Posted By auntie on October 31, 2016

3.75 miles; Hampton, CT

We did it! Stacy and I completed the Connecticut DEEP’s 14-hike “Sky’s the Limit Challenge.”

Selfie #1

And on Halloween, no less (hence the spooky selfie).

This whole challenge has been a gas. There are so many great places to hike in this state, and I am very grateful to the CT DEEP for coming up with this fantastic idea to get people to visit all these parks. From the Sky’s the Limit Challenge website:

The 2015 “Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge”, was designed to promote hiking in Connecticut’s State Parks and Forests. Hundreds of people enjoyed the opportunity to hike to fourteen of Connecticut’s high peaks and received prizes for their efforts. Because of its success we will be continuing the program in 2016.

In 2016 we will be highlighting bodies of water:  lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, canals, wetlands and Long Island Sound.  Participants in this friendly competition will once again have the opportunity to receive a medallion for hiking at ten designated locations. On January 1, 2017 names will be drawn from those who completed all fourteen hikes and fifty winners will receive a hand-carved hiking staff.

Stacy and Dallas

Stacy has her sights set on getting one of those walking sticks. And even Dallas came on enough hikes with us to earn a medallion! I’m not kidding—the DEEP folks said to submit his photos and they’d be happy to award him one.

I can’t say which of the 14 parks was best, but among them was my perennial favorite the Airline Trail, Burr Pond, American Legion SF, and Squantz Pond, for sure. We had a blast finding our way to selfie spots and navigating the trails.

The Complete List (click to download the pdf file)

I really hope the DEEP does another challenge for 2017. After all, there are 130 state forests, parks, and greenways out there to explore.

Categories: Connecticut, Walks and Hikes
Tags: 2–5 miles, CT, Hampton CT