Hitting the Brooks

Last Sunday I paddled a wee bit up one of the Assabet River's major tributaries, Nashoba Brook, and noted it was flowing pretty well.  That thought must have been fermenting deep inside my cranium for, when some paddling time opened up yesterday, I found myself wondering about exploring Nashoba Brook upstream of Warner's Pond to where it's joined by Fort Pond Brook.  Also of interest was a chance to explore the long abandoned railroad location, Middlesex Junction, and possibly ascend Fort Pond Brook.

Once I located a map old enough (1894) to show the two brooks as well as the railroad junction, I was captivated by Warner's Pond representation on the map and how it looked to me like a surprised amoeba...

The amoeba's left arm is Nashoba Brook entering from the northwest.  The upper X is Nashoba Brook and the X to the left is Fort Pond Brook.  Interestingly the confluence of the two brooks is very near Middlesex Junction where the old Middlesex Central Railroad (aka Reformatory Branch) once connected with the Framingham and Lowell RR as well as the Nashua, Acton, and Boston RR.

It was a warm 60 degrees F. and cloudy when I launched into Warner's Pond (the X to right) in West Concord and paddled along the pond's north end.  One of the state prison's towers stood guard to the east...

The 48 acre Warner's Pond was created in the 1800s by damming Nashoba Brook and once provided power for Mr. Warner's pail factory.

Shortly I found where the Nashoba Brook enters the pond and pushed past a small beaver dam...

Next I paddled up to and past where Fort Pond Brook comes in from the west. Continuing a short distance further brought me to where the more recently abandoned Framingham and Lowell Railroad crosses Nashoba Brook...

The stone abutments here once supported two bridges with only the northerly of the two remaining.

After exiting my boat, I explored the area of the junction.  This view looks to the east to where Middlesex Junction may have been located...

The tracks pictured are of the Framingham and Lowell RR and, obviously, haven't seen a train for several decades.

This view also looking east shows the empty right of way (on the south side) leading to the missing bridge...

This view is looking west towards Route 2 and shows where the rail-less right of way rejoined the one still having rails...

Perhaps the Framingham and Lowell was once double tracked from this point eastward and that explains the missing second bridge?

A future extension of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail will someday be crossing Route 2 at this location.

At any rate, it was back to my waiting boat and a continued ascension of Nashoba Brook which had me soon passing under Route 2...

Near Keefe Road in Acton, and just past this outdoor obstacle course, navigable water ceased to exist...

This location became my turnaround point and I began heading back downstream.  Along the way I encountered a 5-gallon Poland Springs hiding in the brush...

One of the more scenic spots along this section of Nashoba Brook...

The brook ran clear with small sandbars at the many sharp bends.

With 2 of my 3 goals accomplished I arrived back at the brook's confluence with Fort Pond Brook and wondered if an ascent of that brook might be possible.  Getting past a fallen tree right at the confluence required about 15 minutes of maneuvering but, once past, it was clear sailing for half a mile upstream.  The brook winds its way through a grassy meadow nestled between 2 ridges.  The ridge to the southeast has a great stand of tall pines (opening photo) and this...

After landing at a point where the brook briefly lapped at the ridge's base I found this well-worn trail...

I suspect that this red-tailed hawk usually has this picturesque valley to himself...

This spot is less than 3 miles from my home and I've driven past it many times over the years, never realizing just how beautiful it is.

The trip back to Warner's Pond was fairly quick, and getting past the fallen tree proved easier going this time with the current.  Once back at the pond I paddled where its waters pass over the spillway for the short run to the Assabet River...

The Commonwealth Ave bridge and Nashoba Bakery can be seen beyond the stone work.

Earlier in Nashoba Brook I'd found a 1940 Calvert half-pint whiskey bottle with an embossed eagle...

I'd wondered if it might be an omen for seeing an eagle...and lo and behold it was...

I arrived back at the boat launch just as a great sunset was developing...

The day's trash haul...

There were 24 recyclable containers (9 redeemable) and 21 pieces of miscellaneous rubbish. 
YTD = 5639

As I write this one day later snow is coming down at a pretty good clip and yesterday's 60 degree temps seem like a dream.  Perhaps it was just that.