West Rock Ridge

This isn't exactly about hiking, but I've been biking (only one letter off) around West Rock Ridge park lately, and it's pretty nice. The last two times I've been up there, I've biked up to the Judges' Cave and the South Overlook. Today, at one of the lookout areas at the South Overlook, a Red-tail Hawk flew in and perched on a treetop not more than 25 feet from where I was sitting. It was a pretty impressive sight. After a few minutes he glided off down the hill.

Next time I go out there, I'm going to take a right into the park away from the Cave and Overlook and see where that goes.

Ragged Mountain Pics

We went up to Ragged Mountain over the weekend. It was GORGOUS, though chilly and windy at times. It's very rocky up there, so lots to roll your ankles on!

A few of our group had climbed up there before, and they have better details in the previous posts.

Beautiful view of the lake!Russ conquering the world.John and some pretty CT blue sky.
Nick! Don't jump!
I think too much.

Ragged Mountain: Small Cliff

Ragged Mountain: Small Cliff
Southington, CT

If the Main Cliff looks a little daunting at first, the Small Cliff at Ragged also features some incredible climbs. There is a very nice chimney to shimmey up, and several fun face climbs on the fractured traprock.

The approach to the Small Cliff is also a nice, leisurely walk through the woods, with a little bit of scrambling now and then. A lot of the path follows the Metacomet Trail (blue blazes), a large trail system that can be found weaving around many of central Connecticut's best hiking spots.

Ragged Mountain: Main Cliff

Ragged Mountain: Main Cliff
Southington, CT

Ragged is the tallest and most popular climbing area in Connecticut. The land that the cliff is on is owned by The Ragged Mountain Access Fund, a group comprised primarily of the people who go there often and want to ensure that this great area is kept open for climbers to enjoy.

Some views from the top...

At the base of the cliff looking up

Taking a break at the top and having a snack, the most important part of any hiking / climbing trip ;-)

The approach from the parking lot is approximately 45 minutes from car to cliff top. Along the way, the trail takes you past many minor cliff areas and past interesting formations like Lost Owl Spire, shown above.

John tying in with "Clark Bar Crack" looming ominously in the background...

Checking out some face climbs further down the wall...

Taking a break, having a snack

One way to tackle an challenging heel hook ledge...

Another way to tackle that heel hook ledge...

Chatfield Hollow

What a great day to be outdoors. Maura and I made our way to Chatfield Hollow in Killingworth this morning, and were treated with warm, sunny weather the whole way. Ever so slightly more remote from the road than Washington's Head, when there wasn't any traffic you could forget the road was even there. Other than a group of hikers who passed through, there was no one else out in the area.

Many surfaces were covered with a thin layer of loose debris, and most of the cracks were still wet from the rain earlier this week.

I completed two routes here (my first two): Clark Bar Crack and Kyle's Corner. Both a lot of fun.

Maura's got some pictures I hope to get a hold of. Stay tuned.

Catshole/Washington's Head

Had a great treck up to Meriden today with our friends Maura & Otter & had a great time climbing Catshole, known to the locals as Washington's Head. Maura brought along her copy of Rock Climbing Connecticut which had some nice trail names/notations. Not much climbing for me thou due to a bum shoulder...but the other three were good and tired in the end. We also had an awesome climbing neighbor by way of a Frenchman who kept doing the same trial, "Pegasus", over and over and he was AMAZING. It was a little cold and I was a bit annoyed at being on the ground most of the day - but all and all a nice day spent outside (if you could ignore the road noise and the fact that we were walking distance from the mall). One major perk: the walk from the car to the face is about 3 minutes. Also, the trees grow at a slight angle to the hill, so when you're belaying you can lean back & it doesn't hurt your neck ;)