Tully day 2

It was still dark when we woke (we had decided on an early start the night before).  After a delicious frosted raspberry Pop Tart, we broke camp and hit the trail.  We took the mountain bike trail that followed the other side of Long Pond.  I had never hiked this trail before, and was a bit skeptical due to the map showing the trail hugging a road for most of the way.  I was pleasantly surprised, when the trail remained an entirely clean single track with only one glimpse of the road.  

Now with our packs a few beers and a few meals lighter, we breezed through this mostly flat section of the trail.  About halfway along the pond, we stopped to admire the work of some beavers.

Shortly after passing these trees, we got to see and experience the resulting product of the beavers carpentry skills!! We came upon a flooded stream with a bridge halfway underwater!  Without a proper plan, Mozo attempted to cross the flooded section by stepping on the most irregular log he could find, which of course resulted in one waterlogged Mozo!!  After watching what not to do, I safely navigated the water hazard, and we continued on. 

This incident proved to be the curse of Tullys last stand!! From there on out, it was smooth hiking and a couple of miles later, the mountain bike trail made its way out to the Tullys half way point, were we retraced our steps from the day prior.

All in all, the Tully Redux proved to be a much more enjoyable hike than in years past with only a few hiccups along the way!  

Tully Trail Redux

 This past week, myself along with a buddy (Mozo), ventured off on the Tully trail in central MA.  The Tully is a 22 mile loop that encompasses a wide area with a vast landscape of terrain. I try to hike the Tully every year and turn it into an overnight backpacking trip staying at the Tully campground.  Now before I get into how the trip went, I have to tell you about the dreaded Tully curse!!  Before this week, I had hiked this trail 4 times, and each time something has gone wrong!! Amongst other things, I/we've had major equipment failures, whining hiking partners, and once ended up lost at some hillbillies shack, where I'm pretty sure the owners were admiring our pretty mouths!!  

On this trip, I plotted a slightly shorter "lollipop" loop, with a light pack load in hopes to break the Tully curse!  Here's how it went:

Sunday morning we parked at Royalston Falls and took the Tully southeast towards the campground.  Usually when we start, we take the western route, which is a 15 mile stretch, primarily made up of old logging roads, road walks, and now a major trail detour.  That section has proven to be miserable over the years. So I cut it out!!! CUZ I CAN!!!!!

So east we went.  About a half mile in we  came to the Royalston falls shelter, which is an adirondack style shelter for hikers of the Tully and the NET trails that intersect here.

Another third of a mile from here are Royalston falls.  The Falls are a beautiful booming cascade that fall into a deep ravine.

From the falls we followed along the ravine along a ridge above and eventually entered Royalston state forest.  Now for whatever reason, Royalston State Forest has always given the feeling that I'm being watched or hunted!!  The place is just strange and is also an exact clone of Endor from Return Of The Jedi (minus the Ewoks)!! We did come across some pretty big bear scat (fresh and loaded with berries) however we didn't run into anything and made rather quick work of the big scary forest! 

The next section was where the curse tried to strike.  At about the halfway mark, the trail follows a long and steady incline, that travels along high tension power lines.  We ascended the trail and after 10 feet, the trail disappeared into an overgrown almost impervious wall of thick vegetation.  With no trail visible, we bushwhacked for about a mile straight up hill!!! Now pardon my French, but this was a MOTHERFUCKER!!!!! Eventually we made it to the top and back to the trail which led us to the top of Jacobs hill (our lunch spot).

After lunch, we followed the Tully along a ridge and back down along the edge of Spirit Falls.  From the base of Spirit Falls, we made our way along Long pond and eventually to the campground.

Tully campground is a "walk in site" campground (no cars) maintained by the Trustees Of Reservations.  Upon arrival, we set up our tents, started a fire, threw on our dinner, and sat down to a few well deserved beers!  YOUR MOVE TULLY!

Cape Ann vacation

I recently took a short vacation with my wife up to Gloucester.  We really didn't have a game plan and hadn't planned on any hiking. However, because going to the beach is the most boring activity in the whole world!!, we decided to check out a few places to go exploring.

The first place we checked out was Ravenswood Park in Gloucester.  With a few wrong turns (Damn Apple Maps!), we arrived at the parking area.  After searching the car for my bug spray ( which was mysteriously missing), we grabbed a map and headed into the woods.  About 100 yards in, the notorious GreenHead Fly, welcomed us! Though annoying, they weren't too bad (yet), and we pressed on.  We decided to take the "Ledge Hill Trail" up to a vista spot that looked over Gloucester harbor.

After reaching the top of Ledge Hill, we tried to take in the view, however at this point, we were under a constant barrage of kamikazing flys and Mosquitos. So with a quick double time step, we descended the hill, and found a connecting trail leading us out of the EEE/West Nile infested Jungle and back to the parking area.  

Our short "trot" in the woods was probably just a little over a mile, and what we did get to experience, was a rather nice area!  We both concluded that we would need to come back and check out the rest of the park (WITH BUG SPRAY!!!) Now it was on to a plate of fried clams! (Or so I thought).......

On our way to Woodmans, we took a quick detour to Rockport and its Halibut Points State Park.  Now at this point, I was a starving, a little cranky, and all I could think of, was a plate of deep fried whole bellied clams covered in tartar sauce.  

Now we had both been to Halibut point before, and being tired and hungry, I was content with bypassing the park.  However, my better half insisted that we hadn't been and should check it out since we were in the area.  With my stomach grumbling, I obliged, and off we went.  

Halibut points property is on the ocean, has a large old quarry, and an old WWII tower overlooking everything.   There are also many trails that traverse the entire property.  We stuck to the quarry loop trail that starts and ends at the tower.

About half way around the quarry there is a turn off that took us out to the ocean.  From here there are other trails that branch off, however we returned to the quarry loop.

After finishing the loop, my wife says" I guess you were right, we have been here before"!  Tired, hungry, drenched in sweat, and riddled with bug bites, I did what any man (well a smart man anyways!!) would do and just smiled back at her.  We headed back to the car and finally towards Woodmans, and after a long morning of adventure, the clams and cold beer were oh so good!!!

Rocky Woods Reservation

It was 95 degrees with 100% humidity, my girls were at the beach (I HATE THE BEACH!), it was a perfect day for a hike!!

I ventured out to Medfields Rocky Woods  Reservation which is a place that I have never been to before.  Upon arrival I paid a small $4 fee to the ranger (used for reservation upkeep) and grabbed myself a map.  I determined my route, and away I went!! Right from the beginning, I noticed how well maintained the trails were.  The trails were fairly wide with no overgrowth (keeping the ticks at bay!). I was also impressed with the trail signage and trail intersection markings (I could clearly see where my $4 was going).  

I picked a route that would take me through the differing terrains of the park.  The first part, was the loop trail to Echo lake.  Echo lake had a nice boardwalk bridge that crossed right over the middle. 

Unfortunately, the other side of the bridge was under a few feet of water, so I was forced to take a wider loop around the lake.  Before I continued around the lake, I watched the many "death from below" Bass strikes on the unsuspecting flies.  This little lake seemed like a Bass fishermans dream, I'll definitely have to come back and try my luck!

Continuing around the lake, I came out to where I would have, if I had made a swim for it!  This was the first major trail intersection I had come across, and it was both numbered and labeled with the trail names, and on top of that, there was a small kiosk with a map of the reservation! I don't think you could get lost here if you tried! 

I chose to continue on the ridge trail, which passed a small pond and travelled back and forth between new growth and old growth pine forests (think of the smell of a christmas tree lot!).  Eventually I came out to the "Tower" trail where I made my ascend of Cedar hill.

This was my stop for lunch.  Though the temps were still smoldering in the high 90's, there was a nice breeze at the top of hill that had a nice psychological cooling effect!  After lunch, I descended on the Cedar hill trail and back towards the parking area.  Along the way I passed Chickering Pond which is the largest body of water on the property.  Again it looked like a primo spot for Bass!

After rounding Chickering Pond, I caught the trail back to the parking area.  Guesstimating, by looking at the map, I would say the hike was approx 3.5 miles.    

All-in-all this place was an awesome hike!  I love the places that offer it all in a small package!  From ponds and swampland to to an elevated peak ( with great views!), I was able to sample it all in a reveltivly easy hike!  

Boulder Brook Reservation

Living on the Wellesley/Natick line, I ventured 5 minutes up the road to Boulder Brook Reservation in Wellesley.  Boulder Brook get its name from: A, there's a brook that runs through the property and B, the reservation is peppered with abnormally large glacial boulders.

I've hiked here a few times now, and love the property's differing terrain.  There's a large meadow, stream crossings, forest, elevation gains, and vista points, all in a fairly short loop hike(under 2 miles)!

I parked on Elmwood rd. at Kelly Memorial park.  The trail starts just past the parking area and is blazed with purple arrows.  The trail passes alongside a brook and about 100 yards in you come across the first massive boulder thats just begging to be climbed! Eventually the trail comes out to a school/ballfield and staying left to the field, the trail picks up again down a paved way leading to the entrance of Boulder Brook Reservation.  Still following the purple arrows, I came out to a huge meadow. 

The day was hot, about 90 degrees, and the sun was baking the grass.  The sweet smell reminded me of when I was a boy in the cornfields! Now I'm a born and bred massachusettsian with no ties to Iowa, however I spent many summers at Drumlin Farm camp, and we picked weeds in the cornfields.  Now for all you left-wing yahoos out there, thinking child slave labor, well..... come to think of it, maybe it was!!  However I do credit Drumlin Farm with much of my knowledge and appreciation of agriculture and nature! (Not to mention my large catalog of camp songs)!

Anyways, after crossing the meadow, I entered a forest and crossed a wooden planked brook.  From here, the trail starts a very gradual incline and after a few hundred yards starts to rise sharply up a hill and over some glacial boulders.  From the top of the hill/boulders, the trail took me to a small rock outcrop overlooking Wellesley and Natick.

From the overlook, the trail snaked down the hill, through the woods passing a few more boulders, and finally back to the meadow. 

All in all, for a short hike, this place really crams it in and delivers an awesome quickie!!

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary

Today I took the family to Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick MA (rt 16).  Broadmoor has 9 miles of trails that take you through forests, wetlands, old orchards, and various boardwalk crossings.    For the most part, the trails are fairly wide with very little elevation gain, and are the perfect little getaway for all levels.

After loading my youngest into my Kelty child carrier backpack, the four of us began our adventure.  From the nature center we followed the yellow trail along the banks of a wetland, and before long came across a boardwalk crossing where we stopped to look for wildlife.

Unfortunately there was nothing swimming in the waters at this stop, so we carried on and entered a small pine forest on the other side of the boardwalk.  The soft pine needle floor, and cool whispering breeze must have been too much for "bear bait" because she was out as soon as we crossed the bridge. Luckily I was able to grab a quick shot of her right before.

Through the forest and over a wooden bridge, we came to the highlight of the trip. Well hold on, let's back up a second! Of course the highlight of the trip is spending it with my family and getting to experience the new sights and sounds with my little girls, as well as having a nice peaceful stroll with my lovely wife!! (I'm no fool)!!  So now on to the second best part of the trip.  We've had heavy rains over the past few weeks and because of it, a usually slow waterfall was turned into a beautiful cascade of pounding water. 

 

Now not to get all sappy on you, but one of my favorite smells in the world is fresh water!  You know the kind of smell you get when you're sitting by a lake on a warm summer afternoon, and there's that gentle breeze that just ever so lightly scrapes along the waters surface and releases the essence of the lake into the air. Well that smell!! Anyways this waterfall was just perfuming the entire area with that sweet fresh water and we stopped to take it in for a while. 

After the falls we pushed forward a little longer until the skeeters started to get the best if us.  We decided to turn around and retrace our steps.  As we neared the nature center, we stopped at the main boardwalk that overlooks a large marsh.  It was here where a turtle popped its head up to say hello to "Lil Bug".

So there it is, Broadmoor! Probably one of the best places in the metrowest to introduce children (or anyone for that matter) to the great outdoors! 

Things to know: Broadmoor is a Ma Audubon property and charges an entrance fee to non- members. No dogs allowed. As with any wild area use insect protection! And carry in carry out!

Nobscot Scout Reservation

So here it is, the hike that started it all!! On June 15th, I decided to get out and hike one of my favorite places - Nobscot Scout Reservation in Sudbury MA.  You see I used to be a Boy Scout and along with my father, I pretty much have them to thank for my love and appreciation of the outdoors.

From the parking area on Nobscot/Edgell rd, there are many trails to choose from.  There is a big board with information and trail maps, and if you need any further info, there is the rangers cabin which is in clear view of the parking area.  Now being a Boy Scout reservation, they keep this place CLEAN!!! This is one of the cleanest places I've hiked in the metrowest!

Now maybe it's the nostalgia of the place, but I find that nobscot is the perfect quick getaway.  It has multiple trails throughout the reservation ( though I've heard some say too many),  as well as a bunch of interesting sites.  My loop hike takes me through some of thehighlights of the reservation.

From the parking area I took the Ellis trail to a right turn onto Jethro trail. Now these trails are easily found on the trail map and are actually pretty wide trails (good for children).  Jethro trail is going to turn right when it meets up with the tower trail.  Now right before this intersection is where the "event" took place that inspired this blog and for those concerned, my face didn't sustain any real injuries and I'm still as handsome as ever!  Moving forward, I proceeded up the Tower trail and my ascent of Mt Nobscot.

Now I was told when I was younger that Mt Nobscot actually qualifies as a mountain by one foot.  So not to fret, it is only a brief hike to the top.  Unfortunately when you get to the summit there is not a good vista point.  There is a fire tower that overlooks the reservation but again unfortunately there is no public access.


Now from the top of Mt Nobscot, I took a right on to the Bay Circuit trail (more on the Bay Circuit trail to come in the future), and followed that approx a mile to "Tippling Rock".  Tippling Rock is an elevated rock outcrop that looks over the reservation. This is where I decided to stop for a lunch break.

From the top of Tippling Rock, it's hard to believe that you're still in the "burbs".  On a clear day you can see the Hancock and Prudential in Boston!  After eating my peanut butter sandwich I retraced steps back down the rocks and hopped on Thirty Rod trail which took me to Pond trail to Belden trail and back to the parking lot.  On the return to the parking lot, I passed Nup'see pond and an old smallpox burial ground.   I'm guessing the overall loop was approx 2.5-3 miles.

So there you have it!! The first of hopefully many hikes to come!  Hopefully if this rain ever lets up ill be out checking out another great location in the Wild Wild Metrowest!!

In the beginning....

On the Wild Wild Metrowest

The other day, I was out hiking one of my favorite nearby destinations.  Weather wise, it was a top ten Saturday afternoon and it felt like I had the woods to myself!  So I'm hiking along one of my favorite routes, admiring a hawk circling above and SMACK!!!! I had walked face first into a very large fallen tree branch.  After dropping a steady stream of f-bombs, I immediately looked around to see if anyone had noticed.  "Of course not. I hadn't seen anyone since I left the parking lot". Now maybe it was the trauma from using my face as an axe, but I actually felt a sadness that there WASN'T someone there in the distance laughing at my expense!!

With todays hustle and bustle mentality towards life, fewer and fewer people are experiencing the outdoors.  To pause for a second, I GET IT!! Trust me I get it! I am the father of two beautiful little girls, married to an awesome wife who is the hardest working person I have ever met, and for myself, my job is probably the furthest away you can get from 9-5! So I get it.  The house is always a mess, poopy diapers always need changing, and the lawn!, my poor neighbors have to look at MY LAWN!!! I GET IT!!!!

But I digress

I have found that with all the things going on in my life, it is indeed hard to get out and enjoy the outdoors like I used to. Luckily living just west of Boston, there are an abundance of "wild" properties.  This blog will take me hiking through some of the local area properties where the "hustle and bustle" can be (at least temporarily) left behind and will hopefully show others just how close "The outdoors" can be!

Some hikes will be short 1-milers, others will be longer.  Hopefully along the way, the girls will be joining me (My youngest, is still pretty much bear bait, so we'll have to wait and see!).  So off we go to the Wild Wild Metrowest!!