CROSS COUNTRY SKIING & SNOW SHOEING
ON HOCKANUM RIVER HIKING TRAILS

HOCKANUM RIVER LINEAR PARK,
MANCHESTER, CONNECTICUT

JANUARY 31, 2006

See also Hockanum River Watershed Association website

Starting at the Vernon-Manchester Town Line and proceeding downstream through Manchester there are several river hiking trails that are suitable for cross-country skiing on relatively flat or gentle slope trails.  (There are other trails that are too steep for easy cross-country skiing).  FOLLOW HOCKANUM RIVER TRAIL ORANGE BLAZES.

These hiking trails are divided up into numerous named segments with parking access points at intervals along the 25 miles of river length from the Shenipsit Lake origin in Vernon to the river's termination at the Connecticut River in East Hartford.

This Guide will concentrate on the various trail segments in Manchester that have specific names and measured lengths.

Detailed information on parking access and course of these trails is available on the Town of Manchester website at www.townofmanchester.org/leisure/hiking.cfm, in pamphlets with maps available in the Manchester Town Hall Customer Service & Information Center and at the Parks/Recreation Department.

The Manchester Hockanum River trails are divided into four levels of cross country skiing and snow shoeing difficulty:

EASY, MODERATE, DIFFICULT, & DANGEROUS.

• EASY trail means flat, essentially level path, gradual curves, no obstacles or hazards, short loop course, best for first time skiers or snow shoeing novices.
• MODERATE trail rating indicates some slopes, steps up onto bridges, stairs, more turns, path narrowings and occasional fallen tree trunks across the trail.
• DIFFICULT trail is one that contains moderately steep hills, sharp turns, more obstacles, narrowings, long flights of steps and rough surfaces.
• DANGEROUS trail means one traversing steep side-to side slopes with very narrow paths, sharp inclines and turns with frequent risks of falling into the river when slippery underfoot. Use of these trails is best only in warmer seasons free of snow and ice.

The Manchester Hockanum River trail segments include:

OAKLAND TRAIL: Trailhead is in parking lot of the Court House Plus, fitness center, 47 Hartford Turnpike, Talcottville.  Trail goes downstream along the river on relatively flat, but twisting, easy woodland terrain, over numerous small footbridges, close along Interstate 84 for about 3/4 mile to Exit 63 overpass.  Return is over same route when path becomes too narrow.   EASY.

UNION POND TRAIL: Trailhead is in parking lot at the boat launch off North School Street around from Robertson School.  Trail goes up through hilly forest on east side of the Pond for 3/4 mile.  Return is on same route where path is narrowed with big boulders.   MODERATE.

ADAMS MILL TRAIL: Trailhead is up steps from parking lot at the left side of the Restaurant, 165 Adams Street.  Trail goes over small bridge, along top of dike, behind the restaurant, bears right, then left down toward the river, then upstream, through hilly forest until dike becomes too narrow, about 1/2 mile.  Return is over same route. MODERATE.

HACKETT TRAIL: Trailhead parking is next to Softball Field just off east side of New State Road.  Path follows easy, mostly flat course south along New State Road in meadow then forest, curving around to left in loop out to east side of ball field, along north edge of parking area to start.   3/4 mile loop.   EASY.

NEW STATE TRAIL: Parking and trailhead are just off pavement on north side of Route 6 & 44, in front of orange gate, just west of Cheney Technical School, 791 Middle Turnpike West,  Path goes around gate, up dirt road turning either to left, at fork, close and twisting along the river though woodland, or to right, at fork, on straight power line right of way and then bearing left to make return loop on the river route.   3/4 mile loop.   EASY.

LAUREL MARSH TRAIL: Parking and trailhead are in lot just east of I-84, exit 60, on Route 6 & 44, across from Cheney Technical School.  Path is very easy, mostly flat, 3/4 mile stone dust loop path that goes either left or right from lot.  Additional 3/4 mile path, to the east side of marsh, takes off from east side of stone dust loop, goes across and along the other side of Hop Brook and into forest along the river downstream in the marsh.  Return is over same route before path becomes too narrow, steep and tortuous.   EASY.

VERPLANCK TRAIL: Parking and trailhead are at gated entrance road to Leber Field on Love Lane.  Dirt road goes in woods to path that turns right through mostly flat, but tortuous, forest for about 1/2 mile to difficult berm and wetland boardwalks.  Return over same course. EASY.

These hiking trails are available for hiking, jogging, cross country skiing , snow shoeing, nature study or photography, but these trails are NOT open to bicycles or any motorized vehicles such as dirt bikes or snowmobiles.

Green and white signs, "HOCKANUM RIVER HIKING TRAILS" mark trail entrances at roadsides in Manchester.

The H.R.L.P.C. hopes everyone enjoys these trails and the scenic beauty along the river. We urge the support of all the public to respect the rules of these trails for the protection of the fragile environment.

For added information, call 647-5235 - days, 649-5678 - evenings.

River trails are maintained by the Hockanum River Linear Park Committee volunteers on a year-round schedule. Phone is 860-647-3084.