Looming over the city of Meriden are the scenic Hanging Hills, allegedly the highest spot on the East Coast that's within 25 miles of the shoreline. A range of rocky peaks created by an ancient lava flow, they have drawn countless visitors over the years to Hubbard Park thanks to their rugged beauty and spectacular views. The distinctive Castle Craig yes, that castle thingy you see from I is a century-old stone observation tower and sits atop East Peak, over 1, feet above sea level. On a clear day, you can literally see from Long Island Sound to the south all the way to the foothills of the Berkshires in Massachusetts to the north.
But it's not the panaromic beauty you see from Castle Craig that's the problem. It's the supernatural canine of West Peak that can cause you despair -- and possibly death -- if it comes your way. Over the years, people have told of encounters with a small, vaguely spaniel-like, short-haired black dog. Often, it is described as having come out of nowhere, and despite its sad eyes, being quite happy to have human companionship. Like any good phantom, it leaves no footprints and makes no sound when it barks or howls, yet it leaves quite an impression.
For it is said of the Black Dog: Stories of the Black Dog's victims go back as far as the s; as many as a half dozen people are believed to have been cursed to death by the creature, including as recently as the s. I've hiked stretches of the Metacomet Trail , which runs through Hubbard Park, and have visited both peaks as well as Castle Craig. I can't recall ever having seen a black dog in my visits, but I do know that the Hanging Hills can be a hazardous hike if you don't pay attention -- there are dramatic elevation changes, deep gorges and treacherous rock formations, all of which can be quite treacherous even under ideal conditions.
It's not hard to picture someone getting seriously hurt or killed while hiking, especially if they are distracted by a friendly dog and don't watch their step.
Hubbard Park is open to the public year-round and offers over 50 miles of blue-blazed hiking trails. Make sure whenever you visit to bring a camera -- if you don't see the Black Dog, you'll at least get some great images from a gorgeous vantage point. Although with spectral creatures, one can never be sure. View Hubbard Park in a larger map. Log in to post comments. Comments I have been here a couple times having family in Meriden as well as my hubby's job and I have never encountered the black dog.
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I also heard a story a long time back that supposedly a spirit of a young girl is seen or heard in this park,I don't know if there is any proof or merit to this rumor since I have not encountered her either. I have lived in meriden most of my life, I've seen the dog once, and have heard the little girl, hers is a sad story.
Or about what happened to her abductor? It's not a real dog cause a friend and I saw it. It makes no noise when approaching you, makes no. When it seemed to run nothing under foot moved, so explain that? Oddly enough my brothers dog jumped to its death at this site.. For some reason it just leaped off the cliff. My brother went to the bottom and try to save the dog but it was dead on arrival. Strange coincidence I guess. This was the mid to late 80s. It was quite sometime before I heard the legend.
I've never seen it yet, but have seen the city council walking the streets that's a truly bad omen.
The Black Dog of West Peak
I have been hiking there for the last 2 years. In Winter after work I hike On the trail above the res.
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A couple of times I started getting the creeps being so far out there at nite alone. I have not seen the dog and don't want to If I ever see a dog like that I will never hike there again!!! My children and myself hiked up the mountain to the castle. We never saw the black dog but I can sure say that one wrong step and it could be your last!. It was a nerve wracking hike on the rocks with my two children. If I had known of this black dog story we may have not gone it alone. Since this hike we have driven up to the castle and I will tell you what breathtaking sights!
Went hiking up there one November evening around 5: I called out to the dog but it just stood still looking at me so I picked up a stick that was near my right foot and when I looked back where the dog was it was gone. I thought, so I threw the stick in the direction where I saw the dog and when I got up there to see where it was the dog was nowhere in sight. It seemed strange to me because I would of definatly been able to see where he was by the time it took me to retrieve the stick where it was watching me.
I shrugged it off and began to head back down the trail and about 10 minutes later I thought I felt like I was being watched and when I turned my head back to look there it was again just looking at me from a distance of about ' up the trail.
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This time I quickly grabbed my pistol from my side and pointed it at the black dog and yelled to it to see if it would come at me but it turned and walked up the trail. Off-leash Areas — West Region. Cats like to travel, too! Get these tips and tricks for road tripping with cats. With a few exceptions, pets on a leash up to six feet long are welcome in Michigan state parks, campgrounds, recreation areas.
South Dakota's Top Pet Friendly Attraction: Custer State Park
Pet are prohibited from Michigan boat access sites at varying times though out the year. However, the state has set aside several pet-friendly shorelines where dogs are welcome:. This section of shoreline is available via a foot trail near site McLain State Park is pet-friendly.
During times of high water, this area becomes even less accessible. This area is accessible via the steel bridge that connects to the hiking trails closest to the campground. This pet-friendly area is enclosed by fencing and is the only shoreline-area in the park where pets are allowed. Pets are prohibited in all other beach-areas as well as the Sandy Hook Trail.
Pets on a leash up to six feet long are welcome in Mississippi state parks and campgrounds, but are not welcome in cabins, cottages, on beaches, or in swimming pool areas. Pets on a leash no longer than 10 feet are welcome in Missouri state parks. Pets are not allowed inside any state park or historic site building, in public swimming areas and beaches, or on the trails at Prairie State Park.
Dogs may not be left unattended at any time unless in a carrier or crate, which will be provided for your use fee of charge. Pets are welcome in most Montana state parks, and from April 15 — September 15, they must be on a leash no longer than ten feet, unless otherwise posted. Pets on leashes up to six feet long are welcome in New Jersey state parks and campgrounds. Pets are prohibited from all buildings, swimming beaches, campsites designated as not pet-friendly, and overnight accommodations. Pets on leashes up to ten feet long are welcome in most New Mexico state parks and campgrounds.
Pets must be vaccinated and cannot be left unattended in a vehicle or at a campsite. Pets on leashes up to six feet long are welcome in most New York state park, and two pets per site are allowed in designated loops of New York state park campgrounds. Pets must have proof of vaccination, may not be left unattended, and are not allowed in buildings, picnic or swimming areas, or where posted. Leashed pets are welcome in North Dakota state parks and campgrounds.
In addition to welcoming two pets per campsite in all 56 Ohio state park campgrounds, the following state parks offer pet friendly cabin, yurt, or lodge rentals:. And, for even more fun, off-leash dogs parks and lake access swim areas are provided at the following Ohio state parks: In addition, the following Oklahoma state parks have special accommodations for dogs:. Pets on leash up to six feet long are welcome in most Oregon state parks and campgrounds.
In addition to welcoming pets at Oregon their campgrounds, the following parks offer pet-friendly cabin and yurt rentals:. Dogs are generally allowed off-leash on Oregon state beaches, as long as they are under your direct control. Always carry a leash, prevent your pet from disturbing wildlife, and clean up after your pets on the beach and everywhere else.
Finally, several Oregon state parks have designated off-leash areas for dogs. Cascadia State Park — unfenced. Champoeg State Park — unfenced. Elijah Bristow State Park — fenced. Farewell Bend State Park — fenced. Goose Lake State Park — unfenced. Hat Rock State Park — unfenced. Jasper State Park — fenced.
LaPine State Park — fenced. Milo McIver State Park — unfenced. Molalla River State Park — unfenced. Rooster Rock State Park — unfenced. Silver Falls State Park — unfenced. Stub Steward State Park — fenced. The Cove Palisades State Park — fenced. Wallowa Lake State Park — unfenced. Willamette Mission State Park — unfenced. Check out these dog-friendly activities on Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands! Just five miles across, Crater Lake was formed when Mount Mazama erupted and then collapsed into itself 7, years ago.
The huge crater left behind slowly filled with rain and melted snow, eventually becoming the deepest lake in the United States and the seventh deepest in the world, at 1, feet. Rim Drive snakes around the tops of the 2, foot cliffs that encircle the lake and provides the most dramatic views. The mile road is only open from early July to late October, and the weather is so unpredictable that it can snow any time of the year! As with most National Parks, pets are severely restricted at Crater Lake and must be within 50 feet of a road, campground, picnic area or parking lot at all times.
There are no dog friendly trails and pets are required to be leashed or otherwise restrained anytime they are outside your vehicle. Luckily, southwestern Oregon has no shortage of national forests where pets are very welcome to join you for a hike.