East Peak, Hubbard Park, Meriden CT Hiking

For best experience, click "settings" and raise resolution to at least 1440p Parking: Hubbard Park, at Reservoir Road gate. Distance: 4.7 mi Elevation Gain: 800 ft This hike is a loop that follows the road around Merimere Reservoir before heading up along a ridgeline to Castle Craig at the top of East Peak. The hike starts on a paved road that takes you around Merimere Reservoir. Along the road you have good views of the cliffs you will be hiking. When you get to the Metacomet Trail, it takes you up and along sheer traprock cliffs. From these cliffs you have a good view of South Mountain on the other side of Merimere Reservoir. The trail leads to Castle Craig and the high point of East Peak before heading back down. A pavilion on the way down offers a unique view of the castle from below. East Peak is one of Connecticut's traprock ridges. These ridges are made of volcanic rock that formed roughly 200 million years ago in the early Jurassic period, as Pangea began breaking apart and what is now Connecticut separated from North Africa. They create unique microclimates that make up less than 1% of the states land area and support plant communities rarely seen elsewhere in the state. The ridgetop environment is characterized by a lush floor of grass and sedge under a canopy of low oaks, dotted with patches of cedar.