Winterfest 2017

Join us for a day of play in the cold on Saturday, February 11, 2017.

Led rides (weather permitting) leave at 10 AM from Millers Pond and Wadsworth Falls State Parks.

And unless it's a blizzard, potluck (bring something to share) and movie to follow at CFPA in Rockfall from 1-4 PM.

More information...

Where:

Rides (10 AM):

Millers Pond State Park
350 Foot Hills Rd
Durham, CT

Wadsworth Falls State Park
721 Wadsworth Street
Middletown, CT

Potluck and Movie (1-4 PM):

Connecticut Forest & Park Association
16 Meriden Rd
Rockfall, CT

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 5/3/15
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, dry, some irresponsible riding

Observations/Information: Took a short spin at Wadsworth Falls last Saturday. It was a sunny weekend afternoon and one had to deal with the motley assortment of walkers and their (mostly unleashed) dogs. They were out in strength, especially on the main trails and you have to watch out for them.

The trails were dry and impressively clear- just some thorn grow-in on the side trail to the school in Rockfall. These are well-maintained trails. Unfortunately I noticed some evidence of irresponsible riding- trail braiding, skidding, and fall line chutes along the RR tracks. I'll monitor that.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernes@gmail.com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Pink, yellow, red, white,yellow/black, unmarked
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6.0
Image 1: Blow Hole 050915 002.JPG

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 1/7/2015
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Middlefield
Trail Conditions: Frozen

Observations/Information: Took a quick pre board meeting ride Wednesday afternoon. Due to time constraint - I didn't get there until sometime around quarter to four - I couldn't ride much before heading back to be out by sundown.

Trails are frozen, but given the ruts (and footprints) people were on them while still mushy.

Saw a couple of walkers and one other guy on a fatbike.

Trail Ambassador Name: John Joy
Trail Ambassador E-mail: jmj [at] savagejoy [dot] com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden:
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 0:35
Approximate Distance (Miles): 3.5

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: October 29, 2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, leafy

Observations/Information: Took a quick sin at Wadsworth Falls on Wednesday. The trails were in good shape overall, although there are two trees down on the Rockfall side. One is on the yellow/green trail, and has been there for a while. It's tricky to ride but doable. The other is at the very end of Taco Bell, just above the steep slope that leads down to the orange road. It's also rideable. The trails on state park land are clear, with evidence of recent log removal and trail trimming. Thanks to whomever did that. There are now more leaves on the ground than in the trees, creating a fluffy coat over the ground, like a just-brushed Pomeranian, that hides the ricks and roots.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Pink, yellow, red, yellow/black, Taco Bell, Alex's, unmarked.
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6.7
Image 1: Wadsworth 112914 001.JPG

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 9/12/14
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, dry, one tree down.

Observations/Information: Took a spin at Wadsworth Falls on Friday. The trails were in good shape, soil dry but not dusty. There's a tree down on yellow/black on the Rockfall side. It has been crudely ramped and is tricky to negotiate due to being springy, off-camber, and angled to the trail tread. The tree is too large to drag or cut with a folding saw. The gnomes have also been busy- there's a new log ride on the unmarked singletrack between white and yellow (photo). It's still wobbly and the approach angle is awkward. Hopefully it's a work in progress and these issues will be addressed.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Yellow, white, blue, Alex's, Taco Bell, yellow/black
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.15
Approximate Distance (Miles): 7 miles
Image 1: 005.JPG

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 8/1-8/4/2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, dry, mintained
Observations/Information: Two recent rides at Wadsworth Falls found the trails to be in good shape and dry, no mud anywhere, and with evidence of recent TM in the form of log clearing. The area I called The Cluster on Taco Bell, just below the intersection with yellow/black, has seen some work. A large tree had fallen on some smaller trees, bowing them down. That large tree has been removed, allowing the small trees to rebound and improving clearance on the trail. Whether the small trees will ever grow straight again is doubtful.

Thorns are starting to grow in at the top of Alex's Trail (still passable) and the side trail to the school (not passable).
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Yellow, white, blue, Alex's, Taco Bell, yellow/black
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 3
Approximate Distance (Miles): 15

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: June 4, 2013
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, a few mud spots
Observations/Information: Peter and I rode Wadsworth before the chapter board meeting on Wednesday. It had not rained in the Middletown area and the trails were dry with some spots of gooey, almost dry mud in a few places (orange road and bottom of yellow trail near Cherry Hill Rd, and a patch on Laurel Brook trail, and one on the red loop). If you avoided these areas you'd be fine. The trails are getting a lot of use and are clear and leaf-free in most places. The log across the blue road near the bridge had been cleared. Still a log across yellow/black tail on the Rockfall side. I hope to get in there with my saw this weekend and take care of it. Peter and I did some TM on the area I call "The Cluster", on Taco Bell just before the last climb, where a large tree has fallen and is resting on bowed-over smaller trees. We cut some limbs that were hanging down dangerously low into the trail, ready to face-mask riders as they went by.
Trail Ambassador Name: Peter Finch, Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Yellow, red, white,orange, Taco Bell, yellow/black, Alex's
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6.5

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: May 5, 2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall

Trail Conditions: Good, a few wet spots, new trees down.
Observations/Information: Took a spin at Wadsworth Falls Tuesday. Met up with the Pedal Power Tuesday night ride just as I was about to wrap it up and I went back out with them. A long ride at 9 miles. Trails are in good shape. Wet in the usual places- Red below four corners, and the pink road leading to yellow. There's also a muddy area on yellow- be nice and walk through that. There are also some new, large trees down. One is on Alex's trail, near the top (photo). It has been nicely ramped but sneaks up on you. Another is on yellow/black on the Rockfall side, just below the split from yellow (photo). The tree across the orange road, by the second bridge, is still there. The one by the first bridge is gone.

Trails are well ridden and free of leaves on most places. Evidence of recent quality TM work in the above mentioned log ramping and also trail clearing. I had planned to finish clearing the tree across white I had started last time, but someone had done it for me.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Yellow, white, blue, Alex's, Taco Bell, yellow/black
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.75
Approximate Distance (Miles): 9
Image1: Wads 5-6-14 001.JPG
Image2: Wads 5-6-14 003.JPG
Image3: Wads 5-6-14 004.JPG

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: April 29, 2014
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good

Observations/Information: I took a spin at Wadsworth Falls Tuesday the 29th. My first time this year and the trails were in good shape. A little mud in the usual places (red below four corners, and the pink road leading down to yellow), and a tree across white, leading down to the gravity cavity. I cleared it as best I could with my folding saw. Its safe to pass through but I want to go back in with my big saw and cut it back some more, for aesthetic reasons if nothing else. Trails on the Rockfall side (Taco Bell, yellow/black) were in good shape and riding well, as is Alex's Trail. I didn't go down to the Little Falls so I can't comment on that.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Yellow, white, blue, Alex's, Taco Bell, yellow/black
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.0
Approximate Distance (Miles): 7
Image1: 003.JPG

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: Jan. 1, 2014
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middlefield/Middletown
Trail Conditions: Dry and leafy
Observations/Information: I hiked all the blazed trails in the park, which were generally dry and leafy with the occasional icy spot. There were a few small blowdowns, but nothing blocking the trails. There are about 20 piles of gravel along the Purple Trail between the Yellow Trail and Laurel Grove Road. Clearly they are there so the state can fill in the low spots on this sloped, eroded trail. The gravel cannot be spread until the temperatures are above freezing, so it could be a while before that is done. The Yellow Trail continues to be a mess of invasive plants, some with sharp thorns just waiting to catch a passing biker or hiker. The picnic tables and grills were removed this summer by the big falls because the areas were being overused. I also walked the perimeter loop at the Wadsworth Mansion property. I checked the website and did not see any information indicating that biking is either permitted or prohibited. I did see one cyclist on the trail, which seems very suited for biking, as flowing singletrack. From the state park, take the Purple Trail from the main parking area to Laurel Grove Road, and head up the trail past the cement blocks. The Blue blazes on the mansion property are spotty and faded in some places and non-existent in others. The link to the mansion property map may be found here. http://www.wadsworthmansion.com/pdf/LongHillEstateTrailMap.pdf
Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: November 13, 2013
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Dry and fluffy
Observations/Information: Took a spin at Wadsworth late Wednesday afternoon. It was cold, cold like winter. Cold weather riding takes some getting used to. The frigid air seems harder to breathe. Drinking cold water gives an ice cream headache. It's harder to get properly warmed up. It's something we'll all get used to, it just takes a few rides.

Trails were like an Eskimo Dog just back from the pooch parlor- dry and fluffy. Trees are in full deciduous nudity mode now, all the leaves are on the ground in a thick layer. I rode every trail except blue through the Little Falls, and all were clear notwithstanding some "night soil" (horse manure) on the yellow trail on the Rockfall side, just behind the church. Trails were a lot less crowded than on weekends, and I had far fewer walkers and dogs to contend with, just two walkers and two black labs more interested in running with me than walking with their masters. Wadsworth is best ridden on weekdays.


Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 11/3/13
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, dry and leafy
Observations/Information: I decided to spend the bonus "fall back" hour on Sunday morning riding instead of sleeping and hit Wadsworth for a quickie before work. The weather felt like early winter with chilly air, pale blue sky, mostly bare trees, and enough breeze to blow the dry fallen leaves around. Summer is definitely over. The trails were busy with people strolling and walking their (mostly unleashed) dogs, making me wonder if Wadsworth is the best place to ride on Weekends. The place seems less busy in the afternoon.

Trails were in good condition. I expected a lot of stick litter from the high winds we had on Thursday, but there was surprisingly little. I did get the opportunity to warm the blade of my TA saw on one occasion, cutting a limb that had fallen, with the jagged end pointing into the trail. There's a large pile of "night soil" (horse manure) on Alex's Trail, about 1/3 way down.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 10/19/2013
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, dry, leafy.
Observations/Information: Hit Wadsworth Falls w/the bro for a quick after work ride. The trails were in good shape, dry and unblocked. The leaf layer is now deep enough to conceal obstacles large enough to take you down when you can't see them, so beware of that. Lots of walkers as usual.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador E-mail: glennvernesatgeemaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: Yellow, blue, red, Alex's, Taco Bell, yellow/black, unmarked.
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 1.15
Approximate Distance (Miles): 7 miles

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: October 12, 2013
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Dry and leafy.
Observations/Information: Took a quick spin at Wadsworth Saturday afternoon. The trails were in good shape. It had not rained since Monday and they were dry, but Monday also brought wind, so there was some stick litter and a few limbs down. A thin layer of fluffy leaves covered most of the place, obscuring the smaller rocks and roots and compromising traction. Trails are all open, no blow downs. Lots of walkers, per usual on a weekend.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: August 29, 2013
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Middlefield
Trail Conditions: Good
Observations/Information: I hit Wadsworth Thursday late afternoon. I forgot my whyphone? so no pictures. The weather was not the best, dank and muggy, but the trails were in good shape overall, and well ridden. The Middletown area had not seen appreciable rain since Sunday night, when it poured, and the trails were dry enough to ride without feelings of quilt. The soil was tacky, rocks and roots slick. I crossed paths with a group of four other riders.

Recent winds had brought down two trees on Taco Bell. One at the base of the second hill. The tree had fallen and was resting on smaller trees, creating a cluster of bent-over trees and branches blocking the trail. I cleaned the area up with my saw and it is now passable. There was also a small tree behind the red roof (Taco Bell) house at the southern end of the trail. On my last visit it was high enough to ride under but it had settled since then so I removed it. Trails are getting a little grown-in in places but are passable.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: JUly 22, 2013
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Rockfall
Trail Conditions: Good, clear and dry
Observations/Information: I hit Wadsworth Falls for a "solo quickie" Monday evening. Although we're out of the heat wave it was still hot and humid enough and I worked up a good sweat (I expected it to be crisp and autumnal for some reason). The trails were in good shape and the soil dry to dusty- you needed to be a little careful in the corners lest your front wheel wash out. The local shop is now hosting a Tuesday night "mellow" ride here and that's helping to keep the trails clear and well-ridden. Thorns are starting to grow in a little at the top of Alex's Trail and there's a bent-over tree across Taco Bell (near the end on the Rockfall side) that you need to be aware of and duck under. I cleared a dead hemlock that had fallen across the yellow trail.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: July 15, 2013
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Middlefield
Trail Conditions: Good, clear and dry
Observations/Information: I rode Wadsworth Monday late afternoon. I was expecting a hot ride so I filled my Camelback with ice water and stuck my jersey in the pocket for the ride to the trailhead. I had a nice cool jersey to put on that stayed that way for approximately five seconds. More useful was draping wet paper towels around my neck and on my forehead, and refreshing them at the water crossings. The hardest part of the ride was the heavy, humid air that made it difficult to breathe.

I rode every trail and they were all clear and well used. The soil was dry and lose and traction not easy to find. I expected the trails to be overgrown but they were not, even the side trail to the school in Rockfall was clear and thorns really weren't a problem anywhere, at least not yet.

The trails at Wadsworth are a little too dry right now but it's a good place to ride during a heat wave because you can jump in the pond after the ride.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 6/5/2013
Report Type: TA Report:

Art Roti (l) and Al Tinti (r)

Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown, CT
Trail Conditions: Nice and dry


Observations/Information: For the most part, trails at Wadsworth are in excellent condition. There is a sizable tree down on the yellow trail creating a Cyclocross barrier that you have to dismount and carry your bike over and one muddy section up on the red trail after the turn off to the Gravity Cavity connector trail.

Also, there is boocoo Poison Ivy, everywhere, especially lining the trails.  On the way out we ran into one of the park rangers and told him about the tree being down and poison ivy.

Peter Finch

Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie, Al Tinti, Art Roti, Peter Finch
Trail Ambassador E-mail: ctnemba@gmail.com
How did you use the trail? MT Biking

Trails Ridden: Just about all of them
Time of day: Evening
Time/Duration (hours): 1.5
Approximate Distance (Miles): 6

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: April 13, 2013
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Middlefield
Trail Conditions: Excellent
Observations/Information: I hit Wadswoth for a quick hour's ride after River Highlands. The trails were in excellent condition amd improved by recent rain. The dirt was too dry before, even dusty, but now it is nice and tacky for improved traction and dust control. There are a few muddy spots on the carriage roads and a puddle on yellow and, although I didn't get there, the red trail off of four corners is probably a muddy mess, but that's it. Taco Bell, yellow/black, and Alex's trail are free of mud or puddles. Someone has done an admirable job of keeping the trails clear of sticks and even leaves in most places, and they looked well-ridden.

Only problems were some evidence of "rear wheel steering" on the steep slope at the end of Taco Bell, where it spills down into yellow/black. That could become a problem if it continues. I also found a really stupid little thrill line at the intersection of red and blue. I closed it off because it was unsustainable and, worse, could lead to a biker-hiker collision.

If you're looking for a place to ride around Middletown I'd recommend Wadsworth. The trails are in great shape
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: April 6, 2013
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Middlefield
Trail Conditions: Good, clear and dry
Observations/Information: Rode Wadsworth Saturday afternoon. The trails were in good shape, clear and with a few exceptions very dry, even sandy in many places- particularly the corners. Amazing how dry the soil is given the winter we just had. Even the leaves are off the trail in many places (see photo). Much evidence of log clearing and saw work- I cleared a few they mised. There is still some mud on the red trail below four corners, and some rutting due to running water on the carriage roads (pink leading down to the yellow trail), as Mark alluded to in the last report. You need to be on the lookout for the ruts, as some are deep enough to take you down if you hit them unaware.

I crossed paths with a few other riders, including a guy wearing a very hip, and very retro purple Pearl Izumi zipper top with bright green accents, and many hikers as well. I gave two of them directions to the big falls. There was also a group in the picnic area, dressed in medieval garb and poking each other with foam-tipped pugil sticks.

Trails at Wadsworth are in great shape, if maybe a little too dry. Just watch out for the pugil sticks.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes