Walking the Trail Keep Safety in Mind

Hiking in the woods can be a fun activity for Be aware of your fitness level.Choose a the whole family. Following these simple tips trail or walk that fits your ability. will help to keep everyone safe. Tell someone where you are starting, where Wear long pants and apply insect you will be hiking, and your final destination. repellent. Be aware of ticks and insects; they are commonly found in nature and can Be aware of your surroundings as you make your adventure a little frustrating at walk. The more you pay attention to landmarks times. Apply repellent to shoes where ticks like buildings, roads, hills and lakes, the less might crawl aboard and a light spray on your chance you’ll have of getting turned around or clothes to deter mosquitoes and flies. lost.

Hike in the center of the trail and clearings Plan ahead and pack everything you need. and steer clear of leaf piles, high grasses Staying safe and comfortable along the trail and standing water where ticks and bugs are will help you have an enjoyable outing. The lit- found. tle things can make or break your experience. Trail Map When you encounter another hiker stay to the right so each can pass safely. Created by Michael Puglisi, Erica Benvenuti, Laura Brown, Guide University of Extension PATHS - People on Trails for Keep a 6-foot social distance between other Health and Sustainability Team in partnership with Jay Gigliotti, for the Towns of hikers on the trail. Town of Colchester Planning and Zoning Department and funded Bikers yield to hikers. All users should by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Bozrah, Colchester, East yield to horses. Protection Recreational Trails Program. Learn more at cttrails.uconn.edu Haddam, East Hampton, Observe all signage and note where motor- ized vehicles are prohibited. Hebron, Lebanon,

Leave no trace. Carry out what you carry in. Marlborough, and Salem Do not harm the vegetation or remove things from the trail.

Be kind. If someone is hurt, help them and say hello to people on the trail.

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Trail Preparedness

Dress for Success Choose the Right Trail No matter what the forecast looks like, dressing Don’t Forget the Extras in light colored layers will keep you comfort-able If you are new to trails or plan to bring children, Even if you only intend to be out for a couple of and safe. Synthetic pants with a tank top or choose one that is not too long or strenuous. hours, stashing a few basic items in your pack short-sleeved shirt will make for a great all- Printing a paper map can be helpful. Generally, will keep you happy and comfortable. around base layer. Always bring a jacket and you’ll want to start with easier trails and work Sunglasses and a sun hat can make all the dif- rain gear. up to more challenging ones as you gain expe- ference in how a hike feels. Quality sunglasses rience. Consider a trail with special features like Pick Proper Footwear protect your eyes from burn and strain and a castles, ponds, streams, waterfalls and other wide brimmed hat makes for better sun protec- special features. Sturdy supportive footwear will protect your tion than sunscreen alone. Use trekking poles feet and ankles from injury. For most days, light, when hiking uneven terrain to take the strain off Know When to Go low-top hiking or running shoes provide support your legs going up and downhill. without being too heavy. Wicking non-cotton In the summer, morning is often the best time socks will help protect against blisters. to hike because it is usually cooler, and show- Hydration and Fuel Consider bringing an extra pair. ers and thunderstorms often crop up in the Pre-hydrate by drinking 4 cups of water before afternoon. Generally fewer people are out on the hike. Usually, 16 ounces of water are the trails in the morning. Consider installing a Fun Facts needed for each hour of your hike. You’ll need weather app on your phone and read the more as the temperatures rise. Add some non- weath-er forecast so that you are prepared for Walking one hour burns perishable foods that are lightweight and what may be coming. Always leave plenty of 148-307 calories. nutrient dense to your pack. Some examples time for exploring and enjoying nature! are trail mix, nuts, nut butter packs, dried fruits 1 hour of hiking can or vegetables, granola, nut-based energy bars, burn over 400 calories meat jerky, or whole fruits. (for a person weighing 160 pounds). 85 87

316 289

21. 19.

20. 25.

66 2 27. 29. 16

Hebron 24. 207 28.

22. Lebanon Marlborough 23. 7.

87 66 10. 8. 2 6. Colchester 3. 16 4. 149 16 26. 18. Bozrah 2. 5. East 16. Hampton 9. 163 17. 11 151 354 1. Salem 15. 14. 32.

85 82 149 31. 151 11. East 33. 13. Haddam Trail Map 30. 82 12.

Bozrah East Haddam Lebanon

1 Hopemead State Park - Cottage Rd. * 11 Devil’s Hopyard State Park - Hopyard Rd. (Route 23 Bartlett Brook, Wildlife Management Area - 434) * Lebanon Ave (Route 16) 2 Maples Farm Park - Bozrah Rd. (Route 163) * 12 Gillette’s Castle State Park - 67 River Rd. * 24 Lake Williams State Park - Exeter Rd. (Route 207) * 3 Bozrah Hay Lot - Stockhouse Rd. * 13 Brainard State Park - Creek Row Rd. * 25 Pigeon Swamp Preserve - Pigeon Swamp Rd. *

14 Machimoodus State Park - 128 Leesville Rd. * 26 Moween State Park - Camp Moween Rd. * Colchester 15 Urbanik Preserve - Foxtown Cemetery Rd.

4 - Route 16 to Peck Lane * Marlborough 5 Ruby & Elizabeth Cohen Woodlands - McDonald East Hampton Rd. * 27 Greenway Trail & West Road Open Space - West Rd. * 6 Airline State Park Trail Access & Parking Area - 16 Salmon River State Park - Colchester Avenue Bull Hill Rd. (Route 16) * 28 Panther Trail - School Drive, behind elementary school * 7 Airline State Park Trail Colchester Spur Access & 17 - Moodus Rd. (Route 151) * Parking Area - Lebanon Avenue (Route 16) 29 Blish Memorial Park - Park Rd. * 18 Airline State Park Trail Access & Parking Area - 8 Airline State Park Trail Access & Parking Area - Main Street Westchester Rd. (Route 149) 9 Babcock Pond Wildlife Management Area - Mid Salem dletown Rd. (Route 16) Hebron 10 Salmon River State Forest - River Road/Comstock 30 Darling Pond Preserve - Darling Rd. * Bridge Rd. * 19 Burnt Hill Park - East Street * 31 Woodland Warlder Preserve - West Rd.

20 Veterans Memorial Park - Wall Street (Route 316) * 32 Zemko Sawmill Preserve - Rattlesnake Ledge Rd.

21 - Route 85 * 33 Walden Preserve - Haden Rd.

22 Grayville Park - Grayville Rd. * * Denotes Family Friendly Trails & Amenities