Bolton Notch Commuter Lot to Steele's Crossing Rd, Bolton, CT Leg

 

 

(I see that 8 people clicked over to view my last post from the link I posted on the book of faces.  I may wind up just texting people who are interested directly, or maybe even just set up a private Facebook page.  I've joked before about starting an account called "Shelley and Maybe 5 Friends" and I'm thinking that might not be a horrible idea.  Still ruminating on that...)

In any case!  Saturday was a beautiful day for a hike through the woods, so The Map Man, the girl child and I set out to explore the start of the 14 miles of railtrail known as the Hop River Trail that occurs on the East Coast Greenway.  We walked a little over 2 miles on this portion of the trail, and then, after a short snack and bathroom break, jumped to the end of the Hop River trail to walk some more (but that will get it's own post, maybe tomorrow).

We started out at the commuter lot near Bolton Notch State Park, above, and headed West on the greenway along Route 44 to Bolton Notch, below.

Above, Bolton Notch Pond

Below, the famous Flag Rock at Bolton Notch State Park

Above and below, only steps after turning South onto the Hop River Trail portion of the greenway, the trail takes us through a cave-like tunnel.

Above and the two photos below, emerging from the tunnel, an artifical canyon steers us along, it's sides covered in native mosses, ferns and young trees.

Above, the woods were teeming with wildlife (in this case a Barred Owl).

Below, abundant in wild flora as well!

Above, a handy resting spot.  

Below, inexplicably, there is a very large boulder perched in the hollow of this very tall tree.

Above, a field near the Rose Farm/Bolton Heritage Farm, where Rochambeau camped with his troops on their way to the battlefield of Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War.

Below, the end of this leg of the trail is in sight!  Below that is the trail info at the parking lot on Steele's Crossing Road.

15 miles of the greenway walked, and more to go this same day at the other end of the Hop River trail!