We will be hiking the trails at Devil’s Den Preserve in Weston on Thursday, October 12, with a 10 am start. This is the largest nature preserve in SW Connecticut and extremely popular with hikers. Owned by the Nature Conservancy, its has 1700 acres of woodlands, wetlands, ponds and streams, and 20 miles of picturesque trails. It is home to 145 species of birds, 20 species of mammals, and over 400 varieties of trees and wildflowers.

We will be hiking a loop of about 3.5 miles.This trail has a moderate level of difficulty in that there are places of gradual uphill, but these are usually followed by long stretches of flat trail.  You do need sturdy shoes as the trail is rocky in places.

The hike will last about 2-2 ½ hours and will give us ample opportunity to bathe in the forest air.  I mention this because the Japanese believe hiking is good for one’s health, not just because of the exercise involved, but also because it gives one the opportunity to breathe the forest air which is swirling with healthful compounds released by the trees.

After the hike, at about 12.30pm,we will have lunch at a nearby restaurant, Wiremill Saloon and Barbeque, which is a local favorite and a short drive away.  It is located at 12 Old Mill Road,
Redding.

A usual, we welcome spouses and significant others on our hikes.

Directions
Take Exit 42 off the Merritt Parkway and at the bottom of exit ramp make a right turn onto Route 57 North towards Weston. After 3.8 miles, at the flashing light bear right to follow CT-53 for 1.7 miles. Turn left on Godfrey Road West and drive half a mile. Make right on to Pent Road which ends in the parking lot for Devil’s Den.

On Google Maps use this destination address : 33 Pent Road, Weston

Contact : Sunil Saksena 203-561-8601 (cell) ssaksena44@gmail.com

We will be hiking two properties in New Canaan on Septembr 15. Both are easily accessible and are a short drive from Darien. Both are rated C+ on the level of difficulty scale used to grade hikes (for a fuller description of this rating click on the Hiking tab   on the DMA website). This means that the terrain is relatively flat, but the trails may occasionally be strewn with rocks and roots. So one  has to exercise some care in traversing these trails, but other than that, they are relatively easy and should appeal even to the novice hiker.

The first property we will be hiking is the Hicks Kelley Audubon property owned by the New Canaan Land Trust. This T-shaped property is approximately 40 acres with just under two miles of interesting trails.

Following this hike we will take a short drive to the second property,the 80 acre Waveney Park, which is owned by the Town of New Canaan. Here the trail loop is about 1.5 miles and serenely beautiful.

 
After completing both trails we will head downtown for lunch at Restaurant  Chef Luis (129 Elm St., New Canaan)

We meet at 10 am on Friday, Septemeber 15 at the Hicks Kelley property, the entrance to which is adjacent to mailbox of house no. 161 on  Cedar Lane.

Driving instructions: Off the north-bound Merritt Parkway take exit 38. At bottom of the exit ramp make a right turn and after 0.3 miles( that is, at the second light) turn right onto Carter Road. Proceed 1.3 miles on Carter, then make a right turn on to Dabney Road ( this turn is at 409 Carter Rd).  Bear left at the fork and Dabney becomes Cedar Lane . Park along the road near 161 Cedar. It shouldnt take more than 5-6 minutes once you get off the Merritt.

Direction from Hicks Kelley to Waveney Park (which is off Exit 37) will be handed out on site.

These two hikes are relatively easy and have have been selected to encourage maximum particpation and to provide a warm up to the more challenging hikes to come. In addition to our regulars, we are hoping to entice some newcomers to give hiking a try.

Contact: Sunil Saksena, 203-561-8601, ssaksena44@gmail.com

HIKING BABCOCK PRESERVE in GREENWICH, CT

Reschedule from FRIDAY MAY 26, 2017 due to weather.

Our last hike of the season will be on Tuesday, May 30, 2017. We will be hiking the Babcock Preserve which is a 300 acre tract of forested land in Greenwich, north of the Merritt. It is the largest park in Greenwich and consists of several hiking trails over a relatively easy terrain. It was acquired by the Town of Greenwich in 1972, partially by gift and partially by purchase from the Babcock Family.
At this time of the year the park is a particularly pretty lush green with its tranquillity interrupted only by the chirping of birds. We plan to hike about 3.5 miles and be done by 12.30pm. Half this trail is relatively flat with the balance consisting of a not too strenuous gentle slope.
As usual wives and significant others are welcome.
After the hike we will have lunch (optional) at the Asiana Bistro, a fusion Asian restaurant located at 844 High Ridge Road in Stamford.

DIRECTIONS

From the south-bound Merritt Parkway take Exit 31 (North St). At the top of the exit ramp make a left turn on to North St-north. About half a mile down the road on the left will be the clearly marked entrance to Babcock Preserve. There is ample parking. Meet there at 10.00am on 5/26/17.

Contact: Sunil Saksena. ssaksena44@gmail.com, 203-561-8601

Mianus River Park Hike
scheduled for Friday April 28, 2017 at 10am
Merriebrook Lane, Stamford
The 400 acre Mianus River Park straddles the towns of Stamford and Greenwich and is owned jointly by them. Its dramatic landscape includes the Mianus River and its tributary streams, a hilly terrain, hiking trails, rock formations and plentiful widflowers. We have hiked here before but this time we will be trying a new, more interesting trail.This trail starts with climbing a hill followed by the slope easing off into a comfortable hike.

More about the park can be found at:
Mianus River Park

We will hike approximately 3.5 miles and, starting at 10am, be done by about 12.30 pm.

As usual, participation from spouses, significant others and friends is welcome.

The hike will be followed by lunch(optional) at the Mackenzie Bar and Grill located at 970 High Ridge Road, Stamford.
Date & Time : Friday, April 28, 2017 at 10 am

Meeting Point: Parking lot at the Stamford entrance of the Mianus River Park on Merriebrook Lane, off Westover Road
Parking. : lower level, just below the large red cabin on the right side of Merriebrook

Directions: . Search for Merriebrook Lane in Stamford on google maps or follow these
directions:
Heading south towards NYC on the Merritt take exit 33 on to Den Road . Then take the first left on to Bangall Road and a left again on to Riverbank Rd. This turns slightly right and becomes Westover Road. After 1.2 miles, make a right on to Merriebrook Lane( careful, it’s easy to miss this turn). The park entrance and parking lot is ¼ mile down the hill on Merriebrook.

Contact. : Sunil Saksena.
ssaksena44@gmail.com
203-561-8601 cell

Hiking Pomerance Park,
Greenwich Connecticut

We will be hiking Pomerance Park, located at 101 Orchard Street, Greenwich on Thursday
March 30, 2017 at 10 am

This 100 acre property is now owned by the Town of Greenwich, but was at one time the estate
of a Mr Wertheim, a New York investment banker. The property is of interest because the
mansion that sits atop a small hill was home to Barbara Tuchman, the noted historian, who was
Mr Wertheim’s daughter and who wrote her Pulitzer prize- winning book “The Guns of August”
while secluded in a small cabin on the property. The mansion itself fell into disrepair and was
demolished by the Town , but its skeleton was preserved for its historical interest.
Except for a couple of gentle slopes, the hiking trails on this property are fairly flat and suitable
for almost anyone who is interested in hiking. Its a very pretty property, rustic and wooded and
you will marvel that so much open space has been preserved in the middle of a residential area.

We expect to hike about 2-21/2 hours followed by lunch, which is optional will be at the Little
Pub at 531 East Putnam Ave Greenwich at about 12.30pm

Directions: On Google Maps mark your destination as Pomerance Park, Greenwich or 101
Orchard Street, Greenwich.

Take I-95 South towards Greenwich and get off at Exit 5. Off the Exit ramp make a left turn
onto Route 1 South ( also called East Putnam Ave).. Proceed just over a mile and then make a
sharp right turn onto Orchard Street(there is a Gulf station at the corner). Drive up Orchard
Street about 0.75 miles and you will see Pomerance Park on your right. Pull into the parking lot
where we will meet at 10.00am

Contact :Sunil Saksena ssaksena44@gmail.com
203-561-8601

“Hiking” Greenwich Point Park,
6 Tod’s Driftway, Greenwich
Thursday, December 1, 2016

We will be walking Greenwich Point Park on Thursday, December1 at 10.30 am. Note that this is an hour later than our usual start time of 9.30 am.

Greenwich Point is a beautiful peninsula surrounded on three sides by Long Island Sound. The walking trail is completely flat and does not require any special skills other than a desire to walk amid some pretty spectacular scenery. We will be doing the full circuit of about 3 miles in about 1 ½ hours.

Following the walk we will have lunch at the highly recommended Italian Restaurant Applausi Osteria Toscana,199 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, Conn. Take a look at the menu here.

Directions: Google Greenwich Point for the best directions.

Take Exit 5 off the South bound I-95. At the end of the exit ramp make a sharp right onto Rt 1 and then at the first traffic light make a right onto Sound Beach Road. Continue on Sound Beach for 1.8 miles, then at the T junction make right on Shore Road which becomes Tods Driftway after 1.3 miles. You enter Greenwich Point Park through a stone gateway and park in the first parking lot on the right where we will meet.

This park is open only for Greenwich Residents during the season, but this being off-season anyone can enter. However incoming cars are checked to make sure there are no dogs as they are not allowed in the park.

Clothing: It is usually quite windy at Greenwich Point and will probably be chilly as well. Be appropriately clad. Walking will warm you up and it should be invigorating and fun. All are welcome.

( Rain date: Friday December 2 at 10.30am)

Contact: Sunil Saksena 203-561-8601

Join us Thursday October 27 November 3 as we hike a portion of the Westchester Wilderness Walk at the 150-acre Zofnass Family Preserve in Pound Ridge, NY  ―  near the North Stamford border. We’ll be at Zofnass during height of the changing leaves in an undeveloped area noted for its beautiful rock outcroppings, upland forests, wetlands and ancient stone walls. We’ll hike about 3 ½ miles of the preserve’s 8 miles of trails.

And after the hike we’ll reward ourselves with lunch at the nearby Long Ridge Tavern on Long Ridge Road in North Stamford.

Invite your wife or significant other to join us both for this special hike ― and for lunch.

Because parking is extremely limited at the Zofnass Preserve we’ll meet at the Long Ridge Tavern at 9:30 a.m. and car pool the five minute drive to trail head.

Directions to Long Ridge Tavern, 2635 Long Ridge Road, Stamford, CT  06903.

― Merritt Parkway, exit 34, Long Ridge Road (CT 104)

― Drive north on Long Ridge Road (CT 104) 3.8 miles to Long Ridge Tavern

― Long Ridge Tavern will be on the right

― Meet in the parking lot

Cell service in Zofnass is limited, so if you need to contact hike leader Rich Sabreen the day of the hike try 917-951-8267 before we leave the Tavern about 9:30 a.m.

The Leon Levy Preserve was established approximately 10 years ago when the 400 acre Bell property was purchased by the Westchester Land Trust. The hiking trails here are wide, well maintained, well marked and range from an easy to a light moderate level of difficulty.

See: Leon Levy Preserve

We have chosen this particular hike to encourage wide participation. The hike should appeal to hikers of all levels of experience. We welcome spouses and significant others: they will enjoy this hike.

We will start at 9.30am, hike for perhaps 3.5 miles and be done by approximately 12 noon.

Following the hike, an optional lunch will be at Chef Luis in the heart of downtown New Canaan.

See: Chef Luis

Directions:

The best directions can be had by googling 45 Smith Ridge Road in South Salem, NY. This is a private home on Route 123 very close to the Preserve. In fact, a few yards from their mailbox is a brown sign saying the the Leon Levy Preserve is just ahead on the left. There is ample parking.

For those traveling from Darien, you will basically being going up Mansfield Ave (Route 124) into New Canaan and there connect to Route 123 N which is Smith Ridge Road in New Canaan. Proceed on Route 123 N well into New York State till you see the mailbox for 45 Smith Ridge Road in South Salem and spot the Leon Levy sign mentioned above.

Rain date: Friday, Sept 30, 2016

Contact for this hike: Sunil Saksena, 203­561­8601; ssaksena44@gmail.com

Mianus River Gorge

On Thursday, April 21, we will return to the Mianus River Gorge. The Gorge is a 750-acre preserve of old-growth forest that was established sixty years ago as the first land project of The Nature Conservancy.

The trails roughly parallel the river at a higher elevation. Among the interesting features is an abandoned quarry where mica, quartz, and feldspar were mined in the 19th century. For more details see www.mianus.org/visit-the-gorge/planning-your-visit/.

The Mianus River Gorge is located nearby in Bedford, NY, not far from the Stamford border. To reach it:
• Take Exit 34 from the Merritt Parkway.
• Drive North on Route 104 (Long Ridge Road) towards Bedford for 7.5 miles.
• Turn left onto Miller’s Mill Road. If you hit Route 172 and the Mobil gas station, you’ve gone too far.
• Left on Mianus River Road after crossing the bridge.
• Drive about ½ mile on dirt road. Entrance to the parking lot is on the left–just across the street from 167 Mianus River Road.

Be cautious! It is easy to miss Miller’s Mill Road. Check your odometer when you exit the Merritt so you will know when you have traveled 7.5 miles. A helpful landmark on the right is Twin Lakes Drive, which comes just before Miller’s Mill Road.

The hike is about 4 miles, and will take us 2½ – 3 hours. Those who wish to hike at a slower pace will have a 3-mile option. As always, wives are welcome.

We will meet at the Gorge parking lot at 9:50 a.m. and begin the hike at 10:00 a.m. Afterwards there will be an optional lunch.

For more information contact Scott Hutchason at 203-322-5025 or shutchason@sbcglobal.net.

The first hike of the season is scheduled for Thursday, March 31, 2016. We will be hiking the Trout Brook Valley Preservation Area in Weston, Ct. This is an 1100 acre preserve that has several trails classified as hard, medium and easy. We will be exploring a combination of medium and easy trails totaling about 4 miles.

We will be using the Bradley Road entrance to the park in Weston. However, since parking at the trailhead is limited, we will meet instead at the commuter parking lot just off Exit 41 on the North bound Merritt Parkway. This lot is along the curving Exit 41 ramp and can be entered by
making a right turn from the ramp itself.

We will meet there at 9:45 am, pool and depart for the trail at 9:50 am. It should take us 15 minutes to reach the trail head.

After the hike we expect to be back at this lot by 12:30 pm and we will then proceed for lunch(optional) at a nearby restaurant.

As usual, spouses and friends are welcome to join the hike.

Meet at: Commuter parking lot off exit 41(Merritt Parkway)

Date: Thursday, March 31, 2016

Time: 9:45 am

Contact: Sunil Saksena on cellphone 203-561-8601 or email at ssaksena50@aol.com

This hike originally scheduled for Thursday December 3 has been postponed by a day to Friday December 4, 2015 to allow the trails to dry out from the rain earlier in the week.

The 400 acre Mianus River Park straddles the towns of Stamford and Greenwich and is owned jointly by them. We hiked here last year but this time we will be attempting a different, more interesting trail. We will hike approximately 4.5 miles and, starting at 10am, be done by about 12.30 pm.

As usual, participation from spouses, significant others and friends is welcome.
The hike will be followed by lunch at a Stamford restaurant (optional).

Date : Friday, December 4, 2015

Time : 10 am

Meeting Point: Parking lot at the Stamford entrance of the Mianus River Park on Merriebrook Lane, off Westover Road
Parking. : lower level, just below the large red cabin on the right side of Merriebrook
Website for directions and trail map: www.friendsofmianusriverpark.org.

You can also search Merriebrook Lane in Stamford on Google Maps for directions or follow these directions:

1. Heading towards NYC on the Merritt take exit 33 on to Den Road.
2. Then take the first left onto Bangall Road and a
3. Left again on to Riverbank Rd. This turns slightly right and becomes Westover Road.
4. After 1.2 miles, make a right on to Merriebrook Lane (careful, it’s easy to miss this turn).
5. The park entrance is at the end of Merriebrook.

Contact. : Sunil Saksena.
mailto: ssaksena 50@aol.com.
203-­561­-8601 cell

Our first hike of the season is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2015.  Thursday October 29 at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.Located in Cross River(Pound Ridge) this is a 4000 acre park with 42 miles of trails over varied terrain. We will select a trail approximately 4 to 5 miles in length and the hike should take about 2 ½ to 3 hours. The trails are wide, well maintained and well marked. The hike will be followed by lunch(optional) at Blind Charlie’s Cafe in Downtown PoundRidge. Spouses, significant others, friends and guests are welcome to join the hike.

No entrance fee is charged of seniors during the week in the off-season and there is plenty of parking available. We plan to assemble at 10.00 am at the parking lot near the entrance of the park (where the ticket booth is located). There are restrooms here. At 10.10 am we will proceed as a group by car to the trailhead which is a short distance past the ticket booth on Michigan Road.

This hike is led by Sunil Saksena who can be reached at 203-561-8601(cell) or ssaksena44@gmail.com

Directions:

• Take exit 35 off the Merritt Parkway and proceed north on High Ridge Road( Rt 137 N).
• Continue on Rt 137 North for approx 8.5 miles and bear left at the fork towards Pound Ridge onto Stone Hill Road which is still Rt 137N.
• Continue till theT-junction at the end of Rt137 N and then make a right turn towards Cross River onto Old Post Road (Rt 121N) . After about 2.9 miles make a right turn just past the Baptist Church located at 1789 Old Post Road.. This right turn is clearly marked as the entrance to the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.
• Proceed on this road (Reservation Road) till you reach the ticket booth.

( the distance from Exit 35 on the Merritt to the ticket booth is just under 14 miles and will take about 30 min depending on traffic).

Official address of the Park is 4 Reservation Road, Cross River, NY 10518