Quinnipiac Trail

The Quinnipiac Trail is a 24-mile hiking trail in New Haven County, Connecticut. It is the product of the evolution and growth of the first 10.6-mile trail designated in Connecticut's Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail system, with its light-blue rectangular vertical painted blazes . ["Connecticut Walk Book, 19th edition", vol.2 (West), Ann T. Colson, ed., Connecticut Forest and Park Association, (c) 2006, p. 221 .]

The route

From its southestern trailhead (at 41°23'52.97"N 72°52'6.66"W), its easternmost leg runs northward, paralleling the west bank of the Quinnipiac River and the east side of the Wilbur Cross Parkway through the entire length of the (undeveloped) Quinnipiac River State Park in North Haven.

Turning mostly westward, away from the river, at the Toelles Rd. bridge at Hartford Turnpike in North Haven, the Quinnipiac Trail traverses virtually the length of the Sleeping Giant State Park (5.1 miles east/west).

Just northwest of the "chest", an eight-mile spur of the trail leads NNW, exiting the Park, crossing the Cheshire town line, continues north past Route 42, and after a steep hike overlooking the dramatic chasms of Roaring Brook Falls near the Prospect border, ends near Connecticut Route 68 on Chatfield Road.

Views

Within Hamden's Sleeping Giant park, the trail -- designated as the "Blue Trail" among the park's system of trails with variously colored rectangular blazes, and variously shaped red ones, passes such dramatic overlooks as Hezekiah's Knob (680 feet, at 41°26'3.00"N 72°52'25.89"W) and the stone Tower (739 feet at its ground floor). The giant's "chin" (670 feet) offers steep climbs, sweeping southwesterly views of the Quinnipiac University campus and beyond to Long Island Sound. The trail descends on relatively on a exposed slope along an abandoned quarry to the Mill River, west along Mt. Carmel Ave. in Hamden, intersecting with both Whitney Avenue (Route 10), and the Farmington Canal Greenway.

Between Whitney Avenue westward to Shepard Avenue (1.3 miles), the trail ascends Rocky Top, site of the Quinnipiac University hockey/basketball arena, the TD Banknorth Sports Center, opened in January, 2007 (also accessible by vehicle from Sherman Avenue). Since the clearing of surrounding land in 2007, the pinnacle of this 234-acre, future-campus site rises well above the stadium structures, affording 360 degree views.

To the northeast, the distinctive Metacomet Ridge is visible in Meriden, 14.4 miles from this point. To the ENE is a view of the traprock quarry on the west-facing side (or "top") of the Sleeping Giant's head. To the east lies the original Quinnipiac University campus, with its signature white steeple.

Due south is the familiar landmark of East Rock (6.1 miles), once a sacred site of the native Quinnipiac tribe, and called it "Rotenburg", by Dutch explorers in the early 1600s, for its red, rocky cliffs. Atop East Rock stands the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument with its tall, thin column of the Angel of Victory, refurbished in 2006. The New Haven skyline is silhouetted against its shimmering harbor on the Sound. Beyond, (31 miles) across the Sound lie the distant dunes of North Shore Beach in Long Island.

To the south-southwest can be seen the undulating forests of West Rock Ridge State Park, site of the Regicides Trail. At its southwest extremity, the QT connects with the Regicides Trail, along the West Rock Ridge. A cell tower marks the approximate location of Judges' Cave.

References