So this is where the trail is...

Hikers can now more easily follow the Paugussett Trail (blue) from Meadow Street towards Shelton Lakes. Richard and Jim pulled a mower across the meadows, and Teresa added some blazes and a dozen tall stakes  topped with blue.

Last year the City unexpectedly created an opening in the large stone wall that runs along Meadow Street and installed a big gate.  Until that point, we were not exactly sure where the trail would come out onto Meadow Street because the tall wall blocked the trail and a stile would have been needed to cross it, but the new gate is now the obvious spot.  It's located opposite Mayflower Lane, up the hill from the High School, and there are now some blue blazes on the gate. People in the neighborhood can now access the Shelton Lakes trail network and the reservoirs via the blue trail, but it can be pretty wet (can you say "Eagle Scout projects???) and waterproof boots are a definite necessity this time of year.

Success along the Powerlines

We had a great trail work party yesterday along the powerlines north of Rt. 108. A number of the students from Shelton High School came out to cut briars, clear streams, and haul debris out to the road for Clean Sweep Week.

Here's Jim Taradine with some of the students who collected a box spring, paint cans, car parts, some old pipes and various bags of garbage from along the north side of Rt. 108. We just want to thank Nancy for letting the Bridges & Highways Dept. know about picking up the junk next week.

We worked our way north from Rt 108 cutting back briars that are just start to take off along the powerlines. This will make trail maintenance much easier in May and June when things are really growing. The trails in the open areas along the powerlines require a lot of mowing effort to keep clear & the briars that grow in from the edges slows that down.

Volunteers broke up into groups either cutting or hauling trash. Here's Nikko and Alex chopping thorns.

And while some parents dropped off their students, other whole families pitched in - awesome.

The Brennan's not only cleared the trail, but they tackled clearing a portion of this stream between the two bridges of briars. This is the before picture.

And here's the After picture. The stream should flow better between the bridges and be less likely to wash them out. Incredible job.

All in all it was a very productive morning. Thanks to everybody who came out: Bill, Mike, Alex, Nikko, Cheryl, Megan, Shannon, Anders, Robert, Scott, Alex, Jim. We had so many people turn out that Sheri went over to Riverview Park and the Far Mill River to work on clean-ups. You can get a lot done with a lot of hands.

See everybody in a couple of weeks at the next work party. And if you hike the trail this June, and don't get stabbed or see any trash - thank the volunteers.

And if anybody, needs community service hours there is also trash pick up for Clean Sweep Week.

CFPA's eTrailhead Inspires Shelton

On a recent hike along the New England Trail on Route 66 Middlefield, I (Teresa) spotted something I had never seen before at a trailhead kiosk: 

Seriously? Had to try that out.  I used my Droid's bar code scanner application, and scanned in the bar code. (If you have a smart phone, you can also scan in the code from this photo).

I was taken to a webpage with some basic information about CFPA and the trail, including a link to a map.  When I clicked the link to the map, I was prompted for my email address so I could be added to their mailing list.  They already have my email for that, so this was not a problem for me. 

And here's the map on my phone. I could pan, zoom in, and zoom out. Nice!  I happened to have a better CFPA map in my pocket that day, but most people appear to head out to the trails unprepared. I've repeatedly had to give people directions and in some cases have just given them my map.  

Back home, I did some research and discovered that these square "QR" codes are very easy to generate via free websites, and Shelton can easily begin to incorporate this concept into our own trailheads kiosks and other places. If you look at the latest edition of Shelton Life, there is an article about Eklund Garden, and within that article is a box for Trail Events that includes one of these QR codes.  Scan the code and you will be able to see our up-to-date schedule of guided hikes and work parties.  We'll also have this code at the trailheads, along with codes for trail maps. 

Clear as mud (but it covers the ground)

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What's going on here?

Who are these people? The mud men of Papua New Guinea?

Recruits for Seal Team 6?

No, they're "Terry's Topsoil Tacklers", one of three teams attempting to improve muddy conditions along a section of the Paugussett Trail that passes through the former Wiacek farm. Bill, Zack, Alex, and Robert, Shelton High volunteers, along with straw boss Lynn, Got down and dirty moving and placing stepping stones along the muckiest part of the route.

A mother's nightmare on laundry day

"If you think you're coming into this house like that, you've got another think coming!"

Terry loads tools on the Gator "Let's get outta here!"

Tired, dirty, but with a feeling of accomplishment

Another crew worked on the access road, using wood mulch in some of the wetter areas

Sandy and Jim helped clear a number of "widow-makers" that hung over a trail in the woods

Bill, being the multi-tasker that he is, tried to fill wheel ruts in the mud while at the same time trimming wayward briers.

Thanks to all who pitched in to work Saturday, including the guys from Shelton High, Sandy, Bill, Mary (not pictured), and the Shelton Trails Committee. (To forestall the bounty hunters, Richard refused to be photographed). Join us for more fun at our next work party!

President's Day Prance

On another "I can't believe it's winter!" day, 30 folks (not counting canines) came out to join us on a cloverleaf hike starting and ending at the Abbey Wright parking area on Nell's Rock Road. Our ramble included several trails, a section of the Rec Path, and Eklund Garden.

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Our route

Anxious to go at the parking lot

One of many bikers enjoying the trails on this day.

To think that this was once all pasture!

As we traversed the unfinished section of the Rec Path at Great Ledge, we encountered others just drifting by.

Some had a free ride!

A pleasant day, good company, healthy exercise! What more could you ask? Look forward to more hikes ahead in the coming months.

Marshmallow March - 2012

Considering that the previous day had seen up to 8" of snow blanketing the area, causing postponement of our sometimes annual Marshmallow "March 'til you drop and are revived with hot chocolate and burnt marshmallows" hike, an impressive turnout made the event a success. It was cold, but not excessively, and the fire and hot chocolate helped take the chill out of the air.

Click on images to enlarge
The Shelton Land Trust property at Nicholdale Farm was the ideal location for this event. The trek began from the parking area just off Rte 110, leading over a stream and through the woods to grandma's fire pit.

This bridge was built as a Boy Scout project. The trail we followed was also created by the Scouts.

It appears that we had a professional snow-shoer in our midst!

I had to trudge back to the parking lot and leave Nellie with a horse-sitter!

Meanwhile, the fire crew was preparing the bonfire and dusting off the picnic tables.

The gang started arriving, eager to get to the promised hot chocolate and marshmallows.

...and they kept coming...

...and coming!

"Hey! Where's the marshmallows!"

The kids, as well as the adults, enjoyed creating lava-filled charcoal briquettes.

Appetites sated, bellies warmed, mittens and gloves steaming, everyone headed back to the parking area, having enjoyed a relaxing walk in the winter woods with a warm ending.

Nicholdale Marshallow Hike Today!

Snow Hike Today at 1:00 at Nicholdale.

After a winter of no snow - we're in luck! The hike was postponed from yesterday to Sunday at 1:00 to allow 9" of fluffy white stuff to be placed at Nicholdale for the first hike of 2012. The parking lot on Rt. 110 will be plowed and open courtesy of the Shelton Land Conservation Trust, so come out and explore winter with us today.

Last weekend a number of volunteers from the Trails Committee & the Land Trust were out clearing up blowdowns and vines in preparation of the hike. Here are Martin & Joe clearing out a new relocation around a wet spot leading to the Cattle Pass.

We also had help from Alex, Bill, Jim, Rich, Sheri, Bill & Terry. It was a good turn out - I think we had 5 chainsaws going so we got a lot accomplished.

There will be a bonfire going at the Scout Camp, marshmallows & hot chocolate will be provided, or you can bring your own. So pack up the kids, load up the snowshoes and cross country skis, leash up the sled dogs and join us for an invigorating hike before heading indoors to watch football.