First Day Hike

Join Friends of Pachaug Forest and Hiker Babes Eastern CT Chapter as they co-host a first day hike to kick the new year off right!  Opt outside for 2023! There will be two events; a hike beginning and ending at the CCC Camp Lonergan site and a campfire after the hike at the CCC site.

The hike will be an easy 2.2 mile loop along Cutoff Road, then on an old logging road through a portion of the Pachaug - Great Meadow Swamp, will pass by the open meadow where Trail 2 crosses the upper portion of Mt. Misery Brook and then depending on weather will either follow Trail 1 back to the CCC camp through a mature mixed forest or jump onto the Pachaug Trail back to the camp depending on weather, trail conditions, and group votes.  The hike will begin at 10 am  and end by 12:00 pm.  Hike leaders include FOPF President Ryan Snide & FOPF Secretary Erica Pelish Sundstrom.

Following the hike there will be a campfire at the CCC site from 12 to 2 pm.  The campfire will be a chance to warm against a chill first day of the year and enjoy some hot beverages and s’mores with Friends.

To access the event, turn off State Route 49 at the Smokey Bear sign at Pachaug State Forest Headquarters just north of Voluntown.  Follow Headquarters Road through the forest and bear right at the CCC Statue. The CCC camp is just ahead up to the right. (H4VP+P4 is the Google Maps location point for the CCC parking. Type into your Google Maps GPS).

Contact: friendsofpachaugforest@gmail.com

During this event, we will be selecting the prize winners for the Pachaug Pursuit challenge.