Late notice- AT overnight hang@ Bulls Bridge (South Kent CT) 12/19-12/20

**Festus Hagen** · 12-10-2009, 10:10

Did a hang/campout at this beautiful spot over Thanksgiving weekend, decided I must do it again! The site is called "Ten Mile Group Camping", it's on the AT at the confluence of the Housatonic and Ten Mile rivers.

I had in mind to meet at the parking area around 2pm. From there it's a moderate hike, maybe a mile or so in length to the campsite. Some changes in elevation but it's not Everest. It's really a beautiful walk along the river gorge. Once there, one could hike to his heart's content, after all the AT runs from Maine to Georgia, yes?

Coordinates for the parking lot are: +41° 40' 31.62", -73° 30' 36.54"

For those who need to know the rest... this parking area falls between an old covered bridge and a concrete bridge. Walk over the concrete bridge (there is a nice elevated walkway for pedestrians), then pretty much right away you make a left towards a green gate. Walk around the green gate and just keep truckin. You're on a good-size trail which tends to hang close to the river, up and down some ridges. Eventually you'll come to a spot where the main trail continues but a smaller trail continues to the left (it stays close to the river while the main trail veers away). Take the the one that goes left (it has white blazes, which indicates AT trail I believe). You'll cross a really cool footbridge across Ten Mile River and you're there, can't miss it (there's a sign and everything).

Plenty of tent space, and trees along the river for hammock hanging.

Things you should know: campfires are not allowed in this area, "stoves only". There is an outhouse, bring TP. There is also a nearby lean-to for the AT thru-hikers, which odds-are will be available if you feel it's too cold to hang. Right now weather.com thinks we'll see a low of 24F, of course this is subject to change. There is also plenty of river water for the taking/filtering/boiling/treating, and nearby the lean-to there is a hand-operated well (which I've never bothered to use but it does produce water).

So far it's me and one ground-dweller planning to go, hope you can join us!

**KMACK** · 12-10-2009, 10:23

Great area, 15 minutes from my house. I'll be camping over in Patterson 17/18, if I could get away again I would join you...maybe next time. Oh, DO NOT DRINK THE RIVER WATER! Enjoy!

**Festus Hagen** · 12-10-2009, 10:26

Why not? I filtered and treated it and/or boiled it. Still feeling fine

Where in Patterson are you camping, if I may ask? My mailing address is Brewster but I'm actually IN Patterson...

Originally Posted by KMACK

Great area, 15 minutes from my house. I'll be camping over in Patterson 17/18, if I could get away again I would join you...maybe next time. Oh, DO NOT DRINK THE RIVER WATER! Enjoy!

**KMACK** · 12-10-2009, 10:31

There should be warning signs for PCB from what I can remember.

A coworkers brother-in-law has farm land in Patterson. We open a gate, drive past some cows at set camp at the top of the hill, thats all I know. We were going to hike a NY section of the AT but decided against it due to a late start time/work schedule.

**Festus Hagen** · 12-10-2009, 10:34

Yeah, as soon as I finished my question I went looking and found some info on the PCBs. Ack. I doubt the occasional filtered liter of the stuff will harm anyone (people take fish out of there and eat them, although not too often) but just the same I think I'll give that well a go this time around. Thanks for the heads-up.

Originally Posted by KMACK

There should be warning signs for PCB from what I can remember.

A coworkers brother-in-law has farm land in Patterson. We open a gate, drive past some cows at set camp at the top of the hill, thats all I know. We were going to hike a NY section of the AT but decided against it due to a late start time/work schedule.

**KMACK** · 12-10-2009, 10:37

Have fun and post some more pics when you return.

**srestrepo** · 12-10-2009, 14:05

i'm in! i've been wanting to go hiking somewhere different. i guess connecticut is it. i'll be there!

**srestrepo** · 12-14-2009, 16:05

Hey Festus, since you said that it was going to be quite cold i decided that i would use my old term a rest inflatable in my hammock on top of my 3 season yet with a 20 north face sleeping bag... hope that keeps me warm.

**Festus Hagen** · 12-14-2009, 18:17

I hope so too. I'll probably be using a cheap zero bag I recently bought, along with a CCF pad. Might sound like overkill but I find my 15 bag is good in the hammock down to 30 or so, so the math works for me (expecting about 18 degrees per weather.com)

The ground dweller who is coming with us has a 30 bag. I'm a little worried about that.

Originally Posted by srestrepo

Hey Festus, since you said that it was going to be quite cold i decided that i would use my old term a rest inflatable in my hammock on top of my 3 season yet with a 20 north face sleeping bag... hope that keeps me warm.