Wilderness Weekend

Thus weekend, the weather was absolutely gorgeous - just perfect for mountain biking so I made the most of it!

Huntington

On Saturday I rode Huntington and conditions were perfect. Stratocaster, South Park, South Pond and the Burn Loops (as well as some of the main double track which I rarely ride...)

Enlarged to show the lighthouse

Minaus

After  coming home for a mid afternoon BBQ in the back yard, I went over to ride Minaus around 4:30. It was ridiculously crowded (as usual) but I got in my fix in of Meander and Swingset and the other usual trails.

Trumbull

Sunday afternoon was spent blazing a bit more of the Red trail with Kevin and a break upstream aside the Copper Creek. We discovered a little island!

From the Serengeti to the Huntington Mica Mines

Saturday at Trumbull - Pequonnock Valley

White Trail in the Serengeti

Sunday at Huntington

I parked in the Upper Dodgingtown parking lot and zoomed on down to the lower lot before hitting the Burn Loops. I then decided to venture up north and check out the mica mine. I was only here once before - literally ages ago with my son. It was kinda cool checking it out knowing that ages ago, mica was actively mined here.

I guess the sign was for the mica mine when it was active

One of the pits

Mica was scattered everywhere - glistening in the sunlight

Hard to tell from the photo but this is pretty big...

Oo yeah - nice trail - part of the mica mines rim loop

There are trails that encircle all around the mica pits... 

Couldn't resist snapping this shot from my handlebars...

This is the trail out of the area (heading northeast)

The next section of riding had some really nice flowing trails but then on the circle back... a huge climb. Ouch!

Then I headed further north and explored the northern-most white trails(s). Although I was trying to find the old chimney, I ended up at the extreme north off the park near a farmhouse. Yikes!! I had no idea how I got there! This detour wasn't in my plans! NOTE: Even the trail itself shows up on a Google Map aerial.

End of the line!

It was a long slog back up going southward but I eventually found my way back to the Blue Trail and headed back across the Pipeline trail past the parking lot and back to more familiar territory. 

I stopped to chow down on an apple at this scenic spot overlooking the lake and snapped a photo of the little lighthouse.

The mini lighthouse on the lake

After riding both the South Pond and South Park trails, I headed on north on Rock and Roll to check on the new boardwalks and armoring by FCNEMBA. It was great!

Finally along a really scenic stretch of Rock and Roll that's right at the lake edge - I reluctantly stopped (the flow was nice) because the lighthouse looked great in the sun and I wanted a photo.

Huntington is really a great spot and certain trails and section really kick my butt. It's a bit of a longer haul to get up here but I really should do it more often!

Further Historical Info

Not too much is found online about the Mica Mine but it was known as Biermann's Quarry.

Article > 

Ups and Downs at Huntington/Farringtons and then the lovely Deer encounter

Huntington

It was a sunny and beautiful day and I headed up to Huntington for a change. I parked at Dodgingtown Lot and ran into a bunch of bikers I knew.  I was anxious to ride more with my new 29er and Mike Malwitz suggested I ride with with him. I am glad I did as he took me to some new places and/or places I haven't ridden in ages!

We first headed up to (1) Big Burn and then rode north to do (2) Lollipop counter clockwise. I was winded thru most of Lollipop but it was a needed reminder of my need to ride more and ride more hills. We then headed over to Stratocaster - which is ALWAYS fun and did the South Loop clockwise. South Loop seemed super easy after all the previous trails.

We next rode down the double track that loops around at a low elevation on the east side of the park and stopped at this mammoth rock for a photoshoot. I don't remember being here (perhaps only as a whiz by with my son ages ago) but it was beautiful heading back up as we paralleled a stream on the left.

The bummer was my dropper post started to mess up and drop erratically. I was bummed!

We cruised back to the lot and good ole Mick Ferraro was there with some cold brews! Both him and his friend Ryan tried tinkering with my drop post and said it was fine. I rode around the grassy area bouncing like a kangaroo and it miraculously seemed solid.

Feeling a little better about the bike, I headed over to Farringtons - stopping for a pick up lunch in Bethel.

Farringtons 

The lot was packed and I snapped a shot of the map on the kiosk - strangely It only had a few barely used hiking trails and NONE of the mountain biking trails. (If I recall - I think this was a boy scout merit badge project - the maps should of AT LEAST been labeled hiking trails - oh well  the truth is so relative these days for just about everything...)

The Ride sucked as the dropper post was not fixed and slipped down randomly. I did the lower trails and realized it was time to head home and bring the bike to the shop !!

Deer Close Encounter

After dropping the bike of at the shop it was still warm and and sunny so I hiked Woodway and had a close encounter with 5 or 6 Deer - very cool!

After stare down of a few minutes - they took off and I was able to catch photos of their river crossing.

Well, I will have to ride the road bike tomorrow! But at least I have the wounds of a good day of mountain biking :-)

Farringtons and Huntington

After my fiasco a couple of weeks ago at Trumbull where I needlessly got all banged up from my worn out shoes -- I bought a new pair and am back in business...

It was a beautiful day: vey sunny and a little hot but the humidity seemed tolerable for a change. I decided to skip Trumbull today and head back up to Farringtons and hit Huntington as well.

Farringtons 

The parking lot at Farringtons was crowded like I have never seen it. Turns out it was a Boy Scout Troop that had just finished exploring, clearing and GPSing the hiking trails. I said hello and mentioned I had already made a bike map of the park. The eagle scout and his Dad have a project with the city to create a map for the kiosk. Some of the old hiking trails (mapped here) will finally be official!

Anyways, I stopped for the usual photo op by the lake and a little further on, I saw a red fox scamper by. Once again, I didn’t attempt the mountain trail and just rode the lower trails. I was the only rider in the park! It started to get hot and I was ashamedly already getting tired…

Sanfords Pond

Huntington

I let my phone GPS guide me to Huntington and it took a little less than half hour. I parked at the upper Dodgingtown’s lot. It was pretty hot by now. I rode straight in to Stratocaster and did the loop counter clockwise. It is such a great trail!

I noticed some new stunts and they looked doable by an XC weenie rider like me. This is a great spot to hone your skills (I hope to return on "off hours" to do just that :-) )

I did do the easier short flat one - Blink and You'll Miss It!

I stopped for a breather at the intersection where Stratocaster veers off from South Pond and snapped a photo. Its a really excellent trail - just check out the contours of the hill ascent - total PRO!

Although I helped construct this trail, the real kudos go to those who planned the route. Thank You FCNEMBA and CT NEMBA trail planners!

Huntington - Greg Doing Big Drop

Greg doing Big Drop at Huntington Park Park - Sept, 9th, 2009

- Near Start of the Big Burn Area-

This didn't end so well :-)

September 2009