CT Pride Hikers: Kettletown State Park Hike
danburlite
Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Kettletown State Park
Richard Corzo is leading this month's hike.
About the Park and Hike: Kettletown State Park, straddling Southbury and Oxford, CT, features views of beautiful Lake Zoar on the Housatonic River. This 605 acre park borders approximately two miles of Lake Zoar shoreline. The lake was formed when the Connecticut Light and Power Company constructed the Stevenson Dam to produce hydroelectric power. There are six miles of maintained hiking trails that offer panoramic overlooks high above Lake Zoar. Visitors can find a variety of terrain, flora, and fauna along the trails. We'll hike a total of about 5 miles of moderately challenging terrain. We'll start on the Brook Trail along a picturesque creek, then cross a park road to start on the blue blazed Pomperaug Trail. We'll loop back on the Crest Trail which occasionally overlooks Lake Zoar, and cross the park road again to return.
The park website including maps is at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Kettletown-State-Park.
The hike will start at 11 AM on Saturday, May 20th. Hiking shoes
or boots are recommended as the terrain is a bit more challenging
than some other CT Pride hikes. Bring water and optionally trail
snacks due to the length of the hike.
Parking & Meeting: The park is located at 1400 George's Hill Road in Southbury, off of I-84 Exit 14. There is a small Kettletown State Park sign. After you turn into the park, proceed straight ahead down the park road, keeping left where you see a fork to the right for campsites. Shortly thereafter you'll see a grass parking lot on the left where you should park. If you somehow miss it you'll wind up at a cul-de-sac bordering Lake Zoar. You can just turn around to find the grass parking lot now on your right.
After Hike Social: For those interested, instead of eating at a local restaurant, there will be a potluck. We are looking forward to this opportunity: two of our members (who are housemates: Kevin & Johnny) are holding a potluck house party that we are all invited to. The address is 40 Roydon Rd, New Haven 06511. It will take about 40 minutes from the park, but it will be well worth it and will make for a great day. Your potluck items can be kept in a cooler in your car or you can bring your signature drink ingredients. You can RSVP for the potluck anytime up to the day of the hike with the item you will bring at kevme...@gmail.com.