Spring Hikes Kickoff This Weekend

Spring is in the air, and we are excited for some warm weather. With it, comes great outdoor fun in Guilford, such as hiking! Guilford Land Conservation Trust is kicking off their Spring walks this weekend, April 7. They plan to run three walks this month and four per month for May and June. 

Below is a brief summary of the upcoming walks, provided by President Sarah Williams:

April       

April 7th (Sun) 1:00 PM - Priscilla Otte Preserve  – 1.5-2 HRS.  GLCT V.P. Rick Conrad (203-214-7480), along with GLCT Steward David            
Bell and Menunkatuck Audubon Society member Jim Murtagh, will lead this kid-friendly hike.  Meet at the barn on Saw Mill Hill Rd, (first driveway on the right) by 1:00 PM.  Wear good hiking shoes.                                      

April 14th (Sun) 1PM - Chestnut Grove Loop -2-2.5 HRS.  GLCT Steward David Bell (203-457-6937) along with Christy Burton will lead this hike on the Chestnut Grove Loop, that was designed by David.  Meet at the cul-de-sac on Chestnut Grove Rd. by 1:00 PM.  Wear good hiking shoes.     

April 21st (Sun) 1 PM- Dudley Barrows Preserve 1-2 HRS.  GHS Environmental Club Molly Bell (203-457-9748) will lead this Children’s Event:  Join the Guilford High School Environmental Club to celebrate Earth Day with a children’s scavenger hunt on GLCT’s Dudley Barrows property located behind the Dudley Farm.  Park in the parking lot at the Dudley Farm.   

May         

May 4th (Sat) 9 AM - Jared Eliot Preserve -1-1.5 HRS.  GLCT V.P. Rick Conrad (203-214-7480) will lead this kid friendly hike on the Jared Eliot Preserve.  Meet at the corner of Mulberry Point Rd. and Mulberry Farms Rd. by 9 AM.  Wear good hiking shoes.                                      

May 12th (Sun) 1 PM – Mother’s Day Hike at Timberlands Preserve - 2-2.5 HRS.  AMC-trained Janet Ainsworth (203-530-7826) will lead this hike through the 600 acre, town-owned Timberlands property.  Meet at the Guilford Lakes School parking lot on Maupus Road, area closest to the trail by 1 PM.  Wear good hiking shoes or boots and bring plenty of water.

May 19th (Sun) 1 PM-Westwoods-2-2.5 HRS.  Westwoods Committee member Paul Proulx will lead this hike to discover some of the caves and rock formations in the Westwoods.  Meet at the Dunk Rock Rd. entrance by 1 PM.  Wear good hiking shoes or boots and bring plenty of water.                     

May 26th (Sun) 1 PM – Dudley Barrows Preserve – 2 HRS.  GLCT V.P. Rick Conrad (203-214-7480) and Steve Vandermaelen, of the Dudley Farm, will lead this hike through the Preserve.  Meet at the Dudley Farm parking lot by 1 PM.  Wear good hiking shoes and bring plenty of water.  

June        

June 8th (Sat) 10 AM. Kampmeyer Preserve – 2-2.5 HRS.  GLCT director Rob Valley (203-458-8101) will lead this hike through the    Kampmeyer Preserve.  Bring good hiking shoes or boots and plenty of water.  Meet at the cul-de-sac on Laural Hollow Rd. by 10 AM.                    

June 9th (Sun) 4 PM. At the Jared Eliot Preserve:  *GLCT Annual Meeting*.  Join the GLCT Board for a brief business meeting followed by a falconry demonstration and an up close experience with spectacular birds of prey with Skyhunters in Flight. More info here.    

June 15th (Sat) 9:30 AM. East River Preserve - 1.5-2 HRS.  GLCT director Heather Allore (203-494-3886) will lead this kid friendly walk in the town-owned East River Preserve.  Meet at Duck Hole Rd., off of Clapboard Hill Rd. by 9:30 AM. Bring good hiking shoes or boots and plenty of water.  

June 22nd (Sat) 1 PM. East River Preserve – Eastwoods, Nut Plains Woods and the New England Trail – 3.5-4 HRS.  GLCT director Heather Allore (203-494-3886) will lead this exciting 7 mile hike through the town’s East River Preserve.  Bring good hiking shoes or boots, plenty of water and a snack.  Meet at Clapboard Hill Rd. trailhead, by 1 PM.  

Leashed dogs may attend all hikes.