Vacations are supposed to be restful, a time to recharge. This August my son Chris and I headed into the woods for our sixth summer. We hiked, canoed, fished, and camped in the north Maine woods for the fourth straight year and added to our life-long list of memories.

We roamed the 3.5 millions acres of woods, and paddled for four days on the Allagash River. We met some new people and hooked up with some old friends. One thing about the area is that it is so sparsely populated, when you do meet someone, the chances are that you know them. That’s what happened this summer as we ran into Allagash Guide Sean Lizzote at Churchill Dam one afternoon. We hadn’t seen Sean for three years. We also met Ranger Trevor O’Leary on the Allagash River one afternoon as he poled his canoe against the current. We hadn’t seen Trevor since 2007.

We had a chance to renew acquaintance with Ranger Kevin Brown. Kevin is now the head ranger. We met him one windy day a few years back on Eagle Lake. At the end of a long day of paddling, Kevin stopped at our campsite and gave Chris and me some candy. It may not seem like much, but at the time, that was the best candy either one of us had ever had. Kevin informed us that old friend Mike Hafford had passed away that winter. We had met Mike at Michaud Farm in 2007 and had the chance to talk again last year at the St. Francis gate to the North Maine Woods. Like Trevor and Kevin, Mike was an enthusiastic Red Sox fan. Even deep in the woods they manage to keep up with Red Sox Nation, usually by using their two-way radios to call out and get the scores.

Neither one of us was ready to leave when our two weeks were up. There is a quiet comfort amongst those tall pines and clean waters. There was meaning to everything and the solitude and complete silence that surrounded us was near spiritual. To sit by a nameless stream, watching fish jump and listening to birds sing; or watching as the wind drifted over a lake surface in soundless, lacy patterns; was our entertainment. There are more animals than people, and they ask nothing from you, just a look, a visual connection, and they continue on their way.

A few days after we got home I sat in the hospital waiting room with more people than I had seen over the course of those two weeks. Life in the woods may not be for everybody and that’s a good thing. We each find peace in our own way, but for us, this year getting back into the woods as deep as we could and riding the lakes, rivers and streams and sleeping under the most amazing heavenly light show Mother Nature had to offer, was literally, just what the doctor order.

The Light at Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard

It was a beautiful, cold February day when Chris and I wandered around Aquinnah. There aren’t very many people there at that time of year, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

Menemsha

The shoreline at the foot of the Menemsha Hills reminded me of Maine. As I remember the day it was cold, but by February standards pleasant. We stopped and ate our sandwiches before wandering out onto the rocky beach. Chris found a few broken lobster traps washed up on the rocks.

Mt Battie over looking Camden, Maine and Penobscot Bay

The last weekend in May Chris and I made a trip up the Maine coast getting as far as Camden before deciding to stop for the night. We pitched our tent in a campground near Mt. Battie. The next morning we climbed up for a look around. We later climbed Mt. Megunticook before rain washed out the rest of our long weekend.

Chris at Bridal Veil Falls, Franconia, NH

In June we took a ride up into the White Mountains and found an uncrowded, short hike on the west side of the Kinsman Ridge. Chris climbed the rocks around Bridal Veil Falls.  Later we ate lunch at the pool at the foot of the falls, while enjoying and  listening to the water.

In August we took our trip to the North Maine Woods. We had spent several months planning it, but found once we got there that all the rain in July had washed out roads and that the water in may of the small rivers and streams was running high and fast. We were unable to reach our first campsite because of a washout that left us slowly crawling down the side of a mountain in the truck  over what had once been a road.  We got soaked our second night out and our campsite flooded. That morning wee used our itinerary for kindling and pulled out the maps. For the next two weeks we went wherever the map led us.

Machias River

Our third night out we stumbled across a beautiful spot along the Machias River.  We pitched the tent in a nice grassy area near the river and settled in for a couple of days. The nights were brilliantly starlit. We’d let the fire die down so we could star-g. The rain, as it turned out was over for most of the rest of our trip. The only drawback to this spot was that Chris broke his fly rod. After that happened, we knew a trip to some town was in order. There are certain items one can not go without in the woods, a fly rod being one.

After stumbling around for five days or so after replacing the fly rod, the rain returned for a day and the temperature dropped. It was near 40 degrees – cold and wet. Our gear was soaked.  Chris was  just picking out fishing holes on the map and we’d head for them.  By late afternoon, as I made some sandwiches on the tailgate of the truck and he fished a nice stretch of river, I began to think about that night. I wasn’t eager to spend it wet and cold.

Ross Lake Camps on Chemquasabamticook Lake was only 40 miles to the south. The dirt roads were muddy and the mud was getting deep in spots. We found our way and just at dusk we rolled up to the first of about a half dozen buildings that sat along the shore of the big lake.

We had been in the woods for about a week by this time. The truck was caked in mud, as was the canoe that sat on the racks over the truckbed. We were dirty and probably didn’t smell very good. I walked into the house, the only one we’d seen in the last 80 or 100 miles of dirt logging roads.  A man was sitting at a table. He just looked at me in surprise. I don’t think he knew what to say when I said we were just passing through and were looking for a place to stay. This wasn’t like a Holiday Inn. They didn’t have a walk-in business, but there we were, dirty and wet.

Don and Andrea had space, plenty of it as it turned out. At that moment we were the only ones their. For $32 we got a rustic waterfront cabin, with a full kitchen that slept 11. A hot shower was available in a small shed up by the main cabin.  Chris got the wood stove going and we used the large cabin to spread out and dry our gear.

Ross Lake

The rain stopped overnight and the next morning I took this picture from the front of the cabin. Don was a Maine Guide and used these boats to take his clients fishing out on the big lake.

Red Pine Airstrip

I was letting Chris do some of the driving on weekends, as the logging trucks only ran Monday through Friday. On some of those smaller logging roads confronting a speeding logging truck in a cloud of dust requires quick thinking sometimes and I didn’t want to put him in a situation like that. After a couple of days at Ross Camps we were rested and dry. I didn’t tell Chris about the old abandoned airport we were heading for. He figured once again that we were just roaming and had the map out looking for fishing spots.

The strip was put in back in the 1960′s by the land owners to spray for spruce bud worm. The 1500 foot dirt strip proved to be too short, so by the arly ’70′s they lengthened it to 3200 feet and paved the surface. DC 3′s flew in an out of the strip beside the St. John River until the spruce bud worm threat passed. After that the runway was closed,  the buildings torn down and the place abandoned. It’s not an easy spot to access. With the Moose Bridge over the St. John River out, it’s over 100 miles from Ashland, one of the closest towns over rough dirt roads that have seen plenty of washouts.

We pitchedd the tent for a two day stay. I tossed Chris the keys and told him the truck was his for the duration. I had brough along two five-gallon cans of gas knowing he’d put some miles on the truck going up and down the runway. He fished the St. John and drove for the next two days. At 15-years old, having the keys was quite a thrill. We needed the extra 10 gallons of gas.

Second Little Lyford Pond

I was standing on a wooden bridge that spans the outlet of Second Little Lyford Pond and the river that feeds it. Chris spent a couple of days fishing from this spot. We had come here the summer before and he had some luck and wanted to come back. This time he once again caught plenty of trout. He was eating them for breakfast and dinner.

Hurricane Pond

Hurricane Pond was another one of those places that looked interesting on the map.  On the other side of the ridge in the background is Canada. It turns out that the small wooden dam that holds back the pond from Hurricane Brook and the North Branch of the Penobscot River had collapsed. The fishing had once been good here, but the shoreline was deep mud.

Hurricane Pond road to the dam

The North Maine Woods are 3.5 million acres laced with logging roads. The roads come and go as needed. This road to the dam at Hurricane Pond hadn’t been used for a long time. Nature is allowed to take her course in many cases in the North Maine Woods. Once gone, the dam would not be replaced. It’s original purpose had long since been forgotten. I took this picture from the bank where the dam once stood. The truck sat in about eight inches of mud and semed to be sinking further the longer it sat. Backing out was easy with the 4×4, but visability was poor as we had to pull the side mirrors in or risk losing them to the trees.

Missing gas station

I took this picture because there was no gas station, nor any sign of there ever having been one. The North Maine Woods is vast with little to nothing in the way of traveler convieniences. It’s supposed to be that way. But where did this come from? If there was ever a gas station here (why there would be I don’t know) there are no longer any signs of it. Clearly, hunters have found a purpose for the sign.

Gulf Hagas along the West Branch of the Pleasant River

We had a lot of nice pictures from our hike to Gulf Hagas. The West Branch of the Pleasant River hass cut deeply into the rock over time and created a canyon of swift and slow water. The hike can be tough in spots but worth the effort as the views are wonderful.

Back on the Cape and back to work some local hikes provided some picturesque opportunities.

Talbots Point Marsh

In September this local hike provided some nice marsh views.

Talbots Point tall trees

It also gave us the chance to walk among tall trees, something we had missed after our trip to Maine.

South Cape Beach

A month earlier this beach would have been crowded. September offers a great chance to visit some of the best spots that the Cape has to offer.

No Nude Sunbathing

Of course this was a disappointment.  In spite of the cool breeze I already had my shirt off when I ran into this sign.

Boardwalk to beach

I had the beach and the dunes all to myself.

Cattle Tunnel

This provided the answer to, How does a cow cross the street? There is only a bike path above this cattle tunnel at Bourne Farm in Falmouth today.

Pump house at Wing Pond

There are cranberry bogs behind this pump house in Falmouth. The water from Wing Pond floods the bogs for wet harvesting.

Beached for the season

These boats at Hemingway Landing in Eastham were pulled out for the season. They’ll spend the winter on shore, returning to the water in the spring.

Hemingway Harbor

The season had pretty much passed the day I took a walk around Fort Hill and Hemingway Horbor in Eastham. The overcast left a soft reflection in the water.

Beach at end of Tidepool Trail

The Tidepool Trail is on Crocker Neck in Cotuit and ends at a small beach overlooking Popponesset Bay.

Eagle Pond

By early October the fall colors were beginning to show at Eagle Pond in Cotuit.

East Head Pond

Chris and I have hiked East Head Pond in Carver in Myles Standish State Forest several times.  On a warm October afternoon we again took the three-mile walk. The pond was a brilliant blue.

East Head Pond foliage

The October leaves were turning the day we walked East Head Pond in Carver.

Looking toward Jehu Pond in Mashpee

There wasn’t mush to see of Jehu Pond, but the trails in the area were easy walking,  although unmarked.

Boats at rest in Quissett Harbor

It was a cloudy Thursday afternoon I took this shot at Quissett Harbor in Falmouth.

Quissett Knob

From the harbor I walked out to Quissett Knob. The sun was trying to break through the clouds.

Mashpee Pond from Lowell Holly Reservation

The day I took this photo the wind was blowing up a storm on the other side of the point of land that is the Lowell Holly Reservation. Wakeby Pond had white caps, while Mashpee Pond appeared almost calm. The Lowell Holly area I thought would make a good snowshoe trip and I made a note to return once we got some snow on the ground. However, 18 inches just before Christmas was more snow than I cared to break trail through.

Mashpee Rive

It was cloudy the morning I took this picture of the Mashpee River. The sun came out later in the day and I meant to try another shot, but forgot. By November the autumn color had passed, but the ticks were still active.  At one time I picked 44 off my clothing (a record for me). One did get me though.

This year I took over 2,000 pictures during trips and hikes. It’s hard to say that I have a favorite. But there is one that comes close. I like it because for me it symbolizes freedom and grandeur. It gives defination to everything it overlooks. Entering the North Maine Woods from Millinocket it is one of the first things you see on the Golden Road. It is a mile high and the northern terminis of the Appalachian Trail. Chris and I have been fortunate enough to have roamed the North Maine Woods over the past three summers; we’ve canoed the Allagash, flown into remote ponds and paddled for weeks and this year we drove in, spending 16 days wandering around to wherever the map took us. Maybe someday we’ll climb Mount  Katahdin. It’s on the bucket list.

Mount Katahdin

]]> http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/2009/12/27/favorites-from-2009/feed/ 0 http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/2009/11/29/west-barnstabel-conservation-area/ http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/2009/11/29/west-barnstabel-conservation-area/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:54:47 +0000 Dan Crowley http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/?p=853 West Barnstable Conservation Area

West Barnstable, Ma.

November 29, 2009

Topo

The West Barnstable Conservation Area is 1,114 acres of mix woods trails. There are several entrances and parking areas, with the main parking area and entrance off Race Lane in West Barnstable. We chose to hike the trails near the power lines and parked in the small area along Chase Road in Sandwich. The trail leaving the parking area is the North Ridge Trail.

Trail begins off Chase Road in Sandwich

We marked off a 3-mile loop that we wanted to hike.

Trail starts up a slight hill

After a slight hill it soon becomes apparent that there are several side trails. These trails are not marked, but they parallel the power lines which makes it easy to stay pointed in the right direction.

Many side trails run off the main path

Rocks left behind by the glacier are scattered throughout this area.

Boulder left behind by glacier

Topping the hill at this boulder, without leaves on the trees, there is a nice view to the south.

Site of former tree house

A tree house was once in these trees. It appeared that time brought it down.

There must have been a nice view from this tree house

Remains of tree house

Just beyond the fallen tree house is a trail intersection. The path to the right is washed out.

Washed out trail

The trail continues along a ridge of mixed woods.

Stand out gray birch

The main trail turns right and is marked with an arrow. The path straight ahead looked like it would lead us toward Crocker Road, which we were looking for so as to make our hike a loop.

North Ridge Trial goes right

After a quarter mile the path meets Crocker Road.

Fork in the road

The trail intersects Crocker Road just north of where Farmersville Road and Crocker Road meet. These interior dirt roads are not open to vehicle traffic. However, there are horse tracks and bicycle tire tracks from earlier use.

Intersection of Crooked Cartway and Crocker Road

Crooked Cartway forks to the right. We walked down Crocker Road which is the left fork.

Crossing the power lines

After crossing to the north side of the power lines the road once again forks. Maple Road is to the right. We stayed on Crocker which was the left fork.

Shooting range sign

About 50 feet after the fork there is a sign warning hikers of the West Barnstable shooting range. We could hear gunfire thoughout most of our hike, from the deep blast of large gauge shotguns to the popping of hand guns. This sign is at the entrance of an unmarker trail. However, from the sounds of the gunfire, the range was ahead on Crocker Road. We turned left back into the woods at the sign.

Scott Rock

This rock was across from the trail.  Someone spent some time and money to chisel the name on it.

Trail drops of ridge to left

The main trail continued to our right, but that was in the direction of the shooting range. We chose to head down the hill on the trail that went left.

Frost wedging

Once down the hill across a small hollow the trail climbed again to this large boulder that ice has split in two over many years.

Chris on split rock

Chris couldn’t resist climbing on the boulder. It had a nice spot for sitting right on top.

Shooting range sign

With all the noise, it would be impossible to forget that the shooting range was over two hills to our right. Still, the trails have plenty of signs warning hikers not to get too close.

Shooting range in case you missed it

Without trail markings and the many side trails, it is easy to wander around in this area, but the power lines are often visible. There is evidence that at one time there were blue trail markings on some trail in the area, but they have fadd  quite a lot.

Trail wanders from ridge to ridge

There are rare arrows on the trail but there is nothing to indicate what they point toward.

Trail markers?

As the trail returned to the power lines we found an old rusted steel 375 gallon fuel oil tank tossed into the woods. The bottom has been cut off. It has obviously been there for a long time.

Remains of old oil tank

Back on the power lines we had a short walk back to the parking area along Chase Road.

Back on power lines

It took Chris and I about an hour and 40 minutes to make the 3-mile loop.  I’m sure several times we were off the main trail as there is no way to identify which is the main trail. Still, with no leaves on the trees it is often easy to see the power lines and not be lost. It was a cool morning, about 45 degrees, but with the rolling hills it was easy to stay warm.

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.

Harwich, Ma.

October 30, 2009

I was in this area this morning after my original plans fell through and decided to take a walk. It is 77 acres with a trail of one mile and a quarter.

Parking area trailhead sign off Bay Road

Trailhead information

The trails in this area are all open and easy walking. there are some rolling hills, but nothing difficult.

Beginning of the trail

The trails in this area are marked by limbs and branches alongside the path.  Just over five minutes into the walk I came to an intersection.

Intersection

This intersection begins the loop hike. I continued straight ahead in the direction of the overlook. Another five minutes and the trail comes to a “T”. The overlook is to the left. Ths is about a 10 minute walk to the overlook which is a high spot that looks down on the Monomoy River, as known as Muddy Creek. There are two large benches at the overlook.

Overlook looking toward the east and Pleasant Bay

The Monomoy River below the overlook

Two benches at overlook

I back tracked to the “T” and continued the loop.  The river is visible about 100 yards to the left from the trail, which runs along a high ridge.

Monomoy River thru the trees

Another look at the Monomoy through the trees

As the trail begins to descend from the ridge it forks. This wasn’t on the map, so naturally I took the fork to the left that I guessed went down to the river.

The trail forks

The fork to the left does lead to the river coming out at a small grassy point in the river.

This tree grows at the tip of the small point

As I walked out onto the small grassy point a group of about a half dozen ducks that had been floating lazily to the left let me know that I was interrupting there peace and quiet. They went flying off down the river to the east.

Ducks fly off river toward Pleasant Bay

Monomoy River looking east from point

Monomoy River looking west from point

Back on the main trail for another 10 minutes and you arrive at powerlines. The hike turns to the right and walks along the powerlines for about a quarter miles before returning to the woods.

Trail on the powerlines

Back into the woods

The woods in this area are almost all pitch pine and scrub oak. There are a few white pine and even fewer holly trees.

The loop trail begins its return

The trail winds its way home

This hike took 55 minutes. It was an overcast morning with the temperature in the mid 50′s.

]]> http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/2009/10/30/isabel-smith-monomoy-river/feed/ 0 http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/2009/10/25/east-head-pond/ http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/2009/10/25/east-head-pond/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 01:03:38 +0000 Dan Crowley http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/?p=715 East Head Pond/Reservoir

Myles Standish State Forest

Carver/Plymouth, Ma.

October 25, 2009

The Myles Standish State Forest is roughly 14, 635 acres of multy-use land that stretches across Plymouth and Carver. On this Sunday morning, Chris and I drove to one of our favorite hikes near the Carver entrance, East Head Pond, which is also known as East Head Reservoir. This three-mile loop trail around the 92-acre pond begins at the park headquarters where there are maps available as well as any updated information necessary for the hiker.

Myles Standish State Forest

East Head Pond Topo Map

Information at trailhead

Behind and to the left of this information board is the trailhead if you wish to hike it in a clockwise direction as we did.

The trail begins wide and easy and remains an easy walk all the way.

Right away there are views of East Head Pond. On this day it was 62 degrees, no wind and mostly sunny.

East Head Pond looking north

The trail runs along the shore of the pond most of the way up the west side.

Trail winds along edge of pond

View of pond through trees

There are frequent side paths down to the water. We took several, and every time we did Chris wished he had brought along his fishing pole.

Trees reflected in calm water

A fish jumps

The trail was easy to follow and is marked with blue arrows on trees.

Path through trees

About 20 minutes into the hike a side path to the right takes you to a point of land the projects midway into the pond offering nice views and a place to stop for a break.

Side path to the point

It is a short walk out to the point, with more views along the way.

Approaching the point

Sandy penninsula points into the middle of the pond

Looking across the pond from the sandy point

Looking north across the pond to where we are heading

The trail soon meets up with a road and travels along it for about 50 yards.

The trail travels along this road for a short time

It re-enters the woods at this rock.

Trail re-enters at rock

Almost immediately after re-entering the woods, there are some trees forming an arch down to the water.

Tree branches form archway

There are still some fall colors on the trees and bushes.

Still some fall color on trail

The trail once again wanders along the shoreline.

Sunlight reflects on pond

The westside trail does become wet for a little bit, but walkways cross the swampy area.

First walkway over wet area

The point was visible to the south from this path down to the water.

Looking south at the point

Chris stands next to this pine tree which more than four feet in diameter.

Chris next to large pine tree

The path moved away from the water and crosses another swampy area.

Westside trail

Plank trail through wet area

There are three separate walkways and a plank walkway through this area.

Walkway over swampy area

The west side of the East Pond hike ends at these three cement posts. The trail then turns rights and walks along an open cut.

End of west side of East Pond trail

Trail across open cut at top of pond

The trail re-enters at a blue marker on a large pine tree after about 50 yards. It took us about an hour to this point.

The trail re-enters woods at blue trail marker

Chris leads the way. On this side of the pond the trail wanders further inland and there are stands of tall pine.

Chris leads way

This is a view from the east side looking across at the point.

Looking across at the point

Most views of the water from this side are through the trees.

Most views this side through trees

The construction of this bridge looks very recent.

New bridge

This big oak tree caught my attention. I took several pictures from different angles.

Orange colored leaves on tree

Tree reflecting in water

This swampy area looks like it might once have been land. There are still stumps standing in the middle.

Swampy area

Stumps in middle of swampy area

There is a nice stretch of small white pines as the trail briefly turns away from the water.

Trail among small white pines

A last look across this boggy inlet toward the pond.

A last look across the swamp

The three-mile loop trail ends at Fearing Pond Road, a short walk to the Park Headquarters. If you were to walk the trail counter-clockwise, this sign would indicate where the trail entered the woods.

Easthead nature trail sign on Fearing Pond Road

There is a small dam that no longer appears to be functional. A new culvert has been cut beside it to allow water from East Head Pond to flow out and into the cranberry bogs to the south.

Old dam

A final look at East Head Pond from the top of the old dam.

View to the northeast from old dam

With some brief side trips, our hike took an hour and 50 minutes. This loop is popular in the summer with walkers and dogs. There are also signs that a few riders may have strayed off the bridle paths.

Once back at the truck, we took a look at the map and decided to explore a little more of Myles Standish State Forest. There is plenty of room to wander and we found a few spots to which we’ll probably return.

Mashpee/Sandwich, Ma.

October 23, 2009

The 135-acre Lowell Holly reservation is named for its donor,  Abbot Lawrence Lowell, and has several hundred native American holly trees, which grow naturally only along the New England coast. Within the reservation, owned by the Trustees of Reservations, are four miles of trails and former carriage roads.

Lowell Holly Topo Map

The year-round entrance and parking area are off Sandwich Road in Mashpee.

Entrance sign on Sandwich Road

There is a small parking area at the trailhead.

Trailhead

The trails throughout the Lowell Holly area are wide and easy walking.

The beginning of the trail

The trail at this end is at places covered with roots.

Roots along the trail

About five minutes into the hike there is a culvert and a trail to the left. This connects with the seasonal entrance road, which is closed after Labor Day. At this end of the reservation there are plenty of pines and the trail is covered with pine needles.

Pine needle covered path

As the trail approaches Conaumet Cove and Ryder Beach the number of holly trees increase. The word Conaumet is a Wampanoag word “Kuwunut,” meaning “beach.”

Holly Tree

Holly berries on tree

The trail passes to the south of Ryder Beach from where the Ryder Conservation Area borders Lowell Holly. For a longer hike it is possible to connect the four-miles of Lowell Holly trails with those of the Ryder Conservation Area.

Across Conaumet Cove looking at the northern end of Ryder Beach

The trail continues along the shore of Conaumet Cove with small sandy areas overlooking Wakeby Pond.

Wakeby Pond

The wind was gusty with nearly 12 inch swells on the pond. The temperature was 46 degrees and there was a wind-chill factor.

Sandy trail back into the woods

At the top of the sandy path was this leggy beach tree. This is also the seasonal entrance with a small parking area and a few picnic tables.

Beech tree

The trail that leaves the small seasonal parking area is marked by white squares on trees. It passes close to the western side of Conaumet Cove and around a swampy area. In some spots the trail can be muddy.

Cleveland Island is visable through the trees

Cleveland Island on Wakeby Pond

In several places along the trails of Lowell Holly there are places to sit and rest.

Bench overlooking Wakeby Pond

The trail divides and becomes a loop. I hiked in a counter-clockwise direction heading down the red-marked trail.

Trail splits

This tree is rotted through.

Tree rotted through

This tree fell over the trail.

Archway on trail

The Lowell Holly landscape is scattered with plantings of rosebay and catawba rhododendrons (as well as mountain laurel). According to the Trustees of Reservations, “although natural stands of these rhododendrons have never been found on Cape Cod, the region’s mild climate and acid soils make moist places on the reservation ideal habitat for these trees. Lowell bequeathed the property.”

Here the trail out to Conaumet Point passes between to large rhododendrons.

Trail to Conaumet Point

Woodpeckers like this tree

The trail to the tip of Conaumet Point

The view from Conaumet Point

The trip out to Conaumet Point is about 20 minutes round trip. Back out on the beginning of the Conaumet Point Trail the blazes are again white. Keith Island is visible out on Wakeby Pond.

Keith Island on Wakeby Pond

In about five minutes the trail reaches the Narrows Trail which is blue blazed.

Trail to The Narrows

In this part of the reservation there are very few pine trees. However, these five pines seem to have taken root.

Young pines on Narrows Trail

Narrows Trail

The hike out to the tip of the penninsula at the Narrows is about a 20 minute round trip. There are some side paths available with views of Mashpee Pond.

At the tip of the penninsula there is an open area where someone had an illegal campfire.

Illegal campfire

A small path leads down to the water with a view of the Narrows.

Narrows looking north toward Wakeby Pond

Looking across the Narrows

The Narrows Trail loops back along some high ground with limited views of Mashpee Pond. To the right of where it meets the main trail is a swampy area.

Fall colors passing in this swampy area

From just beyond this swampy area on a side trail it is possible to see the cove at the top of Mashpee Pond.

Cove at top of Mashpee Pond

Along parts of the Narrows Trail the surrounding woods open up.

Along The Narrows Trail

Back on the white blazed trail.

Back on white trail lit in yellow

There are several side trails that go down to Mashpee Pond.

Side trail to Mashpee Pond

Small beach on north side of Mashpee Pond

Looking back on the point at The Narrows.  The waterway between the two ponds is on the far side of the point.

The point at The Narrows

The old carriage road opens up on the way back to split

After completing the loop there is another side trail down to the water.

Bench overlooking Mashpee Pond

I sat on this bench for about five minutes and had a snack. There were two fishermen out on the pond. With the wind out of the north, Wakeby Pond was rough, while blocked by the reservation, Mashpee Pond was smooth.

Two fishermen on Mashpee Pond

Mashpee Pond

Once back at the seasonal entrance, I decided to return by the seasonal road.

The road home

According to the Trustees of Reservations, “For several thousand years before European settlers arrived, the Cape Cod woodlands were home to Native Americans, who made a practice of periodically burning the forests to clear land for cornfields. After their arrival, European settlers converted most of the forests on Cape Cod to agricultural land or woodlots. But it appears that little or no activity by man –such as burning, plowing, or the felling of trees – has taken place for more than 200 years on the majority of land at what is now Lowell Holly. The result is a forest that has largely escaped the influence of man and thus represents a unique natural resource for Cape Cod.”

The hike took me about two hours and 15 minutes with a five minute stop.

Mashpee, Ma.

October 12, 2009

Just after noon on Columbus Day I pulled into the parking are at the Jehu Pond Conservation Area off Great Neck Road in Mashpee.  Jehu Pond Conservation Area is part of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge established in 1995 to preserve and protect the natural resources associated with the Waquoit Bay area.  When complete the plan calls for the refuge to encompas 5,871 acres.

Jehu Pond Topo Map

Trail sign

The Jehu Pond Area enters on a wide dirt road. This is the Amy Brown Road which runs for just over a mile through the refuge. There are other dirt roads off the Amy Brown and several trails, some to Jehu Pond and others north in the direction of Red Brook Road. However, nothing is marked, so it’s important to maintain your bearings when wandering the trails.

The Amy Brown Road at the tralhead

About five minutes up the road on the left is this grassy path. I decided to give it a look.

Grassy side trail

The side trail ended less than a quarter mile down, but did pass by a nice marsh view.

Planks cross into marsh

Back on the Amy Brown Road I walked about another five minute before coming to another side trail. This one looked like it might provide a closer look at Jehu Pond.

Side trail down to pond

Jehu Pond is a saltwater pond that leads into Waquoit Bay. The pond is surrounded by marsh. As I got closer to the marsh the trail began to close in.

Trail closes in

The ground was spongy. I got as close to the marsh as I could without sinking in.

Marsh at Jehu Pond

This was about as close as I was going to get to the pond, so I turned up the trail and headed back into the woods. I didn’t know where the trail would go. I was hoping it was a loop back to the Amy Brown Road.

Side trail back to the Amy Brown Road

I walked this trail for about 10 minutes before it came to a road that looked like it might be the Amy Brown Road. I looked around and found my footprints and followed them back to where I had left the road to head down to the pond.  As I continued Jehu Pond was occasionally visible through the trees.

Looking toward Jehu Pond from the road

Continuing along the road I came to what looked like it had once been a trail. I decided to check it out.

Hidden trail to marsh view

It was in fact once a trail and ended at the northern end of the marsh above Jehu Pond.

Marsh view from hidden trail

Marsh view from hidden trail

Back on the Amy Brown Road evidence of a four-wheel quad was seen.

quad tracks

The rider was blazing new trails through the woods. I followed one of these trails to see where it went. Up a hill and down the other side it ripped up the bushes and trees and dug deep ruts in the ground. There were several spots in the refuge where four-wheel vehicles had been used.

Mashpee Wildlife Refuge

National Wildlife Refuge

The entire area is clearly posted as a protected area.

The area I was in was called the Abigail Brook Area. I thought I’d look for Abigail Brook. Aside from the Refuge signs, there are no other markers. This was the only brook I could find.

Brook runs through marsh

Happy that I found a brook, possibly Abigail Brook, I stopped here for a snack.

Brook

There was a trail that lead alongside a marsh that I thought might take me to where the brook entered.

Trail beside marsh

This opened up with some nice views of this marsh.

Brook runs through this marsh

Another view of the marsh

Trees at the top of the marsh where the brook enters

There were several side trails. I came to a crossroads and since the brook went right, so did I.  Near this trail intersection there was this cement structure. I don’t know what it might have been.

Cement structure in the woods

The map didn’t have the majority of the trails on it and none of them have names or markings. It would be easy to become turned around. I followed the new trail with the brook and the sun on my right side.

Trail along brook

Abigail Brook

The brook wandered in and out of sight along the trail. To my left was higher ground and probably no place for a brook. I continued to follow the stream until the trail ran out. The brook continued into the woods, but the trail climbed a hill to a “T” intersection at the top.  Here I decided that since I had lost the brook, I’d put the sun on my left shoulder.  I took a left on this new trail.

Somewhere trail

It was a very nice trail, wide and easy walking.  It went through an area of mostly pines, with a few oak, beech and birch. There were occasional holly trees sprinkled in. Again side trails to either side invited investigation,  but not really knowing where this one I was on would lead, I figured I stick with it for a while. About 15 minutes after climbing the hill and setting off I came to a dirt road.  But, what dirt road.

Back on a road

I didn’t recognize anything and I didn’t see my footprints in the soft dirt.  This time I figured I head toward the sun, or in this case the southwest. It seemed like a good idea.

Great Hay and Amy Brown fork.

I hadn’t been strolling along for long when I came to this fork in the road. I actually arrived here by coming down the fork on the right.  The trail, it turns out, had brought me to the Great Hay Road, which I then followed to the intersection of the Amy Brown Road. My map did have this intersection indicated on it. So now for the first time in about the last hour, I knew where I was.

Heading back on Amy Brown Road

In celebration of heading back to the trailhead and my truck, I ate my last granola bar as I walked.

It was a two hour walk though a very pretty area. The temperature was in the mid 50′s and clouds were moving in from the west as rain was predicted for the next day. As for my distance walked, it was probably close to three miles. It’s hard to say.  The views of Jehu Pond are limited, but for an easy afternoon walk in the woods, the Amy Brown Road (No Vehicles Allowed) is a nice stroll.

]]> http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/2009/10/12/jehu-pond/feed/ 0 http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/2009/10/11/eagle-pond/ http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/2009/10/11/eagle-pond/#comments Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:45:08 +0000 Dan Crowley http://capenews.net/blogs/latitude_somewhere/?p=585 Eagle Pond

Cotuit, Ma.

October 11, 2009

Eagle Pond is at the heart of the Mary Lowell Barton Conservation Area in Cotuit. It is an area of 151 acres that includes Bell Farm/Little River tract and the Charles Almy Cedar Swamp and Ropes Field.  All areas except the Charles Almy Cedar Swamp are connected by trails.

Eagle Pond is a “kettle hole” created by the retreating glacier over 12,000 years ago.  It averages 18 feet deep and is fed by ground water, with a half-mile of shore line. Tall pines on the northern half of the Eagle Pond area were once a white pine plantation in the 1700′s with some of the tall trees reserved for British naval vessels.  The southern and eastern side of Eagle Pond was once farmland.

Eagle Pond Topo Map

Mary Lowell Barton wass instrumental in placing protections on the land

The Eagle Pond Carriage Path Trail loops around the pond with numerous opportunities to walk down to the water for a better view.  I entered from Putnam Avenue, however there are other trailheads that access the area.

Eagle Pond

I took the trail off Putnam Avenue and traveled in a clockwise direction.

Beginning of trail

The pond is almost immediately visible through the trees.

Path down to water

Looking across Eagle Pond to the northeast

There are several side trails in the area.  I took a walk on one that headed away from the pond in a wide sweep around the northern end of the area.  This trail eventually brought me out the the Cordwood Road entrance.  From here I headed back to the pond and continued my loop walk.

Wide open trail through mixed woods

Most of the trail is wide open as would be a former carriage trail.

A look at the pond

There were many trails down to the pond from the looping Eagle Pond Carriage Trail.

Eagle Pond

One of many side trails

Eagle Pond

The eastern side of the trail is on high ground allowing for views from up high.

Trail above the pond

When I reached the trailhead at Putnam Avenue I retraced my steps beginning a second loop. My intention was to walk the part of the Eagle Pond Carriage Trail beyond where I had left the trail on my first loop.

Wooden walkway over dry stream

Once I had passed the side trail I had taken the first time by, I came to this wooded bridge over a dry stream.

Wide trail

The Eagle Pond Carriage Trail is unmarked, but easy to follow.  I came across these two stumps and a chess/checkers board by the side of the trail under a large pine tree.  There were plenty of small stones nearby, but it would probably be best to bring your own game pieces.

Chess or checkers anyone?

I found a side trail that led down to the water and traveled along the pond’s edge.

Lilly pads in the northern end of the pond

This tree looked too good to pass up. The curve of the branch seemed ideal for lounging. With my feet propped up against the truck, it made for a nice place to recline and rest for a minute.

Resting tree with a water view

Path along the pond

The path along the water’s edge isn’t as wide or smooth as the main Eagle Pond Carriage Trail. There are plenty of roots to watch out for.

Swim at your own risk

This area has a bench where you can sit and look at the pond, or watch the kids swim.  There is a small sandy area at the water’s edge, but as the sign warns,  swimmers do so at their own risk.

At this point I had completed a full circut of the Eagle Pond Carriage Trail. I turned back on the trail and returned to the Putnam Avenue trailhead and my truck.

Eagle Pond

I spent a hour walking the trails of Eagle Pond on a sunny afternoon. In another couple of weeks the foliage will be peaking and the trees surrounding the pond will all be in full color.  It’s a good place for a cool swim on a warm summer afternoon, or a secluded spot to strap on the ice skates in winter.

Cotuit, Ma.

Octoberr 11, 2009

Crocker Neck is a 97-acre town-owned conservation are in the southwestern corner of Cotuit.  It is named for the old Barnstable family that once owned the land. According the the Barnstable Conservation Commission, “The Neck is part of the outwash plain, sands carried south off the melting glacier 12,000 years ago.”

Crocker Neck Topo Map

There are a mile and a half of walking trails on the Neck. On this midday Sunday it took me a little over an hour to stroll from the trailhead to the end of the Tidepool Trail on Popponesset Bay and back.

Trailhead

Most the the trail is open. The hike begins on the Dike Trail which is just a five minute walk to Fullers Marsh.

Dike Trail

Fuller's Marsh

The Dike Trail squeezes into the marsh grass and to the left.  I walked down this path a short way until the marsh grass crowded the trail too closely.  As I walk, what looked like a Northern Water Snake shot across the path at my feet.  It was about the diameter of a quarter and about 20 inches long.  It disappeared into the grass before I could find the camera.  Where the 10-foot tall phragmite reeds stand there was once a dike that stopped the tidel flow here, so that the area above could be used as a cranberry bog.

Path through marsh grass

It was right here the snake crossed my path

The Bank Trail branches to the south off of the Dike Trail at the marsh.

Bank Trail

The Bank Trail travels through the woods along the edge of Fuller’s Marsh, which is nearly always visible through the trees.

Fuller' s Marsh through the trees

The Bank Trail ends at another parking area from where the Cove Trail leaves to the left.

Cove Trail

As I walked the Cove Trail, I found this old picnic bench off in the woods among some pine trees.

Picnic bench in pine grove

A path leaves the Cove Trail to the left that passes through a pine grove down to the water of Pinquickset Cove.

Pinquickset Cove view to the north

Pinquickset Cove view to the south

Continuing on beyond the view of Pinquickset Cove at the Pine Grove,  the path becomes the Tidepool Trail. Only a couple of minutes down the trail is this viewing deck.

Viewing deck

View of Pinquickset Cove from the bench

The Tidepool Trail meanders through open pine woods down toward Popponesset Bay.  The trail ends in a small dirt parking area at a beach on the bay.

Beach at the end of the Tidepool Trail. The point of land across the water is Meadow Point

Popponesset Bay looking toward the spit

Popponesset Bay

Popponesset Bay looking at Ryefield Point

From the bay an old road called The Lane backtracks to the second trailhead and Santuit Road.  This road has sunk over time due to the elements and use.  Ground level to the right side of the road is about two feet above the track.

The Lane is sunken in places

Following The Lane to the Bank Trail I returned the way I had come.  At the trailhead on Santuit Road I crossed the small road to the Town Landing.

Town Landing on Santuit Road

Shoestring Bay at Town Landing

Shoestring Bay enters Popponesset Bay on the far side of Ryefield Point. Only a light breeze and 64 degree temperatures marked the day.  I had the trails pretty much to myself. I crossed paths with three other people.  My walk lasted just over an hour over easy trails with great views.

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