Sky's the Limit

Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge

The Sky’s the Limit Hiking Challenge is a program put on annually by the DEEP since 2015.  Each year DEEP staff pick 14 locations around the state to explore some element of the park.  To participate, hikers must take photos of at least 2 designated locations within each park and submit them before the deadline.

Hiking and photographing 10 of the chosen parks will earn a medallion or lapel pin and certificate.  Completing all 14 puts you in a drawing to win one of 50 hand-carved hiking staffs announced on January 1st of the following year.

I have participated each year, but visited only a handful every time.  2019 was my first year completing the challenge and I made a movie documenting it.

Former Challenge Lists

2015 Theme - Towers and Lookouts

2016 Theme - Bodies of Water

2017 Theme - Historic Sites

2018 Theme - “Lesser-known” Parks and Trails

2019 Theme - Staff Picks

2020 Theme - DIY 'Paths Less Traveled'

2021

2021 Theme – Bridges, Footbridges, and Boardwalks

This year the total number of hikes has increased to 20.  Completing all 20 will make you eligible to win one of 50 hiking staffs and completing 15 will receive a medallion and certificate.

2021 DEEP Guide to Parks and Photo Locations

1. Dinosaur State Park
   • Photo Locations (5):  Trail information building, boardwalk at start, pick one of the Interpretive signs on the trail, decorated bat box, boardwalk on blue trail
2. Lovers Leap State Park
   • Photo Locations (4): Iron Bridge, Highlights of Lovers Leap State Park Interpretive sign, Indian Spring House, photo of your choosing
3. Silver Sands State Park
   • Photo Locations (2):  New Concession building, Bench with viewing scope on the boardwalk
4. Hammonasset State Park
   • Photo Locations (3):  Plaque on the rock before heading onto the trail, photo looking out from the viewing platform towards Long Island Sound, interpretive signage on the viewing platform
5. Black Rock State Park
   • Photo Locations (3):  Footbridge, Bridge, photo from the area labeled on the map as scenic vista
6. Chatfield Hollow State Park
   • Photo Locations (4):  The History of Chatfield Hollow and The Paul F. Wildermann Boardwalk interpretive sign, Red Covered Bridge, any other bridge, footbridge or boardwalk along the hiking/walking area
7. Collis P. Huntington State Park
   • Photo Locations (2):  Trail bridge of your choosing and the Collis P. Huntington State Park signage with hand drawn trails and hand drawn explanation (key)
8. Southford Falls State Park
   • Photo Locations (3):  Covered Red Bridge, bridge near parking lot, boardwalk on the Red Trail
9. Wharton Brook State Park
   • Photo Locations (2):  Bridge over Wharton Brook and the Pitch Pine Natural Area Preserve sign
10. Wadsworth Falls State Park
    • Photo Locations (2):  Covered Bridge and the stone arch bridge
11. Peoples State Forest
    • Photo Locations (3):  Agnes Bowen Trail/Robert Ross Trail signs, pick one of the Interpretive signs leading to or on the boardwalk/viewing platform, view out into the wetland along the boardwalk
12. Ferry Landing State Park
    • Photo Locations (5):  Photo of How Well Do you Know Boating kiosk, photo of railroad bridge, photo of Blue Crab Regulations sign, photo of osprey platform Interpretive signage with island/osprey platform in background; and photo of the CT River from anywhere along the timber walkway or timber boardwalk
13. Kent Falls State Park
    • Photo Locations (3):  Covered Red Bridge, timber footbridge, Bridge on Dugan Road (at the end of the Red Trail)
14. Cockaponset State Forest
    • Photo Locations (4): 2 bridge locations/crossings along the Blue Trail, Collier’s Hut Remains, and Observation Tower Remnants
15. Sherwood Island State Park
    • Photo Locations (3): Living 9/11 memorial, 2 locations (stops) along the Nature Trail
16. Devil’s Hopyard State Park
    • Photo Locations (2): Covered bridge along the Eight Mile River, and a photo taken from the area marked on the map as Scenic View
17. Stratton Brook State Park
    • Photo Locations (2): Covered Bridge and the timber boardwalk on the Orange Trail
18. Salmon River State Forest
    • Photo Locations (2): Covered bridge, area labeled Salmon River Trail Scenic Vista
19. Osbornedale State Park
    • Photo Locations (3): Boardwalk/footbridge across from Osborne Homestead Museum, a geologic feature found along the Red Trail, and boardwalk located along the trail
20. Rocky Neck State Park
    • Photo Locations (4): Anywhere on the beach boardwalk, Bride Brook, intersection of the White/Purple Trail, intersection White/Red Trail