Agnes Bowen Trail (2.6 miles, Blue & Orange Blazed)Trail description
The Peoples State Forest Trails are primarily used for hiking, backpacking, picnicking, and in the winter, snowshoeing.
Portions of the trails are suitable for, and are used for, cross-country skiing and geocaching. Site-specific activities enjoyed along the route include bird watching, hunting (very limited), fishing, horseback riding, bouldering and rock climbing (limited).
Trail route
{{Expand section|date=April 2010}}Trail communities
The official Blue-Blazed Peoples State Forest Trails pass through land completely located within Barkhamsted in the Paradise Valley area near the Riverton area.
Landscape, geology, and natural environment
{{Expand section|date=April 2010}}History and folklore
The Blue-Blazed Peoples State Forest Trails were created by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.
{{Expand section|date=April 2010}}Origin and name
{{Expand section|date=April 2010}}Historic sites
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Folklore
{{Empty section|date=April 2010}}Hiking the trail
The two trails are blazed with blue rectangles. Trail descriptions are available from a number of commercial and non-commercial sources, and a complete guidebook is published by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association
The trails are regularly maintained, and are considered easy hiking, with very few sections of rugged and moderately difficult hiking.
Much of the trail is close to public roads. There are no camping facilities in Peoples State Forest. There are camping facilities in the neighboring American Legion State Forest but camping is controlled and must be arranged.
Weather along the route is typical of Connecticut. Conditions on exposed ridge tops and summits may be harsher during cold or stormy weather.[6] Lightning is a hazard on exposed summits and ledges during thunderstorms. Snow is common in the winter and may necessitate the use of snowshoes. Ice can form on exposed ledges and summits, making hiking dangerous without special equipment.
Biting insects can be bothersome during warm weather. Parasitic deer ticks (which are known to carry Lyme disease) are a potential hazard.
The trail is adjacent to, or is on lands where hunting and the use of firearms are permitted.
Wearing bright orange clothing during the hunting season (Fall through December) is recommended.
Conservation and maintenance of the trail corridor
{{Expand section|date=April 2010}}See also
- Blue-Blazed Trails
- Barkhamsted
References
1. ^ {{cite book | author = Colson, Ann T. | year = 2006 | title = Connecticut Walk Book West (19th edition) | publisher = Connecticut Forest and Park Association | isbn = 0-9619052-6-3 }}
2. ^Connecticut Walk Book: A Trail Guide to the Connecticut Outdoors. 17th Edition. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association. Rockfall, Connecticut. Undated.
3. ^http://chriswoodside.com/files/imagecache/fullscreen/Connecticut%20Trail%20System,%201940.jpg
4. ^Trumbull, http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/tribes/delaware/wappingerhist.htm
5. ^http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/newyork/newyork4.htm
6. ^NOAA
Further reading
{{CTHikingStdExternalLinks}}External links
Specific to this trail:
- CT Museum Quest Article on the Peoples State Forest Trails
- History of Peoples State Forest
Government links:
- State of Connecticut American Legion and Peoples State Forest website
- State of Connecticut American Legion and Peoples State Forest Letterbox website
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100425195507/http://ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/stateparks/maps/peoples.pdf State of Connecticut American Legion and Peoples State Forest Hiking Map]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100425194354/http://ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/stateparks/maps/amrlgcmp.pdf State of Connecticut American Legion State Forest Camping Map]
- State of Connecticut American Legion State Forest Camping Information
{{ConnecticutTrailSystem}} {{Protected areas of Connecticut}} 3 : Blue-Blazed Trails|Protected areas of Litchfield County, Connecticut|Barkhamsted, Connecticut