Outdoor Adventure Trips
Council Adventures are outdoor experiences on conserved land. We offer events throughout the year which include cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, birding, family hikes, seasonal happenings, wildflower walks and history tours. Outdoor Adventures are free and open to everyone. Trips are led by community volunteers. No registration is required.
Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes, bring drinking water (and a snack, if you like). Dress for the weather. No pets, please. Children are welcome on Adventures designated for families. Our Adventures depart rain or shine so plan accordingly.
TRIP REPORTS: WINTER 2010
Mink Brook-Sachem Village-Boston Lot Loop Snowshoe: 3/6/10
What was supposed to be a snowshoe trek turned into a “feels like Spring” hike for the twelve attendees who gathered at the Mink Brook Nature Preserve. Guided by Mink Brook neighbor Maureen Bolton, in three hours the group completed a 6 mile loop of trails that brought us through the Nature Preserve, past Sachem Village, up along Indian Ridge and through the East-West Trail, and back down to Mink Brook.
The clear blue sky and unseasonably warm weather allowed the group to enjoy the varying terrains and elevations of the many interconnecting trails – it was icy in patches, but the lack of snow and leafless trees afforded a beautiful view over the Connecticut River to Vermont at the top of Indian Ridge. We also noted a great deal of woodpecker activity; some strange, beautiful mushrooms emerging from the snow; and the wonderful new wooden bridge crossing Mink Brook that was built using fallen logs from the Mink Brook Nature Preserve.
It was a perfect day to get outside. Many thanks to Maureen Bolton for taking the time to show us her “backyard” (and for knowing exactly how those many trails connect!) And additional thanks to Jim Block for taking some gorgeous photos during the hike; here’s the link to his website to see them:
http://www.jimblockphoto.com/blog/
Huntington Hill Farm Snowshoe 2/6/10
The second trip of the season was a success! Jed Williamson led a group of 12 hikers around Huntington Hill Farm on Saturday, February 6th for two hours. Trip participants reported animal tracks, discovered historic farm equipment and the old sugar shack on the property and enjoyed the flowing water of Slade Brook.
Animal Habitat Snowshoe with naturalist Alcott Smith 1/30/10
Our first 2010 Winter Adventure was met with bitter cold temperatures, 
but that did not discourage 22 folks from turning out to hike with naturalist Alcott Smith. For more than three hours the group explored the forested habitats around the Pingree Brook-Wardrobe Road area, north of Goodfellow Road. The many stone walls, some very large, old trees, former logging trails, and other features told the history of the land cleared for settlement and pasture, followed by reforestation and, more recently, some logging.
The lack of snow depth combined with fresh powder provided excellent conditions for animal tracks. Among the many tracks seen were coyote, fisher, deer, snowshoe hare, red squirrel, white-footed and deer mouse, short-tailed shrew, turkey, and grouse. Alcott provided excellent instruction on interpreting animal signs, including the use of tracks to determine which direction the animal was traveling, how fast or slow it was moving, and other behaviors. Other discoveries included young maple saplings with bark stripped-off by moose, hemlock stems cut and dropped to the ground by porcupine, and a porcupine den in a large, fallen log.
By 12:30pm, much of the group had hiked back to their vehicles, while a small contingency continued to the far northeast corner of the property, an area with glacial rocks with evidence of coyote and red fox use. Alcott also pointed out a deer bedding site, located on a little knoll with fairly open woods on all sides.
What a wonderful Winter Adventure it was. We are grateful to Alcott Smith for sharing his expertise and insights on the animals and ecology, and to the property owners for allowing us to explore this landscape.
