The Mattabesett Trail is a 50-mile (80 km) long, hook-shaped Blue-Blazed hiking trail in central Connecticut and a part of the New England National Scenic Trail. One half of the trail follows the high traprock ridges of the Metacomet Ridge, from Totoket Mountain in Guilford, Connecticut to Lamentation Mountain in Meriden, Connecticut from south to north. This ridge is known for its biodiversity, miles of scenic cliffs, and rugged hiking. The second half of the trail extends north from Guilford to Middletown, Connecticut and ends at the Connecticut River. Here, the trail follows an upland of metamorphic rock with occasional views and dense forests.
Important features along the trail include Lamentation Mountain, Chauncey Peak, Higby Mountain, Besek Mountain, Fowler Mountain, Trimountain, Pistapaug Mountain, Totoket Mountain, the Broomstick Ledges, Seven Falls, and Coginchaug Cave. The Metacomet Trail continues north from Lamentation Mountain where the Mattabesett Trail leaves off.
The geology, ecology, and landscape of the trail are similar to that of the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail to the north in Massachusetts.
In 2000, the United States Congress authorized the National Park Service to research a new National Scenic Trail now tentatively called the New England National Scenic Trail in southern New England, which would include the Mattabesett Trail as well as the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail and the Metacomet Trail.
On March 30, 2009 President Barack Obama signed the 'Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009' establishing the New England National Scenic Trail (and two other national scenic trails).
The combination of the Metacomet, Monadnock and Mattabesett trails is also often referred to as the '3-M', 'MMM' or Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett trail. The New England National Scenic Trail will eventually include all or almost all of the 'MMM' trails as well as a proposed extension trail from the southern-most point on the Mattabesett Trail through Guilford, Connecticut to the northern shore of Long Island Sound.
Read more about Mattabesett Trail: Trail Description, History and Folklore, Hiking The Trail, Conservation and Maintenance of The Trail Corridor, Recognition / Inspiration Programs
Famous quotes containing the word trail:
“We sank a foot deep in water and mud at every step, and sometimes up to our knees, and the trail was almost obliterated, being no more than that a musquash leaves in similar places, where he parts the floating sedge. In fact, it probably was a musquash trail in some places.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)