I went scouting today in the area around here:
Stamford Area - There is a network here that crisscrosses the ridges and streams. I spent a few hours in and off those loops below the red X coming off of Rt 8/100. I went in on Collins road and worked my way up and in. I believe I was trying to go up along Crazy John Stream. There were a few trails I passed that I might check out tomorrow and i'm planning to head more northwest to another network nearby (Stamford Meadows). They're all interconnected.

If I have time tomorrow I might try to take this trail heading northeast from west of the AT with the idea of us running it in the opposite direction sunday:
Glastonbury area - This area has a stretch to the northeast that should be pretty wet. To the west it is pretty steep, crosses water and the pass that should offer interesting features. It crosses the Long Trail / Appalachian Trail which usually means it'll be interesting.

Here's a zoom out of the area - you can see that Stamford is just above Florida, so it should be similar topography. Glastonbury is north of the red X.

I'm working on the pics and will post a brief account of what I did today and some pics to give an idea of the topography.

<small>[ October 28, 2002, 05:07 PM: Message edited by: dogwater ]</small>

Ok, after taking a few loops through some unproductive areas, I went up Collins road and after riding along some woodland trails (fairly tame with some minor rocks and mud) and passing by a water crossing leading to a climb, I came to a y intersection of two trails. There was a little stream crossing on both sides with a gully on the right and a couple trails on the left.
<img src="http://dogwater2.netfirms.com/images/2002_10_25/collins_1y01.jpg" alt=" - " />

After walking ahead I decided to try a steep, narrow gulley on the right - hand trail.
<img src="http://dogwater2.netfirms.com/images/2002_10_25/collins_1gully02.jpg" alt=" - " />

It was pretty steep and I only made it less than halfway up. I need a winch and locker! I probably could have spent more time placing rocks, etc... but I knew I had limited time so I backed down. You can see that it was pretty wet...
<img src="http://dogwater2.netfirms.com/images/2002_10_25/collins_1gully04.jpg" alt=" - " />
I went back to the left trail and crossed the stream:
<img src="http://dogwater2.netfirms.com/images/2002_10_25/collins_2gully01.jpg" alt=" - " />

It led to another intersection. Straight ahead I eventually ended up spinning my tires on the wet hill:
<img src="http://dogwater2.netfirms.com/images/2002_10_25/collins_2gully02.jpg" alt=" - " />

So I backed down and went up the other trail, which took me far enough that it got too late and I turned around. The trail kept going ahead but I could see there were some small trees down (not the first) and I knew it would be dark before I found the other side of this trail, so rather than countinuing on I turned around.

I took a pic on the way down at the beginning of a section that had a lot of branches hanging in and a couple of little conifers to skirt. I think this sort of thing is the worst you might need to deal with if you're worried about scratches.
<img src="http://dogwater2.netfirms.com/images/2002_10_25/collins_hiroad01.jpg" alt=" - " />

Anyway, this should give an idea of some of the types of terrain around there. Tomorrow I'm going to explore it more and also check out the area to the northwest (at least). I'll probably explore the Stamford Meadows area first tomorrow and go back to this spot if that doesn't pan out. In addition to the trail I turned around on (it was fine as far as I could see ahead, except for some stuff that needed moving), there was the turn I passed that crossed a stream and went sharply up as far as I could see after climbing it a bit.

Greg - Thanks for doing the legwork to find some good trails. I'm really looking forward to checking them out.

I expect that my crew will be coming up Rt 91 into Brattleboro, so we can meet you there. It should take us a little over 2 hrs. How much longer to Stamford?

Any suggestions on what time to actually meet near the trailhead? Is there anyone with particular sceduling requirements? If not, I would suggest mid-morning ~ 10 - 11.

Looks good, I think I can deal with a shrub here and there. I'm in when and where Sunday? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="images/icons/cool.gif" />

Ok, let's shoot for 10:00 - ish Sunday morning in Brattleboro? Would that work for everyone? Let's meet in the Price Chopper parking lot, there should be more space there and there's food and coffee nearby.

Just get off I-91 Exit 1 (Route 5) in VT, head toward Brattleboro and the Price Chopper is on the left at the first light. We'll be heading out Rt 9 once we're ready but this is a place I know we can all park. If you get there early, Main St and Elliot St in Bratt have food and shops. You would just go past the Price Chopper and bear left when you see the river and you'll be on Main St.. If you have CB or FRS bring 'em and let's monitor CH 10 on either to start.

Here's a map with the Price Chopper location marked: Brattleboro

<small>[ October 26, 2002, 02:43 AM: Message edited by: dogwater ]</small>

Oh yeah, Stamford is around 25-30 miles out Rt 9 west from Brattleboro.

Greg, I just emailed you, so I won't repeat myself. Just thought I'd say that I'm looking foward to seeing you guys Sunday. And also, if any of you have a really fast and tight sports car- Rt 9 is the BALLS!

When I lived on Killinton I had a '73 bmw 2002 and it was a blast to fly through those turns on Rt 9! Its one of my favorite roads up there. Well its one of about 20 of my favorite roads up there, right behind that road between Mount Holly and Wallingford, can't remember the Rt #. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> Thats a roller coaster ride!

I might make a surprise appearence who knows... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

It sounds like we're all set for a good run tomorrow. Weather look like it should be decent, too.
Remember that we set our clocks back tonight. Maybe I'll get to capitalize on that extra hour of sleep (that is if the kids don't wake up normally).

Guy - yeah 9 is a nice road. Unfortunately, they're doing construction on it now. Might as well all meet in Bratt.
Cojo - oh yeah, an hour extra sleep sounds great. Hey, did you still want those tires? If so did you want to get them this trip? Let me know. My house is about 15 mins from Bratt if you'd rather not wheel with them rattling around or I could bring 'em with me.

Well, it snowed last night and left and inch or two of wet snow and now it's raining. I'm unsure whether I'll do another run today. I don't want to risk getting stuck with Ari on board. She wants to go so we'll see how the weather progresses. If I don't, we'll just have to wing it. It should be fine, that's usually how Shad and I have done it and at least I have an idea of how the trails are laid out. I think you could spend a couple days just exploring the area I visited yesterday. I kinda wish I'd checked the general area out sooner.

<small>[ October 26, 2002, 11:54 AM: Message edited by: dogwater ]</small>