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Your “Hike the Giant” hike with HIKE for Mental Health with Deanna and Shianne is only 2 weeks away! We look forward to seeing you there! Here’s what you need to know.

Getting started

Date:	Sunday, September 1, 2024
Start time:	Check-in is from 8:30-9am.
Location:	Meet in the parking area near the park kiosk at Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, CT. The address is 200 Mount Carmel Ave. For Google Map directions to the parking lot, click here.
The plan:	Meet in the parking lot between 8:30-9AM. There is a $10/vehicle parking fee for any vehicles not registered in Connecticut. There are 3 hikes/routes to choose from. Tower Trail (Easy): This 3.1 mile out and back trail features great forest setting and is good for all skill levels. It’s kid friendly and dogs on leash are welcome. The trail ends at a 4-story stone observation tower with plenty of room for a picnic. Violet Trail to the Tower (Moderate):Violet Trail to the Red Square (take a right), meeting up with either the Tower Trail or Blue, and ending at the Tower. This moderately difficult trail will take you through the old quarry works and around the back of the Giant. Watch for pileated woodpeckers as you traverse the right shoulder of the mountain on your way to the Tower and its views of Long Island Sound. You can return the same way or take the Tower Trail back. Blue Trail to Violet Loop (Hard): Plan for over 6 miles of rock mixed with woods. Starting up the Blue Trail, you’ll continue past the Tower, meeting up with Red Circle and returning on Violet. The Violet trail takes you back over the far side of the mountain, past the old quarry works and ending with a stroll along the Mill River.
Est. finish time:	The hike will end around 3 pm. back at the starting point.
Lodging:	If you are coming from a distance and looking for a place to stay in Hamden, try the Clarion Hotel & Suites. 2260 Whitney Ave. Hamden CT 203-288-3831. Hamden also hosts a number of restaurants – everything from fine dining at Luce to hot dogs at Glenwood. Also, check out the three microbreweries in town.

What to bring

Clothing

• comfortable, loose-fitting hiking clothing, not made of cotton
• waterproof shell or windbreaker
• wool or synthetic sweater (if it is chilly)
• good walking/hiking shoes or boots (unless you are one of the brave barefoot hikers!)

Food & water

• 1 quart of water
• A lunch and snacks for the trail

Other items you may want to consider

• $10 to park if in a non-CT car
• cell phone
• camera
• personal first aid supplies – aspirin, band-aids
• sunscreen
• bug repellent, just in case
• trekking poles or hiking sticks

Wear your HIKE for Mental Health Shirts if you have them!

FUNDRAISING_PARAGRAPH

Let’s hike!

That’s about it. If you have any questions at all, please ask. Deanna and Shianne will be your hike leaders. You can reach Deanna via her cell phone at (860) 839-9652 with any questions the morning of the hike.

Thank you for being part of the hike and for helping raise $$$ and awareness to help eliminate the suffering from mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it.

Leo Walker

HIKE for Mental Health

Hikes that bring hope.

www.hikeformentalhealth.org

(281) 219-9320