{James Property and the Town of Simsbury Gersten Property Hike}
(including a segment of the New England National Scenic Trail)
Sunday, March 28
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Meet in Tariffville at the end of Church Street Extension
This walk is about 2.6 miles long and should take about two hours. It begins in Tariffville at the end of Church Street Extension. Participants may park there, being careful not to block neighbors’ driveways. (As always, we encourage car pooling). Most of the walk is fairly level, but it includes some steep hills and a lot of rocky, uneven footing. It is suitable for persons who are fit, including kids. The walk will climb the hill from Church Street Extension and merge with the National Scenic “Metacomet” Trail. It will visit the site of Bartlett Tower and from there follow a loop that will offer a pleasant sylvan walk punctuated by attractive views.
Built in 1889 as a pavilion and bowling alley, Bartlett’s Tower originally attracted picnicking day trippers from Hartford. Traveling by train to the Tariffville station, and then by carriage to the70-foot tower, visitors enjoyed varied recreation and a famous panoramic view. Today, a chimney sits at the top of the slope — all that remains of the tower, which burned down on May 24, 1936. RSVP’s are requested to 860-651-8773.
