"High Points" along the trails I've visited during April, 2021...
Drove out to Tyringham with DL, visited Ashintully Gardens (TTOR).
Also, stopped off at the "Gingerbread House".
Walked about a half-mile for the day.
Spent the early part of the day working on getting our patio in order, and a series of plant and ornamental tasks for DL. Early afternoon, I drove out to Simsbury to run a bit of trails and bike path to connect more of the "circled-world".
Parked at Stratton Brook State Park, and stayed to the north within Ensign Memorial Park, finally exiting at the High School on the Farmington River Trail (Bike Path). Dropped east on that for a bit, hit some pavement to connect to Belden Forest, and after popping out behind the Simsbury Library / Boy Scout Hall, made my way back for a total of 6.1-miles today.
Visit with my folks, a pre-Mother's Day event. Brought them Mrs. Murphy's donuts for the second time in three weeks, a big hit.
On the way home, parked in downtown Cheshire to join the Appalachian Trail. Ran north to the intersection with Old Adams Road (just a hundred feet from the Red Gate Trail as well).
Ended with 8.2-miles, the return much faster than the out due to the massive climb involved.
Really nice section, spotted the large rock formation during the early potion of the climb where Dusty and I ducked into and under back on February 1st, 1992... "...Hike Mount Greylock with Dusty during a severe cold spell (8-degrees with harsh 20-mph wind). My Mom left us off in Cheshire, and we hiked Outlook Aveneue, Appalachian Trail, Old Adams Road, Jones Nose, and the Appalachian Trail back to Cheshire where my Mom picked us back up 5-hours later at the store on Wells Road."
Looking south toward the Cheshire Cobbles
Another trip to Ashfield and Conway, to fill in some additional gaps of old trails / snowmobile corridor.
This time, Poland Brook Wildlife Management Area at Poland Gate (on the borders of Conway State Forest), to North Poland Road, near the Route 116 snowmobile crossing from Mount Owen. I had explored this section with Tippi way back on April 10th, 2009. Haven't been back since, and I realized when crossing over the slightly northern section over Mount Owen on March 21st that the snowmobiles hadn't been over this section this season (small section of closed trail).
Found my way just fine. Even found a few private trails, and old obscure forest / logging roads. Final word is the connections are coming along just fine, and I am enjoying the adventures.
Once I was done, I had 7.5-miles in of slow going.
