Hike #43
Ragged Mountain Memorial Preserve
Trails: Ragged Mountain Preserve Trail, Metacomet
Distance: 5.93 miles
Approx Time to Complete: 3 hours
Date Hiked: 3/30/2013
Date Published: 3/31/2013
Ragged Mountain Memorial Preserve
Trails: Ragged Mountain Preserve Trail, Metacomet
Distance: 5.93 miles
Approx Time to Complete: 3 hours
Date Hiked: 3/30/2013
Date Published: 3/31/2013
Easter Weekend! It finally feels like spring in the northeast. The day before this hike it was 55 degrees outside. The day of they were forecasting for 54 degrees. More importantly, it was going to be a clear day and that was going to make this hike awesome.
I knew that my dad was busy on Saturday so all week I was looking for something to hike other than the Nipmuck. There was originally some discussion that Jaci might join me but, when she later declined, I decided to hit up some of the Metacomet. She offered to drop me off at the trail but I decided to make this a loop hike using the Ragged Mountain Preserve Trail (which is required in order to complete the CT400). So, after researching the parking area on Google Maps, I decided to park on West Lane in Berlin. From what I could tell on the map, there seemed to be ample parking. Later, when I got to the parking location, there were about 10 cars already there (I got started a little later than usual because I had to get my hair cut). After the hike, there were about 25 cars parked in the area. I guess people were itching to get out of the house…and, I can’t say that I blame them.
Below is a picture from West Lane, as I was driving towards the parking area. I like how you can see the Mountain in the distance as you approach…
I knew that my dad was busy on Saturday so all week I was looking for something to hike other than the Nipmuck. There was originally some discussion that Jaci might join me but, when she later declined, I decided to hit up some of the Metacomet. She offered to drop me off at the trail but I decided to make this a loop hike using the Ragged Mountain Preserve Trail (which is required in order to complete the CT400). So, after researching the parking area on Google Maps, I decided to park on West Lane in Berlin. From what I could tell on the map, there seemed to be ample parking. Later, when I got to the parking location, there were about 10 cars already there (I got started a little later than usual because I had to get my hair cut). After the hike, there were about 25 cars parked in the area. I guess people were itching to get out of the house…and, I can’t say that I blame them.
Below is a picture from West Lane, as I was driving towards the parking area. I like how you can see the Mountain in the distance as you approach…
This hike is a loop hike using the two sections of the Ragged Mountain Preserve Trail (one which leads from the parking area to the southern end of Ragged Mountain, the other which leads to the north) and a 2.7 mile section of the Metacomet. I elected to complete the hike in a clockwise fashion because I wanted to get most of the heavy climbing out of the way early. But, this hike will be nice…and challenging…no matter what. Also, there are other trails in the area if you want to make it less challenging. You have all kinds of cool options.
The first hundred feet are so are basically just an access trail. When I reached the split, I made the left turn and started climbing. The climb is gradual at first, but it gets steeper. Over the next 1.7 miles, the trail will continue to climb until it reache the Metacomet. There were a lot of views along the way and they were awesome…
The first hundred feet are so are basically just an access trail. When I reached the split, I made the left turn and started climbing. The climb is gradual at first, but it gets steeper. Over the next 1.7 miles, the trail will continue to climb until it reache the Metacomet. There were a lot of views along the way and they were awesome…
On the way up, I noticed this hawk. A couple of times, he got really close to us and I was able to get a pretty good shot. Still, the picture doesn’t do him any justice. He was magnificent…
I kept climbing and came across some cool rock formations…
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, we found this ground bird. When I got home, I tried to identify it but didn’t really find any pictures that looked exactly like this bird. I thought it was either a Partridge or a Quail, but wasn’t sure. I put a picture on Facebook and asked others to help identify it. My dad, who is probably the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to birds, thinks it is a Northern Bobwhite Quail. And, I agree. In the pictures I found on Google, the northern bobwhites don’t have the doo-hickey hanging off of their head like most other quail. And, if I had to guess, I would say this was a female. Pretty cool...
As I approached the end of this section of the Ragged Mountain Preserve Trail, and the end of our initial ascent, I noticed a tree which was surrounded by rocks. Here, there is a memorial to a fallen rock climber named Darin Findley. It is clear from the tribute here, that Darin has a very loving family. A portion of the memorial is a note from a family member. A portion of the note references Psalm 18:2 (The Lord is my rock in whom I take refuge). I was moved by the letter. So, I took a few minutes to pay my respects…
From the memorial, I headed off trail a bit to check out the views along the rock outcropping at the southern end of the preserve. From here, I could see Short Mountain and East and West Peaks to the south (but I couldn’t see Castle Craig). To the southwest, I could see what looked like a ski area. Jaci thinks this is Mount Southington…
The next section of trail was very challenging. If I would have done this section 14 months ago, I probably never would’ve hiked again. But, since I had built up my stamina and hiking skills over the winter, I loved every second of it. It was like a playground for adults. The really nice thing was, if you didn’t want to stick exactly to the trail, there were ways to tackle some of the more challenging stuff in a non-challenging way. I was determined to follow the blue blazes in pretty much a straight line…and had a blast doing so…
As perfect as this day was, there was still some snow in the shady area of the higher elevations. I think I speak for everyone when I say hopefully this is the last of it...
After a few more ups and downs, we came to a very big overlook with panoramic views.
To the southwest, a very nice house (with the Mount Southington ski area in the background again)...
To the southwest, a very nice house (with the Mount Southington ski area in the background again)...
To the northwest, Wassel Reservoir...
To the north, other sections of the Metacomet which include the TV towers Jaci and I passed way back on Hike #1. In the picture below, they are to the left. Also, to the right of the picture below is the UConn Health Center building. In between the TV towers and UConn, but not visible in the shot below, is Heublein Tower. I could just barely make it out through my monocular...
And, finally, to the northeast...through the trees...downtown Hartford...
From the overlook, the trail turns away from the ridge and enters the forest for about half a mile before coming to another overlook of Wassel Reservoir. I took another picture of the reservoir and dam because I believe I could see where they found the rocks for the dam. If you look to the left of the picture below, you can see a cut out in the ridge on the other side of the reservoir. It is hard to see in the picture below, but the cuts in that ridge looked anything but natural…
The next mile and a half was a very nice walk through the woods. The elevation changes aren’t as drastic and it was nice to just kind of stroll along. This hike really had everything…
And, by everything, I mean everything…including cool nature moments. As if the hawk and the northern bobwhite on the eastern portion of the mountain weren’t enough, almost the entire time on the western side, I saw butterflies. After several failed attempts to get a good picture, I got a pretty good one. In the picture below, she is resting on the log…just to the right of center frame…
Shortly after, I was able to get close enough to a wet area where frogs were peeping and cheeping loudly. Some of these guys were still in that awkward development stage where they have legs but also still have their tails. This guy had legs but I couldn’t see any arms…
Somewhere between the four and four and a half mile mark, the Metacomet rejoins the Ragged Mountain Preserve Trail (the walk book has it listed at 4.4). I made a right turn and followed the Preserve Trail, which descends to a field only to climb back up along a stream. Near the top, there is a cool falls area. Next month, once the rains begin, I bet this fall will be overflowing…
From the area of the falls, I followed Ragged Mountain Preserve Trail along the ridge, eventually descending one final time to the car.
This was, without question, the greatest hike I’ve ever done…ridge walks with views, rock climbs, forest paths, nature moments. I’m so glad spring has sprung!
Distance to goal: 264.11
This was, without question, the greatest hike I’ve ever done…ridge walks with views, rock climbs, forest paths, nature moments. I’m so glad spring has sprung!
Distance to goal: 264.11