The ridge on the 50 mile Mattabesett Trail is considered one of the most impressive trails in the state so I joined the CT Trailmixers to experience it.  I also learnt about Boozy  Quadbiking, had a rare early year sighting of stereotype  ‘USA Topless Runner Guy’ and saw that car tires DO grow on trees.

As part of a challenge to hike/run all of the 800 miles of Connecticut Blue Trail System in 2019 Shona and I got the chance to tag along with the CT Trailmixers on a cold January and experience snow, isolated trails, huge clifftop running segments and even a ski resort.

The Mattabesset Trail is a trail through the centre of Connecticut in the USA and part of a bigger New England Trail system that runs over 200 miles through all of Connecticut and Massachussets. Its Jewel in the Crown is the Metacomet Ridge that starts near where I live in New Haven and extends northwards. The area is famous for its huge biodiversity and superb views.

Following the Wanguk Tribe

The Trail is named after the River and Native American Wanguk Tribe who were also known as the ‘Black Hill Indians’ who originally lived in the area. The nearby town of Middlefield was originally named Mattabesett too.

After some car share logistics at both ends of the planned 19 mile section we set off as a group from the Trimountain State Park. For me as a ‘rock averse’ UK runner it took all of about 5 minutes before the experienced Trailmixers were out of sight. As usual they ran like a bear was chasing them and I was left with Shona ambling along in a very British way. All I needed was an Umbrella.

Shona and I were well equipped for the day with clothing and food and based on our experience had a feeling that this trail would take us most of the day to run/hike. We let the speedy Trailmixers ( who kindly waited for us at the first viewpoint) know we would be fine on our own and settled in to take in all the trail revealed.

This section starts with a few miles of very steep rolling wood hills that you climb and descend, with a few stream crossings and eventually after a small road and rail crossing the main ascent to the Ridge begins.

The Metacomet Knife Edge

Once up on the Metacomet Ridge the views were breathtaking, in that they were pretty and that I was utterly out of breath. Photos never do this kind of landscape justice. For about 10 miles you ‘walk the rocky tightrope’ of taking in the view versus not slipping off the ridge. Every few minutes you are treated to a clearing and rock ledge that gives you the chance to look out at the distant towns and landscapes and even see the stepped hill of a rock quarry in the distance that was out final destination later that day. We had snow and sunshine up there, passed the ski resort with its ski lifts and ski runs and eventually left the ridge with a Highway 66 crossing where there is a restaurant on the road by the trail.

After a few hours we sat and ate lunch on the final part of the ridge and enjoyed the sunshine and peace. I had taken an MSR Trailshot with us to make sure we had enough water, using it to fill up from the streams and mini waterfalls as we went and save us lugging a lot of water all day.

We were passed by an American guy doing the trail….on a Quadbike….with a beer in his hand. This is trail exploration at its utter zenith.

Eventually after an amusingly miserable swampy 2 mile slog through woods that seem to be growing car tires we crossed the second road found a delightful quiet pine wood. Here I was met with everything I love about how mad the USA is. We were passed by an American guy doing the trail….on a Quadbike….with a beer in his hand. This is trail exploration at its utter zenith. I was so impressed I didn’t take a selfie with this trail expert and shortly regretted it.

The Giuffrida Park where the car was parked has stunning views of the lake below from the ridge above, but at that point I had mislaid my sense of humor on the trail and got ‘food grumpy’ and just wanted to get to the car. This park alone will be worth a trip back another time to explore.

As we reached the peak of Giuffrida Park I was lifted from my grumpy mood by my favourite American Runner Stereotype. ‘Topless USA Runner Guy’ . He was there IN JANUARY in freezing temps going over the ridge. I got the giggles badly and waved hello.

This section of the trail has an enormous amount of variety, from rolling woods to steep ridge trails, but perhaps the most surprising thing about it is how easily accessible it is and how closely this ridge and trail brute forces its way through many Connecticut towns.

It truly is a surprising wilderness so close to a million Connecticut residents and like nothing I’ve ever seen in the UK.

Pyramid Rock

Bear Rock – Mattabesset Trail

Seven Falls – Mattabesset Trail

Mattabesset Trail – Bear Hill

Millers Pond

Mattabesset Trail – Mount Pigsah

Useful Info – Summary

Parking – space for 5 or 6 cars on the road at Howd Rd at the Trail head in Trimountain State Park and easy ample car parking lot at Giuffrida Park

Distance – 19 miles of tough rocky and hilly terrain.

Elevation – over 3000ft+ of ascent

Garmin and GPX file and data map below

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3278454425