Short Mountain at Timberlin Park

I'm back to the NET after being away for several weeks. I needed to finish up hiking the Tunxis Trail, which I started last fall and promptly broke my ankle the first day out.  It was quite a contrast to the NET. Different kind of terrain and it was very isolated and wild (read blog post here).  Also had some vegetables to get in the ground and there was a trip to the Cape. 

Probably the hardest part about letterboxing at Timberlin was the radically altered trail system. There are new trails as well as trails that used to be one color and are now another color. And apparently no map online that showed the entire trail system so I could plan my route out ahead of time.  So I followed my native guide (Teeker), who helped me navigate this uncharted territory. My gift to you is the above map, such that it is, based on my gps tracks (the southern part of the green trail may be a bit off as it diverged -- see this map).   The trails are all pretty easy except for a short mossy scramble down the north face of Short Mountain.  That section wasn't horrible, but it was enough that I left my backpack behind knowing I would be right back.  (Later I was confused as to why my gps didn't show a track for my descent...it was sitting in my stationary backpack back up on the hill duh.) I did read about plans to extend the red/blue trail up to short mountain, so my map may be soon obsolete.

Pond at Timberlin Park

The Timberlin Golf Course is a major feature of this park, which might explain the algae in that pond (golf courses use a lot of fertilizer). You drive through the golf course to get to the main parking lot, and I found six golf balls while boxing. 

Boy Scout bridge built by Sean Haber, Troop 24

From the Timberlin parking areas, there are a couple ways to get to the NET. The Amelia Green Trail (now blazed green, but sections were apparently once blazed green, white, and possibly a salmon color)  leads over the most impressive Eagle Scout bridge I've ever seen, built out of steel. Some distance after the bridge, the green trail hits a "T" and many people take the major unmarked trail to the right, which loops up and connects with the NET on Short Mountain's north face, just before the NET descends steeply to Carey Road. (The right fork in that unmarked trail has been closed off -- this fork was previously recommended by some).

Red Berried Elder

The other option is to take the blue & white trail from the pavilion area, and head up the south side.  You're looping around Short Mountain clockwise.  I was headed up from that direction when I passed these red berries on a bush that looked sort of elderberry-ish.  These are Red Berried Elder, and are not edible like normal Elderberry. 

View of West Peak near the South Overlook

There are several overlooks, a couple of which are completely unobstructed, and others areas with partial views. 

Pasture Rose

Several of the overlooks had these stunted rose bushes on them. I believe they are Pasture Roses, a native rose known for its short stature and ability to grow in dry, rocky areas.  The flower looks like the roses you see at the beach, Rugosa Rose, but the bushes are very small. 

Looking northwest towards a vineyard

The day I descended the north side of Short Mountain, I forgot to replace my camera's memory card, and had to switch to the cell phone camera for the last two pictures. Sorry. 

The descent down the north face of Short Mountain

The descent is not long, but it is steep and the damp, mossy terrain made for some slick areas. It was a scramble, and I used my hands on occasion.  But I had the feeling that if I fell, I might break a couple legs but would survive, so I had that going for me. 

Interesting Trail Sign

The trail hits bottom fairly quickly, crosses over a stream, and passes this interesting trail sign, before skirting a few backyards and hitting pavement. Ragged Mountain beckons.  But that's for another day.