THE BURLINGTON LAND TRUST

Looking for something to do this weekend?

How about some short hikes through the blooming mountain laurel that is so spectacular this year?  Take some pictures and post them on Facebook and Instagram.
 

The first hike is on the Burlington Land Trust’s Brower Property.  You’ll walk 1.1 miles around the pond and get views of the laurel on both shores as well as walking on the trail through tall mountain laurel bushes.  Here are the directions and a map.  This trail has inclines, declines and rocks to climb.

https://www.burlingtonct.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif2881/f/uploads/brower_loop_hike_2017_pdf.pdf

 

The second best hike for viewing mountain laurel is the Taine Mountain Loop.  You can make this hike a single or double loop.  The best view of the mountain laurel is on the red trail that takes you to Perry’s Lookout. Park at the end of Ventres Way and start your walk here.  For a shorter hike, when you get to Perry’s Lookout, follow the Blue Trail to the north that takes you down to Taine Mtn. Rd.  Walk up Taine Mt. Rd. to Ventres Way and back to the cul de sac where your car is parked.  You can even walk back the same way you came in on the red trail to look at the laurel from a different direction. 

https://www.burlingtonct.us/sites/g/files/vyhlif2881/f/uploads/taine_mt_double_loop.pdf

Historical Uses of Mountain Laurel:

Native Americans made spoons out of the bark of mountain laurel and used it as an infusion of leaves to place on scratches to alleviate the pain.  Early clockmakers created wooden clock parts from the plant.  Finally, mountain laurel became Connecticut’s State Flower in 1907. 
 

Here’s a page to color after you see the Mountain Laurel:

http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/connecticut-state-flower
 

Many thanks to Alan Perrie for creating such great trail descriptions and maps.