to the fork of the start of the trail, where you will see the blue blazed trail sign. Prior to the hike, my wife and I did some research and counterclockwise was recommended based on our findings. We prefer to go up an incline & scramble then come down on a steep decline. This is the knee friendly option and safer in my opinion (lessons learned). Also, I like to get the hard stuff out of the way. Staying straight at the fork on the blue blaze trail is how we started. The steep incline starts gradually about 0.4m into the hike. Really get the blood flowing out the gate.

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The terrain will be a bit of a strenuous incline then leveling off with a small decline and then right back to steady uphill climb. Nothing your average hiker can’t handle.

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At 1.1m, this is the time to catch your breath when you reach the first sneak peek of views. Then it is all worth it when you see the spectacular vista view of the hills and mountains of the North West valley of Connecticut. From here you can see Bald Mountain, Bread Loaf Mountain, Woodbury Mountain, DudleyHill, and Whitecomb Hill. Really impressive view.

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After absorbing the stunning views, continue back onto the blue trail until this connects with the Appalachian Trail that is the white trail marking at about 1.3m. 

Connecticut has had a plethora of storms lately so there are many trees down. Some had trail markings on them so be mindful of that. Otherwise, this is an amazingly marked trail and easy to follow. At 1.7m, you will see the rolling hills view again from the east. This view is blocked by some trees but is still amazing nonetheless.

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At 2.1m, the blue and white trail will go separate ways. Turn left on the blue trail to finish the loop. We noticed a hatch brook that appears to have water cascading down on certain days but it has been dry lately. Nothing to see on this day. The rest of the hike was a fairly easy stroll through the trees and forest.

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The Northwest part of Connecticut is unexplored territory for me. Based on my research, this area of CT offers many great hiking trails. The Pine Knob Loop Trail was my first experience in the area. And, I was not disappointed. The trail was not busy at all. We saw more people once we connected to the Appalachian Trail portion. I would highly suggest hiking poles for this trail. The hike offered various degrees of difficulty and an amazing summit view. This would be a great fall foliage hike. Also, there are two wineries within 15 minutes from the hike if you need to persuade a hiking companion. Looking for something different, check this one out!

HIKING FOR DONUTS

Hi, I’m Mark. I live in Connecticut. I take new trips every change 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.

If you are looking for posts in a particular place, search City or State here.

SEE OTHER POSTS IN ARCHIVE

Archive

• CO 2
• CT 14
• Canada 1
• Donuts 7
• Hike 50
• Hiking 50
• Iceland 2
• MA 1
• MO 3
• NH 3
• NY 11
• National Parks 6
• PA 2
• TN 3
• Travel 24
• US 26
• UT 1
• VT 1
• WY 1

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See the latest on Instagram and follow @HIKINGFORDONUTS