First Day Hikes - January 2021
In Connecticut, on New Years Day, virtual and self-guided hikes and programs will be offered at 10 State Park and Forest locations as well as at several locations in the Litchfield area. Thank you to the Friends of CT State Parks; the various CT State Park and Forest Friends Groups as well as several organizations in the Litchfield area that are participating this year. Thank you also to all the CT DEEP Park Supervisors, staff and seasonals for maintaining our parks and forests.
America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1, 2021 at a state park close to home. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) State Parks and its partners are encouraging folks to get outside walking and hiking and to enjoy nature safely on January 1st. We ask all participating to wear a mask, social distance, not meet in large groups but in family units living in same household; to keep all safe-DEEP Staff, park and forest visitors, and friends groups, as CT takes part in celebrating with First Day Hikes.
Please be sure to only park is designated parking areas.
Below is a listing of the First Day Hikes:
1) Chatfield Hollow State Park
Visit: Friends of Chatfield Hollow Facebook page for details
Contact: Cheryl Buckley ckbucks@sbcglobal.net 860-391-1919
Event Information:
Event inviting families to toast the arrival of 2021 and more importantly bid adieu to 2020 with a personal walk/hike. When families complete the walk of their choosing, they will be asked if they would like their group to be part of collage ( WELCOME 2021) of pictures to be posted on the site.
2) Machimoodus State Park
Visit: Friends of Machimoodus-Sunrise Friends Facebook Page or https://machsunwebsite.wixsite.com/mysite for details
Contact: machsunfriends@gmail.com
Event Information:
Photo scavenger hunt. People will be able to print, download or simply view the list on their smart phone and participate at their own pace.
3) Mansfield Hollow State Park
Visit: Friends of Mansfield Hollow Facebook page
Contact: Ron Manizza, 860-428-3667
Event Information:
Virtual hikes with routes marked out and available using your smart phone with the app Ridewithgps
4) Pachaug State Forest
Visit: Friends of Pachaug Forest Facebook page
Contact: Ryan Snide, friendsofpachaugforest@gmail.com
Event Information:
Hosting virtual hikes at several locations within Pachaug that participants can do at their leisure.
5) Scantic River State Park
Visit: American Heritage River Commission Facebook page
Contact: Debbie Talamini, talamini@cox.net
Event Information:
Self-guided hikes. Please share photos of your First Day Hike 2021 to our American Heritage River Commission ("AHRC:) Facebook page or tag us in your personal posts.
6) James L. Goodwin State Forest
Visit the following to register:
https://www.ctwoodlands.org/CFPA-events/new-years-hike-seek-goodwin-state-forest
Event Information:
Hosting a weekend long Hike & Seek event, where families/individuals register and get what is essentially a scavenger hunt checklist of nature-themed items to find throughout the trails and gardens at Goodwin (fire ponds, animal print, scratch marks on a tree, an invasive species, etc.). This event is on your own, socially-distant and safe. The event runs from Friday January 1, 2021 through Sunday January 3, 2021. If participants find a certain amount of the items they win a simple prize.
7) Meigs Point Nature Center
Visit: Meigs Point Nature Center Facebook Page
Contact: Russ Miller, Russell.Miller@ct.gov
Event Information:
Have you ever wondered what a state park looks like in the winter, what animals are still around or which ones come out in the winter? Visit the Meigs Point Nature Center Facebook page at 11:00 am on January 1st to join “Ranger Russ” for a live hike along the shore at Hammonasset Beach State Park.
8) Topsmead State Forest
Visit: Friends of Topsmead State Forest Facebook Page or https://www.friendsoftopsmead.org/ or Events link
Contact: Jane Golding, 860-480-9668, jane.golding54@gmail.com
Event Information:
*History hike led with a guide or printed information to tour/ inform interested hikers about the history and grounds of Topsmead. (the house is not open).
*A songbird trail tour given by the Friend of Topsmead, Janet Blauvelt, who has established and maintained birdhouses at Topsmead.
*A serenity and scenic walk out to the Birdblind/Wildlife viewing building which overlooks vistas and fields. There’s a bench there at Topsmeads’ Pollinator garden and shelter inside the viewing blind.
Friends will be at the parking lot at 10:00 if any assistance is desired.
9) Gillette Castle State Park
Visit: Friends of Gillette Castle Facebook page
Visit: Gillette Castle YouTube Channel
Contact: Paul Schiller, info@gillettecastlefriends.org
Event Information:
Videos series includes a tour of the castle, trail walks and other fun stories and features of the park.
Watch on YouTube:
10) Talcott Mountain State Park
Visit: Friends of Hueblein Tower Facebook page
Visit: https://www.friendsofheubleintower.org/
Follow on Twitter: @heubleintower
Follow on Instagram: @friendsofht
More Info: info@friendsofheubleintower.org
Contact: Dan Hinman, dan@spiralx.com or Jessica Hinman, jhinman@friendsofheubleintower.org
Event Information:
The Heublein Tower 2021 First Day Opportunities
1. Tour the Heublein Tower Virtually
2. Learn about the Heublein Tower
Heublein Tower History
Heublein Tower Timeline
3. Visit Talcott Mountain
While the tower is closed for visitors, you are still welcome to explore Talcott Mountain, hike up and view the tower grounds. Please follow CT COVID-19 Guidelines for safe visitation of state grounds and facilities.
4. Tag us on social media!
Whatever you choose to do, snap a photo or video and tag us on social media
#heubleintower #talcottmountain #2021FirstDayCT
11) Litchfield First Day Hiking Opportunities
Visit: Litchfield Land Trust ("LLT") trail maps link from our web site
Contact: Dean Birdsall, Litchfield Land Trust ("LLT") Stewardship info@litchfieldlandtrust.org
Event Information:
Litchfield Land Trust (“LLT”) self-guided First Day Hikes:
New Year vistas:
Apple Hill Trail – White Memorial Conservation Center
https://whitememorialcc.org/trails/ (Access to trail maps and trail descriptions). Self-guided hike.
Prospect Mountain Preserve Trails - Litchfield Land Trust https://www.litchfieldlandtrust.org/ (Access to trail maps and trail descriptions). Self-guided hike.
Scenic Serenity:
Bird Blind & Wildlife viewing - Friends of Topsmead A songbird trail tour given by the Friend of Topsmead, Janet Blauvelt, who has established and maintained birdhouses at Topsmead. Friends group members will be at the parking lot at 10:00 if any assistance is desired.
Boyd Woods Audubon Sanctuary – Litchfield Hills Audubon Marie Kennedy will be there at 9:00 am for those who would like a guide.
Medicine Rock Trail - The Litchfield Land Trust (Access to trail maps and trail descriptions). Self-guided hike.
Vineyard/River Trail Loop - White Memorial Conservation Center (Access to trail maps and trail descriptions). Self-guided hike.
Local History:
Boyd Woods Audubon Sanctuary Marie Kennedy will be there at 9:00 am for those who would like a guide.
Ice House Ruins Trail - White Memorial Conservation Center (Access to trail maps and trail descriptions). Self-guided hike.
Shepaug Crossing Trail – Litchfield Land Trust (Access to trail maps and trail descriptions). Self-guided hike.
12) White Memorial Conservation Center
Visit: White Memorial Trail Maps
Contact: Carrie Szwed, 860-567-0857, info@whitememorialcc.org
Event Information:
Self-guided hikes on several of the White Memorial Conservation Center trails (see section above for specific trails).
Content Updated: December 2020