Sunday, January 31, 2021

Bradley Park

Sunday was cold, overcast and windy but nevertheless I wanted to get out a bit for some fresh air so I headed over the Bradley Park in Wilton. I hiked the north section of the park and was reminded that--hell yeah--this IS a challenging spot to mountain bike!

The Zig Zag Boardwalk

Can you find the trail? :-)

This doesn't quite capture the distance down!

This is rough ridin'

The Lookout
Leaving...

Saturday, January 30, 2021

Case Mountain and Cotton Hollow

It was brutally cold and windy but I had to get out of the house so I ventured north to our future stomping grounds for a couple of hikes. After dropping off some things at our storage unit in East Hartford and grabbing a pizza and two absolutely delicious "citrus" beers for lunch in Manchester, I hiked a loop at Case Mountain. I wanted to get to know this park better as it--along with Trumbull/Pequonnock Valley--is considered one the the best places to mountain bike in Connecticut.

Case Mountain

Its a huge place - the parcel the town of Manchester owns is 640 acres which is only a portion of the entire riding area. I only explored this small area and followed a Yellow-Black to Yellow-Red Blazed loop - sticking to the hiker double track. But "I'll be back" many times in the future, hiking and biking for sure!


Start of hike
I stayed on the Double Track
(Yellow Black Blazing)
By the tracks in the snow, there was a clear distinction between the biker single-track and the hiker double-track. 

Once again, I stuck to the double track
(Yellow Red Blazing)

It maybe hard to discern in this photo--there's a footbridge and the trail curves nicely down and up the slope...
Back at the parking lot - I arrived at the opposite end!

Cotton Hollow Preserve

This is very near where we'll be moving and I was very curious about the historical ruins I just had to check it out ! :-)

Roaring Brook
Old foundations. - ooo yeah...
Remnants of a bridge...
Climbing towards the mill ruins...
At the Mill site

It was a steep and slippery descent :-)

Yep - there's remnants of a second dam - Next time!
The hike back...

Historical Info

About the Mill
The was built in 1814 by the Hartford Manufacturing Company, who owned it until the mid-1800’s. After that, the mill changed hands frequently and by 1920, the era of industry within Cotton Hollow came to a close. At its height, the mill employed 350 people, many of which lived in the nearby housing on Cotton Hollow Road and the Cotton Hollow mill houses.

The mill was powered by two large dams, rising 25-feet and 40-feet, respectively. Three stories of the facade of the mill still remain, although Mother Nature has taken its toll on the ruins over the years. It is an impressive architecture feat, as it was built directly into the side of the hill.


South Glastonbury
You gotta love a town that devotes so much research to its past - there's so much detail here its astounding!

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Woodland and Mianus Double Header

Went hiking in a few spots today - although it was cold, at least the sun was out!

Woodlawn

After a brisk hike at Woodway (no photos) I went to Woodlawn Park in Darien. I noticed a lot of upheaval in one area...

This was know cool, huh?

Note Dog footprints (he was having fun!)

Mianus

After a brief lunch (from the supermarket), I ventured over to Mianus. It actually has been a couple of months since I have been there!

I walked up by the back way (behind Treetops) and tried playing my Tin Whistle at the spot. Too Cold!

 Noticed this later - on the Swamp trail way in the back of the park
Of course this creation is on the Hill Trail

All in all, nice hikes despite the freezing wind!