Post by diamondback on May 10, 2017 19:45:27 GMT -5
On June 10, 2017 at approximately 11 AM, Jordan Leigh and Art Byram (that’s me) and perhaps some others will meet at the Connecticut Massachusetts border in Rising Corner and follow the New England Trail (NET) South until we reach Long Island sound approximately 112 miles later by following the Metacomet Blue Blaze Trail then continuing on the Mattabesett trail until it joins with the Menunkatuck and follow this trail to its southern terminus at the Long Island Sound in Guilford Connecticut, thereby traversing the state of Connecticut from North to South along the beautifully rugged traprock ridges.
I estimate the mileage as follows: Metacomet trail 62.2 miles + Mattabesett (partial) 33.5 miles + Menunkatuck Trail 16.7 miles for a total of 112.4 miles. Here is a link to an interactive map: newenglandtrail.org/get-on-the-trail/map
The New England National Scenic Trail (NET) is a 215-mile hiking trail route that has been in existence for over half a century. The NET travels through 41 communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and is comprised primarily of the historic Mattabesett, Metacomet, and Monadnock (M-M-M) Trail systems and the newer Menunkatuck Trail.
We will be supported and joined at various times by friends and family, and are looking to have others join as they wish, whether for a few miles or for the whole traverse. To my knowledge, based upon last year’s FKT on the Metacomet, no one has recorded a time for this route, however if you have, or if you know someone who has, please let us know.
This route strings together some of the best trail running in Connecticut including Suffield Mountain, Peak Mountain, Hatchet Hill, Wilcox Park, Penwood State Park (Traprock 50k), Heublein Tower, MDC Reservoirs, Rattlesnake Mountain, Pinnacle Rock, Crescent Lake, Ragged Mountain, Castle Craig, Lamentation Mountain, Chauncey Peak, Mount Higby, Powder Ridge, Tri-Mountain State Park, Bluff Head (Bimblers Bluff 50k) , Cockaponset State Forest, East River Preserve, and the Guilford Point waterfront. These blue blaze trails are all maintained by Connecticut Forest and Parks Association. www.ctwoodlands.org/giving/make-one-time-donation
This is a beautiful route, that hopefully will catch on, and encourage others to take longer runs on this trail. What could be more beautiful than a journey in the woods? Please let me know if you are interested in joining for some or all of this run, otherwise I will post an update after we are finished.
