NHLT Historic Mill and Habitat Tour and Hike

This Historic Mill and Habitat Hike on CT Trails Day weekend will begin with a visit to an old mill site on NHLT’s Crockett Preserve and then continue through a wide variety of habitats with many different bird and plant species. After a brief talk about the mill by New Hartford Town Historian and NHLT volunteer, Anne Hall, we will walk through the Crockett meadow next to an open water wetland with active beavers and up onto a wooded ridge where the mountain laurel may be starting to bloom. We will continue into an adjoining NHLT Preserve walking down along a woodland stream and out into a former sand and gravel excavation area with very active beavers and then into grassland and shrubby areas. You can leave the hike after about 1.5 miles at the NHLT’s Alfred Sabolcik Preserve trailhead on Sabolcik Road or continue for another mile on NHLT’s newest trail along the north side of Sabolcik Road to our new South Nepaug Brook Preserve. We will provide rides back to your cars if desired. Most of the terrain on the walk is easy to moderate but there are several steep stretches of trail that are more difficult. There are two stream crossings so please wear sturdy footwear that you won’t mind getting wet if it has been raining a lot. NHLT advises you to wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt and bring water and insect repellent. This hike is limited to 20 people. Registration required. E-mail NHLT at newhartfordlandtrust@yahoo.com to RSVP or for details.