Change of Plans

 Unexpected developments called for a different route this week.

Visit #1553, Saturday 27 September 25, 7:10-9:30AM, 4.8 miles, 5.8 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 60s, sunny and dry.

If you remember last week, I found a large, hanging branch which had finally fallen to the ground. I planned to return this week, hike a short loop directly to it, and remove it from the trail.

But when I arrived at Hubbard Park I discovered the Meriden Running Club was setting up for a 5k race, the Chamber Challenge 5k.

I modified my plan and walked the route of the race, picking up litter, then walking the road all the way up to the fork to East/West Peak.

Despite last week's rain, the alligator continues to grow even larger. This is the second consecutive week that rain didn't appear to add to Merimere Reservoir's levels.

Reaching the fork in the road, I left the pavement and followed the trail down and to that large branch.

It would have been easier to cut this up with my chainsaw but I hadn't used my comealong is some time. It's lighter and needs no after-action maintenance even though it would take a bit longer than to move.

I didn't need to move the branch much; just a couple of feet would satisfy me.

Hiking back to the park and passing the birch tree which continues to be the focus of a park vandal, I spotted their newest addition, but instead of facing the trail where it would be spotted, it was nailed to the backside of the tree where presumably no one would find it. Well, except someone like me...

From the message it appears our vandal was caught in the act of doing something nefarious and was not happy about it. (You can see the trail in the background.)

Next week: break out the hedgeclippers.

Signs

 

Low water level at Merimere Reservoir is a sign we need rain.

Visit #1552, Saturday 20 September 25, 7:10-8:50AM, 3.3 miles, 11.5 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the low 60s, sunny and dry.

Following last week's post, I reworked my stubborn, sticking tree saw so I could remove a tree leaning over the trail on the south side of I-691.

I only had to cut one tree; it removed pressure on the tree it was leaning on.

I picked up an illegal trail where I knew there were other signs which needed removal.

Also on this trail, the same person who strung up the fuzzy mice constructed a poor imitation of a trip wire.

On the main trail, there is a tree which suffered damage THIRTEEN YEARS AGO. A tall branch high up on the trunk snapped, but did not separate from the tree, like the one below only much larger. A friend classified it as a widow maker.

I would trim it from time to time, but was supported by the branches touching the ground and just would not drop. Below you can see it in the foggy background from this March 2025 pic, leaning slightly as it hangs from the tree it's still attached to.

Thirteen years a widowmaker, until this week.

Finally. I might try to move it off the trail next week.

Rewind

 Visit #1551, Saturday 13 September 25, 7:20-9:50AM, 5.2 miles, 9.7 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the low 60s, sunny and dry.

A couple weeks ago, around Labor Day in an unrecorded visit to Hubbard Park, I followed a little known trail belonging to a regular park vandal who hangs little trinkets from trees. Occasionally I inspect this trail and remove what I find, as I did last July.

This I did so again on that hike.

Note the stars- I found more of them this week on another tree, which I check on regularly...

... as I also routinely find these religious tracts.

Fast forward to last week, where I found a small fallen tree across the trail behind the daffodils which was too long to move. 

I brought a small hand saw with me this week to remove it from the trail, but the blade was binding in the kerf due to something other than compression. So I gave up and discovered I was actually able to move the tree by hand. Yay!

Further up the trail I found a leaning tree with low hanging branches. I was able to trim the branches so there was sufficient clearance for hikers.

Once I solve the problem with my binding handsaw (something rough sticking to the blade) I may try my luck on removing these two trees.

This fence post at the entrance to the walkbridge over I-691 is a popular location for one aggressive sticker plaster and apparent avid hiker and park visitor. It has been clean since April of this year, until this week. These are stickers #17 and 18.

Revisit last week and you'll recall a fleece blanket I found at West Peak that was so sodden it was too heavy to carry. I hung it on the fence hoping dry weather would follow all week and dry out the blanket.  I love it when a plan works out!

Now a lightweight couple of pounds, I was just barely able to squeeze it into my backpack. Upon examination after washing it, I found it unserviceable so I won't be donating it to Goodwill.

Something else I left over from last week was what I then thought was a wet diaper. It too, dried out during the week and turned out to not be a diaper but foam packing, and much lighter to carry.

Rather than following the road down from West Peak as I did last week, I took a trail and good thing I did; I found a small fallen tree across, which I was able to remove.

Down at Merimere Reservoir I see the alligator is surprisingly revealed, considering last week's rain.

Compare this photo from last week to yesterday:

Walking back to the park on the road, I discovered some new graffiti by the same "artiste" who tagged the spillway wall and a transformer at Castle Craig back in August.

Fortunately I was equipped to tackle this job without a week's delay.

And a nice hike in the park it was.

Lord Love A Duck!

 

Why am I the only one in the parking lot-is it raining that hard?

Visit #1550, Sunday 7 September 25, 7:20-9:40AM, 5.4 miles, 7.6 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 50s, steady rain tapering slightly by hike's end.

Today's blog title came to mind when I thought of the rain, even though the phrase's meaning does not have anything to do with rain. It was actually quite comfortable albeit a wet comfortable.

I hiked a clockwise route up to West Peak today.

On the trail behind the daffodils, I found a newly fallen tree, which I'll remove next week. It's small enough that I think a handsaw should to the job just fine.

Up at West Peak I found this waterlogged fleece blanket. As such it was way too heavy to pack out-well over 15lbs.- so I hung it on a fence in the hopes we'll have a dry week and I'll be able to carry it out next week.

Out at the rocks I found these two wooden signs. See if you know who the authors of the quotes are.

Walking back toward the park around the reservoir, I discovered one of the recently installed speed bumps appear to have been vandalized. They have only been in place since around May of this year.

Even more surprising was my Find of the Week.

This bicycle was dumped in the weeds near the south end of Merimere Reservoir.

Unusually, the only thing preventing this bike from being rideable was the lack of a chain. As an avid bike rider, I know chains don't break easily which makes this even more of a mystery. Otherwise this bike looked practically brand new.

I wasn't interested in making a project out of this bike, so I slid it under the fence at the water treatment plant so hopefully the employees will find and recycle it.

I was notified today that the Three Peaks Challenge in Hubbard Park is scheduled for 8 November.

Mark your calendar and start training NOW. I'm all signed up!