Hike #33
Trail: Metacomet
Section: Wintonbury Road (Bloomfield, CT) to Rt. 20 (East Granby, CT)
Direction of travel: South to North
Distance: 7.12 miles
Approx Time to Complete: 3.25 hours
Date Hiked: 1/20/2013
Date Published: 1/29/2013
Trail: Metacomet
Section: Wintonbury Road (Bloomfield, CT) to Rt. 20 (East Granby, CT)
Direction of travel: South to North
Distance: 7.12 miles
Approx Time to Complete: 3.25 hours
Date Hiked: 1/20/2013
Date Published: 1/29/2013
For this hike on the Metacomet, I would be picking up the trail where I had left it way back on “Tick Day”…some fourteen months before. On that day (Hike #3), I had parked in the parking area of Penwood State Park, made my way to Wintonbury Road on the Metacomet, and made my way back to the car on some of the other trails in the park. Today, Jaci was dropping me and Roscoe off at Wintonbury Road and we were going to make our way north to Rt. 20 (Turkey Hills Road) in East Granby.
Earlier that morning, we left my car in the parking area on Newgate Road (just north of the intersection with Rt. 20). From there, I hopped in the Jeep and we made our way over to Wintonbury Road. I geared up and hit the trail, saying goodbye to Jaci (she was hosting a thirty-one party in New York later that day).
The trail ascends quickly, but not as quickly as I remembered...and not nearly as quickly as it descends from the other side of Wintonbury Road. It quickly makes its way up to the top of the ridge and, before long; we reached the first view of the day (of the farms you see in the picture below). With the rising sun to my right (as seen in the first picture on this page) and the views of Simsbury (and beyond) to my left, I knew this was going to be an epic hike. Looking back on it now, I think this is my favorite hike of the hikes I’ve done up until this point…if I had to pick one.
Earlier that morning, we left my car in the parking area on Newgate Road (just north of the intersection with Rt. 20). From there, I hopped in the Jeep and we made our way over to Wintonbury Road. I geared up and hit the trail, saying goodbye to Jaci (she was hosting a thirty-one party in New York later that day).
The trail ascends quickly, but not as quickly as I remembered...and not nearly as quickly as it descends from the other side of Wintonbury Road. It quickly makes its way up to the top of the ridge and, before long; we reached the first view of the day (of the farms you see in the picture below). With the rising sun to my right (as seen in the first picture on this page) and the views of Simsbury (and beyond) to my left, I knew this was going to be an epic hike. Looking back on it now, I think this is my favorite hike of the hikes I’ve done up until this point…if I had to pick one.
The views from the top of the ridge are awesome, but they are pretty much the same as the views from my previous hike. And, since I published pictures of the view in that recap, I thought I would spare you this time around. Instead, you can enjoy this nice picture of Roscoe enjoying the view. Cliff dog!
The trail eventually leaves the ridge for a short stretch and, just about one mile in, crosses a power line cut with some communications towers. I took the following pictures and, later in the week, located the towers from the corner conference room of my floor at work. I had to use binoculars to see them, but I definitely saw them.
Shortly after the communication towers, we came to this gravel road. I love Roscoe in this picture. If that face doesn’t say “c’mon…hurry up!” I don’t know what does.
We crossed another power line cut and re-entered the woods for a bit. Shortly after, I took the pictures below. I didn’t realize it when I took the first one, but you can actually see Bartlett Tower in the background through the trees. Look at the second and third picture and it will help you spot it in the first one.
You can read more about Bartlett Tower over at http://www.foothillsmediagroup.com/articles/2012/10/19/simsbury/news/doc50820b10cdd5b819184998.txt But, the short version is that a resident of Avon built a resort tower on top of the ridge back in the late 1800’s. Prominent visitors to the tower included Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and “Buffalo Bill” Cody. The tower was destroyed by fire in 1936 but a good portion of it remains. Pretty cool stuff.
After the tower, the trail widens and follows what I believe is the old road up to the tower. It follows a series of gradual switch backs on the way down. We stopped at one overlook and Roscoe (being Roscoe) climbed to the top of a rock.
After the tower, the trail widens and follows what I believe is the old road up to the tower. It follows a series of gradual switch backs on the way down. We stopped at one overlook and Roscoe (being Roscoe) climbed to the top of a rock.
As we made our way down from the ridge, a large water tank came into view. Not too far from where the tank first comes into view, the trail turns away from it and continues to make its way down to Old Mountain Road.
From Old Mountain Road, the trail becomes a road walk for about the next half mile or so. In that stretch, it crosses over Elm Street (I took a picture of the Metacomet Trail Blue Oval) and follows along Rt. 189 (Hartford Ave.).
From Old Mountain Road, the trail becomes a road walk for about the next half mile or so. In that stretch, it crosses over Elm Street (I took a picture of the Metacomet Trail Blue Oval) and follows along Rt. 189 (Hartford Ave.).
I found this stretch interesting. Basically, the trail follows a sidewalk and there are blazes on the back of speed limit signs. This means that anyone who has walked down this street has walked a portion of the Metacomet Trail. Cool stuff.
While we walked along Rt. 189, we crossed the Farmington River. As we were crossing, I saw something swimming in the water (against the current) but I was unable to identify it. Shortly after the bridge, the trail crosses to the other side of Rt. 189.
While we walked along Rt. 189, we crossed the Farmington River. As we were crossing, I saw something swimming in the water (against the current) but I was unable to identify it. Shortly after the bridge, the trail crosses to the other side of Rt. 189.
After crossing Rt. 189, the trail looks like it heads uphill, but it quickly heads back downhill and descends to the edge of the Farmington River. From the river edge, I took a picture of the bridge we had just crossed a few minutes earlier.
The CFPA Walk Book explains that, during times of high water, the trail along the river can be washed out. We didn’t have to worry about that. But, the walk book suggests following the alternate path in the area and I would have to go along with that suggestion…unless you feel like going for a swim. In all seriousness, don’t try to swim here. The current in this area (known as the Tariffville Gorge) is notoriously strong.
After skirting along the river, the trail crosses a small stream and begins an extremely steep ascent to the top of the ridge. A year ago, I couldn’t have made the climb without stopping a dozen or so times. I was proud that I didn’t have to stop that often (maybe once or twice).
At this point, the trail is heading due. But it will eventually turn back around to head north again at the top. I got some great pictures in this area. The first picture is of the rocky outcrop at the top of the ridge. Then, I got one of some raccoon tracks in the snow. Finally, we reached the ledge and I took some pictures of the view.
After skirting along the river, the trail crosses a small stream and begins an extremely steep ascent to the top of the ridge. A year ago, I couldn’t have made the climb without stopping a dozen or so times. I was proud that I didn’t have to stop that often (maybe once or twice).
At this point, the trail is heading due. But it will eventually turn back around to head north again at the top. I got some great pictures in this area. The first picture is of the rocky outcrop at the top of the ridge. Then, I got one of some raccoon tracks in the snow. Finally, we reached the ledge and I took some pictures of the view.
From the ledge with the view, the trail continues south for a really short stretch before it reaches the top of the ridge. Here, it turns north and begins making its way to Hatchet Hill Road. Along the way, we came to this chimney and I began to wonder if all of these are part of old houses/cabins or if some of them were built more recently to provide warmth for someone who frequents the ridge only to drink. Either way, there sure are a lot of them around these parts. And, they are in some of the most random places (with this one being the most random of all).
After the chimney, the trail descends (as it hits a few more switchbacks) and crosses Hatchet Hill Road. On the other side of the road, there is a lot of evidence of recent construction. And, I think the trail was closed for a while as a result of said construction. Regardless, it is now open and we crossed the area without any trouble.
One of the “highlights” over this next section (on top of Hatchet Hill….elevation 510 feet) included an old cemetery in the middle of the woods. I attempted to get some pictures of the headstones, but I’m not sure you can even tell what they are. I only knew it was a cemetery because there was a sign here about the cemetery restoration which was in progress. And, out of respect for the dead, I didn’t want to get too close to the headstones (in the event that there were headstones closer to my feet which I couldn’t see).
One of the “highlights” over this next section (on top of Hatchet Hill….elevation 510 feet) included an old cemetery in the middle of the woods. I attempted to get some pictures of the headstones, but I’m not sure you can even tell what they are. I only knew it was a cemetery because there was a sign here about the cemetery restoration which was in progress. And, out of respect for the dead, I didn’t want to get too close to the headstones (in the event that there were headstones closer to my feet which I couldn’t see).
The second highlight happened when, while I stopped to rehydrate, a plane from Bradley International Airport flew directly over my head. The airport isn’t too far from here so this guy was barely off of the ground. I wasn’t able to get my camera out in time, so I was bummed. But, later, three more flew over and I was able to get pictures of those. The pictures really don’t do this any justice. They were a lot closer than they look. And, I felt like Jack Shepherd.
I also noticed a lot of animal tracks in this area. At the time, I thought they were turkey tracks but they were a lot bigger than I thought turkey tracks should be. So, I took some pictures and compared them to what I found on Google when I got home. They were a match for turkey tracks.
The final highlight is a huge quarry, of which the trail makes its way around the western edge. We followed along the edge of the quarry for what seemed like an eternity as we continued to draw closer to Rt. 20. Sadly, I couldn’t get a good picture of the quarry. So, you’ll just have to trust me when I say this thing is massive. As I was trying to get a good picture, I heard what sounded like another raven call. Maybe all of this stuff with ravens is a sign. I should probably bet on the Ravens to win the super bowl.
After the semi-view of the quarry, we descended the ridge for the final time on this trip. We made our way out to Holcomb Street and followed that back to my car.
After the semi-view of the quarry, we descended the ridge for the final time on this trip. We made our way out to Holcomb Street and followed that back to my car.
Distance to 2013 goal: 324.96