The New England Trail - The east Coast's hidden thru-hiking Trail
Most people, myself included, would have laughed at the idea of a hiking trail that went from the Connecticut shoreline,through Massachusetts, and ended at the Grand Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire. Having been born and raised mere miles from various portions of the trail, I felt fairly sure that I would have known about something as substantial as this trail. But, even though I had been mountain biking and hiking along intersecting paths for many years - I never figured out what the New England Trail really was until just recently. Officially formed in just 2009, it has only recently begun to see some vast improvements that will help this trail to become an unbroken link of 215 miles through 39 New England communities. Truly a hidden gem of local hiking, this trail has both its own rewards and its own challenges for those that would seek to walk its entirety. Here is my story of walking along its subtlety hidden footprint through suburbia. My story is best told through the simple photos I took while on this journey.
First let me start off by saying this - If I was a new hiker looking to take on a thru-hiking challenge, this would not be the trail to start with! Why such negativity right off the bat ? I dare say that it's not me trying to scare off new hikers, it's just that this brand new trail has some difficulties for hikers:
But enough about why NOT to do it, how about some reasons why someone SHOULD do it, either in sections or as a whole:
So in summary - Get out there and try it! Why in just a single day hike you could explore, Talcott Mountain and Penwood State Park. Hike along the Holyoke Range and see the Summit House or go check out Mt. Tom or Castle Crags. Take a wander along the Tariffville Gorge, or even head up to glorious Mt. Monadnock and experience one of the best summits around. Whatever you do, enjoy the journey and hike on.
Now enjoy some photos from this unique trail!
(*Included below the following slideshow is a 2-part journal that documents some of my experiences while hiking the NET.)
- Varied and unpredictable water sources often meant that I would carry water for well over 15 miles at a time...a rare thing among New England hiking trails.
- Challenging and sometimes frustrating lack of signage and clearly marked trails (especially in Connecticut) often had me wandering around in circles looking for another blue-blaze (blue painted trail marker on a tree).
- Lack of LEGAL and defined camping spots often puts thru-hikers winding up in spots that likely haven't been approved for camping.
- Gaps in the actual trail itself, requiring ingenuity and often times stopping your progress at a section that has been closed. This unpredictability leaves you hoping your maps will have enough of the surrounding area to give you an alternate route, and it is more problematic than you may think.
- No good resources yet on resupply and return shuttle options for those looking to do the whole trail in one go.
But enough about why NOT to do it, how about some reasons why someone SHOULD do it, either in sections or as a whole:
- Truly a "trail hidden among towns" it is unlike any other trail I've hiked. Passing million dollar mansions, crossing busy roads, passing rock climbers and golfers alike, and seeing sweeping vistas and busy towns, this trail truly gives you a little taste of everything that New England has to offer.
- It is also VERY much an empty trail for the most part. Want to get away from the busy and extremely difficult hiking of Vermont and New Hampshire? Try getting out in the small community forests of Connecticut and Massachusetts!
- You get to experience something that probably only a handful of people have ever tried to do - I only know of less than a dozen other people who have hiked the whole NET...certainly less than any other hiking trail in New England.
So in summary - Get out there and try it! Why in just a single day hike you could explore, Talcott Mountain and Penwood State Park. Hike along the Holyoke Range and see the Summit House or go check out Mt. Tom or Castle Crags. Take a wander along the Tariffville Gorge, or even head up to glorious Mt. Monadnock and experience one of the best summits around. Whatever you do, enjoy the journey and hike on.
Now enjoy some photos from this unique trail!
(*Included below the following slideshow is a 2-part journal that documents some of my experiences while hiking the NET.)