Mashpee River
Mashpee, Ma.
November 8, 2009
Sign at the entrance to North Lot off Quinaquisset Ave
Mashpee River Topo Map
It was an early Sunday morning that I hiked along the Mashpee River. Parking in the small lot off Quinaquisset Ave, I first walked about 20 minutes down and back along the west side of the river. The trail along the east side of the river requires crossing the power line and following the trail into the woods back twoard Route 28.
These rails look like a bridge, but serve to keep hikers on the trail
This part of the trail takes you back toward Route 28.
Mashpee River runs under Route 28
On the other side the river begins it’s run to Martha’s Vineyard Sound.
Beginning of the river south of Route 28
Once over the river the trail turns left into a tall stand of pine trees. The property here is owned by the Trustees of Reservations.
Trail heads south among tall pines
Quickly the river comes into view as it begins to open up.
Early view of river
At the river the trail turns right an begins to parallel the water.
Bridge over stream
There are several small streams that flow from the east into the river. Footbridges and plank walkways cross four of these small waterways withing the first 10 minutes of entering the Trustees of Reservations land.
Walkway over stream
Another wooden walkway over a small stream
There are steps up to this bridge
Once past the final bridge the trail moves away from the river, but it can still be seen through the trees at this time of year.
Looking down on the river
The path in this area is easy walking and rolls over the undulating hills looking down at the river.
Path through the woods
River through the trees
Not too much further along I came to this bench. The view down the river to the south from here is one of the best.
Bench overlooking view down the river
View from bench
View down the river from bench
Senic view of Mashpee River
The trail then turns back away from the river again into the woods.
River through trees
The trail merges with the River Road.
The River road travels along an inlet of the river
There are side numerous side paths. Most go down toward the water.
View of river inlet from a side path off the River Road
Back on the River Road looking at the inlet
A little further along the River Road as side road branches off to the right. About 200 yards down this road there is a small pond to the right and a trail that branches off to the right.
Small pond
Fighting my way along the trail to the right I came to this bench.
Green bench in woods
View from green bench
Turning back from the green bench and it’s trail, I found a small trail the went in the opposite direction. This area was broken up with channels that appeared to have been a part of cranberry bogs long ago. I found a small plank bridge and fought my way along an overgrown trail.
Plank bridge over culvert
The trail ended once over this small plank bridge. I decided to do a bit of bushwacking as the woods were open and easy walking. Most of the channels were small. In some places there was old piping within these channels.
Picnic bench and platform
I came across two picnic benches and a platform in the trees.
Platform of branches in trees
Picnic bench
Fire ring
This board was used to cross one of the culverts at one time, but the wood was too weak to use.
Plank crossing stream
On the other side of this culvert was this platform in the trees.
Platform in trees
Unable to get across the maze of channels and culverts in the area, I backtracked around the small pond and back out to the River Road.
I found this rusted something along the trail.
Rusted object found along the trail
I came to a junction of the River Road and the Timber Landing Road. The River Road continues south toward Amos Landing on property of the OrendaWildlife Trust.
Orenda Wildlife Property
I turned right and followed the trail about 50 yards before finding the trail marker of Cape Cod Pathways. Not far down this path I found this bench.
Bench on Tick Trail
This path is not known as Tick Trail. But I called it Tick Trail. After coming to a “T” I took the path to the left. The river had come into view as I fought my way along an increasingly overgrown trail.
River from tick trail
There are ticks in the woods of the Cape. I’ve found them in most places, however, never before to the extent they found me along this trail. After returning to the “T” in this trail I stopped and with my knife removed 44 ticks from by clothes.
Following the path that traveled to the right I came to a very nice view point.
Bench at open view
View to the north
View across the river
View south
Walking back from view point
I was an hour into my hike at this point and needed to be home before noon. At this point I made the decision to turn around. I had walked nearly two miles, but knew the return trip would be quicker without all the side trips I had already made.
Back on the River Road near the inlet from the river I noticed something that I had missed before. There were what appeared to be the remains of an old bridge.
Remains of old bridge
Parts of old bridge structure
Collapsed bridge supports
Near the above bridge supports rests this old rusted vehicle. Hunters have used it as a target.
Part of old vehicle
There is evidence of where the ground had once been graded in an area where the bridge possibly intersected with the River Road. The bridge cut off a corner of the current River Road.
Back on the River Road
Trail home
Back near the parking area I noticed this nest on one of the poles on the power lines.
Nest
Conservation Lands sign
It was a warm 59 degree day with no wind. I walked almost four miles in two hours and 20 minutes and never once ran into another person. The only sounds other than the river and the birds, was the traffic on Route 28 during the brief time it took to cross over to the east side of the river.
There is more trail further south and someday when I have more time I’ll explore them.
The views and opinions in the Enterprise blogs are those of the author and are not neccessarily shared by Falmouth Publishing.
