Opt Outside Guided Hike On New England Trail

Skip the shopping lines and get out on the trails with Reach Your Summit for a special annual guided group hike as we choose to Opt Outside. This year's hike will be on the New England Trail. This moderate 6.4 mile loop hike will bring our group through Penwood State Park with multiple highlights along the way including waterside views, multiple overlooks, massive glacial boulders, history and more. 

Reach Your Summit is proud to show support for our National Scenic Trails, outdoor spaces, a cleaner planet and REI's Opt To Act initiative. For questions or concerns please feel free to contact Mat Jobin at matjobin@reachyoursummit.net or (203) 695-8748.

RSVP Required. Limited group size. For a look at our Covid-19 Update click here. An event itinerary will be emailed to all participants with signup confirmation. Maps will be provided at the start of our hike. For a look at the elevation profile for this hike click here.

For those interested in adding mileage to this hike, there will be an option to extend this special event to include Talcott Mountain. This will extend the group hike to a Figure 8 loop hike totalling at 11.7 miles for the day and 1,963 ft of elevation instead of what is listed for the shorter hike. Finish time would be approximately at 2:30pm. For a look at the elevation profile for this extended hike option click here.

The gear and clothing listed below is recommended for any time you are out on the trail and for this trip. Not only is it important for us to bring these items, but it is equally important to know how to use them as well. For a deeper look at the Ten Essentials, please feel free to watch the video at the link provided by clicking here. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me: Mat, matjobin@reachyoursummit.net

Ten Essentials:

- Map & Compass

- Sun Protection

- Warm Clothing (No Cotton)

- Headlamp or Flashlight

- First-Aid Kit & Whistle

- Multi-tool (or Knife) & Repair Kit

- Matches or Lighter

- Extra Food

- Water

- Emergency Shelter

Additional Considerations For The Area & Time Of Year:

- Wear Bright Colors (No Cotton or Blue Jeans)(It Is Currently Hunting Season In CT)

- 16 to 30 Liter Backpack

- Sturdy Cold Weather Footwear (Hiking shoes, Hiking boots)

- Traction Device (Snowshoes, Microspikes)*

- Gloves, Mittens, Hat

- Gaiters

- Hand Sanitizer

- Trekking Poles

- Hiking Umbrella

- Personal Medications

- Camera

- Trash Compactor Bag or Rain Cover

- Hand Warmers

*Please dress for cold weather and plan on bringing a form of traction to get around if there is snow or ice on the ground. You may contact me at anytime if you have questions regarding what would be suitable for this hike. Inappropriate clothing/footwear and equipment may make the hike more difficult for you and impact the experience for our group. It is not my intention to embarrass any hiker, but if you arrive unprepared you will not be able to join the hike.

Gloves, a hat and an insulating layer such as a puffy jacket or fleece is recommended due to the time of year. No cotton or blue jeans. Bright clothing and/or bright blaze orange are required for this hike. You will want to bring a personal daypack to carry The Ten Essentials with you, you can find the list of items here. This loop hike involves sections filled with roots, rocks and sometimes muddy flooded areas. Proper footwear is recommended*. 

*Traction devices may be required as snow and ice are possible during this time of year. You will be contacted in advance with the trail conditions, though it is good practice to have these with you for any late fall - early spring hike in southern New England. Should there be ice or snow for this hike, the option to include Talcott Mountain will be removed from our itinerary.

This event is sponsored by Reach Your Summit. Guide services are complimentary for the hike.