Babbling Brook - Woodland Park

It had rained a lot the night before and on thru the morning so it was too wet to mountain bike. After a bit of Trail Maintenance at my neighborhood park, I took a short hike at Woodlawn Park in Darien. Everything was lush and green!

The classic photo: "Which Way?"

The perfect babbling brook photo!

Parlor Rock

After more than a week of perpetual rain every day, the Pequonnock River was raging through Parlor Rock...

 < Old Mine Hike (earlier that day)

Old Mine Park Trail Day Prep

Trails Day (June 4th) In Trumbull this year will be at Old Mine Park instead of Pequonnock Valley. We took a hike around the park on a frustratingly gloomy day to assess what to highlight on our guided tour. Despite the overcast skies and wet surroundings, it was a fun and productive hike. The Park is overflowing with fascinating history AND full of nature's beauty.

At the summit of the hill near the river

Choice of Trails leaving Little Eden 

At the Mountain top - the rock hounds' findings

Bizarre Tree
What looks like a "bird's nest condo" are actually leaves caught by tiny sprouts growing out of the tree
(photo digitally modified  - it looks a bit bleached out because the original was too dark)

At the Upper Pit (a.k.a. Lane's Mine)
Note - curved rock layers

Can you see the remnants of the old mining railroad right of way?
Cool!

You can see see part of the foundation of the massive mining operation at the bottom of the hill from the picnic area. The two black and white historical photos indicate much of the area was enclosed by the main building.

Foundation remnants are still visible 

Historical Photos - Tungsten Mine

Kevin and I ventured down river after John and Jennifer left.

Down river a bit, Kevin showed me this wonderful spot of wildflowers and
 an almost magical area of skunk cabbage

I then trekked on back along the rail trail (my car was parked at Whitney) and checked out the Parlor Rock rapids. Post >

Mohawk Landing - Rexford, NY

I have pulled this page from the blog as it apparently caused considerable  consternation among landowners in the area. I assume no trespassing signs will be prominently posted and private property rights will be respected.

MInaus River Park Quickie

After a late start (I was busy elsewhere in the morning), I warmed up on my local neighborhood trails then headed over to Minaus Park.  The weather was mostly sunny but a bit chilly still.

After a quick ride bombing on the Meander Trail and looping back on the Field Trail, I headed up the new Hill Trail and south on the Laurel Trail to do the Treetops Loop.

I stopped at the nasty washout climb and checked out Dave Francefort's flagging for a reroute to be done this summer. Much Better!

Looking Up...

 Looking Back Down...

nice slick rock!

Norwalk River Valley Trail (Part 2)

Although it was a bit overcast and gray, I drove over to Wilton to ride a second section of the Norwalk River Valley Trail  (Part 1  >). My mountain bike was in the shop so this was a road bike trek. The trail is between Merwins Park and the Wilton School Complex,

On my short ride toward the eastern parking lot along the river, I thought this tree in the water was interesting

Norwalk River Valley Trail

The trail starts north out of the parking lot in Merwins Park. It actually is quite scenic along the river - imagine it on a nice sumer day will all the trees and plant in full greenery!

Later historical research confirmed my suspicion that the dam had a mill on the east side.

Also, just north of the dam, an old foundation is visible next to the trail. As this older topo map shows, the trail was actually a road that went up to this building.

For a short section, the trail narrows and hugs the riverbank.

 Old ruins caught my eye..

Once you reach the High School, you can ride up the road to the school in the back and zoom back down on a different branch of the trail...

 Finally you can ride thru Merwins Park and even back out under the main road.

Not super exciting and awfully short, the ride was nevertheless fun - fresh air and riverside rides are always a pleasure..

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 :-)