New for 2026: Traprock Ridge Hiking Club
Anyone is welcome to join the brand new Traprock Ridge Hiking Club exploring trails in our local area. We try to highlight the many different features that make the regional ridgeline to the rivers so unique. We will be hosting these hikes in partnership with the Simsbury Land Trust Hiking Club to share even more of our region’s protected lands with you!
Please review the details for each hike carefully, as we will provide details about terrain and proper equipment to bring so you can confidently attend the hikes that fit your ability and preferences. In general, be sure to wear sturdy shoes for hiking the varied, and potentially muddy or icy, terrain. Consider layers for the unpredictable Connecticut weather. However, we will cancel due to heavy rain, strong winds, and ice/heavy snow, so please check Facebook or Instagram the morning of the hike for cancellations.
Contact Dave Mogul at hikes@trlandconservancy.org with any questions.
Upcoming Hikes:
Saturday, August 8th, 9:00 am: Mary Edwards Mountain, 200 Mountain Rd, North Granby
Please join us for this hike with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul through beautiful forested woods in this Granby Land Trust property. The hike is about 3–3.5 miles, and it’s expected to take 2.5–3.5 hours, depending on our group’s pace.
The difficulty level is between beginner and intermediate, with a few stretches of elevation gain and some terrain that’s rocky and/or has multiple roots on the trail. There are also a few small streams to ford, with bridges over the larger ones. Hiking poles will be helpful for those needing help navigating uneven terrain.
We’ll depart at 9:00 a.m. from the parking area. There are a limited number of spaces in that lot, but ample room on the shoulders of the road.
Please be aware that it’s likely that mosquitos and other insects will be joining us on the hike, so you may want to bring bug spray.
With Enders Falls only about a 5-min drive from the parking lot, you may be interested in a side trip there after our hike, with access to various waterfalls not far from their parking area.
Alternate date of Aug 15 if we need to reschedule.
Saturday, September 19th, 9:30 am: Evans Family Meadows, 238 Tunxis Ave, Bloomfield
Please join us for this hike with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul through a suburban forest on one of Traprock Ridge’s properties. The planned hike is from 1-3 miles and is expected to take from 1-3 hours, depending on our group’s pace and on how many loops an individual hiker takes. We’re planning to have our trail steward provide us with an overview of the property before we begin our hike, focusing on the animals found there.
This is expected to be a relatively easy hike, good for beginners as well as potentially those with younger family members, with relatively flat terrain and limited rocks or roots on the trails. There’s also flexibility with time and distance for individual hikers, with each trail loop being about a mile long and circling back to the starting location, allowing you to customize your distance.
Please note that these trails do include crossing a floating bridge over the brook that’s on the property, and that our route includes a short walk on a local road that has relatively limited car traffic. Be aware that mosquitos and other insects may be joining us on the hike, so you may want to bring along bug spray.
There is parking on the strip of vacant land between 236 and 240 Tunxis Ave. You can pull in and either park perpendicular to the chain link fence on your left or to the right.
Alternate date of Sept 26 if we need to reschedule.
Past Hikes:
Saturday, July 11th 10:30 am: Hike & Ice Cream Social, Ethel Walker Woods & Tulmeadow Farm
For this hike, led by TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul, we will be exploring one or more of the trails in Ethel Walker Woods, and then visiting the ice cream stand at Tulmeadow Farm.
This will be a combination of one loop and one out-and-back trail totaling about 4 miles, and it’s expected to take 3-4 hours, depending on our group’s pace, and how long we stop for ice cream.
It is a relatively easy hike, with a mostly flat trail, and with a limited number of shorter inclines. Our plan is to stop for ice cream at Tulmeadow Farm after completing the first portion of our hike in Ethel Walker Woods, likely on the Orange trail, and the first half of the Tulmeadow Farm and Woodlot trail.
Note that parts of the latter portion of the hike will be in open fields, so sun protection may be desired. We’ll depart 10:30 a.m. from the Town Forest Park parking lot (86 Town Forest Rd, Simsbury) meeting near the Information Kiosk with the trail map.
Wednesday, June 10th: Hike along Metacomet Trail and through Wilcox Park, Bloomfield
Please join us for this hike with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul. The planned hike is mostly a loop of 2 to 3 miles using trails in the park and on the Metacomet trail. The hike is expected to take 2-3 hours, depending on our group’s pace.
This is a moderately easy hike, with few inclines and fairly stable footing. Several spots on the ridgeline allow for views of the surrounding area as well as potentially some larger birds gliding on the wind currents.
Be aware that mosquitos and other bugs are likely to be joining us, and that there are several areas that are exposed to the sun, so please prepare accordingly.
We’ll meet at the end of the cul-de-sac on Wintonbury Road in Simsbury (off of Terry’s Plain Road) and depart at 9:00 am.
Wednesday, May 13th: Ethel Walker Woods, 86 Town Forest Road, Simsbury
Please join us for this hike through Ethel Walker Woods, led by Traprock Ridge member, Susan Klotz, along with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul. The planned hike is a loop of about 2½ miles, and it’s expected to take 1.5–2 hours, depending on our group’s pace.
We will hike along mostly easy bridle paths with some hills and more moderate ups and downs. Some trails can be quite wet so wear appropriate footwear. There are many options if you want a shorter hike. Please bring snacks and water. Dogs on leashes are welcome.
We’ll depart at 10:00 a.m. from the parking lot in Town Forest Park.
Thursday, April 9th: McLean Game Refuge, 109 Salmon Brook St, Granby
Please join us for this hike with Tammy Olszewski, along with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul, for her annual frog pilgrimage at McLean Game Refuge. The planned hike is a loop of 4 to 5 miles using multiple trails, and it’s expected to take 4-5 hours, depending on our group’s pace
This is a moderately difficult hike, which includes a relatively steep but short climb to the summit of East Barndoor Hill. The key feature of this hike is an amazing visit to a vernal pool with thousands of chirping wood frogs.
We’ll depart at 10:00 a.m. from the eastern parking lot of McLean Game Refuge, located at 109 Salmon Brook St.
Wednesday, March 11th: West Hartford Reservoir #6, 3022 Albany Ave, West Hartford
Please join us for this hike led by TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul. Although the route may vary due to trail conditions, the planned hike is a circular loop of about 3 miles using multiple trails (including the Metacomet), and it’s expected to take 2-3 hours, depending on our group’s pace.
Depending on trail conditions, this is expected to be an easy hike with a limited number of inclines and areas with uneven footing. Since there’s potential for snow and/or ice on the trail, please wear sturdy shoes or boots that have good traction, and bring ski poles if you like to use them.
We’ll meet at 10:00 a.m. in the northernmost parking lot off Albany Ave (not the one that’s located right inside the property). This lot is accessed by driving through that first lot, following the road along the reservoir until it ends, and then making a left at that intersection, then following the signs past the stop sign to the northern parking lot.
Saturday, February 14th: Northwest Park, 145 Lang Road, Windsor
Please join us for this Valentine’s Day hike with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul at Northwest Park. Although the route may vary due to trail conditions, the planned hike is a circular one of about 3 miles that will take 2-3 hours depending on our group’s pace.
This is expected to be an easy hike with a limited number of inclines and areas with uneven footing. Since there’s potential for snow and/or ice on the trail, please wear sturdy shoes or boots that have good traction, and bring poles if you like to use them.
In recognition of Valentine’s Day (and to celebrate our mutual love of the outdoors!), we will enjoy donuts and hot cocoa after the hike.
Meet at 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot that’s located right inside the park, across from the soccer fields.
Saturday, January 10th: Penwood State Park, 560 Simsbury Road, Bloomfield
Please join us for this hike with TRLC volunteer Dave Mogul at Penwood State Park. The planned route is about 3 miles, and it is expected to take 2-3 hours, depending on our group’s pace.
We will be hiking the scenic yellow trail
Meet at 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot at 560 Simsbury Road, Bloomfield.