CT Appalachian Trail - Section 5 - Bulls Bridge Rd to Hoyt Rd (NY border)

April 21, 2012
Distance: 4.6 miles
Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Map: Appalachian Trail Guide to Massachusetts-Connecticut
Parking: Requires 2 cars
Leave car for end of hike - dirt hiker parking lot on Route 55 near Hoyt Rd (approximately enough for 8 cars). Alternate - there is room for around 4 cars on Hoyt Rd where the AT crosses it.
Leave car for start of hike - intersection of Bulls Bridge Rd & Schaghticoke Rd at trail crossing (enough room for around 4 cars - we parked next to arch over road)
I used this site to find parking areas: Appalachian Trail Parking
Restrooms: Outhouse at Ten Mile Hill campground
Post hike dinner: Thai Elephant 2, Patterson, NY
Directions: Start AT on Bulls Bridge Rd side (not Schaghticoke Rd side).
Follow white blazes for 4.1 miles to intersection of Hoyt Rd.
If you parked in the dirt hikers parking lot, turn back and continue until you reach the gate on the left side (about .5 miles) to hiker parking lot.

Notes:
The beginning of this hike parallels the Housatonic River. There are many people in this section, as the river is a pretty spot. There are steep drop offs down to the river. We kept the dogs on leash until we left the river.
This hike crosses route 55 (busy road) and goes to Hoyt Rd (much less busy road). Dogs must also be leashed in this section.

Start of trail from Bulls Bridge Rd

We found a sand beach where the river was calmer.

Bridge over the river

Which has very steep metal grating steps - we had to carry the dogs down.
In the distance is Ten Mile River campground and the outhouse.

This is the first hike of the year where things were looking green.
We also saw many kinds of wildflowers.

The dogs got very warm hiking up to Ten Mile River Hill.
We took a break to give them water and let them cool down.

Passing a side trail.

We have a long way to go ;)

Trek at Ten Mile River Hill. Another rest stop to cool off. After this, it's all downhill.

It's starting to look green.

Year to date miles: 121