Santa's Christmas Hike to Case Mountain, Manchester, CT, December 16, 2023

[David Ostafin]

Join us for Santa's Christmas Hike to Case Mountain in Manchester at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2023.  The trailhead is located at 640 Spring Street in Manchester, CT.  Consider wearing something festive (and warm) for the season (such as an ugly Christmas sweater).  The rain (or snow?) date is the following day, Sunday, December 17, 2023.

ABOUT CASE MOUNTAIN:  The Case Mountain Recreational Area encompasses 640 acres of land, stretching from Manchester to Glastonbury.  The most popular hike is to the summit of Lookout Mountain (elevation 744 feet) from which there is a view due West overlooking the City of Hartford.  On clear days one can even see the Heublein Tower on the horizon.  The area is named for the Case Family, prominent industrialist in Manchester who once owned all the land now in the recreational area.  In 1861 twin brothers Alfred Wells Case and Albert Willard Case opened the Case Brothers Inc. Paper Mill in Highland Park and they produced specialized paper products for decades, until the company was purchased by Boise Cascade Corporation in the 1960's.

ABOUT THE HIKE:  From the trailhead on 640 Spring Street, Manchester, we will hike the white-blazed Carriage Path Trail up to the Pink Trail.  We will then hike the Pink Trail loop up to Lookout Mountain, and enjoy the panoramic view (weather-permitting) of the Hartford skyline.  We will then return on the other part of the loop back to the intersection with the Carriage Path Trail.  The total Pink Trail loop is 2 miles in length.  Once we complete the Pink Trail loop we will then take a side trail over to Case Pond and then walk up to the scenic waterfall back on Spring Street (the waterfall once powered the Case Brothers' paper mill in the 19th century).

The entire hike can be completed in about an hour and half.  The hike up to the summit is inclined, but can be completed in about a half hour.  The Carriage Trail is graveled, but the Pink Trail loop is a bit rocky and hilly.  Wear adequate hiking footwear as well as seasonably-appropriate warm clothing.  Considering the terrain as well as the likelihood of cold temperatures, we decided to rate the hike as EASY TO MODERATE, although it is of short duration.  As always, read the Disclaimer (everyone is responsible for themselves!).  Dogs on a leash are most welcome on the hike (the locals walk their canine friends up to the Lockout often).  Meet at the trailhead on Spring Street, next to the kiosk, at 10:30 a.m. for a departure promptly at 11:00 a.m.

DIRECTIONS:  Set your GPS for 640 Spring Street, Manchester, CT.  Heading East on Highway 384, take Exit 4 in Manchester, and then take a right at the end of the exit ramp (a left would take you to Highland Park Market).  There is a small parking area at the trailhead, but a much larger overflow parking area one level up from Spring Street.  Also, you can park on Spring Street.  NOTE:  There are no restroom facilities at the recreational area  (the closest is at Highland Park Market).

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL:  The optional after-hike social will be at Georgina's Restaurant in the neighboring town of Bolton:  275 Boston Turnpike, Bolton, CT 06043.    The co- proprietor Sula will likely have her restaurant elaborately decorated for Christmas, with several amazing Christmas trees for the customers to enjoy while dining. 

For those interested, we are proposing a Christmas ornament exchange, as a kind of grab-bag, during the luncheon.  Let's get into a Christmas Holiday spirit and make the luncheon a Christmas celebration.

David Ostafin and Giovani Querido