Hike/Swim at Bigelow Hollow State Park

Bigelow Hollow State Park and the bordering Nipmuck State Forest are located just south of the CT and MA border in Union, CT ("the smallest town with the biggest heart") in the NE part of state, and are easily accessible from I84. It is a popular spot for swimming, hiking, boating, picnicking, and camping. The area contains several ponds and many hiking trails on more than 9,000 acres. We will meet at the Bigelow Pond picnic area in the trailhead parking lot. This is NOT the first parking lot at entrance to the park from Rt. 171. Drive past the first parking lot and then past the small boat launch area, to the next parking area opposite Bigelow Pond. Park here. (The park road ends at Mashapaug Pond boat launch.) We will hike from Bigelow Pond to Mashapaug Pond. We will walk a short way on the Bigelow Pond Loop (yellow trail) to the Mashapaug Pond View Trail (blue-white bar blazed trail). On this trail we will hike to Mashapaug Pond, to where there are many beautiful and popular swimming areas on the pond (bring bathing suit and towel). There will be time for a swim and short snack. Afterwards we will hike to the Mashapaug Boat Launch, and walk the park road back to the parking lot next to Bigelow Pond. It is expected that the whole trip will total about two and a half hours (unless we all decide to swim longer). "Bigelow" is believed to be a contraction of the two English words "big low," as the 18-acre pond is located in a geographical hollow. "Mashapaug" is a native Indian word meaning "great pond," since the Mashapaug Pond is nearly 300 acres and significantly bigger than Bigelow Pond. After the hike and swim, those interested will meet at a local restaurant for optional after-hike social.