4/5 Conor M. 1 year ago on Google
Assabet
River
National
Wildlife
Refuge
has
been
open
to
the
public
since
2005,
but
we
never
went
there
until
the
mid-to-late
2010s.
When
we
did,
we
wondered
why
we
never
went
sooner.
There's
already
a
good
impression
going
down
Winterberry
Way
(the
road
to
the
refuge's
parking
lots);
there
are
pines
and
other
temperate
trees
lined
on
either
side
of
the
road,
and
before
you
park
you
could
glimpse
either
the
entrance
to
one
of
the
trails
or
one
of
the
ponds.
When
you
walk
on
any
of
the
paths,
the
refuge
maintainers'
efforts
are
evident.
The
forests
are
extensive
and
calming,
particularly
if
you're
in
a
part
of
the
refuge
where
no
one
else
is.
At
the
ponds,
be
on
the
lookout
for
beaver
handiwork
and
birds;
you
may
see
mallards
and
herons
on
a
visit.
If
you're
lucky,
you
could
see
a
frog
relaxing
in
the
mud
(as
we
did
one
summer).
The
soothing
nature
alone
makes
a
visit
to
the
refuge
worth
it,
but
there
are
bonuses
which
provide
even
more
motivation.
There
are
the
foundational
stones
of
a
colonial
tavern
at
one
edge
of
the
refuge;
it's
a
quaint
remnant
of
New
England's
past.
More
fascinatingly,
the
refuge
used
to
be
part
of
a
U.S.
army
facility;
remnants
of
it
are
scattered
about
the
land.
There
are
dilapidated
telephone
poles
(some
with
wiring)
along
some
of
the
paths,
while
along
one
of
the
ponds
are
bunkers.
The
latter
are
foreboding
and
endearing
at
once,
though
it's
difficult
to
explain
how.
Maybe
it's
the
trees
growing
into
them,
demonstrating
nature's
reclamation
process
...
If
you
do
decide
to
go
here,
there
are
a
few
things
to
know.
Pets
aren't
allowed
here.
Rain
and
snow
can
result
in
the
paths
becoming
muddy,
and
even
flood
over
some
of
the
trails
(as
we
learned
the
hard
way
one
winter).
In
winter,
be
careful
of
ice
near
the
ponds,
as
it
can
cross
over
onto
the
paths.
As
with
any
hike,
check
to
see
if
ticks
got
on
you
or
anyone
in
your
party.
Know
what
to
expect,
and
you'll
have
a
hiking
experience
you
won't
soon
forget.
