FKT: Michele O'Neill - Highlawn Forest Trail (CT) - 2020-04-25

Athletes
Route variation
standard route
Gender category
Female
Style
Unsupported
Finish date
Total time
22m 57s
GPS track(s)
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I always say "Never judge a trail by its beginning", and if you're traveling the Camille's Way trail clockwise, that holds very true, as the first 3/4 of a mile is just a wide, sometimes rocky/sometimes muddy path with tiny bumps. Once you pass the spur for Sarah's Path and the footbridge right after it, however, the trail completely changes and becomes almost like a fairy tale forest filled with high pines and knotty vines (one of which you'll have to run under) and trees with branches that make them look like soldiers holding swords. Shortly thereafter, the trail crosses a paved road and continues left onto the blue-red Discovery Loop and finally leads you back to the parking lot. After my clockwise loop I headed out to do this counterclockwise to see whether I liked that way better, but I did not--I prefer my vert (such as it is on this trail) early and the prettier features afterwards as my payoff. There's only one fork (traveling counterclockwise) that might trip runners up--it's where Camilia's Trail veers from Camille's Way. Stay right to stay on Camille's for the main loop.

These short trails are perfect for anyone looking to nab a fast and short FKT, or someone who's recovering from an injury (like me) but still wants to play in the woods. The trail is very well-marked and blazes are easy to follow. Go early to avoid crowds in favorable weather, and bring bug spray in the spring/summer. Parking is in the CFPA office parking lot. Head straight onto blue for the clockwise loop, right onto blue-red if you'd prefer to go counterclockwise.