Category: Hiking (Page 2 of 6)

 URBAN HIKE

   STAMFORD CT

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

      10:30 AM

We will meet at 10:30 in the parking lot for Harbor Point on the northwest corner of Washington and Atlantic Streets in Stamford.

(See directions below) The lot is quite large and free. 

Our urban tour will take us along the West Branch of the Rippowam River past the many new apartment and office buildings looking across the river mouth at the Crab Shell and Prime Restaurants on the opposite shore. We will continue into Kosciusko Park and walk the perimeter of the park past Shippan on the opposite shore. Leaving the park we will again pass through more of the new construction and have lunch in one of the restaurants there. Our total hike will be about 2.5 miles which should take us a little less than 90 minutes.

DIRECTIONS-Since the parking lot does not have an address, the route to follow is to take I-95 south to Exit 7. Turn left onto Canal Street and then right onto Dock at the first light. Follow Dock to Atlantic and turn left. Straight ahead on Atlantic to Washington. Turn right on Washington then a quick left into the lot.

Guests and dogs on a leash are welcome!

Dave McCollum and  Bob Plunkett

Recap:

The temperature was 38 degrees and a light mist was falling at 10:30 in the morning but 22 hardy DMAers and guests gathered in the Harbor Point parking lot for a hour and a half walking tour of the new South End. The area bounded by the east and west branches of the Rippowam River (“South End”) in Stamford has been redeveloped over the past several years into an impressive complex of apartments, restaurants, other retail and offices. We toured much of that new area and hiked around Kosciusko Park for a total of 2.2 miles in a little under 1.5 hours. 

We paused to pose for Marilyn Parker to take the group photo but otherwise kept walking, talking and looking at the scenery. 

Sixteen hikers stayed on for a burger lunch at Bareburger Restaurant which set up a long table for us. A delightful way to spend a late February morning!

Dave McCollum

Bob Plunkett

Hiking: Monday, January 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.:  Sherwood Island State Park, Sherwood Island Connector, Westport CT

We will be walking about 3 miles through Sherwood Island State Park on mostly hard and gravel paths. Very little up and down. We will meet in the Pavilion parking lot at 10:30 AM. The Park hugs the Sound shoreline and is often quite windy. Dogs are permitted on a leash and, as always, bring anyone with you who would enjoy a one hour plus walk in a beautiful setting. We will have an optional lunch after at The Little Barn restaurant in Westport.

HISTORY

Sherwood Island State Park is the oldest state park in Connecticut dating to 1914. The island itself was first settled by Daniel Sherwood in1787 where he built a grist mill. Over the next 70 years the land was farmed by many others but around 1860 the property became known as “Sherwood’s Island”.

After the Connecticut State Park Commission was formed in 1911 the search for suitable shorefront property to buy was on. The first piece of the existing park was purchased in 1914 making this the oldest state park. The park officially opened in 1932 but not until 1950 did the Army Corps of Engineers build the jetties and extend the beaches. The Pavilion opened in 1959 and a 911 Memorial was added in 2002.

DIRECTIONS

This one is easy! Take Exit 18 off I-95 (Sherwood Island connector) and turn right towards the Sound. The road goes directly into the park. Keep straight onto the wide roundabout and take the exit marked “Pavilion Parking”. We’ll meet at the front of that lot up towards the Pavilion.

Contacts: 

Recap:

Well, the third time was certainly the charm for our “hike” today at Sherwood Island! After two postponements due to rain, a baker’s dozen DMAers and guests (plus two dogs) enjoyed sunny skies and mild temperatures as we walked a little over 3 miles in an hour and a half. 

The initial portion of the hike took us along the beach west before turning inland onto a loop trail through a section of forest. The trail then turns north along a field with open views of the salt marsh and finally back south towards the beach. A moving 911 Memorial sits on a point of beach facing Ground Zero where we paused to reflect and take a group photo. The remainder of the hike was eastward along the beach until we turned and headed back to the parking lot.

Following the hike, seven of us enjoyed a lunch at The Little Barn in Westport.

For our February hike we are planning a walking tour of the South End  of Stamford including Kosciusko Park. Details forthcoming.

Dave McCollum

“HIKING” GREENWICH POINT PARK

  MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2022

10:30

We will be walking around Greenwich Point starting at 10:30 am.  

NOTE THAT THIS START TIME IS ONE HALF HOUR LATER THAN OTHER HIKES. We will be walking about 3 miles over flat, mostly paved or packed gravel paths, which should take us about an hour and a half.

Greenwich Point is a 147 acre property owned by the Town of Greenwich which bought the property in 1945. The peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water, was the private estate of J. Kennedy Tod who purchased the property in the 1880s. Greenwich Point offers spectacular views of Manhattan and the Greenwich shoreline. It is a beautiful place to walk and only available to non-Greenwich residents (without a substantial fee) during the months of December-April. 

We will assemble in the first parking lot on the right after you pass the gatehouse. Greenwich Point can be windy and cold so layer up! Dogs on a leash are permitted and, as always, bring guests.

We will have an optional lunch at a restaurant TBD.

DIRECTIONS: Google Greenwich Point Park for guidance

Contacts: 

Dave McCollum 

Bob Plunkett

Hiking: November 14 at 10:00 a.m. Pomerance-Montgomery Pinetum Park COS Cob, Connecticut

Dave McCollum and Bob Plunkett will lead our hike at this 100-acre property which is now owned by Greenwich but was originally the estate of Earnest Seaton and later the home of financier Maurice Wertheim. The estate house was demolished by the town after falling into disrepair, but the stone walls remain. Mr. Seaton is credited with starting a boys group called “The League of Woodcraft Indians” which evolved into the Boy Scouts. Mr. Wertheim’s daughter, Barbara Tuchman, lived on the property and wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning book “The Guns of August” there.

This hike is more of a walk in the woods as the trails are wide, relatively flat, and well maintained. It is a very scenic property with mature trees, rock outcroppings and moving water in addition to its historical features. We will hike for about two hours and then enjoy an optional lunch at Louie’s Restaurant nearby in Cos Cob. Please bring cash for lunch.

Dogs and guests are welcome.

DIRECTIONS

Google Montgomery Pinetum Park

130 Bible Street, Cos Cob, CT

CONTACTS

Dave McCollum

Bob Plunkett

Report:

A hearty group of 15 DMAers and two spouses spent a little less than two hours traversing the 100 acre property originally owned by Ernest Seton and later by Maurice Wertheim. The Town of Greenwich purchased the property in 2002 and turned it into a nature center and park. The mansion was demolished by Greenwich after it fell into disrepair and was vandalized. The original stone walls remain. We visited the home site which sits high above Cos Cob Pond hiked a combination of paved roads and rough woodland paths. It is a remarkable piece of rural land right in the heart of Cos Cob.

This was one of the largest groups of hikers we have had outside of the beach venues we visit. Thanks to all who participated!

The  only wildlife sighting was a bird which we could not identify. Slim wildlife pickings as usual!

Following the hike we enjoyed a delicious Italian lunch at Louie’s in Cos Cob.

NEXT HIKE—December 12 at Greenwich Point

Bob Plunkett

Dave McCollum

The Leon Levy Preserve, formerly the Bell property, was purchased by the Town of Lewisboro in 2005. It is 383 acres of forest and wetland located in the watersheds of both New York City and Stamford. The preserve has an extensive, well marked, trail system, the ruins of the Black mansion (1899-1979) and other outbuildings. The scenery at this time of year is spectacular and the Preserve encompasses an impressive gorge and numerous large rock outcroppings.

The hike of about 3 miles (2 hours) we will take features mostly wide and well-maintained trails which range from easy to moderate levels of difficulty. This hike should appeal to hikers of all levels of experience. As always, we welcome spouses, friends and dogs on a leash.

Optional lunch afterwards at La Vista in South Salem. Please bring cash for the restaurant.

DIRECTIONS:

The actual address of the Preserve is 2-50 Smith Ridge Road (Route 123) but Google 45 Smith Ridge Road in South Salem, NY which is a private house on the right side of the road. Just beyond that address is a sign for the Preserve on the left side indicating a left turn into the parking lot. The location is well up Rt 123 into NY State past Vista but short of Rt 35. There is ample parking.

Contacts:

Dave McCollum

Bob Plunkett

Link to Leon Levy website

HIKING GREENWICH AUDUBON CENTER

GREENWICH, CT
10 AM MONDAY MAY 23, 2022

Greenwich Audubon Center is a 285 acre sanctuary which opened its doors in 1943 as Audubon’s first nature education center in the country. Located on land donated by Eleanor Clovis Reese and H Hall Clovis the center includes over 7 miles of trails through a rich diversity of hardwood forest, meadows, lakes, streams and vernal ponds. Also on the property are an expansive Nature Education Center, an old apple orchard and original New England homestead buildings. We plan to meet in the main parking lot at 10 AM and hike for about two hours over varied terrain including one steep climb and several sections of rocky trail. We rate this as a hike of moderate plus difficulty. We hope to see migrating birds but our wildlife scorecard has not been
good! As always, guests and spouses welcome but NO DOGS. Probably no lunch but more later on that. The Center is located at 613 Riversville Road in Greenwich on the north side of the Merritt Parkway. Exit at Round Hill Road and use GPS to get you to the center.

CONTACTS: Dave McCollum or Bob Plunkett

On a windy, but mild, morning 9 DMAers and 3 spouses hiked about 3 miles over varied terrain in just over 2 hours. The hike took a little longer than anticipated due to two navigation errors by the hike leaders. The first was due to a sign issue which seemed to direct us one way but meant the other. The second was a total lack of any signage at a fork in the trail. We, of course, took the fork but it turned out to loop us around onto a trail already hiked! Once we got that figured out, the rest of the hike went smoothly. One would think that the pre-hike we made two weeks ago would have ironed out any confusion but it did not! The conversation among hikers tends to distract navigation despite efforts to stay focused. 

On the plus side, the wildlife sightings were way above average. Birds, butterflies, frogs and deer tracks were seen but the best was near the end where a mother duck and her 8 tiny ducklings were swimming in a pond. 

This hike concludes the 2021-22 hiking season. Since September of 2021 we have gone on a hike every month for a total of 9. Thank you to all who participated. We will resume hiking in September.

Dave McCollum and Bob Plunkett

HIKING MIANUS RIVER GORGE PRESERVE
167 MIANUS RIVER ROAD
BEDFORD, NY
MONDAY APRIL 18, 2022
10:00 AM

This hike should take us 2.5 to 2.75 hours. NO DOGS ALLOWED.
No lunch after due to the Monday date when many restaurants are closed.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If Monday turns out to be a rainy day the hike will be postponed. If in doubt, please contact one of us below.

DIRECTIONS: Google maps or Waze both recognize “Mianus River Gorge Preserve, Bedford”. The Preserve is off of Long Ridge Road.
Do not confuse with a similar named place in Stamford.

CONTACTS: Dave McCollum or Bob Plunkett

Hike recap:

Twelve hikers spent a delightful 2.75 hours traversing over four miles of trails at Mianus River Gorge Preserve today. We started out with thirteen but one very wise DMA’er realized that his knee was acting up near the start and retired for the day. A good plan for him as the trail climbs steeply in spots to over 400 feet above the river. The halfway point is back down at the reservoir that the river feeds before it is distributed into the water systems of Greenwich, Rye and Port Chester. The return trip follows a mostly different path through terrain very unlike that directly along the gorge. This area has almost open fields and many stone walls, a result of the farming that took place well over a century ago. 

This hike is one of the more spectacular venues we visit with its river views and water features along the way. Some glacier certainly distributed a million rocks around the preserve! Alas, no wildlife seen again.  Thanks to Marilyn Parker for her consistently fine photography, and great hiking!

Please join us at Waveny Park in New Canaan at 10:00 am this Monday, March 21 for a walk in the woods. It is also a great way for DMA hikers to celebrate the first full day of spring! The weather forecast is for the low 50s and to be sunny. Dogs on leashes, spouses, and friends are welcome. We will be meeting in the first parking lot on the left directly off of the South Avenue entrance road and across from the baseball field. There will be no lunch afterward.

HIKING GREENWICH POINT
OLD GREENWICH, CT
FEBRUARY 24, 2022
10:00 AM

We will meet in the first parking lot on the right after you pass the gatehouse and walk around the perimeter of the park, about 2.5 miles. If the weather is good, the hike is on. If it turns out to be a day that you would not go out on a walk, don’t come and I won’t either. There will be no announcement but you can call or email me as below to check to see if the hike is on.

Greenwich Point is a special place and we non-Greenwich types can only go in the winter. Wonderful views and a solid walking surface but it can be very windy. Layer up!  No lunch after. Dogs on a leash welcome as are guests as always.

We had 18 hikers at Sherwood Island last month, let’s beat that number!
GPS and Waze for directions off either Exit 6 or 5 of I-95.

Dave McCollum

Recap:

“An enthusiastic group of 16 braved cold and windy, but bright conditions…”. That was the start of our report after the December 9 tour of Greenwich Point. Copy that for today! Sixteen of us, including three new hikers plus two dogs encountered the very same weather on this trip around the peninsula. If we get the same weather this coming December, we’re going to send the data to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Once they print it, we’ll pick another day!

Despite the cold, all had a great time with only one slight mishap when Tom Igoe tripped but was rescued on the way to the ground by Charles Salmans. Teamwork is what the DMA is all about!

We’ll have one more winter hike at Waveny Park in New Canaan on Monday, March 21. In April we will return to our traditional hikes in area forests.

Dave McCollum and Bob Plunkett

HIKING SHERWOOD ISLAND

          WESTPORT, CT

      JANUARY 24, 2022

10:00 AM

We will meet in the parking lot closest to the pavilion and hike the perimeter of the park which is about 2.5 miles. 

If the weather is good, the hike is on. If it turns out to be a day that you would not go out on a walk, don’t come and I probably won’t either! There will be no announcement but you can email or call me as below to check on whether or not it is on. 

Sherwood will most likely be windy so layer up!

There will be no lunch after, just a walk on the beach!

Dogs on a leash and guests welcome.

Sherwood Island is off of Exit 18 on I-95.

David McCollum

Recap:

After a little semi-threatening snow on a Monday morning the weather turned mostly sunny but cold for 18 (count ‘em 18) DMA hikers and friends to walk and talk for 90 minutes at beautiful Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. 

For those who have not been to Sherwood Island there are trails through wooded areas in addition to the vast open expanse of lawn and beach. The Park contains a 911 Memorial to all those Connecticut residents who died in the attacks. The memorial is sited on a point of land which has a direct line of sight to Manhattan.

The next hike is scheduled for Monday, February 14 at 10:00 at Greenwich Point. Bring your Valentine!

Dave McCollum and Bob Plunkett

. x

“HIKING” GREENWICH POINT PARK

  7 TOD’S DRIFTWAY, GREENWICH

  THURSDAY DECEMBER 9, 2021

10:30

We will be walking around Greenwich Point starting at 10:30 am.  

NOTE THAT THIS START TIME IS ONE HALF HOUR LATER THAN OTHER HIKES. We will be walking about 3 miles over flat, mostly paved or packed gravel paths, which should take us about an hour and a half.

Greenwich Point is a 147 acre property owned by the Town of Greenwich which bought the property in 1945. The peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water, was the private estate of J. Kennedy Tod who purchased the property in the 1880s. Greenwich Point offers spectacular views of Manhattan and the Greenwich shoreline. It is a beautiful place to walk and only available to non-Greenwich residents (without a substantial fee) during the months of December-April. You will not regret coming on this “hike”!

We will assemble in the first parking lot on the right after you pass the gatehouse. Greenwich Point can be windy and cold so layer up! Dogs on a leash are permitted and, as always, bring guests.

We will have an optional lunch at Louie’s Italian Restaurant in Cos Cob at 136 River Road Ext, a 12 minute drive from the Point.

DIRECTIONS: Google Greenwich Point Park for guidance

Contacts: Dave McCollum and 203-858-5688 and Bob Plunkett

Followup:

An enthusiastic group of 16 braved cold and windy, but bright, conditions over a little more than 3 miles at Greenwich Point this morning. This was our first chance to tour the spectacular peninsula after a two year absence due to weather and Covid. The wait was worth it, as it always is at GP. We had a fairly good view of Manhattan and a
very look at the Greenwich shoreline on our way around. Except for a stretch of about 400 yards, the trail is hard packed or pavement and very flat. We attracted four guests and the total group was the largest since Sherwood Island last year. J Kennedy Tod picked a beautiful place to site his mansion over 130 years ago and, like many of the places we hike, a municipal, state or charitable entity had the foresight to acquire the property for the benefit of future generations. Wildlife report-birds, nonlife report-one dead fish.

The group transferred to Louie’s Italian Restaurant in Cos Cob for a great lunch after the hike. This was the 8 th and final hike of 2021, an activity well suited to the unusual conditions of this year. Thanks to all who participated! We
hope to schedule some more hikes over the winter months.
Dave McCollum and Bob Plunkett