This One's On Me

 

Visit #1499, Sunday 13 October 24, 7:00-9:30AM, 4.1 miles, 1.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 50s with occasional light showers.

A couple weeks ago I passed on the announcement the Meriden Parks and Recreation Department was hosting its annual Three Peaks Challenge, a nine mile hike encompassing East and West Peaks in Hubbard Park along with a hike to South Mountain, which adjoins Hubbard Park.

Back in July, Kathy Matula, the Recreation Coordinator for the parks department asked me if I ever hiked South Mountain as there was a downed tree across the trail. I told her I didn't hike South Mountain and didn't plan to hike that trail to clear that downed tree; I have enough to do in Hubbard Park.

Well, I had a change of heart.

On Saturday, I took a mountain bike ride to Hubbard Park and picked up the South Mountain trail to see what I was up against. Nothing I couldn't handle.

On the return ride to the north end I found the gate at the north end of Hubbard Park UNLOCKED. It wasn't unlocked when I entered the park.

Looked to me like someone cut the lock; the lock was still closed and there was a cut link.

Pretty ballsy for daytime.

Well, fortunately I was given a key to those locks in case I need to perform some "parkly" duties (and I don't abuse the privilege), so I dutifully re-locked the chain and the gate.

It was about that time that a car approached wondering how to exit the park. They told me a tree had fallen across the road and consequently they couldn't go anywhere. Which explains why the gate was open in the first place.

Good thing they caught me before I rode away! I unlocked the gate just as the police arrived to redirect traffic.

So let's take a look at what was blocking the road.

Yup; that's blocking the road alright.

I had been watching that particular tree for years, expecting as it was dead it would eventually fall and my eye said that when it did, across the road it would go.

Further up the road heading toward the park a backhoe was approaching, presumably to remove the tree.

Early Sunday morning I entered Hubbard Park via the north end with my chainsaw.

Like I said; nothing I couldn't handle.

Hope I removed all the fallen trees, Kathy!

You can see from the photos I brought my loppers too. I gave the trail a good haircut so if you get hit in the face with a branch, I'll give you a refund! But no refunds will be given without a receipt...

I don't know the route the Three Peaks Challenge takes on South Mountain; I just assumed it is out-and-back. But I did follow the red markers for a few hundred yards beyond the peak; time constraints made me turn around.

On the return trip I decided to check on how the parks department removed that fallen tree.

Looks like that backhoe managed to put that tree all the way into the woods, no chainsaw required.

The sign on that fallen tree is still employed.

The South Mountain trail should be good to go for the Three Peaks Challenge.

Sequels

 

Visit #1498, Saturday 5 October 24, 7:00-9:15AM, 4.4 miles, 12.6 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the low 60s, sunny and dry.

Thanks is in order for Chris Bourdon and the Parks Department crew. Last week I found a pile of bricks and concrete dumped on the side of the road around Merimere Reservoir. I e-mailed Chris and he reported it had been picked up the very next day. Thanks again!

While eating my peanut butter, honey, and wheat germ sandwich Saturday morning and creating vague plans on where I would hike in Hubbard Park, I suddenly remembered the love lock I discovered last week and promised to remove. Doh!

I properly equipped myself and headed toward the walkbridge over I-691.

After a few stumbles clumsily trying to grab the lock with my boltcutters, I severed the undying bond between K. and J.

Here are a couple cryptic notes I found on the trails Saturday, one of which shows the author is spelling-challenged.

I found a rock cairn as well.

Good views west and south while hiking up to West Peak.

Following the road toward Castle Craig, I found some graffiti which needed attention. Hold my soda; I got this!

Hiking down toward the Halfway House and Merimere Reservoir, I met a new hiker whose name was Dan. Dan lives virtually across the street from Hubbard Park, and started hiking on the trails in February after being read the riot act by his doctor. At first, three mile hikes left Dan sore for days; now he regularly hikes TEN MILES!

Just as I reached the water treatment plant, a truck approached from behind me. Scott introduced himself as a chief operator for the Meriden Water Department who clearly expressed he was a steward in keeping the reservoir area clean. He saw my trash bag and encouraged me to leave them at their gate any time I want, as he noticed I've done so in the past. My thanks to Scott; he represents the Meriden and the water department well.

On the Soap Box Derby track, I found graffiti I'd covered over in early September has been tagged yet again.

I returned Sunday morning before 7AM. Two can play this game.

Here it is mid-cover up.

When completely dry, it will be imperceptible.

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

 

Visit #1497, Sunday 29 September 24, 7:05-9:45AM, 5.4 miles, 5.1 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the low 60s, cloudy with intermittent light drizzle.

A blog reader asked me to look out for a pair of glasses and a glove they lost while hiking in Hubbard Park. I decided to give it a shot so I asked for and was given vague directions on their route. I was going to wing it and maybe I'd get lucky.

It appears the state of Connecticut finished their repair work on the I-691 underpass through Hubbard Park, with their last task being installation of fencing. Good for another 30 years.

Nearing the north end of Merimere Reservoir I discovered someone dumped a pile of bricks and concrete off to the side of the road. I'll see what I can do to facilitate getting this picked up.

I love Sunday mornings; even from a distance it looks like Meriden is still sleeping.

I followed the Blue Trail to Castle Craig and beyond.

At the I-691 walkbridge, I found Love Lock #8. If you've followed my blog, you know what's going to happen to this one next week.

Reaching the never ending birch tree graffiti duel, I found the latest in the series. This person just doesn't stop! But then again, neither will I. Just like the lock, this will see the same treatment as previous times.

Actually, I already did; I just forgot to take a photo. It's happening so frequently that I've permanently added black spray paint to my standard backpack load.

While cleaning up the dirt parking area in the northwest corner of mirror lake, I discovered this graffiti

I erased it to spare the author the embarrassment of their misspelling.

On the opposite side of the parking lot were Halloween colors in full display. That was not photoshopped!

Checking out the latest offerings at the kiosk in the parking area, I see the Three Peaks Challenge is coming. There's pizza at the end! Are you enough of a hiker to take on the challenge?

I never found what I was looking for. I'll try another route next weekend.

What- No Blog This Week?!

I know you waited by your inbox for the next gripping installment and were disappointed Monday morning when it didn't arrive.

Sorry, but I took a four day vacation at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

I'll be back to my regular self next weekend!

Pounding the Pavement

 The fog over Merimere Reservoir starts to lift as the sun rises over Hubbard Park.

Visit #1496, Sunday 15 September 24, 6:30-8:55AM, 5.5 miles, 6.6 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 60s, sunny, dry, with temps rising to the 80s.

I walked around the reservoir just as the sun was beginning to warm East Peak. I was heading up the road, to West Peak.

As I walked, I began to notice Percival Park Road (bet you didn't know the road to East and West Peaks had a name!) has taken a beating in the past few years and is need of repair. Take a look.

What brought this to my attention was watching some early morning cyclists riding down the road. While they exercised good judgment and moderated their speed, some may not be so wise and in for a mess of road rash or worse.

However, one benefit of this rough road is, it keeps down the speed of cars.

I don't expect the city of Meriden to jump right on repairing this road; they've got more important things to do such as their annual road paving schedule. Here's the schedule for the rest of September. And that's just a partial list as they've been hard at re-paving work in August as well.

All those potholes didn't bother a hiker like me. I cleaned up the parking lot at West Peak and continued on my way back to the park.

Crossing over I-691 and on the return trail prior to Sunday, I found this pair of birch trees sullied by pink paint.

There's a history to these trees: Some scofflaw would write something on these trees with magic marker.

I'd scrub it off, shave off the bark, or paint over it with white paint. They would repeat. I would repeat.

This started roughly in March 2022. The pink was the latest from them.

I came back last week and covered over the pink.

Of course that's not the end of it.

This morning I pass the trees and find this...

...which is kind of ironic since they want me to stop yet they paint on the tree.

What's worse is they litter, leaving their paint brush on the ground.

I soldiered on, policing the dirt parking area at the end of the trail.

Upon leaving I noticed the National Kidney Foundation was hosting a fund raising walk in the park.