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Black Dog Series LbNA #1924

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Apr 30, 2003
Location:
City:Meriden
County:New Haven
State:Connecticut
Boxes:4
Planted by:Aili & Bruce
Found by: Rock Island (2)
Last found:Sep 3, 2019
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Apr 30, 2003
There is a Black Dog haunting the hills over Meriden. See it once, it shall be for joy; twice, it shall be for sorrow; the third time shall bring death.

Black Dog of the Hanging Hills
Four Letterboxes on the Metacomet Trail, Meriden, CT, New Haven County

Distance: 8 miles
Time: 5 1/2 hours or so
Moderate+ with difficult sections (especially from Castle Craig to West Peak)
This hike could be broken down into segments, I'm sure you can figure out how.
From Route 71 (Chamberlain Highway, behind the Westfield Shopping Mall) see the blue oval sign for the Metacomet Trail, between Cathole and South Mountains.

Follow the blue-blazed Metacomet Trail westward. When you reach the top of the trail, there is a jumble of large stones to keep vehicles off the trail. Follow an unblazed trail to the left for a few yards, and there will be a stone overlook on the right (it may just overlook trees in the summer). The Leviathon rests at the base of the overlook under a trap door style stone.
Continue across the dam of Elmere Resevoir. Be sure to follow the blue blazes, don't be accidentally sidetracked by the red-blazed trail which loops over South Mountain before reconnecting with the blue. That is a nice hike too, but better save it for another day.
Eventually, you will come to the northern end of the enchanting Merimere Res. The trail leaves the road at the corner of the lake. Climb up out of the gully. Almost immediately on the right is a large tree with a blue blaze. Behind this tree is a small outcropping of stones, here The Guardian keeps watch. He rests deeply behind the front stone which juts up above its neighbors. Continue along as the trail follows western bank though dense woods. Along this trail, many at-risk wildflowers thrive, including bloodroot, Dutchman's breeches & trillium to name a few. The trail moves away from the banks as it gains in altitude, and then opens to fabulous views far above the shore. The trail curves around the top of the cliff heading westward. As it turns back into the woods and dips down - before it goes back up, head off to the left into the gorge, keeping to the left wall. The East Peak box is under the rock next (north-ish side) to the bent dead tree. Take a last look at Mine Island before heading on.
Enjoy the many peek-a-boo views the summit offers before reaching Castle Craig. Hardly a castle, it looks more like a misplaced Rook on a giant's chessboard. Speaking of giants, the Sleeping one lies on the southern horizon.
Cross the parking area and pick up the Metacomet trail once more. Check out ESAK's Craig Castle letterbox on the way. Be sure to keep on the trail, as many unmarked side trails and faded blazes may be confusing. In one place it joins with a widened trail, and tree-cutting in the area obscures the path (blue slashes mark trees to be felled). It's from this spot upward, as the trail traverses the steep mountainside, that the Black Dog usually appears. When you reach the summit, where the trail meets the dirt road and heads to the right, go left towards the edge. Look for a faint trail on the right and head towards the tight group of oaks. Look back and see a white stone wedged under a larger rock. This hides the Black Dog box. Gently remove the flat brown rock from the side of the pile.
Take pleasure in the gorgeous vistas that West Peak offers. It's a wonderful place to picnic, and has abundant photographic opportunities. Retrace your steps carefully home, or cheat and follow the road back to the Park Ave. trail intersection near Merimere.
Oh, and if you do see the Black Dog--be sure to tell us!

"Nature Walks in Connecticut," by Laubach & Smith, mislocates the Dog's appearance to the side of East Peak. Most other accounts would indicate that they were mistaken. A good place to get the story is from "Legendary Connecticut" by David Philips, Ó1992, Curbstone Press. My very superstitious mother would have been horrified to know of our hikes in this area. :) But I've yet to see the Dog.