Trumbull-Pequonnock

TA Report: Pequonnock River Valley (aka Trumbull) 5-22-10

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010
Condition of Trails: Dry
Trail Ambassador Name: Rich C
Trail Ambassador Email: mtnbikerdad[at]yahoo[dot]com
Town: Trumbull
Location: Pequonnock Valley State Forest
Trails Ridden: Various
How did you use the trail?: Hiking, Blazing, TM, BIking
What was the time of day? 9:00 - 2:15PM
Duration (Hours): 5 1/4 Hours

Pulled into the Whitney Ave lot around 9am. First task was to trim back the prickler bushes that were slowly closing the entrance to the Bramble Path off the Rail Trail. This is not really a sustainable trail -- it needs trimming too often and is not worth it. It's too bad because parts of it are nice and it offers an alternative way to the North Bridge. (Especially since the heavily-used main connector a little further north is a now just a washed out fall line...)

I continued hiking in and blazed the yellow and red trails north of the orange stream (rusty river) and trimmed back a good amount of overgrowth as well as de-clogged a leaf-dammed stream crossing. There are some truly beautiful, fast-flowing trails up at the north end on the ridge.
PHOTO >> trumbull-red.jpg

It was a gorgeous morning. I returned to the Whitney Ave lot, hopped on the bike and rode for a quick couple of hours revisiting the red and yellow trails I just blazed. Next, drifting down to the blue, I headed south to the lake bed and finally turning back north, I wandered a bit on the lower trails just north of the lake bed on my way back out. Trails were all dry and in great shape.

Before leaving the park I stopped in to say hi to the land owner by the river off below the Whitney Ave lot. I had chatted with him a few months back mentioning that DEP would be in with gravel to fix the rail trail. Since the gravel hadn't arrived yet, I thought I say hello and tell him it was ordered but not yet delivered but the TTC was now in action to spruce up the trails here and there as well. He's a pleasant chap, loves the woods and was happy to chat. Good vibes - another great day in the park!

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