The New England Trail (NET) has been known to me as the Metacomet Trail for thirty-years, and I am still trying to get used to the name change.  The NET HIKE 50 (or 100) CHALLENGE is something I've done each year since it began, and I hope to complete it again in 2021...

NET HIKE 50 CHALLENGE

From Connecticut Forest and Parks, and the The New England Trail dot org...

Over the last three years almost 600 participants have completed the challenge, logging over 50,000 miles on the New England Trail!

In 2018 we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails System with our first 50 mile challenge. In 2019, we built upon this by adding an extra 100 mile challenge to highlight the 10 year anniversary of the designation of the NET. In 2020, we encouraged participants to use the NET as their close-to-home trail amidst travel restrictions. We anticipate continuing the challenge in 2021, and hope to announce in early spring. Keep tracking your miles/points and stay tuned!

Music 2021...

Effort #09,  "Behind the Curtain"...  guitar and parrot, with manipulations.

Met Wuzzam at the Nipmuck at the Route 44 Crossing, planning to run south.  It was a bit cooler than it has been, but really comfortable (40's and bright sunlight).

We were planning to run to the Grist Mill, turn-a-round, and if we felt energetic once back at the cars, maybe head north towards Marsh Road.  When we got to the Grist Mill, our pace was strong and I asked if we could continue on the Nipmuck along the Fenton River further south.  Back on March 24th, 2019, we explored this section and none of Wuzzam, Old Goat or I thought much of it.  At the end of that post, I actually wrote "...I'll reserve judgement on this section of the Nipmuck until I revisit during a dryer season.  The area along the Fenton River is very scenic and beautiful, but much of the trail on the east side was very eroded and difficult to gain rhythm with."

Today, the section in question was actually enjoyable.  Still some roots making the rhythm of running difficult, but these sections were short.  We kept to the trail all the way up to the junction with the road to Hank's Hill.  Ended the day with 8.5-miles in under two-hours.  Good Work / Good Effort.  And enjoyable too!

Mid-Day Run on the roads, Remington Loop, total of 3.5-miles. 

The snowmobile trails are getting seriously sketchy due to the fifty and sixty degree weather this week.  I stopped off in Buckland, hoping to keep piecing my "circled world" together,  hoping the footing wouldn't be too miserable.

Parked off Bray Road, at the little entrance to the Buckland State Forest property, with the intention of heading north for five or so miles, and then returning.  If I felt decent, I'd keep going another mile or so south.

My northern point of intersect would be just north of Mary Lyon Hill area, where there is a junction with a trail coming up from the northwest, just south of Putnam Hill.  I completed that section on February 20th.

My prior ending southern point was at the power line just north of Beldingville Road and south of Baptist Corner Road.  I made that trip on February 11th,

Considering the temperatures, and it being late in the season, the footing wasn't bad.  It got slushy a bit, some icy sections caved in, and there was some running water and mud along the way.  But, I would guess that 70% of the route was decent.

I made it back to the parking area right around 10-miles, and still felt pretty good, so I continued through the Buckland State Forest heading south.  I was out about another 1.5-miles, felt like I was really dragging and getting tired, and began thinking about finding a good spot to turnaround.

The spot I found was right as I hit North Warger Road, at a Christmas Tree Farm.  The Snowmobile Corridor crossed the road here, and the snow was pretty much gone.  

I finished the day with 13.2-miles and feeling really good about the northern connection.  As for the southern limit of my exploring, I feel I will be able to piece it together even after the snow leaves.  At least, I hope to connect the rest of this to Beldingville Road.  Rumor has it that there is a slightly new trail put in by Ashfield Trails that might help.

4-Miles on the Metacomet from Phelps Road to the Ravine and back. 

3.5-mile run on the Main & Kent Street out-and-back.

Later, early afternoon, drove into East Hartford to receive my first COVID-19 Vaccine. 

3.5-miles on the Metacomet Trail from Phelps Road north.  

Very muddy, pretty icy, and still some snow.

Later on...

     ..... early evening

          ..... I watched a webinar presented by CFPA on Ceremonial Stonework:

Ceremonial Stonework: The Enduring Native American Presence on the Land 

This slideshow takes the audience on an extended virtual walk through the woods to see the ceremonial stonework left behind by the indigenous population that occupied New England for over 12,000 years.

Native Americans built nearly two dozen distinct types of structures in our area, ranging from cairns to stone serpent effigies, and these spiritual offerings remain standing in now long abandoned woods. While Native American stonework is widely recognized out west and to the south, New England’s stonework remains obscure, having blended back into the woods far from the trails most hikers travel. 

Although the exact meaning behind them remains unknown in most cases, there can be little doubt of the overall importance of this stonework to its creators or their descendants. These images, from the book by the same name, come from photographs of over 8000 objects and ceremonial sites in southeastern Connecticut and western Rhode Island. Slideshow and talk by Markham Starr.

Quick run with Wuzzam at Whitiker Woods.  Very icy and difficult for any speed, but we managed to hang in for 4.5-miles.

Another trip to Ashfield, as the Hilltown Snowmobile Club Trails have been my focus in 2021.

This time, from the Lake / Ballfield, I planned on making my way to Hodgen / Baily Road (which I tackled on February 20th).  Then, the "alternate" route from near the Lakehouse back up to the trails. 

Pretty much another success, with the "alternate" trail being a bit changed from a decade or more ago, seems a home has been built right about where the middle would have been (I will check old gps data).

The good news is an "alternative" to the old "alternative" exist, and I can use it.

Ended up with 8.5-miles of running without snowshoes on hard-packed trail.  Noticed at least one side-trail that I need to check (I believe I have data for it, and have covered it with Tippi years ago), and another that I need to explore once snow is gone (I know I haven't been on it before).

The big question is whether I am finished with the snowmobile trail running this winter, as Wednesday through Friday are supposed to be in the 60-degree range...

Tide up some of the Ashfield Snowmobile Trails that were "missing" from my attempt at connections.

Finished the day with 12.4-miles, short half-mile section on the road, and a few real "finds" and at least one verification of locating an old trail I'd been on 15 years ago that has gone obscure from the snowmobile route lately.

DL and I took a long, round trip, drive to Hoosac Falls for a beef pickup.

The Trustees of Reservations "Hike 125" challenge arrived this week!

A free challenge to hike and explore Trustees properties in Massachusetts.

With 120+ places and hundreds of miles of trails to explore across the state, The Trustees is challenging you to get hiking and see just how much you can explore.

Get outside, start hiking, and see just how great Massachusetts is.

What is Hike Trustees?

Hike Trustees was originally conceived to celebrate our 125th anniversary in 2016. In the years since, we've watched it grow in exciting ways, and though 2020 found us adjusting to a new normal, we also welcomed new visitors seeking ways to stay mindful and connected. In response we've retooled Hike Trustees to be more flexible so that it fits in with your new routines and offers multiple ways to engage with nature and achieve your personal wellness goals.

It's healthy. It's free. It's fun. So… take a hike!

All you need to do is visit our properties and log your hiking miles on this site. Use one of the many fitness or GPS apps to track your mileage. Keep an eye on your progress on our leaderboards. And you can upload photos of your experiences on this site, too. We love to see them!

This year you will find:

• Monthly email prompts with new challenges
• An updated logging system and new prizes
• Unique curated hikes and tips for exploring hidden gems
• An active Facebook group for Trustees hikers of all levels

Where will #HikeTrustees take you?

Logging your miles is a rewarding way to chronicle your wellness journey, achieve personal goals, and push beyond your own expectations. Track your progress on the leaderboard with categories we hope will inspire you to propel further, and reach milestones for fun prizes.

Tier	Miles      Sites       Hikes

Mytoi Meanderer	0-5	1-2	1-2
Cormier Woods Wanderer	6-15	3-5	3-5
Pegan Hill Prospector	16-30	6-10	6-10
Tyringham Cobble Traveler	31-50	11-20	11-20
Rock House Rambler	51-100	21-35	21-35
Dunes' Edge Discoverer	101-150	36-50	36-50
Peaked Mountain Pioneer	151-250	51-70	51-100
East Over Explorer	251-350	71-90	101-200
Ames Estate Adventurer	351-500	91-115	201-300
Tully Lake Trekker	500+	116-121	301+

Monthly Prizes

If you participate in Hike Trustees for a particular month, you'll automatically be entered in that month's drawing to win Trustees-branded swag. The top-ranked hikers will be celebrated with social media shout-outs at the end of every month. See what you can achieve in 30 days!

Yearly Prizes

The 2021 challenge winners will each earn a $50 gift certificate to spend at ShopTheTrustees. Participate in the yearly challenge, and you'll be entered in a drawing for the Grand Prize: a staff-guided tour of your favorite Trustees property. At the end of the year, the winners in each category will be notified and celebrated on Trustees social media channels and in our Member magazine, Special Places.

Reaching New Tiers

Whether you hit the trails to find solace in nature, spend time with loved ones, or reach personal wellness goals, we're thrilled to celebrate all journeys. As added incentive to get outside and get moving, prizes will be awarded when you reach a new milestone.

• Hike 25 miles, visit 25 sites, or do 25 hikes (whichever comes first), and earn a Hike Trustees bumper sticker.

• Hike 50 miles, visit 50 sites, or do 50 hikes (whichever comes first), and earn a commemorative Hike Trustees 2021 patch. Receive additional patches at 100, 250, and 500 miles.

• Hike 200 miles and earn a complimentary12-month extension of your Trustees Membership (for existing Members), or a new one-year Membership at the family level.

No matter what type of trail you hike or how far you go, don't forget to share your highlights and amazing adventures! Post your photos on social media with #HikeTrustees for a virtual high-five.

I've made an effort with this program in 2018 & 2019, but COVID knocked it out for 2020.

What Played in Ed's Head -- Music listened to for the time-period February 1st through 28th, 2021:

Music 2021...

Effort #08,  "Simple Man"...  guitars and vocals by Rev King, my old Road Warrior for Christ partner, recorded in Georgia.  Lynyrd Skynyrd cover...