West Simsbury - Hedgehog Trail

Date Hiked:  Thursday, October 25, 2012
Number in Group: 4
Estimated distance round-trip: 3 miles
Weather: 60°F and overcast
Resources:  West Mountain Trails Map, SLT Walk Book Western Highlands
Highlights of the trip: Views across Farmington Valley


There were only four of us today, but that was okay because we had other commitments that wouldn't allow for much dilly-dallying.  We parked at The Master's School and took the red trail into the woods from the northeast corner of the parking lot.

Off to our right, we came across this little a-frame with a corner missing.  I have hiked this way before and never seen it, probably because the leaves usually block it from view.  We did not investigate it, so I don't know what it was used for.

No idea.

When we had a choice of the green or red trail, we stayed on red.  The green loops back into the red trail farther on.

Eventually, we came to the overlook.  This has to be one of the best vistas around.  According to the Simsbury Walk Book, on a clear day, you can see Mount Tom to the north.  Far to the left, we could see a rather large hill, but I am guessing it was not Mount Tom.  Could it be Sodom Mountain in Southwick?  I wish I had that PeakFinder app for my iPhone (but first I would need an iPhone).

View north looking at Barndoor Hills and beyond.

Looking east over the Simsbury Bog.

Metacomet Ridge in the distance.

The colors on the sumac were beautiful.

We left the overlook and continued on the red trail down, down, down to the stream where it changes from the Hedgehog to the Cathles Trail.  At the bridge, we left the red trail and headed west on the white trail.

Bridge at junction with white trail.

We crossed another bridge and headed south on the blue trail.  The trail is fairly rocky here and I suspect it is pretty wet in the spring.  You can see the talus slope to your left.  One thing I noticed is that the rocks are quite a bit different from the Metacomet.  The traprock on the Metacomet is basalt.  Here, there seemed to be more schist.  Many of the rocks we were walking over had large crystals of quartz and other minerals.  They were really interesting and I wish we had a geologist with us to explain what we were seeing.

Western side talus slope.

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)

As we continued south on the blue trail, we could see the Simsbury Reservoir through the trees to our right.  We wound our way along the trail and could see some of the buildings of The Master's School to our left.  After connecting with the red trail again, we eventually returned to the parking lot.

American Beech

A colorful carpet of leaves.

This is a great fall hike with spectacular views of the Farmington Valley.  I highly recommend it.