Join us as we cross the ridge from Bloomfield to Simsbury on a tour of protected lands and fall scenery showcasing Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy and Simsbury Land Trust properties. This free 5+/- mile hike – now in its 12th year – provides an opportunity to enjoy the fall colors and experience a different mode of journeying between the two neighboring towns.

We will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the parking lot at the corner of Iron Horse Blvd and Drake Hill Road in Simsbury (Google map). A bus provided by Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services will shuttle hikers to the starting point at the Oliver Filley House in LaSallette Park. The hike will then proceed to TRLC’s adjoining Hawk Hill Farm, a working farm with passive recreation trails and several notable trees, including a magnificent American elm. We will continue to TRLC’s Stout Family Farm, Bloomfield’s gateway to Penwood State Park.

In Penwood we will visit Lake Louise and The Pinnacle for spectacular fall views of Simsbury and the Farmington Valley. We will then take the yellow trail to access SLT’s Tanager Hill Preserve on our descent into Simsbury and will finish at SLT’s Owen Mortimer Preserve before returning to the Iron Horse parking lot. LT’s Walk Book notes that Tanager Hill is “the most diverse parcel” of preserved land in Simsbury.

RSVP to help us plan ahead. Thank you!

Co-sponsored by the Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy (TRLC), Simsbury Land Trust (SLT), and Bloomfield Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services.