Depredations along the Trail

This morning, in brilliant sunshine, it was time for a walk. I took one of my favorite jaunts. From one of the parking spaces along the Chamberlain Highway – Route CT 71, from Meriden to Berlin – it is possible to trek up to the level of Elmere Reservoir (constructed in 1893), following a blue blazed trail.

It is very pleasant to step out of the forest into the cleared area near the reservoir and its nearby holding tank (though most of the colorful graffiti has been painted over, ready for a new generation of spray artists). The earthen dam is very peaceful; the four-acre lake rippled with cats paws.

Once across the dam, a hiker must choose between the blue blazed trail, going straight across South Mountain and continuing down to Lake Merimere and then up to Castle Craig trail, turning left and following the rising escarpment which towers over the Chamberlain Highway. I chose the red trail. After about a mile, the trail, which runs until that point well out of sight of the cliff, I emerged at the precipice. I looked out over Meriden, in general, and Westfield Mall and Target in particular. The cliff, according to Google Earth, is 270 vertical feet. Target’s parking lot is at El. 280 ft., while the outcrop where I stood is El. 550, give or take a few.

I hate retracing my steps, so I rejoined the red trail and headed on toward the highest portion of South Mountain, overlooking Hubbard Park. Blazes in this area are newly painted and easy to follow.

The summit of South Mountain is about 700 feet offers a respectable view. Two red hawks flew out from around the curve of the mountain at below my level so I could see them soaring from above, which allows a good view of their red tails.

On the way downhill, I chose to follow a different path farther to the west than the red trail. At its lower end it meets the blue blazed trail which runs back to Elmere. This route forms an elongated triangle.

It was along this path that the damage caused by ATVs was clear. This trail used to be wide enough for only a single person to pass silently along on hard-packed earth. Grass grew   tall along both sides.

Now, thanks to muggings by numerous ATVs, this trail is wide enough for two to walk abreast with ease – but the tumble of rocks and exposed roots cause people to stumble and curse. Grass along the verge has been flattened and destroyed. This trail has become a peril for those prone to twisting of ankles or knees. Since this ATV-widened trail is also lower than the surrounding part of the hill, the path has become an occasional water course, making navigation – literally – also a required skill.

ATVs are a serious problem. Nowhere in Connecticut are they street legal – or park legal either. This South Mountain property, purchased by Meriden with state help as a watershed protection, is public land. Short of fencing the whole mountain off, which is ridiculous, there seems no way to protect trails on this property (and those along the other trap rock ridges in Meriden and elsewhere). We pretend to rely on the good citizenship of ATV fans. Unfortunately, this citizenship is little in evidence. The vehicles ruin the paths for those who would walk or hike them.

It must be said in fairness that hikers and walkers probably ruin the paths for ATV users. Therein is a problem: a half-dozen years ago, an effort was made to create a compromise between hiking types and ATV types. The idea was to find public land to dedicate solely to the uses of each. A prospective agreement fell apart because it turned out that no one could speak with authority for either the hiking or the ATV community.

The conflict of uses continues. No one is very happy about it.

In any case, my round trip was completed. The walk was around two and a half miles, (plus the change in altitude): a good workout. At least for today, even the depredations of All Terrain Vehicles could not spoil it for me.