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49-749: The Mattabesett Trail is a 62-mile (100 km) long, hook-shaped blue-blazed hiking trail in central Connecticut and a part of the New England National Scenic Trail . One half of the trail follows the high traprock ridges of the Metacomet Ridge , from Totoket Mountain in Guilford, Connecticut , to Lamentation Mountain in Meriden, Connecticut , from south to north. This ridge is known for its biodiversity , miles of scenic cliffs, and rugged hiking. The second half of

98-439: A blue blaze or the top painted blue. Blue blazes are painted on telephone poles, road guard rails, buildings (rarely) and other signs (rarely). Sometimes wooden tags or wooden arrows are nailed to trees (or sticks stuck in the ground) though this is much more common on non-Blue-Blazed trails. Some trail sections are marked using blue plastic diamond signs or metallic disks nailed in trees rather than painted blazes. Signs indicating

147-480: A number of commercial and non-commercial sources, and a complete guidebook is published by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association It is regularly maintained, and is considered moderately challenging due to the amount of elevation change with sections of rugged and moderately difficult hiking. As there are dangerous ridge walks children should be supervised in the eastern section's heights. Much of

196-569: A part of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and similar (e.g. state and municipal) work camps and programs. After rapid growth in the 1930s persisting into the mid-1940s, the post-"World War 2" housing boom began to encroach upon sections of the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails, particularly in heavily populated areas affected by the move from urban cities to suburban developments. This trend continued in

245-513: A potential hazard. Parts of the trail (particularly the easternmost sections) are adjacent to, or is on lands where hunting and the use of firearms are permitted. Wearing bright orange clothing during the hunting season (Fall through December) is recommended. Trail runners sometimes run the trail in its entirety, attempting to set a time record for traversing the length of the trail. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA) provides commemorative patches as recognition to hikers completing

294-770: A result of agreements reached between the CFPA, Nature Conservancy, the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Aquarion Water Company (previously the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company). In 2014, the two trails were joined to create over 18 miles on continuous trail is the heart of Fairfield County. The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) offers the Blue Trails Challenge . Hike any of

343-718: A suitable detour could not be found. The route of the original (much longer) Naugatuck Trail and several other CFPA trails blazed in the 1930s can be seen in the Connecticut Forest & Park Association's 1940 Connecticut Walk Book map of major trails . On the same map you can see that at one point in time almost all of the major Blue-Blazed Trails west of the Connecticut River were interconnected (the Appalachian, Mattatuck, Tunxis, Quinnipiac, Mattabesett, Metacomet, Naugatuck, Pomeraug and Paugusett). Several trails were truncated or were broken into pieces with gaps (e.g.

392-452: A trail (two parallel horizontal rectangles is the new preferred form). Three blazes indicates that the trail is forking in two different directions (as in a loop). But directional arrows are also often painted on rocks, trees and other stationary objects, particularly when they can provide better information (such as 'Up!' on a rock climb). Occasionally sticks or poles places in the ground are used instead of trees (especially in open fields) with

441-404: Is Republican Brendan Rea, who has served since 2023. The other selectmen are Republican Robert Chadd, and Democrat Thomas Hennick Durham is split between the 12th and 34th state senate districts, as well as the 86th and 101st state house districts. Democrat Christine Cohen represents the 12th senate district, and Republican Paul Cicarella represents the 34th senate district. Vincent Candelora ,

490-763: Is a town in Middlesex County , Connecticut , United States . Durham is a former farming village on the Coginchaug River in central Connecticut. The town is part of the Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region . The population was 7,152 at the 2020 census . Every autumn, the town hosts the Durham Fair , the largest volunteer agricultural fair in New England. The Durham town center

539-522: Is also often referred to as the 3-M, MMM or Metacomet-Monadnock-Mattabesett trail. The New England National Scenic Trail will eventually include all or almost all of the MMM trails as well as a proposed extension trail from the southernmost point on the Mattabesett Trail through Guilford, Connecticut to the northern shore of Long Island Sound. The southern-western terminus of the trail is located on

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588-486: Is available to those who complete five sponsored "letterbox" hikes (in each separate state forest you must hike the described route, find the "letterbox/cache" and record your visit in the "letterbox" book ). The State Forest Centennial campaign dates to 2003 (the centennial of the first official state forest in Connecticut). A walking stick is available for those who complete the letterbox hike of all thirty-two (32) of

637-552: Is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place . The core of the town center has also been listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places . According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 23.8 square miles (62 km ), of which, 23.6 square miles (61 km ) is land and 0.2 square miles (40  ha or 0.67%)

686-494: Is part of Connecticut's 3rd congressional district , and is represented by Rosa DeLauro , however parts of it were located in the 2nd district as late as 2010. Durham is a swing town in presidential elections, having voted for the Democratic and Republican candidate five times each in the last ten election cycles. The Durham Meadows superfund site encompasses an area of town around the abandoned Merriam Manufacturing, and

735-600: Is water. The town center CDP has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16 km ). 6.3 square miles (16 km ) of it is land and 0.16% is water. The west side of Durham is flanked by the Metacomet Ridge , a mountainous trap rock ridgeline that stretches from Long Island Sound to nearly the Vermont border. Notable features of the Metacomet ridge in Durham include Trimountain , Fowler Mountain , Pistapaug Mountain , and

784-518: The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA), and the related trail systems documented in the two-volume ("East" and "West") 19th Edition of the "Connecticut Walk Book" comprise over 800 miles of hiking trails in Connecticut. There are now over 825 miles of CFPA Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails that pass through 96 towns traversing both public and private lands. This includes all official main and side trails. The main line trails are marked using

833-580: The Durham census-designated place , corresponding to the town center. The population density was 443.1 inhabitants per square mile (171.1/km ). There were 1,078 housing units at an average density of 172.3 per square mile (66.5/km ). The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.91% White , 0.47% Black or African American , 0.07% Native American , 0.87% Asian , 0.25% from other races , and 0.43% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.01% of

882-653: The Mattabesset settlement of the Wangunk Native American tribe (also known as "Black-hill Indians" and ) that inhabited the Middletown area. Mattabesett was also the original name for Middletown at the time European settlers arrived. The derivation Mete-wis translates to "black earth". The following historic sites can be found on the Mattabesett Trail route: The mainline trail is blazed with blue rectangles. Trail descriptions are available from

931-511: The Philadelphia library. Moses Austin who, along with his son Stephen F. Austin , began the settlement of Spanish and Mexican Texas by Anglo-Americans , was born in Durham in 1761. In the 1830s Durham came to prominence as the birthplace of Richard P. Robinson, who was tried for and acquitted of the infamous murder of Helen Jewett . As of the census of 2000, there were 6,627 people, 2,277 households, and 1,871 families living in

980-785: The Broomstick Ledges, Seven Falls, and Coginchaug Cave. The Metacomet Trail continues north from Lamentation Mountain where the Mattabesett Trail leaves off. The geology, ecology, and landscape of the trail are similar to that of the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail to the north in Massachusetts . In 2000, the United States Congress authorized the National Park Service to research a new National Scenic Trail now called

1029-588: The Connecticut Walk Books by the Connecticut Forest & Park Association are also known as the Connecticut 400 for their total length in miles in the early 1970s. The list of Blue-Blazed (maintained by the CFPA) and other trails listed in the current Connecticut Walk Books and/or CFPA website are: While the light blue paint blazes are usually vertical rectangles painted on trees to mark

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1078-445: The Connecticut Walk Books. The Connecticut Walk Book West (2006, 19th ed.) includes a Connecticut 400 Club hiking log and instructions on submitting the log for the award. The State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) Forestry Division provides two awards for locating and visiting " letterboxes " (similar to geocaches) in Connecticut's State Forests. The commemorative ' State Forest Centennial Patch'

1127-675: The New England National Scenic Trail in southern New England , which includes the Mattabesett Trail as well as the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail and the Metacomet Trail . On March 30, 2009 President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 establishing the New England National Scenic Trail (and two other national scenic trails). The combination of the Metacomet, Monadnock and Mattabesett trails

1176-848: The Tunxis and Mattatuck trails). References to lost or vestigial portions of Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails can still be found in the land use planning documents of local municipalities such as recommendations to purchase for open space several tracts of land over which the Naugatuck Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail once traveled (e.g. April 1998 Town of Bethany Conservation Commission's ' Open Space Plan' ). The number of Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails and their total mileage have continued to increase in recent years. The Saugatuck and Aspetuck Valley Blue-Blazed hiking trails in Fairfield County were added in 2005 and 2006 respectively as

1225-402: The average family size was 3.06. In the CDP the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males. The median income for a household in the CDP

1274-405: The average family size was 3.17. In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.0% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males. The median income for a household in the town

1323-599: The concept and formed the first CFPA "Trails Committee". The Quinnipiac Trail was the first Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail created, followed by the Metacomet Trail and Mattabesett Trail in 1931–1932. During the Depression the size of the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail system expanded both in total length and the number of trails. In many cases unemployed workers were used to help build the trails as well as other projects in Connecticut's parks and forests as

1372-499: The eastern side of the state road known as Connecticut Route 5 and Route 15 across the road from the trailhead for the Metacomet Trail . The trail is primarily used for trail running , hiking , backpacking , picnicking , and in the winter, snowshoeing . As with all Connecticut Blue Blazed trails, the use of bicycles on the trail is prohibited. Portions of the trail are suitable for, and are used for, cross-country skiing and geocaching . Site-specific activities enjoyed along

1421-517: The entire length of one of the three original Blue-Blazed trails in Connecticut (Quinnipiac, Metacomet and Mattabesett). The Mattabesett Trail patch can be obtained for a small fee ($ 1) after the hiking the entire trail is completed by contacting the Connecticut Forest and Park Association . Books – Connecticut hiking [ edit ] Books – Connecticut history and geography [ edit ] Specific to this trail: Blue-Blazed Trails The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail ( BBHT ) system, managed by

1470-418: The latter half of the twentieth century, accelerating in some cases, and even expanding in the new millennium following a new trend of prosperous residents moving to large expensive houses on multi-acre lots in rural exurbs far from population centers (often derisively nicknamed "McMansions"). Residential housing and follow-on commercial development caused hiking trails to be re-routed or disappear altogether if

1519-547: The north tip of Totoket Mountain . The 50-mile (80-kilometer) Mattabesett Trail traverses the ridge. Miller's Pond State Park is located within the town. Durham was incorporated in 1708. The settlement was named after Durham , England. It took land from Guilford , and Haddam . Durham has one of the first public libraries in the United States. It was founded in 1733, two years after Benjamin Franklin started

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1568-487: The operational Durham Manufacturing company. Both companies disposed of organic solvents, paint wastes, and degreasers in open lagoons and buried drums. The waste leached into the town's water supply, contaminating several private wells with methylene chloride , 1,4-dioxane , and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection are coordinating cleanup and monitoring efforts, including

1617-408: The population. There were 1,040 households, out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 18.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and

1666-408: The population. There were 2,277 households, out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.3% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% were non-families. 14.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and

1715-452: The route include bird watching , hunting , fishing , horseback riding , bouldering and rock climbing . The official trail passes through land located within the following Connecticut municipalities, from northwest to south then northeast: Berlin , Middletown , Meriden , Meriden , Middlefield , Wallingford , Durham , Wallingford , Durham , North Branford , Guilford , Madison , Durham , Haddam , Middletown . The Trail

1764-722: The side of a paved road is usually marked with the signature professional blue oval sign indicating the name of the trail. These are mounted on metal posts driven deep into the ground. On December 27, 1929 at the Graduate Club in New Haven the Reverend Edgar Heermance (Connecticut Forest & Park Association's Secretary) met with several companions and described his idea for the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System. The group embraced

1813-411: The solid light blue rectangular vertical paint blaze . A recent change in blaze design to official CFPA connector, side and alternate trails is now in use. The new design standard for blaze markings for these trails is the same light blue blaze as the main trails with the designated color square painted below and abutting to the blue blaze. The Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails and other trail systems listed in

1862-479: The state House Minority Leader, represents the 87th state house district, and Democrat John-Michael Parker represents the 101st district. The 12th senate district, from 2015 to 2019, was represented by Edward M. Kennedy Jr. of the Kennedy family . Durham has voted consistently voted Republican in gubernatorial elections. In the 2018 election , Republican Bob Stefanowski beat Democrat Ned Lamont 57%–37%. Durham

1911-733: The state forests. Many of the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails in Connecticut travel through or near one or more of the State Forests, often very close to the sponsored (DEEP) letterbox. In 2012, the CFPA created a series of videos highlighting 10 of the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails. The series, " Tales From The Trails ", was funded by the state Office of Culture & Tourism , and promoted via their YouTube channel. ( https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL146788DE7B1A68B9 ) Books – Connecticut hiking [ edit ] Books – Connecticut history and geography [ edit ] Durham, Connecticut Durham ( / ˈ d ɜːr ə m / DURR -əm )

1960-428: The terminus, parking area, intersection of side trails or other points of interest may vary also, from painted or carved/engraved/routed handmade wooden signs on trees or posts to framed glass official CFPA professionally printed white background signs to pieces of paper in plastic protectors (either handwritten or computer printed or copied). The terminus points for major Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails and some side trails on

2009-418: The town. The population density was 280.8 inhabitants per square mile (108.4/km ). There were 2,349 housing units at an average density of 99.5 per square mile (38.4/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 96.68% White , 1.15% Black or African American , 0.18% Native American , 0.85% Asian , 0.30% from other races , and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.54% of

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2058-466: The trail extends north from Guilford to Middletown, Connecticut , and ends at the Connecticut River . Here, the trail follows an upland of metamorphic rock with occasional views and dense forests. Important features along the trail include Lamentation Mountain , Chauncey Peak , Higby Mountain , Besek Mountain , Fowler Mountain , Trimountain , Pistapaug Mountain , Totoket Mountain ,

2107-420: The trail is close to public roads. There are no camping facilities along the trail and camping is generally prohibited in the areas along the trail. Weather along the route is typical of Connecticut . Conditions on exposed ridge tops and summits may be harsher during cold or stormy weather. Lightning is a hazard on exposed summits and ledges during thunderstorms. Snow is common in the winter and may necessitate

2156-401: The trail, there is often a bit of variety in terms of both paint blazes and signage found on a Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail. Usually direction is indicated with one blaze to indicate 'go straight ahead', two blazes with the top blaze to the left indicating a left turn, two blazes with the top blaze to the right indicating a right turn, and two blazes directly on top of each other indicating the end of

2205-550: The trails in the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail System, log your miles, and earn prizes. There are three categories (200, 400, and 800 miles). In 1974 the Connecticut 400 Club award was established by the Connecticut Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) to recognize those who have hiked the entire length of all of the trails (Blue-Blazed and not, main line, connector and others) listed in

2254-590: The use of snowshoes. Ice can form on exposed ledges and summits, making hiking dangerous without special equipment. Extensive flooding in ponds, puddles and streams may occur in the late winter or early spring, overflowing into the trail and causing very muddy conditions. In this case fairly high waterproof boots are recommended. Some southern and eastern parts of the trail follow forest roads which often contain ruts from ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles. Biting insects can be bothersome during warm weather. Parasitic deer ticks (which are known to carry Lyme disease ) are

2303-415: Was $ 66,505, and the median income for a family was $ 72,465. Males had a median income of $ 47,179 versus $ 37,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $ 26,972. About 2.1% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 1.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over. Durham has a selectman-town meeting form of government. The current first selectman

2352-429: Was $ 77,639, and the median income for a family was $ 82,864. Males had a median income of $ 51,250 versus $ 38,833 for females. The per capita income for the town was $ 29,306. About 1.3% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line , including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,773 people, 1,040 households, and 809 families living in

2401-624: Was the third trail created by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association and was completed in 1932. Students from Wesleyan University helped to clear and blaze the trail. The rough route of the original trail blazed in the 1930s can be seen in the Connecticut Forest and Park Association's 1940 Connecticut Walk Book map of major trails. The trail is named for the Mattabesset River (alternate forms Mattabeseck, Mattabesick and Metewemesick—as written by Roger Williams ) and

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