Discussion: Sent you a Google Doc link ...

Sent you a Google Doc link - let me know if you don't get it. The potentially usable area of that map is about 1.35 km not counting any MDC properties.

No link (I'm assuming that was supposed to be by email?). I was definitely envisioning MDC property being involved, looks like that would up the area to 4+ sq km, not so bad.

Should have been by email. I will try a direct link when I get back on that computer.

Not sure if MDC allows off trail activity these days. I know they shut down pretty much all recreational activity after being sued by a mountain biker who crashed into a closed yellow gate a number of years ago. Perhaps restrictions have been loosened in the intervening years.
{edit} Current regulations require visitors stay on trails and in designated areas.

Oh, for heaven's sake. I don't imagine the yellow gate was off-trail, was it?

That means the Brainard map wouldn't be usable these days, either?

Are those 5m contours?

Brainard has been on trail only since whenever. The gate was on one of the main roads through the park. No excuse for hitting it.

We went into talcott a few times many years ago, but not far as it was pretty junky undergrowth. May have grown out but not likely. As you relate, it’s a popular place. The access road parking is frequently overflowing and in leaf-peeping time, it’s unusable.

Looks pretty nice in terms of vegetation from what I could see, but that's based on just viewing it from the trails and from the air. Yeah, definitely gets way crowded.

Map I sent was 5ft contours.
Dark Green - state of ct
Light Green - town of Simsbury
Grey Green - se part - MDC

Light & Dark green parts = 1.3 km or so.

5 foot -- okay, that looks more plausible and less scary. So every 3rd-4th line for 5m.