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 Theme - Bridges, Footbridges, and Boardwalk

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.

DEEP Officials Sky’s the Limit Link 2022

1. Gillette Castle State Park in East Haddam
   • 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)
2. Goodwin State Forest in Hampton
   • 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
3. Topsmead State Forest in Litchfield
   • 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
4. Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area in Burlington
   • Trail Name: Beaver Pond Trail (2.6 mile)
   • Photo Locations (3): Session Woods Wildlife Management Area Signage, area of Beaver Marsh, view looking out from the Summer House
5. Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden
   • Trail Name: Nature Trail (1.8 miles)
   • Photo locations (3): Sleeping Giant State Park signage, photo of 2 different areas along the Nature Trail that you find unique or interesting
6. Penwood State Park in Bloomfield/Simsbury
   • Trail Name: Loop Road Trail (3.0 miles)
   • Photo Locations (3): Penwood State Park signage, photo taken from the viewing platform by Lake Louise, area of the picnic pavilion (near Penwood Pond)
7. Bluff Point State Park & Coastal Reserve in Groton
   • 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
8. Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford
   • 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
9. Gay City State Park in Bolton, Glastonbury and Hebron
   • Trail Names: Roadway to White Trail to Red/White Trail, to White Trail, to Blue Trail to Roadway (3.1 miles)
   • Photo Locations (4): Gay City State Park signage, gravestone area, mill Ruins/stone foundations, and a photo of one of the footbridges along the trail
10. Mansfield Hollow State Park in Mansfield/Windham
    • 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
11. Bolton Notch State Park to the Hop River State Park Trail in Bolton/Andover
    • 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.)
12. West Rock Ridge State Park in Hamden/New Haven
    • 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.)
13. River Highlands State Park in Cromwell
    • Trail Name: White Trail, Scenic View (1 mile)
    • Photo Locations (3): River Highlands State Park signage, photo from the area marked as scenic view on the map, photo from anywhere along the trail
14. Enders State Forest in Granby/Barkhamsted
    • Trail Name: Enders Falls loop purple trail
    • Photo Locations (3): Enders State Forest signage, photo of the trail, and a photo of the Falls
15. Fort Trumbull State Park in New London
    • Trail Name: Riverfront Walk of historic sites (1.3 miles)
    • Photo Locations (3): Fort Trumbull State Park signage, photo from inside or outside of the Fort, photo on or from the Fort Trumbull Fishing Pier
16. Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park in Groton
    • 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
17. Farm River State Park in East Haven
    • 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
18. Putnam Memorial State Park in Redding
    • 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
19. Beckley Furnace Industrial Monument in North Canaan
    • 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
20. 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!**