My daughter, a friend and I headed off to our favorite Massachusetts hiking area today - the Quabbin Reservoir! Armed with topo maps, warm clothes, etc. we were looking forward to another adventure at a new gate for us - Gate 42. The best laid plans often fizzle out. We found Gate 41 alright, and as we were wandering around by the gate, a guy in a truck asked us where we were going. "Gate 42", I say. He says, "That's a hard one to find"; he drove off quickly! Not to be stopped, we searched diligently for this elusive gate and gave up.
Why not go to Gate 43? So, we next headed down Mellon Road, which quickly deteriorated into a frozen muddy, bumpy, rutted mess, but my daughter drove the trusty Subaru carefully, and we were soon through the mess, finally coming out on Greenwich Road. We started off down Hell Huddle Road and after admiring the old foundations and stone walls along the two-mile road walk, we reached fishing gate #3!
Heading along the shoreline, we dodged the tall grasses and wet marshy places by walking some of the time among the small pine trees. We reached Albertine Cove, stopped in a protected spot and had a quick lunch. We found the old road and headed up to intersect with the road at the base of Pottapaug Hill. The beavers had been busy, and we were amazed to see that the beaver pond was totally frozen over. Near the intersection with the other road, we were amazed to see four cars driving along - who were these folks?
When we arrived back at the fishing gate, we saw this small group of people with spotting scopes and binoculars. You guessed it; they were birders from the Hampshire Birding Club and rather stuffy, too! When asked how they were able to drive in there, we were told that they had a special permit and a key to the gates! I guess that they didn't want to share their turf with three lowly hikers! We headed back to the car to be passed by the birdy folks in their large cars. And after they were gone, we saw a bald eagle riding the thermals - a beautiful sight!
On our way back to Petersham on Route 32A, we looked again for the elusive gate #42, but never did find it. So,if anyone out there knows where it is hidden, we would love to know. Back home and another nice day enjoyed at the quiet wilderness of the Quabbin!
Why not go to Gate 43? So, we next headed down Mellon Road, which quickly deteriorated into a frozen muddy, bumpy, rutted mess, but my daughter drove the trusty Subaru carefully, and we were soon through the mess, finally coming out on Greenwich Road. We started off down Hell Huddle Road and after admiring the old foundations and stone walls along the two-mile road walk, we reached fishing gate #3!
Heading along the shoreline, we dodged the tall grasses and wet marshy places by walking some of the time among the small pine trees. We reached Albertine Cove, stopped in a protected spot and had a quick lunch. We found the old road and headed up to intersect with the road at the base of Pottapaug Hill. The beavers had been busy, and we were amazed to see that the beaver pond was totally frozen over. Near the intersection with the other road, we were amazed to see four cars driving along - who were these folks?
When we arrived back at the fishing gate, we saw this small group of people with spotting scopes and binoculars. You guessed it; they were birders from the Hampshire Birding Club and rather stuffy, too! When asked how they were able to drive in there, we were told that they had a special permit and a key to the gates! I guess that they didn't want to share their turf with three lowly hikers! We headed back to the car to be passed by the birdy folks in their large cars. And after they were gone, we saw a bald eagle riding the thermals - a beautiful sight!
On our way back to Petersham on Route 32A, we looked again for the elusive gate #42, but never did find it. So,if anyone out there knows where it is hidden, we would love to know. Back home and another nice day enjoyed at the quiet wilderness of the Quabbin!
