Mark F 10/26/17 Mark F 10/26/17

Mine Hill Preserve Trail, Roxbury, CT

More fun fall hikes in CT! The fall colors are really showing now. I decided to hike a new trail this time. I chose Mine Hill Reserve Trail in Roxbury, CT. The trail was unique and offered cool historic features. Check it out for great leaf peeper pics.

Trail Description: The Mine Hill Preserve trail is part of the Roxbury Land Trust as a national historical landmark. Venturing on this trail will take you through scenic woodlands, rocky terrain, mine tunnels, bat caves, and old furnace structures from the 19th century.

Trail Info:

Where: Roxbury, CT

Distance 3.6 miles (2 hrs)

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Trail Type: Loop

Features: Water, Bat Caves, Quarry, Bridge, Mine Tunnels, Old Furnaces

How to get there:

6 Mine Hill Road, Roxbury, CT 06783

The GPS lost signal as I got on Mine Hill Road, but just follow the signs on the gravel road to the parking lot.

Hiking Tips

Download a map of the trail, http://www.roxburylandtrust.org/MapMineHill.pdf.
Veer left to start with the more difficult section toward the Donkey Trail. The latter part of the trail is more like a brisk nature walk on flat ground.

The Hike

This past weekend’s hike was recommended by a friend. Nichole and I took a ride out to Roxbury, CT to the Mine Hill Preserve Trail. This trail offers some unique features where you will see various mines and old furnace stoves from the 19th century. This is definitely off the beaten path. There is a very small parking lot where the trail heads start. There are only two trails here. There is a 3.6m loop (blue trail- Mine Hill Preserve) and an additional 2m loop can be added (red trail – Carter Reserve). Due to time constraints, we just did the blue trail loop. The maps online for this area are very helpful too. I would suggest downloading here prior to the hike. The trails are a short walk from the parking lot. If you really wanted to just see the old furnace structures, this is only a 10 minute walk from the start if you veer right. Prior to hiking, I read the veering to the left would get the difficult portion of the hike done and that is what we chose.

In this direction, you pass a small pond to your right.

The main loop ascends up the Donkey Trail and here you will pass two mine tunnels.

The terrain was pretty interesting and varied. This side of the loop was by far the most challenging. It was very rocky and had some steep uphill areas. As you keep hiking , you will cross paths with multiple bat cages that serve as entry ways for the caves inside them.

The trails begins to descend and you will meet at the Old Quarry bridge which joins a dirt road that will lead you to the other side of the loop. The other side of the loop was more of a nature path. It was flat the whole way, roughly 1.5m. This was less interesting until the end where you will find the old forge site. The fall colors kept me attentive along the way.

Overall, the historic points of the trail offered a different features you don’t get on hikes generally. The trail was very maintained and marked well. The hike would be good for anyone beginner to advanced. I would recommend hiking boots since the terrain can be rocky. The loop didn’t take us too long, about 1 hr 45 min. Next time, I would leave more time and add the additional 2m loop. Pretty good recommendation!

Review:

Mine Hill Reserve Trail, 3.6m (Roxbury, CT): 3.5 out of 5

HIKING FOR DONUTS

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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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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