Sleeping Giant Mountain

Another fair weather Saturday in New England inspired me to visit Sleeping Giant Park. It was colder than my visit last week to Talcott Mountain but worth getting bundled up to enjoy the otherwise excellent weather.

Click this image to expand it. Notice the dad pushing his kid up the trail in a stroller. This is a common sight on the trail. This is why I call it a "stroller trail". I admire the moms and dads who get their exercise this way.

Here are two views from an "orange" trail, which means an intermediate level of difficulty. Through the leafless branches, you can see part of Quinnipiac College. Off in the distance is New Haven, Connecticut.

Here are two views of the trail approaching the mountain top tower. An advantage of hiking on a cold day is that I tend to have the place all to myself. I enjoy the short-lived fantasy of being lord of the manor. :^)

A shot from inside the tower on the second level. Cozy.

Some shots from the top of the tower. It's more fun in the summer when you can loll about while munching on some food and drinking in the vistas.

Couple more shots from the tower.

View of the tower from a wider angle, clear of the trees.

This is a path off the "blue" trail (the most demanding trail type). That path ends abruptly with a sheer drop. Gotta be careful here!

Here you can see the blue patch that reminds hikers what kind of trail they're on. The cliffs also serve as reminders. The view is worth the cautious effort.

Some shots of the quarry on my way back to the parking lot. Of course, it's no longer used now that the property is a public park. It's striking to see this open area where there used to be a mountain slope.

In this age of enviromentalism, I've got to add: good for man! In any conflict between man and nature, man comes first.

Talcott Mountain

This is the sight you see at the crest of the steep hill at the start of the tower trail leading up to Talcott Mountain. Today's weather was a late fall classic for New England—sunny, crisp, clean, and brisk. So it was time to head for the hills, literally.



This picture is a view of the valley from the trail on the way to the tower. Though I knew shooting the picture a little into the sun is not generally a good idea, I allowed it in this case. Click the picture to see it full size. Notice the water in many places. That's the result of torrential downpours last night.

I don't know the father and son pictured here. I snapped the pic because it was such an idylic moment. Also, this trail is popular. So it's hard to take a picture without somebody popping in.

Here is the Heublein Tower. It sets off the beautiful blue sky nicely.

Here's the little, sun-washed park area leading up to the pavillion.

Here is my little haven up close. When the weather is mild and when few people are around, this is where I love to go to read...e.g., biographies of Adams and Jefferson, 19th century history, 21st century aesthetics (thanks again, Barry!)

More shots of the pavilion from different angles.

Another view of the Hueblein Tower. I don't know how to get to that paved road yet. It'd be nice to drive up to the tower at times instead of hiking up the trail.

My last shot of the day from the front porch of the tower. I marvel at this fact—Mr Heublein and his family lived here once and this was their daily view of the world.