4 minute read
snow Fun
from JANUARY 2022
snow fun! CHECK OUT THE PLACES BELOW FOR SNOWSHOEING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING AND MORE FUN!
Great Places for Snowshoeing and more!
SHENIPSIT STATE FOREST
LOCATION: 360 GULF ROAD, SOMERS, CT FOREST ENTRANCE IS AT 360 GULF ROAD, 1 MILE SOUTH OF ROUTE 190 IN SOMERS.
There is an abundance of recreation opportunities at Shenipsit State Forest. The two primary attractions are the wonderful hiking along the Blue-Blazed Shenipsit Trail which passes over Soapstone Mountain and the amazing views from the Soapstone Mountain observation tower. While the original fire tower is long gone, today’s tower stands specifically for the public’s recreational viewing. As one of only two observation towers in Eastern Connecticut (the other being the monument at Fort Griswold State Park in Groton), the vistas afforded from this vantage point are spectacular as visitors can take in scenes from the Connecticut River Valley to the Springfield skyline.
NIPMUCK STATE FOREST & BIGELOW HOLLOW STATE PARK
LOCATION: ROUTE 190, UNION, CT BIGELOW HOLLOW STATE PARK
I-84 to Exit 73 or 74, then follow Route 190 north to Route 171 east to the park entrance.
NIPMUCK STATE FOREST MOUNTAIN LAUREL SANCTUARY
Eastbound on I-84: take Exit 72. Follow Route 89 north to the intersection of Route 89 and Route 190. Go west onto Route 190. The sanctuary entrance is a short distance from the intersection and well marked. Take Exit 73 to visit another area of Nipmuck State Forest. Nipmuck State Forest and Bigelow Hollow State Park in the town of Union lie within one of the largest unbroken forest areas in Eastern Connecticut. Nipmuck is the second oldest state forest in Connecticut. Today Nipmuck State Forest and Bigelow Hollow total over 9,000 acres. The name “Bigelow” is a mystery since no person of that name seems to have been associated with this area. According to older residents of Union, the name is derived from “Big Low” in reference to the deep hollow in which the 18-acre pond of that name is located. The word “Mashapaug” is the Nipmuck Indian word for “Great Pond”.
CANTERBURY FARM
1986 FRED SNOW ROAD, BECKET, MA PHONE: 413-623-0100 • CANTERBURY-FARMS.COM
Our 22 kilometers of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails are machine groomed every day. We use specific grooming equipment for every type of snow condition. Tracks are set for diagonal skiing and there are skating lanes on some trails. One trail is kept natural for that back woods experience. The snow shoe trails are packed and marked as they meander through the dense forest. At the summit of the hill you can see Mt. Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. Ice Skating pond limited use of pond due to weather conditions.
TUNXIS STATE FOREST
GRANBY/BARKHAMSTED/HARTLAND LOCATION: ALL OF THE MAJOR FEATURES OF TUNXIS STATE FOREST ARE LOCATED ON OR NEAR ROUTES 20 AND 179.
From the junction of Route 20 and Route 181 in Hartland, proceed east on Route 20. For Howell’s Pond, proceed east 1.0 mile and turn left on West Street; follow for 1.4 miles and turn left on Old Mill Road (on some maps as Dish Mill Road); follow 0.2 mile and turn right at the dam. For the Falls Brook Trail proceed 3.4 miles and park in the small pull-off on the right. For the Tunxis Trail, proceed 7.4 miles and park at the trail marker. For Hurricane Brook, follow 7.7 miles and turn left on Hurricane Brook Road; park so as not to block the gate, and follow the path uphill. For the CCC ski area, follow 8.0 miles and turn right on Balance Rock Road. Follow to the end of the road and park, being careful not to block the cul-de-sac (used by school buses to turn around). Follow the roadbed into the woods. After crossing the Blue Blazed Tunxis Trail, look for the ski cabin on the right. For the northern terminus of the Tunxis Trail, follow Route 20 8.8 miles and turn left on Old Town Road. Follow Old Town Road 0.6 miles, and turn left on Pell Road and go about 2.5 miles north to the end of road.
MAPLE CORNER FARM CROSS COUNTRY SKI CENTER
MAPLE CORNER FARM, 794 BEECH HILL ROAD GRANVILLE, MA PHONE: 413-357-8829 • WWW.MAPLECORNERFARM.COM
30 km. of skiing and snowshoeing trails; lodge with food; rentals and lessons; 1,400-foot elevation. This family farm in the foothills of the Berkshires offers 20 kilometers of marked ski trails from beginner to expert, groomed for traditional and skating styles. Also, there is 10 km. of snowshoe trails. The trails venture through or past pastures, mountain streams, maple groves, forests, and hills. A rental shop has plenty of skis and snowshoes for children through adult sizes. Group and private ski lessons are available. The ski lodge has a cozy wood fire and snack bar with hot foods. Behind the lodge is a warm-up area and beginner trails.
MOUNT HOLYOKE RANGE STATE PARK
1500 WEST ST., AMHERST, MA 01002
The 3,000-acre Mount Holyoke Range State Park features a 7-mile mountain ridge line. The park also includes streams, wetlands, woods, and thickets. Visitors can explore more than 30 miles of blazed trails.
