Get Lost!

 

I suppose you could get lost in Hubbard Park if you're unfamiliar with the trails and it's dark.

Visit #1586, Saturday 21 February 26, 7:20-9:40AM, 4.3 miles, 0.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps climbing above freezing, reaching the low 40s, cloudy in advance of a nor'easter to arrive Sunday afternoon.

A couple hikers got lost at Ragged Mountain in Southington last week and had to be rescued.

A rescue required the first responders to have knowledge of the trail network, and that requires training. I wonder how familiar Meriden's first responders are with the trails in Hubbard Park?

Today's hike would lead me to another seldom used trail like last week, and trail conditions necessitated using BOTH crampons and snowshoes.

At the south end of Merimere Reservoir I met a frequent visitor to Hubbard Park who previously told me of a beaver lodge built on Merimere Reservoir. Today he pointed out to me where it was located.

It's on the south shore of Mine Island. No fezzes or secret handshakes; beavers just build lodges.

As temps crossed up over the freezing level, crackling and "raindrops" could be heard and felt. A passing runner even asked me if it was beginning to rain. I assured her it was not.

Things were just beginning to thaw.

I switched from crampons to snowshoes and began the trail descent. Along the way I spotted a balloon trapped in a dead tree. There are several fallen trees partial buried in snow on this trail. After the spring thaw I will remove them and retrieve the balloon.

At the end of the trail I walked the road around the reservoir and back to the park. Along the way I came upon and removed a couple stickers and a number of refrigerator magnets.

While I removed everything, I got especially excited about the magnets because I've got nothing better to do than add them to my refrigerator.

Alas, the magnets succumbed to the cold weather and were not redeemable.

Please don't go for a hike in the coming nor'easter and get lost, happy endings like the one linked to above aren't guaranteed.