Across the River today

Dividend Pond

After parking at the backside (Golf course) of Dividend Pond and riding all the official trails, I ventured on to a pseudo trail that overlooked the huge "dirt bike" pit. It dead ended into nothing but I got a great shot overlooking the pit from "secret" vantage point.

River Highlands

I then went over to River Highlands and rode a few trails. My front tire went flabby after hitting a log up and over pretty hard so negotiating the corners and hills on Upper and Lower Powerglide were mighty tricky at high speed. :-) Although I wanted to hit Lower Powerglide,  I had to exit via the Green Trail as the tire was almost flat at that point!

Rocky Hill

After a great ride at Dividend Pond and then River Highlands, I ventured down to the Rocky Hill ferry.

Looks like a renovated railroad station!

I nursed a beer here

Could resist checking out the abandoned foundry and the huge silos

Trails behind our House

While exploring the woods behind the house I discovered some ATV trails...

On 1125 Property

Wangunk Meadows

Today I mountain biked at Wangunk Meadows in Portland, CT. The weather was a bit cool and the ride was super easy but quite pleasant.

Once past the fields you ride on an old dirt road. There were berms to bomb on and protruding pricklers to avoid so it wasn't boring!

After more than mile of riding you get a chance to get to the edge of the Connecticut River...

... and shortly thereafter you encounter the remnants of an old bridge that crossed Hales Brook.

It's a very beautiful spot but I was hoping to make it all he way to the Portland Fairgrounds. After yesterday's wade through 2 1/2 feet of water (my hiking boots were still wet this afternoon!) I was in no mood to soak my sneakers as well so I turned around!

About the Wangunks

The Wangunks were a Native American tribe that lived in this area at the time of colonial settlement. 

Wangunk > (Wikipedia)

Power Line Hike

I told myself for the last couple of weeks that I should hike the power line road nearby on a cloudy day. Well today was cloudy so I did it!

This kept me going! :-)

Oops - I assumed there would be a bridge or sensible way across this stream but no! The overgrowth on each side of the pseudo road was thick and 4 plus feet tall so I had to wade thru over 2 1/2 feet of water... Yikes!

Bur I was rewarded once I crossed the stream. Instead of heading straight to Coldbrook Road as intended - I found a new trail off to the right which eventually led along the stream - it was very picturesque :-)

I think this is where It is possible to cross the stream without getting your feet wet :-)

Oops - a dead end!! Oh well... I turned around a backtracked - this time GPSing the trail

Once I re-emerged onto the powerline trail clearing, I had a nice glimpse of the descent I had taken earlier...

Next time I will check out the section south of Coldbrook Road!

From whence I came!

A Return to Shoddy Mill Dam

Back in June 2021 - I paid a visit to this dam ruin. It's a very peaceful park and I returned today to explore a bit further north.

Nearing the dam

At the Dam

Underground spillway entrance

 The Trail Continues On

I turned around where the trail got a little too overgrown - but I'll be back as there is a lot more to explore...

a little too overgrown!