Free, guided hikes are being offered at various state parks across Connecticut on New Year's Day.
It's part of the America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative taking place in all 50 states. Hikes are planned at 11 Connecticut locations Tuesday.
Department Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Rob Klee says the agency is excited to be part of the "national effort to get people outdoors and into our state parks." He says Connecticut has hundreds of miles of trails.
The hikes range from easy to moderately strenuous. They include following the old rail bed at Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam; a walk along the Connecticut River at Haddam Meadows State Park; and a two-mile trek through Kettletown State Park in Southbury, where hikers can see May's tornado damage.
Hikes will be offered at the following locations and times:
Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River Road in East Haddam: The hike will begin at noon. Meet at the Visitor’s Center. Hike will follow the old rail bed, easy hike for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. After the first hike, a second hike of approximately ¾ of a mile will be offered; this hike will include river views.
James L. Goodwin Conservation Center, 23 Potter Road in Hampton: 11 a.m. -- moderate, two-hour hike, 3-4 miles; dogs on leash allowed. Learn more at www.FriendsofGoodwinForest.org.
Local
Haddam Meadows State Park at Route 154 in Haddam at 1 p.m., easy, two-mile hike. Meet at the parking lot entrance. Walk along the Connecticut River. Bring water, snack and snowshoes, if needed. Dogs on a leash are allowed. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Hammonasset Beach State Park at 1288 Boston Post Road in Madison at 1 p.m. -- easy walk, less than one mile. Meet at the Meigs Point Nature Center.
Kettletown State Park at 1400 George’s Hill Road in Southbury at 1 p.m. -- moderate, two-mile hike. Meet at the trail head for Miller Trail. Drive into the park, take every right fork to the trail head. This hike will offer views of much of the tornado damage from May 2018. Bring water, snack and sturdy footwear. Dogs on a leash are allowed.
Mansfield Hollow State Park on Bassett’s Bridge Road in Mansfield at 11 a.m. (Arrive by 10:45 a.m. Two hikes - 4.5 miles and 2.2 miles. Meet in the Mansfield Hollow Recreation Area parking lot. Dogs on a leash are allowed.
Peoples State Forest Matthies Grove Picnic Area at 106 East River Road in Barkhamsted at 1 p.m. Moderately strenuous 2.5 miles hike. The loop hike will start on the Robert Ross Trail, turn onto King Road and return on the Agnes Bowen Trail. Bring water. No dogs.
Rocky Neck State Park at 244 West Main St. in East Lyme at 10 a.m. Moderate, one-hour hike. This hike will meet at beach parking – west lot. Hike is child-friendly with a parent or guardian. No dogs.
Scantic River State Park on Melrose Road in East Windsor at 1 p.m. Moderate, 2.5-mile hike, two hours. Meet in the parking area at end of Melrose Road off Broad Brook Road. Donations will be collected for the local food pantry. Dogs on a leash are welcome.
Sessions Woods #1 at 341 Milford St. in Burlington at 10 a.m. Moderate 5.5-mile loop hike. Meet by the kiosk in the Sessions Woods parking lot.
Sessions Woods #2 – Sky’s the Limit Hike at 341 Milford St. in Burlington at 1 p.m. The hike will follow the Beaver Pond Trail and last between 60 and 90 minutes. Have cocoa in the Conservation Education Center afterward. The awards ceremony for the Sky’s the Limit winners will begin at approximately 3 p.m.
