Guifridda Park and a Drone

Drone Photos of the Connecticut Outdoors

 

Guifridda Park

Links and Helpful Materials:  | Trail Map | Directions to Park | SCRCOG Regional Trails | Main Page

Wikipedia writes: "Chauncey Peak is known for its scenic vistas, vertical cliff faces overlooking Crescent Lake, unique microclimate ecosystems, and rare plant communities." Guifridda Park offers amaing views and a variety of trails. You could walk the left hand side of the Lake (from the perspective of the dam) which is a very easy and mostly flat walk, loop the lake itself level with it (though I remember the right side of the lake trail being a bit more rocky than the left), or loop up and around the lake on the right side and come out on the left. Chauncey's peak is a short but memorably steep ascent. At least that is how it was in the past. The trail was made a bit easier and zig-zags now and the spot at the top where you had to climb a few rocks at the top has been altered. The trail is challening mainly in that you are walking over rocker terrain a large percentage of the time. There is still a steep trail that goes mostly straight up that you will zig-zag past multiple times. The views are absolutely spectacular at the top. Stop at Chauncey's Peak for scenic views, hike along the path atop the quarry which is stunning itself, cross back over to the trail and view the lake lake down below and a vast horizon from multiple sets of outcrops. There are other trails that can extend this trip (Mount Lamentation) but I usually loop up and over the lake and come back down on the left-hand side which provides an easy finish after traversing such rocky terrain. I've done this hike with quite a bit of snow and ice still on the trail. The only way I was able to get back down some parts was through a lot of sitting and sliding. Going up wasn't fun either. I wouldn't recommend that but the fall folliage will be spectacular from here along with enjoying a not-too-hot spring/summer day atop the peaks. Once you reach the bottom of Crescent Lake there is sort of a narrow ravine on your right that it picturesque. You can explore it if you desire. Geology wise this is part of the metacomet ridge and consists of trap-rock basalt. It brings me great joy and a sense of humility to know that I am walking over dried up lava that welled up from inside the earth 200 million years ago as the supercontinent Pangae split apart.

All of the above photos were taken with a DJI Mav 2 Mini except for the two old and blurry looking ones which were taken with old cell phones. I was a bit young and brazen (or more accurately stupid) for standing out on that one ledge for a photo!

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made..." -- Romans 1:20