CT Appalachian Trail to Bull's Bridge

This was a joint hike with Sundance Outdoor Adventure Society, an NYC-based LGBT outdoors group. I met the Sundance guys at the Harlem Valley-Wingdale, NY train station near the trailhead. Most of the guys were drivers but a couple had taken the train from Manhattan. So we shuttled over to the AT trailhead just over the CT state line and met the five Gay Outdoors guys. Beautiful weather the whole day and the first part wasn't even that muddy despite recent rain. We soon crossed Route 55 and begun our trek up Ten Mile Hill. For one of the Sundance guys recently from Kansas, this was his first experience with any section of the AT. We made it over the hill and reached Ten Mile River. Following along that tributary we soon reached where it flowed into the Housatonic River, which rushes impressively downstream this time of year. We were at the foot of the Iron Bridge for hikers and took some group photos. After the bridge the AT follows along the Housatonic. We saw some white water kayakers swirling by. Then we reached the road that leads to Bulls Bridge, but initially just crossed one concrete bridge to get to the river island where we had lunch. A few stayed on the wooden platform overlooking the river but most wandered down to a spot where the narrow rapids rushed by. After lunch we crossed the one-lane covered Bulls Bridge before turning around and checking out the dam just a short distance upstream. On our way back we mostly retraced our route and wound up going back over Ten Mile Hill, but this time in the steeper direction. Everyone seemed to really appreciate the day's hike where the reward was an impressive river experience instead of the typical summit destination.

Join us the first Sunday in May for a moderate there-and-back-again 7 mile hike via the Appalachian Trail in western CT. We'll hike near the western border of CT up and over a well forested ridge, down to Ten Mile River and then along the ragin' Housatonic River. There will be beautiful views of the Housatonic River valley, and a great mid-river viewpoint on an island where we'll have our lunch stop within sight of Bull's Bridge covered bridge and the nearby falls. On the way back we can make a side trip on the Herrick Trail to the Housatonic Overlook point. Expect rocky trails and one long sustained hill climb each way.

Equipment: Sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Water - at least two liters. Trail lunch. Hiking poles if needed. Plan to dress for spring hiking conditions, and avoid cotton. Rain jacket if there is the possibility of a shower. Sun protection.

Weather: Heavy or all day rain cancels; a passing shower doesn't.