16 Meriden Rd, Middlefield, CT road ~ 4.54 miles total and 1 hr and 43 mins (Camille’s way 2.18 miles and 50 mins.)

Sunday was a scorcher so we decided to do some shorter trails so we wouldn’t need backpacks and could easily call it quits if we got to hot. The trails at Highlawn Forest Trails were the perfect choice.

This little park is adorable. The trails are well groomed and mostly flat. There is a vernal pool, a pond (with tadpoles), and some puncheon in places to get through some muddier sections. Most of the trails are named after women: Camille, Sarah, Ruth, Camelia, and then there is one called the Discovery Loop. That particular trail is marked for wheelchair accessibility, and I believe a few of the others are at least partially accessible. This warmed my heart in so many ways.

My favorite part was the section that opens up to a pine forest with ferns marking the sides of red needle trail. It was so serene. We also saw Virginia creeper and yellow star grass among other wildflowers and plants. Oh and let’s not forget the stump that looks like a pig.

My least favorite part was almost stepping on a snake and then even worse hearing others wiggle through the woods. I think I had a hot flash from the fright. Dana and Bryan took the lead to scare any others away.

Adventurers included: Jes, Dana & Bryan