Hike at Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury, CT

[danbu...@aim.com]

This month's hike will be co-led by Richard C.

Join us for a MODERATE hike to a beautiful bog in Flanders Nature Center's Whittemore Sanctuary in Woodbury, CT. Meet at the  Flanders Nature Center off Route 64 in Woodbury, CT very near the Middlebury town line, on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m.Parking is somewhat limited so plan on arriving early and consider carpooling with a fellow hiker. The rain date is the next day, Sunday, May 18.

ABOUT THE HIKE: The plan is to meet at the Flanders Nature Center parking lot off Route 64 in Woodbury, CT very close to the Middlebury town line. The entrance to the parking lot is located about 0.7 miles west of Quassy Amusement Park, also on Route 64. We will hike from the parking lot counterclockwise along the white trail in a northerly direction. The trails starts out easy, passing by Lake Quassapaug, although we won't be able to see the amusement park. Later the trail starts a MODERATE ascent, and starts turning west. We'll continue following the white trail as it gradually curves around to the south direction. After more than two miles we'll reach a junction point labeled 32. Here we'll head east on the blue trail and we'll shortly reach a fork just before the bog. We'll take the yellow trail to the left where we can admire the bog. Before long we'll stop at a birdwatcher's shelter overlooking the bog. We'll then continue on the yellow trail around the bog and find ourselves back on the blue trail which takes us back to the parking lot. The entire hike will require about two hours and 20 minutes, and the total length is about 3.7 miles. We categorize the hike as EASY to MODERATE due to the modest climbs, short descents, and overall length of the hike. The intensity is about average for a CT Pride hike.

NOTES:  As always, read out DISCLAIMER (our group disclaims all liability; responsibility is assumed by each participant) and have sufficient drinking water for hydration on the hike. Some hikers may want to use hiking poles or a walking stick at some points, although the hike is not particularly difficult. Wear adequate footwear for sufficient traction on rocky surfaces. There are no bathroom facilities in the sanctuary, so plan ahead or consider using a tree off the trail.  Dogs on leash are most welcome.

DIRECTIONS: You can use 41.5257,-73.1632 as GPS coordinates for the parking lot. Alternatively, head to Quassy Amusement Park on Route 64 in Middlebury and go 0,7 miles west until you see the sign for Flanders Nature Center. The sign is easy to miss so slow up as you head west from Quassy Amusement Park. To get to the area, from points east take I-84 Exit 17 and from the west, I-84 Exit 16.

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL: The optional after-hike social/luncheon will be at the nearby Señor Pancho's Mexican Restaurant, located at 530 Middlebury Rd in Middlebury CT, just after the Sunoco station on the left (the website is: Señor Pancho's: Middlebury). Like the one in Watertown, they are renowned for their "mole" sauce.