Northern Tunxis to explore the side-track to Granville with Wuzzam.  No bears this time, but a route drew us up toward Winchell Mountain; we had hoped this path would connect to the Tunxis northern terminus at Pell Road, but it did not (about a half-mile too far north).

Great bit of climbing for us today, and some pretty cool things to see. Finished with over 10-miles of running.  It may be worth attempting a connection to the Tunxis in the future, when I feel adventurous.

Valley Brook

Interesting Stone Mound up the ridge toward Winchell.

 North-South Slab as part of trail.

Old Stonewall or Foundation, south of Trillum Hill.

Another version of stone south of Trillum.

Despite the dryness, something grows.

There was supposed to be possible violent thunderstorms today, with the best chance between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (reported by all weather services).  I was ready to get out the door at 8:30 a.m. and the sky looked dark to the north and west, so I figured "best stick close by".

Close by meant a return to Cowles Park in East Granby, Connecticut.  I would measure out the twisty loops that I thought of yesterday, with ideas of a 6-hour run (or something).

The loop measured out just under 2.20-miles, but it turns a lot, so 2.2 may be short by a bit.  As it stands, twelve loops would make 26.40-miles...  something to shoot for on a cooler day.  Today was brutally hot and humid, and it got worse as the day moved on.

Ended up taking the orange trail (westerly route) past Wynding Hills and using Tunxis Avenue and other roads to connect back to Cowles.  Ended with 5.7-miles in about 1:20:00.

Really nice bridge work at the edge of Cowles heading up to the power lines.

A view from the small meadow west of Wynding Hills.

Another Friday at Cowles Park with K2, another day in the 90's.  Enjoyed the winding out and back mountain bike trails, and while daydreaming I thought this route without an out-and-back but with a loop to complete it, may make a good 6-hour run.  Next time I'm here I will gps measure the loop I have in mind, and then see who may give it a try?

For today, close to 4 good miles on my legs.  Enjoyable!

Had this surprise me today..

The trails are in really nice shape in Cowles,

K2 finished up first today, and he had some Recoverite waiting for me!

On this day in 1996 I completed my 12th marathon.  My route took me along the Appalachian Trail, from Salisbury, Connecticut into Massachusetts.  My turnaround point was at the summit of Mt. Everett,   My time on the trail was roughly 6:27:53, which included a break for a lunch at Everett.

Finally some rain in the morning, with cooler temperatures.  The humidity is still difficult to deal with, with the associated outdoor recreational issues intact.  Kept the time down after yesterday's longish run, and the weather, to a comfortable 3.8-miles.

Used the Hatchet Hill trailhead for the Metacomet, and revisited Smaug's Lair and Keg Roller (which I may have previously read as Egg Beater or Egg Roller, no telling).  Took a side-trail heading further south close to the Farmington River and enjoyed that.  There remain a few more trails I haven't been able to tidy up yet.

The signage that appears on the mountain bike trails is pretty nice, and appreciated.  It looks like whomever is laying out these paths, and building them, has placed a great deal of emphasis on it being a substantial  trail network for a very long time.  Nice work!

I read this last month as Egg Roller.

Utilizing a nice natural feature along the trail.

Taj Mahal heads downhill (after some up) toward Cowles Park.

The sign for Metacomet is Taj Mahal's neighbor.

Beautiful section of the Metacomet using gentle swinging uphills embraced by fern.

Smaug's Lair, worth a look.

Made a trip to Hawley with Wuzzam and the Old Goat to run a big loop in Dubuque State Forest.  It's been almost two full years since I've run in this old favorite, and longer for my two companions.  

We were hoping for either 15 miles or 3.5-hours, and we were close to both...  14.1-gps miles (some of this is winding so actual distance on ground may be greater) and a running time of 3:17:00.

The Kiln is always a treat, and there is a real maze of trails zig-zag'ing around it that I'll have to get back to.  Along the way, there were other trails popping up that I hadn't noticed before, which I'll get to.

We did a little searching and found the balanced rock off Bog Trail.  I have photos we took during a winter snowshoe in the early 2000's, but lately it had escaped me.  Today, we took the time and it was very worth it...  excellent surprise along this trail.

Took a look at the Old Cemetery off Poverty Square Trail, something Wuzzam and I always do.

Moody Spring had a good flow of delicious water, which we all tanked up on.  The trails throughout were in pretty great shape, which was really nice to enjoy.  Great day with two old friends whom I have been running with for around 20-years.  That's longevity!

New Signage for the Hawley Kiln!

 

The Kiln Itself.

Dubuque's Balanced Rock.

 Dubuque's Balanced Rock.

 Very Weathered Signage for the Old Cemetery.

 Gould Meadow Shelter.

Moody Spring, a very mystical location for Wuzzam and I.

Wuzzam and Old Goat at the Spring.

Periwinkle Trail off South Road.

On this day in 2005, Tippi and I ran the Savoy General Store Marathon.  It was lengthy, over 29-miles I believe.  From Haskins Road to the General Store, which brought us all the way over to Windsor Jambs, we had the company of "Max", a friendly dog we picked up at Loop & Haskins intersection. 

Tippi along the trails of Savoy, 2005.

Oddly, each time we came to an intersection on the trail, "Max" knew which way we were planning on turning (even though he lead).  He managed this for 9 - 10 miles.

Total for the day was roughly 29.30-miles in 6:17:52.  It was my 27th completed marathon, and Tippi's 3rd.  After finishing, I met Jane Phinney in the Savoy Town Offices;  she was the Savoy Town Clerk and is the author of  "Taking the High Road".

Notes from the day include: Cool day with Big Sun, stayed in the 70's.  Felt fine through Tannery Falls Area, but Ross Brook and the Balanced Rock Section were a bit of a struggle.  Rebounded well after that until Windsor Jambs.  Tired but decent until the climb out of the Jambs to Griffin Road, which was a chore despite being mostly downhill.

Had a day off to take care of errands and meet with Mass DCR to discuss ideas and trails.  Everything turned out wonderfully.

Ended the afternoon with a stop at Robinson State Park in Feeding Hill/Agawam/West Springfield, Massachusetts.   

Many trails to explore, so I'll visit again very soon.  Extending the Metacomet from Suffield gets you here, as I once completed during a August 27th, 2008 Marathon using a partial of this area.

Town Boundary Marker.

Tall Trees throughout forest.

On this day in 2009, Tippi and I explored the Robert Frost Trail through Sunderland and Amherst (I think).  It was a day after a really hard rain, so the brooks and streams were really roaring.  We ended up losing a bunch of time "off trail" around Eastman Brook.

We parked at Amethyst Brook and did a bit south, then north to the foot of Bull Hill.  Outstanding area that I would like to return to.

This was my 41st completed marathon and Tippi's 14th.  The run took us 6:03:58 to finish.

The heat hasn't left Connecticut yet;  Tunxis would be a little more elevation and hopefully cooler temperatures for Wuzzam, K2 and I.

It's a good thing that we left our old dogs home, because all the water holes they usually would frolic in were dried up.  The big pool on Kettle Brook and the camping spot along Roaring Brook were dry.  The swampy area at the height of land a mile in was dry.  The deep pool on the east side of Pine Mountain Road was very shallow.  Tough conditions this summer.

We managed just under 9-miles, an out-and-back with a loop on the end for Pine Mountain.  On our feet running for 2:09, which felt good in this heat.  Indian Council Caves and Pine Mountain were the focal points of today's run.

View northeast off Pine Mountain.

Looking toward Indian Council Caves.

Wuzzam making the climb to the top of Indian Council Caves.

Very hot today, temperatures appeared to reach 100 on the drive home from Cowles Park.  Third Friday in a row for K2 and I;  4 tough miles in the heat.

One of several Stone Walls throughout the loops.

Awesome bench where I sat exhausted after finishing my run today;  It had my name on it.

On this day in 2008, I completed the Hallockville Pond - Mt Institute Marathon with Wuzzam and Tippi.  The 25+ miles were completed in 5:29:07, and ended with a dip in Hallockville Pond.  This was my 36th completed marathon and Tippi's 12th.

Still too hot to run long (for me, anyway).  Did an "old reliable" close to home out and back along the Metacomet in West Suffield, Connecticut.  Total of 3.5-miles.

 This northern section of the Route 20 to Phelps Road section offers some great views.

 Just above the sign in log.

Looking about 15 miles south to Hueblin Tower and Talcott Mountain.

Black Birch from possible "nurse log" .

Played a little more music in the morning with Jon Bon Evil; It's still brutally hot and humid, so my motivation / energy has been strained.  I had seen a couple side paths off the Metacomet in Tarrifville last week, heading down toward Wilcox Park.  This would be as good a day as any to explore those and not overdo it.

The trails off Metacomet are not long, but they are interesting and nicely built.  On a run, they will offer up a nice option of a loop to connect back.  Wilcox Park was empty;  the grass was moved and the park was clean.  I have no idea what the rest of it looks like, but there was a small picnic area and a portable toilet available.

Ended up with 3.5-miles, incredibly slow.  It was plain hot.

View without last week's fog.

Second Friday afternoon in a row to Cowles Park, this time with K2.  Basically the same route as on the 8th, with a minor diversion to grab some trail coordinates I'd been missing.

Ended with 3.8-miles in 54 minutes.  The heat and humidity were extreme, but I didn't push at all either, so no idea if it was conditions or me.  Most likely a little of both.

Excellent trail network, nice dark forest, and easy and quick to get to.  This spot is a keeper.

I am a really big fan of the tree id helpers along trails.

Large Beech along the trail.

 

Smaller Red Maple on same path.

Updated Map, showing inside the "Yellow Trail" within the park.