TM Report: River Highlands State Park

Date: April 13, 2011

Report Type: TM Report
Trail Name: River Highlands State Park
Town: Cromwell
Trail Conditions: Good
Observations/Information: Too rainy to ride so I hiked the Blow Hole on Wednesday. I went in intending to clear sticks and limbs and it turned out to be an easy job as not much was down. I cleared two limbs across the green trail large enough to require dragging and the typical derailleur-eating sticks and twigs where I found them. I cleared all of the green and yellow trails, some of the blue and white. The trails were in great shape, bare of leaves in most places, and well used. Still a little soft at the top of the yellow trail, and the green trail through the swamp is completely saturated with puddles on top. The Blow Hole is also partially flooded. I found a pair of cheap glasses on the white trail (see photo).

   

 If they're yours let me know. The leafless trees and the slow pace of hiking gave me a new perspective on the trails and a new appreciation for what a cool and geologically unique place this is.
I also noticed what some other people have commented on- this park is confusingly blazed. Part of the problem is that the place has been re blazed in different colors, and some of the old blazes are still there. Another problem is that the trails cross and intersect in so many places. The maps are also not totally accurate. It's a small place though, roughly bordered by the RR tracks on one side and the river on the other. You're never more than a few minutes by bike from the parking lot and it would be an awfully hard place to get lost in. If anyone wants a tour shoot me an email and I'd be happy to give it.

  

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernes33^at^hotmail[dot]com
How did you use the trail? Hiking/Walking
Trails Ridden: Green, yellow, blue, white
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 2.0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 4