Quashnet River Trail
Falmouth/Mashpee, Ma.
Octoberr 2, 2009
After an earlier hike this day, I drove over to the trailhead kiosk at th Quashnet River Trail off Martin Road. This hike would be different from my earlier walk along beach and marsh. The Quashnet River Area is wooded and a part of the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Quashnet River Trail Topo Map
The Quashnet River Trail is about a 3-mile loop. I chose to hike up the western (left) side of the river from the small parking area along Martin Road. The Quashnet River flows into the Moonakis River, then into Waquoit Bay and Martha’s Vineyard Sound.
Kiosk at tralhead off Martin Road
The western side of the trail is an old road, wide and easy walking.
Early part of the Quashnet River Trail
There are side paths off the trail along both sides of the river. These lead to the water where catch and release fishing is allowed.
Cement culvert channels the river
In some spots there are trails leading down to the water line from these cement structures. Here a trail leads down to a grassy area (left) that would make for a nice out-of-the-way afternoon of fishing.
Grassy fishing area on left
There are several wide trails to the western side of the dirt road, possibly fire roads. Along one side trip I ran across a spot where someone was doing some gardening in the woods. I wandered a bit along these trails as they were higher and I was hoping for a view of the area. Unfortunately, if there is a spot from which to overlook the Quashnet River Area along this trail system I never found it. However, to my right as I continued along the road, there were views of the river.
Quashnet through the trees
Quashnet River view opens up
There are a few wet spots that I came across, but easy to walk around. Here I found a single set of canine tracks with long toenails, possibly a coyote. It didn’t step aside for the large puddles, but loped right through.
Wet sopts in the road
Near the top of the west side of the river trail the road turns more sandy as it approaches the turn back down the other side. The road up this western side is about a mile and a half walk.
Road turns sandy
This sign denotes the turn over to the other side of the river and the backside of the loop. This trail down the eastern side of the Quashnet River is just under a mile and a half walk.
Trail marker where trails turns back
The trail remains a road path for only a short time now before becoming a footpath along the river.
Road turns to trail
More side paths lead to fishing spots at the river.
River at fishing spot
The trail winds through some tall pines.
Trail through pines
Along this piney path is a deep washout on the right where a col has formed over time. As the gound gives way the pines have fallen into the washout. This pine tree is fighting to hold on.
Pine tree on a collapsing hill side
The return trail meanders through mixed woods finally coming out near the intersection of Rt. 28 and Martin Rd down this sandy hill.
Sandy path leaving the trail
Early fall colors along the Quashnet River.
Early fall colors along river on a clear day
I had this entire loop to myself this late Friday morning. It was a peaceful stroll with easy road walking along the western side of the river. On the return the trail rolled easily over low wooded hills, but nothing challenging. It was possible about halfway along the return trail to hear the sounds of Rt. 28.
The views and opinions in the Enterprise blogs are those of the author and are not neccessarily shared by Falmouth Publishing.
