[Fox]

Recently I have rediscovered the trail system in Cockaponset. I probably shouldn't post anything about it because the most attractive feature of the area is the absence of people on the trails. The trails around the lake are popular but the woods trails are relatively empty. In all the encounters I've had with fellow hikers I have only had one negative experience (one irresponsible jerk actually refused to leash his dogs as he was passing me).

The rule of thumb here when hiking with animals... let 'em go but don't infringe on anyone's hike by doing so. Most everyone will either leash their animals up when they see you or head off into the woods in order to avoid you. Either way works.

Some of the trails could use a little touch up on the blazing but they are well enough traveled that only a true novice would get lost. Great place, decent people, low head count all add up to a mostly positive experience.
This area has no facilities but it does have great parking and an extensive trail system.

Here is a slide show of our most recent visit http://s27.photobuck...mview=slideshow

[dudley]

Nice

.... when my dog sees someone coming, he'll come to me to be put on the leash. I don't even have to say anything

Back in the day when I lived in Middletown, we use to camp quite a bit at Cockaponset. But the state chose to remove those (free)campsites out due to the abundance of partiers and the lack of any supervision. That's a shame 'cuz it was a great place to camp and do a little fishing just outside of the "big city"

[Fox]

dudley, on 03 Apr 2010 - 02:30 PM, said:

Nice

.... when my dog sees someone coming, he'll come to me to be put on the leash. I don't even have to say anything

I've trained my boys to do the same thing. Amazes me that more people don't.