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.
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.
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
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
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
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)
Photo Locations (2): Covered Bridge and the stone arch bridge
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
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
Photo Locations (3): Boardwalk/footbridge across from Osborne Homestead Museum, a geologic feature found along the Red Trail, and boardwalk located along the trail
Photo Locations (4): Anywhere on the beach boardwalk, Bride Brook, intersection of the White/Purple Trail, intersection White/Red Trail
2022
This year’s theme is ‘Best Kept Secrets‘ Hike and photograph 15 for a certificate and medallion. Hike and photograph all 20 to enter a drawing to win one of 50 hand carved hiking staffs. All entries are due by 3 pm on Friday, December 2, 2022.
Trail Names: Purple Trail – Train Tunnel Trail (1.14 miles) and the Blue Trail (.34 miles) leading down to the CT River.
Photo Locations (4): Gillette Castle signage, Gillette Castle, the train tunnel on Purple Trail, Osaki House and Aunt Polly by the water (best to see at low tide)
Trail Names: Richard D. Haley Nature Plant Wildlife Gardens and the .5 mile Forest Discovery Trail
Photo Locations (3): Goodwin State Forest or James L. Goodwin Conservation signage, anywhere within the Richard D. Haley Nature Plant Wildlife Garden, any area of the Forest Discovery Trail
Trail Names: Red Trail (1 mile) and the Edith Morton Chase Ecology Trail (.7 miles)
Photo Locations (3): Topsmead State Forest signage, signage inside of the viewing stand, one of the interpretive signs on the Edith Morton Chase Ecology Trail
Trail Name: Gravel Road (3.45 miles) in Bluff Point
Photo Locations (4): Bluff Point State Park signage, photo of the scenic view at the end of Bluff Point (shown as scenic view on the map), Sunset Rock (as shown on map) and Winthrop House foundation and signage
Trail Name: Take the Harkness Memorial Loop (1.3 mile) and the Niering Walk (.25 miles)
Photo Locations (5): Harkness Memorial State Park signage, photo from the Wildlife Viewing Platform on the Niering Walk, photo of/from the boardwalk as shown on the map, photo of one of the gardens, and a photo of the Mansion known as Eolia
Trail Name: Yellow Trail to the Flood Control Levee (1.75 miles)
Photo Locations (3): Mansfield Hollow State Park signage, Flood Control Levee signage, photo from any location looking out along/from the Flood Control Levee
Trail Name: Hop River State Park Trail starting in Bolton Notch State Park (4.5 miles)
Photo Locations (5): Bolton Notch State park signage, Hop River State Park signage, Bolton Notch tunnel, photo of a rock formation along the trail, photo of an interesting “find” along the trail (could be anything-the trail, an animal, building, tree, etc.)
Trail Name: Red Trail to White Trail looping around Lake Wintergreen
Photo Locations (3): Lake Wintergreen signage, view of Lake Wintergreen from the trail, photo of an interesting feature or find on your hike (i.e teepees, animals, trees or tree root, etc.)
Trail Name: Six stop cell phone walking tour of Fort Griswold (.5 miles)
Photo Locations (4): Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park signage, photo of the monument or looking out from the monument, cell phone tour post and signage, view looking out from the constructed deck at Fort Griswold of the property
Trail Names: Shoreline Greenway Trail ( .6 miles) and the Farm River Nature Trail Please note: best to do during low tide conditions.
Photo Locations (4): Farm River State Park signage, Shoreline Greenway Trail signage, photo taken along the Shoreline Greenway Trail, and a photo taken along the Nature Trail
Trail Name: Gravel Road loop and loop around the Museum (1 mile)
Photo Locations (5): Putnam Memorial State Park signage, photos of 3 of the marked historic sites on-site (3 photos), and any other photo of your choosing
Trail Name: Walk the monument grounds at Beckley Furnace and visit the Industrial Monument (.25 miles)
Photo Locations (3): Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument signage, Beckley Iron Furnace, any other photo of the grounds or the furnace
For the 20th hike choose your own favorite CT State Park or Forest location, a feature within such park or forest, or what trail you feel is the “Best Kept Secret” here in CT. Please tell us the location, why it’s the Best Kept Secret” and share your photos with us. We are looking forward to hearing from you!**
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