Ragged Mountain - Blue Red Trail, Metacomet Trail - 11-12-2023

Hiking Trail Conditions Report
	Peaks	Ragged Mountain, CT

	Trails:	Blue Red Trail, Metacomet Trail

	Date of Hike:	Sunday, November 12, 2023

	Parking/Access Road Notes:	We met friends at the West Lane trail head parking at 7:00am. Only one other car there at the start but when we returned at about 9:30 parking was near capacity (20-25 vehicles both off the road and on the side of the street where allowed).

	Surface Conditions:	Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Leaves - Significant/Slippery

	Recommended Equipment:

	Water Crossing Notes:	Only one noteworthy crossing on the jeep road near the West Lane trail head parking which was easily rock hopped.

	Trail Maintenance Notes:	This section sees lots of traffic and has been well maintained although eroded a bit in a few spots

	Dog-Related Notes:	The poodles had a friend along for the hike and they were pretty rambunctious. Still enough water around for them but the trail has dried considerably. There are a fair amount of cliffs along this route which made mom-ma a bit nervous with the dogs roughhousing.

	Bugs:	None with the chilly morning which was a nice change.

	Lost and Found:


	Comments:	Stick season is just about in full swing. With the leaves mostly down footing was a little tricky, but views through the forest are much further. We ascended the blue red ridge line trail heading south from the West Lane parking. Beautiful early morning sun on this aspect and one of the better views in the area looking to the east/south east. Joined the Metacomet at about the 2 mile mark by the Cary Street cliffs and headed toward the main cliffs on Ragged Mountain to the north. We descended the staircase to the Nature Conservancy kiosk and continued below the cliffs and then back up the short but challenging climb to Ragged proper. Take care in this section as both the descent and ascent has tricky footing. Continued on the Metacomet north and joined the jeep road before reaching the orange trail which cuts out some distance. Nice day and our friends who had not hiked here before enjoyed a moderately challenging hike with very nice views and rock features.

	Name:	Jo-Kah

	E-Mail:

	Date Submitted:	2023-11-13

	Link:	https://
		Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.