Waking the Sleeping Giant!

Sleeping Giant State Park is not in New Haven, but 10 minutes away in neighboring town of Hamden by Quinnipiac University's main campus. Entrance is $9 to the park, but you can avoid that by parking on the side street - Mt. Carmel Avenue - or, getting a State Park Pass which can be purchased by going to the DEP site, here.

The park has about 13 trails most of which are C or B-level hikes. I've hiked the populated, super easy, short and quick Tower Path trail a few times. This past weekend, however, I did a much-needed longer hike (5+ miles) with some friends. One of the ladies in our crew brought her gorgeous puppy, Eloise (pictured below).

The highlight of the hike had to be coming across Copperheads (CT has snakes!!) at one of the vistas, and....not getting bit! I think we I was so focused on looking out for bears and coyotes that I had not even considered looking for any other 'wildlife.'

(Click on images to enlarge)

See if you can spot a Copperhead snake!

Quinnipiac University campus

Eloise!