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The entire northeast has very little federal land. You’re looking at state parks and forests if you search up hiking destinations there, mostly. (Acadia’s the m

The entire northeast has very little federal land. You’re looking at state parks and forests if you search up hiking destinations there, mostly. (Acadia’s the major exception) CT’s absolutely covered in hiking trails, it’s crazy, you see pull-offs and road crossings constantly. State parks, state wilderness, and just about every town (equivalent of a county in other places; CT has counties, technically, but they don’t do anything, and CT “towns” can have multiple “villages” in them) has a land trust that manages even more wild areas, trails, and parks. Wildlife includes black bears and moose(!) Outside the little panhandle bit that’s basically one big NYC suburb, it’s a surprisingly forested state, and feels far more wild than lots of states that have lower population density but are covered in farms. CT farms tend to be isolated, not one butting up against another for miles and miles. The northeastern quadrant is kinda dull but the rest of the state (the bit nearest NYC excepted) is really pretty. Very hilly, lots of trees, and the whole western third or so is a highland that’s an extension of the Appalachians. Follow that up a little ways, or a bit west, and you’re in proper mountains in MA or NY. Also, the whole state’s the size of some “greater metro areas” for cities, so you can go from the beach to highland hiking in a day. California lite.

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susiecambria 1y ago
You're right that there are a ton of trails, parks, etc. in Connecticut. Which is why I find dashboard lacking (and I admit I have not been on a CT trail, um, ever, even though I spent 20-ish years living there). There are trails in state parks (think Kent Falls and Sleeping Giant, for instance). And there are also a lot of maps, interactive whatevers, such as https://ctwoodlands.org/explore-trails/interactive-map/ https://ctwoodlands.org/explore-trails/interactive-map/ and Rails to Trail https://www.depdata.ct.gov/maps/ctrailtrail/index.html https://www.depdata.ct.gov/maps/ctrailtrail/index.html. Someone else mentioned how fab it is that the state has done this. But it's unclear to me if the state did this or the University of Connecticut did this. Yes, UConn is the state, but UConn does not manage the open data portal for the state (ct.gov). As someone who worked on open data (and i use "worked on" VERY loosely) in the District of Columbia, I would expect the state (ct.gov) to manage the data and the front end. This is not the case. Finally, while I want to push back about the portrayal of northeastern CT, I cannot. It was a great place to grow up, close and far.
thehappypm 1y ago
Jockey Hollow in New Jersey is a nice place as well, part of Morristown NHP. It’s ostensibly a historical park but 99% of the use is just a wonderful place to hike the small mountains and walk in the woods. Given the insane amount of NHPs in the Northeast, I’m curious if there are others.

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susiecambria 1y ago

You're right that there are a ton of trails, parks, etc. in Connecticut. Which is why I find dashboard lacking (and I admit I have not been on a CT trail, um, ever, even though I spent 20-ish years living there). There are trails in state parks (think Kent Falls and Sleeping Giant, for instance). And there are also a lot of maps, interactive whatevers, such as https://ctwoodlands.org/explore-trails/interactive-map/ https://ctwoodlands.org/explore-trails/interactive-map/ and Rails to Trail https://www.depdata.ct.gov/maps/ctrailtrail/index.html https://www.depdata.ct.gov/maps/ctrailtrail/index.html. Someone else mentioned how fab it is that the state has done this. But it's unclear to me if the state did this or the University of Connecticut did this. Yes, UConn is the state, but UConn does not manage the open data portal for the state (ct.gov). As someone who worked on open data (and i use "worked on" VERY loosely) in the District of Columbia, I would expect the state (ct.gov) to manage the data and the front end. This is not the case. Finally, while I want to push back about the portrayal of northeastern CT, I cannot. It was a great place to grow up, close and far.

thehappypm 1y ago

Jockey Hollow in New Jersey is a nice place as well, part of Morristown NHP. It’s ostensibly a historical park but 99% of the use is just a wonderful place to hike the small mountains and walk in the woods. Given the insane amount of NHPs in the Northeast, I’m curious if there are others.