From here the Tunxis heads into Sessions Woods, which we also hiked around.
Not a whole lot to say about this hike so I'll leave you with a photo gallery. Sessions woods is a really nice place to walk around if you get a chance.
On this hike we parked at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area and walked down rte 69 to pick up the Tunxis Trail where it crosses the road there. This is where we'd abandoned the trail before, just before it crosses rte 69 due to tons of poison ivy. I'm happy to report that the other side of rte 69 is clear, no poison ivy there. :) From here the Tunxis heads into Sessions Woods, which we also hiked around. Not a whole lot to say about this hike so I'll leave you with a photo gallery. Sessions woods is a really nice place to walk around if you get a chance. Sessions Woods Wildlife Management area website (info and pdf maps available). http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=326220 (Click the first photo to visit the gallery)
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So, the plan for this hike was to out and back a section of the Tunxis Mainline Trail via the Nature Center Connector at Barnes Nature Center in Bristol. (Map TU-3b in the CT Walk Book). We started out at the nature center and decided that since we'd be out and backing we would hike the red and yellow trails out to the Tunxis connector, then take the rest of the Tunxis connector on the way back to kind of loop the whole nature center in too. As we approached the area where the yellow trail meets the Blue Blazed Nature Connector we came across a woman who had already given up on hiking the connector. She told us it was overgrown and she wasn't able to follow the trail. We thanked her for the info and decided to give it a go anyway. Afterall, we need this for the CT 400 Club.
We found the trail pretty much as she described, very overgrown. We were able to follow the trail easily enough, but between looking out for poison ivy and stopping to carefully get around pricker bushes, it wasn't really enjoyable, but at least it was fairly short. At the trail-head on South Main Street we found lots of poison ivy. Wouldn't you know it, I had chosen this hike to try out my new Keen Hiking Sandals. Yeah....great decision. Sidetrack was kind enough to tramp down the poison ivy with his sneakers so I could get out without getting it all over my feet. I am highly allergic to poison ivy. The trail crosses South Main Street and continues on behind a business. You walk through their parking lot and there is a footbridge you cross to continue the trail. This section of trail wasn't overgrown, but it was really muddy in places and starting to see some problems with erosion. As you walk uphill and away from the brook it improves. However, at the top of the hill, you find a fence, which you follow out to route 69. This is where we ended our hike. As we approached the fence Sidetrack came to a stop...I caught up and looked down the trail so see what he was looking at. The trail and fence were completely overtaken by poison ivy. It was completely impassable unless you're not at all allergic to poison ivy. We turned around and hiked back out to South Main Street and decided that, rather than hike back through the little bit of poison ivy, the pricker bushes and overgrown trail to get back to the nature center, would would just walk on the road. So, out came google maps to find the shortest road walking route back to our car. Hike aborted. It was still early, and we wanted a nice hike so we ended up driving over to Mt. Higby to enjoy a walk with some nice views before heading home. Now, we did end up picking up the trail on the other side of Rte 69 just this past weekend (8/18/13) The trail starting at 69 and heading into Sessions Woods is nice and clear of poison ivy. So, it's really just that section between South Main Street and Rte 69 that is an issue. We did all but a couple hundred feet, so we're counting it as done. My recommendation would be to just do the Nature center connector and up to rte 69 in the middle of winter. Still, be careful and look out for furry vines, but at least the leafy green stuff won't be all over, if there's snow cover, all the better. We plan to go back and hike the rest of the nature center connector that we ended up missing inside the nature center since it's part of the trails needed for the CT 400 club. We'll probably do that in the next couple weeks. Let this be a lesson though, start with what you need for the CT 400 and leave the extra stuff for the walk back...just in case. And, in case you were wondering, no, neither of us contracted poison ivy. :) Btw, while we're on the topic, here is a tip for dealing with poison ivy on the trail: Carry alcohol wipes in your pack. Alcohol breaks up poison ivy oil, honestly, even better than any soap I've ever tried, including dish soap and the special soaps designed for poison ivy. Within 15 minutes of touching poison ivy the oil has already bonded with the skin, so as quickly as possible you need to stop, get your alcohol wipes out and using several of them clean the area really well. If you do it right, and quickly enough, you can save yourself developing any rash at all. If you can find them, the large purell wipes are great for this. I usually end up buying the small alcohol wipes used by people who have to give themselves injections at home, they're small, but inexpensive, and they work great! Below is a gallery of pics from this trip. All photo's by Sidetrack: |
Please Note: This blog is NOT intended to be used as a trail guide. Please visit the CFPA Website for an interactive trail map or to pick up a CT Walk Book in their bookstore.
If, after reading the trail guide, you still have questions, we are happy to help where we can. Please hike responsibly, know where you're going, carry a map. Hikers in this Blog:
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