2020 in Review: A Year to Remember

2020 Out & About Challenge

2020 was a big year for our trails, which suddenly became more popular than anyone could ever imagine.  The pandemic forced many work parties to be cancelled even as trail use was through the roof.  Even so, trail volunteers logged 1200 hours this year in Shelton, an average of 100 hours each month, not including several major Eagle Scout projects and the efforts of many trail users who help keep the trails clear by removing fallen branches and reporting blowdowns. Most of those hours were done independently (rather than work parties). Here are some trail volunteer highlights:

Events: While other towns were closing down their trails in response to the pandemic, Shelton created the 2020 Out and About Challenge to encourage people to visit our lesser-known public properties and trails. In November, participants were rewarded with an invitation-only hike and a drawing for carved hiking sticks.

So many people attended the Full Moon Hike held in October (157 people with additional people unable to park and join the hike), the Trails Committee has had to put a hold on public hikes for the time being. 

One of many blowdowns from Storm Isaias

Storm Isaias (hit August 4): From August to October, volunteers recorded 158 hours clearing trees and limbs from the trails, mostly chainsaw work. Staff also assisted, and some blowdowns were cleared by mystery volunteers, probably mountain bikers. 

New section of Tahmore Trail

Trail Relocations & New Trails Completed: The cooler months are for trail relocations, and there were several accomplished in 2020.  

• Paugussett Trail at the Indian Well/Birchbank border (January): This challenging project pulled the trail down the steep slope away from houses and off of private property. Exceptionally warm winter weather allowed for digging the trail into the side of the hill. This part of the trail is now much more scenic and located entirely on public property.
  
  
• Tahmore Trail, west loop reroute (March/April): This major reroute was a big improvement to the Tahmore loop, pulling the trail away from houses and improving the footing.
  
  
• New Beach-Falls Cutoff Trail at Indian Well (April/May): A new express trail from the beach at Indian Well to the famed falls was created in response to large numbers of Covid hikers and the closure of the falls parking area during bridge construction.  The new blue/red trail can be combined with other trails to make a loop hike, previously not possible. 
  
  
• Pearmain Path "Little Knoll" Reroute (November): This major reroute resulted in a much more interesting and scenic Pearmain Path. 
  
  
• Tahmore Trail, east loop reroutes (Nov-Dec). Several problematic sections of east half of Tahmore Trail were shifted, resulting in better footing and a more scenic trail.  

Korey Barber's bridge leading to Webb Mountain

Eagle Scout Projects: 

• Korey Barber & Troop 27 constructed a large bridge where the Paugussett Trail crosses Round Hill Brook and enters Webb Mountain Park. 
  
  
• Andrew Kluk, Troop 3, constructed and installed mile markers along the Rec Path. 
  
  
• Marc Santacapita, Troop 19, relocated a bridge and installed bog walks for a Paugussett Trail relocation off of Independence Drive. 

Dozens of hand-routered signs were installed in 2020

Other Projects: 

• The Rec Path at Wesley Drive & Lane Street was resurfaced after being used as a temporary road during construction of the Lane Street bridge
• 188 tires were removed from the Little Pond Trail off of Beech Tree Hill Road.
• About 30 hand-routered signs were created and installed along the trail system.
• The Birchbank trails were all reblazed. 
• Access for the trails gator & DR mower was improved
• Plans for a replacement trails building were finalized (the existing structure is near collapse). 

188 tires were removed from Little Pond Trail