Spring Into Action Hike in Case Mountain, Manchester

[David Ostafin]

Join us to kick off the spring season in Case Mountain, Manchester, CT, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025 for an EASY hike.  The trailhead is located at 640 Spring Street in Manchester, CT.  The rain date is the following day, Sunday, March 23.

ABOUT CASE MOUNTAIN:  The Case Mountain Recreational Area encompasses 640 acres of land stretching from Manchester to the border of Glastonbury.  While there is a hill named "Case Mountain," the locals refer to the entire trail system as "Case Mountain."  The usual hike it to the summit of Lookout Mountain, from which there is a view overlooking the city of Hartford as well as West Hartford.  On clear days one can even see the Heublein Tower.  Although considered an EASY hike, the terrain is a bit rocky and hilly, making for some 40-50 degree includes up to the summit.  However, the hike to the summit is relative short (30 minutes from the parking lot).

ABOUT THE HIKE:  The most popular hiking trail to the summit is the white-blazed Carriage Path Trail, a wide, smooth-graveled trail from the Spring Street parking area.  Our plan is to begin the hike on the white-blazed trail, but then access the pink-blazed trail, which is a loop up to, and back from, the summit.  Once we reach the summit, and enjoy the view, we will return to the white-blazed trail via the return pink-blazed loop, but then take a short side trail to view Case Pond.  Along the pond we will visit the "Case Mountain Log Cabin," built as a summer house by the Case family.  At this site the horror movie "Animal" (2014) was filmed (a story about hikers trapped in an abandoned house in the remote Connecticut woods who are facing off against a mutated predator).  We will continue along Case Pond to reach the scenic waterfall, and then return to the parking lot on Spring Street.  The entire hike will require about two hours in duration, and will cover 2.7 miles.

HISTORY OF THE CASE FAMILY:  The Cases were prominent industrialists in Manchester, CT where they operated a paper mill and water bottling facility.  They were true Connecticut Yankees who ran an efficient, innovative, highly-skilled operation.    In 1861 the twin brothers Alfred Wells Case and Albert Willard Case first established Case Brothers Inc. to produce cotton products for the Union Army during the American Civil War.  After the war, the brothers began manufacturing specialized paper products, and continued in this production for many decades.  In 1878 the company won first prize in pressed paper at the International Paris Exposition.  Case Brothers Inc. remained a successful family-owned business up to the 1960's when it was acquired by Boise Cascade Corporation.  The Case family also owned a large about of land near their home and factory which eventually became the Case Mountain Recreational Area.  Along paths and stone walls dating back to the Case brothers, hikers will see a stoned engraved with the initials A.W.C., which are the shared initials of the twin brothers.

REMARKS:  Early Spring is "mud-luscious," according to the poet e. e. cummings, so be prepared for mud.  Be sure to have adequate water-proof footwear, and a walking stick for balance.  As always, read our DISCLAIMER and bring water for ample hydration.  Dogs are welcome, as Case Mountain is a favorite place for local dog owners.  There are no bathroom facilities (the closest is at the Highland Park Market).  Our group last did this hike as a Christmas hike in December 2023.  On a recent pre-hike reconnaissance, we located the group's signature rock from this previous hike.  We plan to review the signature rock from the previous hike, as we place a new signature rock for this hike.

DIRECTIONS:  The parking area is located at 640 Spring Street, Manchester, CT.  You can set your GPS for this address.  Heading East on highway I-384 East, take the Highland Park Exit 5 (Old Exit 4) in Manchester, and then take a right at the end of the exit ramp to Spring Street.  there is a small parking area at the trailhead (near the kiosk), but there is a much larger parking area one level up from Spring Street.  Also, you can park along Spring Street.

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL:  There will be an optional after-hike social at Georgina's Restaurant (about a 6 minute drive from the Case Mountain parking area) in the adjacent Town of Bolton:  275 Boston Turnpike, Boston, CT 06043.  The restaurant's website is:  http://georginasrestaurant.com

Giovani Querido and David Ostafin