Hike to Castle Craig Tower, Hubbard Park Meriden CT

November 3, 10:37 AMHartford Hiking ExaminerJeff Burke

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Castle Craig Tower photo by Jeff Burke

So you feel adventurous, isn't winter getting here too fast! Well try this 3 + mile walk up the road to Castle Craig Tower and back on the Hanging Hills of Meriden.  Want something more exciting, try a hike up the East Peak through the crevice that forms the cliff on this mountain, as we did on Halloween. Yes it's a real mountain 970+ feet high and either hike is not for the day hiker. The park just happened to be closed October 31, it's normally open and should be closed from November to April but it was so extremely windy the tower roadway was closed to auto traffic. The weather was cloudy and hardly a time for a hike, accept it was the perfect temperture!

View of pond in Hubbard Park photo by Jeff

Lucky us, now that meant we had no choice so we decided to climb up from the vertical base, zig zag our way up a mountain road until we hit the white trail. With the aid of a few regular trail walkers we found the shortest and possibly one of the hardest trails we have taken to get to the top of any other mountain that we've written about. Loose rock, leaves and wind made for our version of an exterme hiking adventure. One good thing it was rather a warm day even though the sun was missing in action, it did help that it would occassionally pop out for us. You can see for miles up here, across two valleys and can easily see the distant mountains stretching out across the horizon in all directions.

Above the city of Meriden photo by Jeff Burke

Wait it gets better, this park trip was so good it will require a few articles just to describe the whole picture for you. 

 There is a lot to tell you about and some exciting pictures to share. A fellow hiker and viewer Jeanne told us about the awesome views up here and she deserves all the glory for letting us know about this exciting place. For more photos of this adventure check back with the Examiner this week as Jeff will reveal more of this adventure. Please write a comment or contact Jeff JBurke3333@aol.com  if you would like share your park or hike!