Hike & Picnic at Day Pond State Park in Colchester, CT on September 21, 2024

[David Ostafin]

Join us for an end of summer hike and picnic at Day Pond State Park, located along Day Pond Road, Colchester, CT on Saturday, September 21, 2024 (the last full day of summer 2024).  Meet at 10:30 a.m. for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m.  This is a MODERATE hike (mostly flat, but with some climbing).  We have carefully selected the trail so that the hiking time will be about two hours and the total distance about three miles.  The hike features unique fungi, a decaying decades-old car, structural foundations from the colonial era, and a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall, in addition to the great view of Day Pond.

ABOUT THE HIKE:  Meet at the trailhead, near the stone dam of Day Pond (northwestern point of the pond), adjacent to the Day Pond Beach area.  We will begin the hike by taking the blue-blazed Northern Loop Trail.  At the point where this trail intersects with Day Pond Road  (the part now closed to vehicles) we will take the Day Pond Spur Trail to explore the picturesque Day Pond Brook Falls.  This waterfall, in multiple parts, drops a total of 40 feet.  The Spur Trail was created by the Boy Scouts (Troop 109) in 2010.  Prior to the Spur Trail's creation, it was necessary to "bushwhack" to reach the falls.  In the area of the falls are the remains of stone structures dating back to colonial times, when the Day Family diverted the waters of the pond and brook to power the family sawmill.  Returning to the main trail from the spur, rather than taking the Southern Loop Trail, we will foreshorten the hike by returning to the parking area via the straight, and mostly flat, footpath (formerly a part of Day Pond Ro now forbidden to motor vehicles).  It is at this point of contact of the Northern Loop Trail and footpath where we will encounter the disintegrating vehicle, whose make & model we have yet to discern (due to the level of deterioration).  Although the hike is only about two hours in duration, due to the terrain of the Northern Loop Trail it is deemed MODERATE in intensity.  The return on the footpath is relatively easy.

ABOUT THE PARK:  The park is located in the Town of Colchester, which was founded in 1698 by Nathaniel Foote on land he purchased from the Sachem tribe of the Mohegan Indians.  He named the area after the town in England that he came from.  Day Pond was created by the Day Family during colonial times.  They used the water flow to power the "up and down saw" of the family sawmill.  The area became Day Pond State Park in 1949.  The park is known for swimming and fishing (the pond is regularly stocked with trout), but it is also a great park for hiking, as there is a five-mile trail network connecting the state park to the Salmon River State Forest.  The stone dam (our meeting point) was constructed in the early 1930's by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp), a New Deal program created during the Great Depression to employ young men.

MEET UP:  Meet at the stone dam in the northwestern part of Day Pond at 10:30 a.m..  This is the area adjacent to the Day Pond Beach.  There are many areas where one can park along the pond, but select a parking spot close to the beach area, as it is near our meetup point next to  the trailhead.  As always, dress appropriately for hiking, including suitable footwear, since parts of the hike are rocky.  A walking stick is recommended.  Bring ample water for hiking.  Please reference our DISCLAIMER in the ABOUT US section.  Restrooms are available in the pond area.  Dogs are allowed on the hike and in the picnic areas.  The rain date is the following day:  Sunday, September 22, 2024.

DIRECTIONS:  You can use the GPS address "Day Pond Road, Colchester, CT."  The best way to locate the park is from Route 2.  Take Exit 16 off Route 2 in Colchester.  Follow Route 149 South for about 3 miles, and then take a sharp right onto Peck Lane.  Day Pond Road is left on Peck Lane  Once on Day Pond Road, take the first right into the park, and drive to the end, past the pavilion on the left, to find parking near the beach area.  Then walk up to the pond, and look for the stone dam on the northwestern tip of the pond.  The stone dam, with a wooden footbridge next to it, is our meeting point.  There is another parking area at the end of Day Pond Road (before the road is blocked to motor vehicles by a yellow crossbar) where you can also park to reach the stone dam.

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL:  Since we are hiking on the last full day of summer, we decided to take the last opportunity for a picnic in the park.  There are many picnic tables along the pond.  Bring your picnic lunch and non-alcoholic beverages.  The picnicking area is near the parking, and thus you can leave your picnic lunch in your vehicle during our hike for later access.  PLAN B:  If the weather on the day of the hike precludes an outdoor picnic,  there are numerous restaurants a short distance from the park in the Town of Colchester. 

Giovani Querido and David Ostafin

Connecticut Pride Hikers