Forests in Transition Along the Housatonic: A Halloween Hike

Join HVA for a Halloween Hike along the Housatonic River in Shelton, CT! Join the Housatonic Valley Association this Halloween for a scenic hike with a spooky twist! We'll explore the wooded Tahmore Preserve and Paugussett Trails, climb to a rocky overlook with beautiful views of the Housatonic River, and venture toward Indian Well Falls, a picturesque waterfall imbued with local legend and ghost stories. Along the way, we'll uncover the area's natural history and discover some of the fascinating, and sometimes eerie, secrets of the autumn forest. Participants will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, at the trailhead. Participants will receive an email from Amanda Colley, HVA's Environmental Education Coordinator ([email protected]), before the event with all logistics and details. This approximately 2.5-mile hike includes steep inclines, rocky and uneven terrain, and a stream crossing. The waterfall portion is dependent on water levels and may be omitted if conditions are unsafe. Registration is limited, so please reserve your spot today! After the hike, join HVA for the opening reception of our Bridges Across the Housatonic gallery exhibit at 1 p.m. at the Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby! Originally created in celebration of America’s 200th Birthday, this gallery will showcase original Woldemar Neufeld watercolor and ink paintings, featuring bridges along the stretch of the Housatonic River from New Milford to Long Island Sound, 50 years after their completion. All hikers are required to wear proper footwear with good tread (hiking boots, or sturdy sneakers)—no sandals or open-toed shoes! Please remember to bring water to drink, food to fuel your hike, and to dress appropriately for the weather, including bringing layers for warmth or precipitation as necessary. Please also bring sun protection, such as sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats. Hikers are advised to wear long pants, long sleeves, and long socks to help keep ticks off. Insect repellant (Deet, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, 2-undecanone) is recommended. All parks are take-in, take-out—the only thing we’ll leave behind are footprints. You can learn more about what to bring by watching the UConn Extension video series Hiking - 101 Basics (English & Spanish). The only conservation organization dedicated to the entire tri-state Housatonic River watershed, the Housatonic Valley Association acts to protect the natural character and environmental health of the region, from the Berkshires to Long Island Sound, through river restoration projects, land conservation initiatives, and environmental educational programs. Learn more at hvatoday.org. See all of HVA's upcoming events here. Waiver • I know that participation in this Housatonic Valley Association hike is a potentially hazardous activity. I will not register and participate unless I am medically able and properly able. I agree to abide by any decision of any hike leader as to my ability to safely complete the event. I assume all risks associated with this event, including but not limited to falls, contact with other participants, contact with water and/or potentially cold water, and effects of weather including condition of the site, all such risks being known and understood by me. • Having read this waiver and knowing these facts and in consideration of your accepting of my registration, I, for myself and anyone entitled to act on my behalf, waive and release Housatonic Valley Association Employees, Board of Directors, Volunteers, and all Sponsors from all claims or liabilities of any kind arising out of my participation in this event. I grant permission to all of the foregoing to use any photographs, motion pictures, recordings or any other record of this event for any legitimate purposes. • I acknowledge and understand that Housatonic Valley Association, its Employees, Board of Directors, and Agents is/are committed to the exercise of due and reasonable care in the prevention and/or transmission of viral and bacterial illnesses, including but not limited to Coronavirus / Covid19. However, Housatonic Valley Association cannot and does not guarantee that participants will not contract and/or transmit any particular viral or bacterial illness from or as a result of participation in Housatonic Valley Association's programs and/or activities. • I also acknowledge and understand there is an incalculable degree of risk of contracting and/or transmitting viral and/or bacterial illness(es) that is inherent to participation in this event. I accept and assume that risk knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. I therefore covenant agree that neither I, nor my child shall have any cause of action or make any claim or demand against Housatonic Valley Association, its Employees, Board of Directors, and Agents based upon, arising from or related to the contraction or transmission of Coronavirus / Covid19 or other viral or bacterial illness(es); and shall hold Housatonic Valley Association, its Employees, Board of Directors, and Agents harmless and indemnified from any and all liability and/or damages caused by, arising from or related to the same. By registering for this event, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the terms stated above.