Join us for our free-guided trail walks on Thursdays. Walks are open to all ages with our target group being agile seniors. Please keep in mind that these are wooded trails with stumps, roots and rocks so be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Be aware that our hikes leave promptly so be on time!
This will be another hike to see more Native American ceremonial stonework left behind by the indigenous population in Lyme, Connecticut. Over the course of thousands of years (the earliest people in New England were here more than 12,000 years) they built over two dozen different types of stone structures as expressions of their spiritual beliefs. As most of the stonework was placed in highly fractured landscapes, much of it still exists as the terrain has always been considered unsuitable for anything but logging. Lyme, full of rifted valleys left behind by plate-tectonics, is a great place to see these structures. Much of the stonework we will visit is not directly on the trails running through this preserve, so this will not be like most hikes the WLT sponsors. This 3-4 hour hike will go through some rough terrain, and all of it is quite hilly, so walking sticks are highly recommended, as are water and a snack. Not a hike for the faint of heart. We will see a number of Native built walls, cairns, and serpent effigies, including one of the best I’ve seen east of the Connecticut River.
Meeting place: we will meet at the parking lot for the Mt. Archer Woods trail head. This is on the south side of Mt. Archer road in Lyme, across from a farm field to the right of a huge farmhouse across the street. (Do not go to the Jewett Preserve parking lot to the left of the big farm house.) You can see maps of both preserves and their parking lots if you Google the Lyme Land Trust. A heavy, all-day rain cancels the hike, but a slight drizzle predicted to end will still work. You can text my phone (860 908 3870) the morning of the hike after 6:30 if in doubt.
To sign up please contact leader: Mark Starr via email: [email protected]
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Due to the COVID:
• We realize lots of people have concerns about getting together. Therefore, please sign up
with leader so that person will know how many are coming. If no one signs up the leader
may not show up.
• Social distancing of 6’ apart.
• Everyone needs to have a face mask in case it is needed.
• Carpooling is up to you or the leader. Keep in mind some folks may be uncomfortable having
someone share their vehicle. An alternate way is to caravan.
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PLEASE NOTE:
- Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
- If you wish to bring a dog please contact the leader as some properties do not allow them.
However, if a dog is present they must be leashed at all times. - If you wish to get the hiking schedule emailed to you contact Lauren Barber,
[email protected] and ask her to put you on the Thursday hiking group email list.
FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight
fluorescent orange from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the last
Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.