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 Flower Bridge in Simsbury. Please park in the commuter lot at the corner of Iron Horse Blvd and Drake Hill Road behind Fitzgeralds. (Google map). A bus provided by Bloomfield Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services will shuttle hikers to the starting point at the historic Oliver Filley House in LaSalette Park in Bloomfield. Hikers will begin their journey ascending a short hill for great views of the Hartford skyline. The route will connect LaSalette Park to the adjoining trails on TRLC’s Hawk Hill Farm, a working farm with passive recreation trails and a number of notable trees. We will continue to TRLC’s Stout Family Farm, Bloomfield’s gateway to Penwood State Park.

In Penwood hikers will visit Lake Louise and The Pinnacle for spectacular fall views of Simsbury and the Farmington Valley. The yellow trail will take the group to SLT’s Tanager Hill Preserve on our descent into Simsbury. SLT’s Walk Book notes that Tanager Hill is “the most diverse parcel” of preserved land in Simsbury. Tanager Hill connects to SLT’s Owen Mortimer Preserve and the hike will finish with a short walk on the road back to the vehicles.

Please register for this program since there is a limited bus space. Thank you!

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