Tolland, CT

Cross Farms

3.225(based on 18 reviews)
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11 0
pmay5
Gold level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 20.8 years 480 played 245 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Lots of woods, lots of rocks!

Reviewed: Played on:May 19, 2023 Played the course:once

Pros:

Located in the back of this well maintained, multi-use park, ballfields, nice, new playground and soccer fields. Kind of an oasis of recreation, not in a town or city, but next to an Elementary school on a two lane country road.
Two types tees, large asphalt tees on several holes, I think this is the first time I have seen asphalt tees, concrete yes, but these tees were pretty good. Further in the course, there were rubber mats, more on those later.
Good descriptive tee signs on every hole, all the details plus hole layout and next tee locator.
The Chainstar baskets at the primary (original) baskets are in decent shape, showing a little age, but catch well. New, DD Veterans have been added on most holes, on most of those, they are longer and further in the woods.
While there is not much elevation change in this part of the park, there is a good variety of left and right holes. Nearly all holes are heavily wooded, but the fairways are adequate in size and width.

Cons:

The rubber mat tees need some attention, most were inside wooden frames, so most tee shots involved stepping up on those and having to be careful not to trip on the frame at the other end.
There weren't leaves on most trees when I played, but the Chainstars were a little difficult to spot on several holes. Poles have been added to several for visibility, but they could be very difficult to see in full summer.
The course description lists 2 open field shots, and they are that, just shots, not open holes. #5 has a few trees in the fairway, then the basket is in a cool position, down a slight draw and into the woods. #6 does have the most open fairway, then you have a tight right to left turn to the basket, at the edge of the woods. There is some space behind a couple of the ballfields, it would be nice to see that space used.

Other Thoughts:

Cross Farms was a pleasant surprise on our drive through CT. When I planned our last stop on the way to Maine, I was hoping to drive back to Hartford and play Wickham, the highest rated course in the state. But, when I saw the park doesn't open until 9:00, that didn't fit in our travel plans.
Conveniently located not too far off I-84, my route took me over several two lane country roads, then suddenly the school and park pop up. No town or highly populated area nearby. Equally surprising is the current 3.21 rating, HyooMac's review mentioned the course has improved lately, always nice to hear, but the main reason this isn't rated higher is there is an unbelievable rating of 0 discs several years ago!
Many of our course descriptions refer to the amount or lack of vegetation and elevation, but this course has another key characteristic, rocks. Not on every hole, but there are plenty of rocks, fairways, greens, just about everywhere. If you end up on, or next to these large rocks, it does affect your stance and footwork. One of the coolest rock formations was on #4, a left to right tee shot, then the basket is through a break in the rocks and trees.
Most of the early holes have one turn in the fairway, or are straight, then #7 is the first of the dual turning fairways that beg for a flex shot off the tee. This is the case on about 6 of the final 12 holes. Really challenges you to pick your spot and make the right shot to score well. #18 finishes this way with a tighter fairway then most, you should see some scoring separation coming in on this one.
Definitely a well laid out and cared for course, it looks like it gets plenty of rounds played and after playing here, I know why.
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13 0
HyooMac
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 6.7 years 415 played 382 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Improved 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 9, 2021 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is a well cared-for course that deserves a new review. Improvements in the past few years (the addition of alternate baskets and tees) have made the course a bit better. The course is more attractive to re-play, which is important to an active local club that's putting time into maintaining the course




+ Wooded course with a bit of elevation change; starts with a sharp left dogleg down into the woods and hardly ever emerges until the 18th green


+ Not a long course (5700' par 54 playing the main baskets). The fairways are well established through the woods and throwing lines are clear to see. A few open holes midway through the front 9 provide a nice break, but for the rest of the course, you're navigating around those damn spindly trees that are typical of deep woods in the Northeast


+ There are alternate tees or baskets on 2,4,5,6,7,8, 9,10,12,13,14,15,18. Decent original Chainstars on the regular 18, newer DD Veteran baskets with orange bands and cages on the Alts. Only one hole (#6) has both alternate tees and baskets


+ The layout incorporates features like natural streams, an old rock wall on #6 and #13, and has added features like a slightly raised basket on #3 and a few footbridges through the wet spots


+ There are a few doglegs in either direction, providing opportunities for FH and BH


+ The layout is a single 18 hole loop that begins and ends at the parking lot. This is a multi use sports park with porta potties and lots of parking.


+ #17 and #18 provide a pretty strong closer as you're headed out toward the parking lot: they play across several small valleys in the woods. The 18th green is up a rise and just outside the woods with the basket in the open, framed by trees




Cons:

- Tees are the weakest part of the course. They're very old, and mostly rubber or carpets framed by timbers. They're worn and uneven


- It's clear that parts of the course get VERY wet. It's been around since 2006, and the erosion is evident: lots of exposed roots making this fairly flat course less than very cart-friendly. Some exposed concrete bases on the original baskets. I played during a dry spell in October, and I imagine navigating the course after any significant rain can be tricky



Other Thoughts:

~ This course gets a lot of attention, Very good signage (newer than those shown on this site), an active FB page, holes sponsored by local business, bricks with arrows at the base of each basket to pointing toward the next tee


~ Being wooded, short, and fairly flat, the course does not include a lot of memorable holes - and that keeps it in the 3 - 3.5 range. But that said, the alternate tees and baskets create something that deserves multiple plays. It seems like you'd get to know the angles pretty quickly, and having all the alternates keeps it interesting for leagues, tournaments and local players



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3 1
Nixhexdiggy
Experience: 16.7 years 19 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 4, 2016 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

well defined and easy to navigate. tight and technical course. requires variety of shot types

Cons:

proximity to uconn means the course gets extremely busy in the afternoons on nice days. i've walked off the course after waiting 20 minutes on the first few tees

Other Thoughts:

disc hut is right down the road which is a plus if you are in need of a new disc or looking to expand your bag.
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10 0
Hector Chain
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.8 years 222 played 189 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 2, 2014 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is a good use of public land. The course is in the woods just next to a park filled with baseball fields. It is pretty intermediate friendly, with most of the holes being in the 250-350' range. All of the tee pads are rubber.

Navigation was pretty easy, and I never consulted the map. The bricks with the next tee arrow beneath the basket were plentiful (this should be standard on courses, more so than it is).

I enjoyed holes 5 and 6. Hole 5 throws into a clearing to a blind basket just over a little hill (since I didn't know where it was, of course I nearly aced it). Hole 6 is a long hyzer shot with a generous fairway but danger on either side with the woods. The rest of the holes are exclusively wooded.

Cons:

Some of the teepads are slightly dangerous. Twice I stepped off the end and stumbled. They aren't huge drop-offs, but the pads are short enough that even a slow X-step will put you in danger of falling off the end.

Baskets are gray and aren't always easy to see from the teepad. On several holes I threw down the fairway rather than walking to locate the basket beforehand. There are also old, yellow baskets here and there, and I don't know how they fit in with the rest of the course (they aren't the main targets).

There is no elevation here.

My biggest complaint would probably be the number of fairways that had gaps but a few too many thin, spindly trees here and there or had no obvious landing zone. I usually looked at the fairway and thought "well, I'll try to get it 175 feet down the fairway and then hope it gets through whatever is in the way." The design wasn't bad but wasn't top notch either.

Lastly, the tee signs are tough to read because they are about 8 feet off the ground. Odd.

Other Thoughts:

In spite of the number of cons I listed, I did enjoy my round. If you are in the area, this will keep you interested. If you are heading up 84, there are other courses within an hour that I would recommend first. That said, this is a surprisingly pretty area (surprising because I never hear anyone talking about the middle of Connecticut for natural beauty), and on a crisp fall day it was nice to spend a morning among the fading foliage.
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2 20
njdevilsphan
Experience: 16.6 years 43 played 2 reviews
0.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Mar 24, 2014 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Mulch on the first couple holes was nice. Some asphalt tee pads were nice.

Cons:

Some tee pads were too short and not very good. There are not many fairways. You can throw a great drive and then the fairway ends and you hit a tree. The par is way off on this course. Holes that are 3 s should be 4 s. Probably some of the worst holes ever. No definitely. Idk how this course is rated so high.

Other Thoughts:

If this was the only course I could play I would never play golf again.
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2 6
museparade
Experience: 11.7 years 3 played 2 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Cross Farms 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 9, 2013 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Excellent technical course. Well-maintained. Free parking.

Cons:

So many trees. It is very difficult to avoid them. Some holes have short tee pads, but usually you don't need them to be longer. There are no longer holes which require a long-distance driver.
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6 0
reposado
Diamond level trusted reviewer
Experience: 12.8 years 278 played 273 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Solid, no frills disc golf 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 8, 2013 Played the course:once

Pros:

This is a clean, well-maintained course that can be played over and over again. There's not a ton inspiration here but the terrain that exists is used well. The signs are very accurate, the fairways are neat and the tees are in good shape. The underbrush has been cleared out and the next tee signs are present even on holes when they aren't needed. (except six, which is in an odd location from five)

It's a wooded course for most of the holes and it prevents a few challenging lines, but it does consistently provide lines. These are true wooded fairways: if you hit a tree here, you probably deserve it.

The one hole that does stand out is five, which throws uphill over a rock wall between two trees, then downhill towards the green from there.

Cons:

There isn't too much variety here. The holes are around the same length and they tend to swing right to left. I can think of only one other course that had as many holes bending in the same direction.



It also suffers from one of my least favorite features in a disc golf course. The tees are rubber and they tend to be inside boxes. Many of them sported a a board at the front edge of the tee. The last thing I want to be thinking about while driving is tripping over a board during the follow through

Other Thoughts:

If the tee issue was fixed, this is a 3.5 and I'm certainly playing it again the next time I'm in the area.
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5 0
TBabb
Silver level trusted reviewer
Experience: 18.7 years 65 played 56 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Another great course East of Hartford! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Sep 6, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Cross Farms is a recreational park that includes many sports fields as well as a nice 18 hole disc golf course. It's mostly in the woods and most holes are between 250 and 350 feet.

The baskets here are in great condition. Most have the red-orange tape down the center pole to make them more visible. The fairways here are probably the best feature of the course. They are clearly defined, grass is mowed, and there's mulch in the trees to keep the dirt from getting too mucky. There are some really nice ferns here and the mossy rocks also contribute to what are really quite attractive fairways. There are signs at every tee-box with a map, distance and par information. Many tees are visible from the preceding basket, and next tee signs make finding those that aren't easier.

It's clear that maintenance is a priority here. The course is clean and plays extremely smoothly. The course describes a really nice out and back loop. There's a well placed practice basket at the head of the course that allows for putts from a number of different elevation as well as from behind rocks and trees. The variety of shots here is also really nice; a good mix of hyzer, anhyzer and straight shots. There is no epic elevation here, but the course uses what it has well: mostly gentle slopes. The standout holes here are 3 which has a really nice elevated basket, 5 which shoots over large rocks in an open field with a nasty drop-off into the woods if you overthrow, 7 which shoots over an elevated service road, 9 which is a tough ace race with heavy trees making it a fair par 3, and 12 which is a wicked hyzer that goes to the left then uphill. There are port-a-potties in the parking lot, benches at many holes, convenient parking and a couple garbage bins throughout the course too. The course is also a short shot east down I-84 from Wickham Park, which is almost incontestably CT's best disc golf course. And this one is free, so if you're tired of paying $5 to park at Wickham each time, this is a good change of pace for no cost.

Cons:

The rubber tee pads here could definitely be better. Many are quite short and a lot could be more level. Some baskets were very hard to spot off the tee pad, flags or brighter colors would have helped. Also, why are all the Tee Signs seven feet off the ground??? It's not easy for a shorter guy like me to read them. Also, I felt that some of the tee sign maps implied a more dramatic curve on some holes than was actually the case (especially 6). The back 9 gets mucky in some spots, so bring some mud shoes. The homemade benches are ok, but some are falling apart and the cheap plastic chairs out here just look like garbage. The trash bins are also kind of an eyesore. It would be nice to have some longer holes here, 12 and 13 are the only par 4's and they're kind of a stretch for a par 4. In general this course is far less challenging and less creative than Wickham.

Other Thoughts:

This course is a really nice sister course for Wickham Park. The fairways are immaculate, the atmosphere is pretty, lots of technique required and it's a very fun course. While it certainly does not measure up to Wickham, it's free to play and certainly not boring. If you're coming through CT on 84, both this and Wickham are essential stops if you've got two rounds in you. And if you live in the Greater Hartford area, you are SO spoiled!
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3 0
S. Flavius Mercurius
Experience: 12.2 years 278 played 10 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Tightly wooded but well maintained 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Aug 20, 2012 Played the course:once

Pros:

Really fun and free to play, clever pin placement on many holes with a nice mix of terrain. Practice basket is nice, too. Fairways often tight but defined, ground remarkably clear of under brush. No trouble finding your disc on a poor shot here.

Cons:

Popular and busy. There can be families playing with children at times, if that appeals/annoys you. Most holes through woods with few open field opportunities. Some blind shots, some baskets hard to see. The signs, as noted elsewhere, are positioned in the stratosphere.

Other Thoughts:

Can be played quicker than you'd expect, even though its technical design is typical of CT courses. Would definitely come back.
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3 2
reedrick11
Experience: 1 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Killer Track! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Nov 30, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

the course isn't super long, so all of the par threes (for the most part) are very parable. The layout seems to flow very naturally from hole to hole. The course is super clean, and well maintained. A core group of golfers frequent the coarse, and a random doubles tourny is held every sunday morning! Killer Track!!

Cons:

Sometimes it can get a little muddy after a strong rain, so bring the gore-tex! I wish that the hole signs weren't so high in the air.

Other Thoughts:

Super Fun local coarse! Fun for the novice or seasoned pro! U better have your woods game tuned up tho! Good Luck!
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2 4
JordanD
Experience: 14.9 years 16 played 1 reviews
4.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 9, 2011 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

I love this course. it is loads of fun to play. it is a quick easy course that anyone can play. i like that it is wooded and throws in some clear holes. its holes also challenge its players by having narrow fairways and obstacles.

Cons:

none
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3 1
MrHighlandPark
Experience: 14.9 years 54 played 18 reviews
2.50 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 31, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

Close to Wickham, allowing for a convenient 36 hole day trip from the bordering states. Signs at every tee, and an easy to follow layout from basket to next tee pad.

Cons:

This course was tightly wooded to the point that many holes appeared to have no fairway at all. It was as if it were an undeveloped woods waiting to be turned into disc golf course. We had a lot of trouble spotting the baskets from the tees, and in many cases ended up just throwing to where we thought the sign indicated the basket would be.

Other Thoughts:

A wooded course with no fairways would really benefit from colorful, well marked baskets. The sign at hole one says that this course is only four years old - perhaps as it ages, some more playable lines will open up. I wonder if the local parks department disallowed tree cutting?
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2 0
medi0crities
Experience: 15.8 years 30 played 3 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Mighty Fine 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 4, 2011 Played the course:once

Pros:

The course is in excellent shape, the holes primarily in the woods. But don't be fooled, the holes are playable without getting overly frustrated by the typical tightness you may be accustomed to.. There are somewhat defined clearings on the fairways (referenced on the tee signs) in the woods. No mosquitos in the woods also a plus. The course is well-kept.

Cons:

We felt a lot of the holes were a bit short in length, probably because our home courses are unusually long on average. We didn't come across anything that was substantially worth noting.

Other Thoughts:

Although the tee signs are a bit high, I don't believe it requires much referencing other than a quick glance. I'd say this is the prime time to play the course, earlier in the day the better.
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4 0
maninthebox
Experience: 36.8 years 56 played 11 reviews
3.00 star(s)

Nice course, if you like woods! 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Jul 30, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

18 holes is always a pro. A good variety of holes, both in distance and lefty/righty shots. Some elevation changes. Tee signs have all the pertinent information, but as someone else said, you've got to be Manute Bol to look at them straight on. Good signs leading you to the next hole.

Cons:

Baskets are sometimes hard to spot, but that goes with the territory of a woods course. Most holes have a defined fairway for about half the length, then you just have to hope your disc finds a hole through the groupings of trees as you get closer to the basket.

Other Thoughts:

10 minutes from the UConn Dairy Bar makes for a nice treat after a round of golf!
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12 0
solomon.trenton
Gold level trusted reviewer
Experience: 15.6 years 89 played 67 reviews
3.50 star(s)

Good clean family fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Apr 23, 2010 Played the course:once

Pros:

Very nice course that is located on a family-oriented public park. The course isn't overly technical but at the same time it isn't all ace runs; very good course for intermediate players. The tee pads are nice thick rubber (all but two anyways) and long enough for all holes. There are also brooms on the tee pads that are under large trees. The tee signs are very informative and easy to read. Overall course signage is well placed and easy to follow. The course itself is very clean and free of trash. This might have something to do with the trash cans spread throughout the course. There is a practice basket right near the welcome sign before the first tee. A porta pottie is also available in the parking lot. There is a good mix between tight and open holes. Although some of the open holes are wooded but with wide clear paths. The basket positions are challenging; quite a few of them have guardian trees around them and one is an elevated basket on a dirt mound.

Cons:

The tee signs are super high, so unless you're the jolly green giant or ten feet tall you won't be able to see them straight. Holes five and six play right through a children's playground. The walk between ten and eleven is very muddy and there are only a few sparse rocks to step on. The tee pads are dirt underneath the rubber and need to be releveled pretty bad. There is an abundance of fallen trees in the rough which make it quite easy to lose your plastic. There are some swampy areas and steep hills that would greatly benefit from some steps. While there are a bunch of good holes there is no signature hole.

Other Thoughts:

There are a bunch of local fields on site and several nice walking trails. Parking is also abundant. So bring the family and have fun!
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7 0
luvmyvalkerie
Experience: 17 years 31 played 3 reviews
4.00 star(s)

Fast and fun 2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Updated: Played on:Jan 22, 2010 Played the course:5+ times

Pros:

The technical aspects of this course have made my game far more precise. There are only two open grassy fairways, and all other holes require a deliberate throw. Even the open holes, 5 and 6, demand appropriate choice of disc and throw. I have played this course through all four seasons, and I have enjoyed the fall and winter the best. Channels are much more noticeable and discs are harder to lose. Also, the regulars at this course are very good about returning lost discs. They regularly post on NEFA.com

Cons:

There is little not to like about this course. The tees do become rutted, but the crew at cf is actively working toward fixing that problem.
***** They have added level rubber pads to four of the holes already (5,6,12, and 13) and they are adding ten more as spring emerges (maybe sooner).***** As of late march, all pads have been installed! now the only tees that lack pads are 3, 8, and 9. 3 and 9 really don't need pads. Also, alt tees are set up for 9 and 14. A few trees were also removed! Don't miss this course!

Other Thoughts:

This is the closest course to my house, only 4 miles away, and if I could I would play daily. I can squeeze in 18 in well under an hour if I move fast and am by myself. The sunday doubles (in the winter) is set up very well and is often well attended. If you have not played this course, you should definitely check it out. Give yourself enough time to play 36, it will be worth it!
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4 4
falmond
Experience: 17.1 years 39 played 1 reviews
3.00 star(s)

2+ years drive by

Reviewed: Played on:Oct 21, 2009 Played the course:2-4 times

Pros:

Very good course for beginners. Wooded but yet open. Most of the holes are at or under 300' but the trees make you make good shots.

Cons:

Some of the tee boxes are need of repair. Not much maybe a good raking to level them off and maybe cover with rubber matte. If you want to throw bombs this is not the course for you.

Other Thoughts:

Great scenery this time of the year. lots of color with the leaves. With that said, with the leaves falling could be tough to find disc in the leaves. Love the rock wall that go all over the course.
P. S. Watch your step. Alot of stumps, rocks , and roots under the leaves.
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6 1
gottafixit
Silver level trusted reviewer
Premium Member
Experience: 21 years 862 played 68 reviews
3.50 star(s)

prime New england course 2+ years

Reviewed: Played on:Jun 27, 2009 Played the course:once

Pros:

Nice scenic NE woods course. Well keep and defined fairways. Minimal undergrowth mostly just ferns so hard to lose a disc. Fantastic and detailed signage. Course felt remote.

Cons:

Gravel tees were rutted from use. No major elevation changes.

Other Thoughts:

This course started the day for me and a friend and was only his second time out and we both had a great time. He had some issues avoiding trees first off but got it together by the end. The course plays in the woods above the baseball fields that take up the remainder of the park. The Park didn't have much more than ball fields that I saw and didn't notice where the restrooms were if any. You park by the lower field and can see the Rooster sign in the woods, I guess before the nice signs they have now they had roosters for tee signs. You find a nice detailed course map at the top of the hill and then head into the woods. Only two holes play out of the woods after that but the woods holes provide lots of variety from left to right and right to left, using mounds, stone walls, and pin placement to make things fun. The fairways were well define and not over crowded, felt I had some flight path options that weren't based on luck. The landscape that your playing through is lovely NE woods with lots of rocks little to no undergrowth, and hand stacked stone walls all over. There were a bunch of trash cans through out the course near some tees and a good bit of effort made to make some benches near tees as well. The tees were nice built boxes with gravel but have formed to big ruts from play which made a run up interesting. The tee signs looked brand new and were extremely detailed even showing detailed pieces of exercise equipment that line two of the holes. The signs were mounted like 7 or 8 ft in the air, i'm guessing to keep people from messing with them but you can still see all the details needed. Navigation from tee to tee was easy as most paths were lined or next tee arrows were placed where needed. The course ends up bringing you full circle back to the parking lot .

This type course is what I think of when I think about courses in CT. They did a great job with this place and hopefully it will only get better, fix the tee issue and maybe go for a second set of tees. I Loved the technical woods aspects but it still had fair fairways. Favorite hole was 18, flat to the edge of the woods basket but go to far and you end up at the bottom of the hill behind it.
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