Hiking on the Metacomet Trail in Avon, Connecticut
The Metacomet Trail extends some 51 miles throughout the ridge that lies through the center of Connecticut. Hiking on the trail is an easy challenges for those who plan on hiking for only a few hours. Winding through the hills, across rocky ledges and lush forests, the Metacomet Trail is ideal for anyone wanting to get a glimpse of the scenic views that can be easily seen from the top of various rocky peaks along the trail, including Talcott Mountain.
Starting from Route 6 at the trailhead, walking north on the trail is easy at first, walking by small groups of rocks and greenery surrounded by maple and oak trees with an occasional grouping of birches. Located at the top of Rattlesnake Mountain, the trail does not really have many northern copperhead snakes that can be seen during the daytime, although they do live in the area, thus the name of the mountain. The trail also cuts through large rocky areas separated by time and glaciers. During the spring season, the sky is clear blue while traversing on the path where small green plants poke out of the ground. Lady slipper plants, young ferns, and hosta greens are visible along the sides of the trail.
A little over a mile on the trail is located the Heublein Tower, a historic landmark on Talcott Mountain that was built by food magnate Gilbert Heublein in 1914. Looking past the tower towards the east, one can see across Hartford County. The view is quite magnificent, as one can also see airplanes crossing overhead, getting ready to land at the airport in nearby Windsor Locks. Standing on top of the basalt ridge, there is a sheer drop below that can give a hiker the feeling of being up quite high, almost high enough to touch a cloud. Back on the trail, there is a narrow ridge right on top of the mountain that leads hikers back to the main trail.
Continuing north, wildlife is abundant, with birds, squirrels, and other forms of ground life. Robins and blue jays are easily visible, sitting on an oak branch ready to tend to their nests during this time of year. In this peaceful forest, where the crackle of a branch is barely heard, the warm ground turns to cool rock in some areas. Turning past a cave, a chipmunk sits on a fallen tree, looking for a noontime snack.
The rays of sunlight shine off of the fallen leaves from last fall, creating a copper and bronnze look to the ground up ahead. The crunch of the leaves underfoot reminds the hiker of the smell of what last year was and what the new spring season brings.
Once the end of the trail’s segment is reached before crossing the highway at Route 44, there is a small pond where egrets occasionally bathe. Dragonflies also entertain the hikers by flying ahead as if to thank the traveler for enjoying such a peaceful walk just to meet them. They will be there to welcome back anyone who wishes to spend a tranquil day in their home territory, walking by and not disturbing the ecosystems that exist there.
Image Credit: Zindbar.
