Monday, November 19, 2012

Portal into Ft. Meadow Brook Open Again



This afternoon's paddle on the Assabet River included a pleasant surprise.  The fallen tree and beaver-built barricade that were blocking access to Fort Meadow Brook last month (10/12/12) had both been removed, thus allowing access to the lower section of Fort Meadow Brook in Stow.  My thanks to those responsible.  Paddling through the box culvert (photo at left taken from the brook side) takes a paddler out of the river environment and into the narrow meanders of the brook up to the long abandoned Mass Central RR trestle...
As you can see in the photo the beavers have regrouped at this locale and built another dam.  The trestle in the background forms a larger dam, of sorts, and has a considerable area of ponded water behind it.
After enjoying my visit to this remote-feeling locale, I returned to the Assabet and continued heading upriver on a beautiful late November afternoon...

Just beyond the 2nd river crossing of the old Marlboro Branch RR, I heard the distinctive 4 or 5 short whistles the osprey emits just before he takes flight.  It seems lately the osprey are seeing me before I see them. 

After pushing through this narrow fordway, I turned around and began the downriver portion of my trip...

A pair of mute swans graciously moved out of my way...

Back at Sudbury Road my crateload of trash was called to order...
There were the usual suspects: 17 recyclable containers (2 redeemable) and 26 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish including nip bottles, styrofoam, and plastic bags.  YTD = 6452


No comments: