“Beware! This section of trail floods at high tide. Be aware of the tide schedule or be prepared to wade through a foot or more of water before continuing.” Behind this sign a field of snow separated me from the next tree covered island. I could see many tracks crossing the snow field. Maybe the tide was out or maybe the salt water was pooling under the snow. I crossed expecting my snowshoes may to sink into a foot of cold water at any moment, but the deep icy snow held fast. A few warm days later, probably not.
Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary, a Mass Audubon property, is part of the Great Marsh ecosystem. I followed Professor Chandler’s Long Walk (and unusual trail name) on snowshoes. On this cold March day tree covered islands rose from expansive snow fields. The trail begins in woodland but within less than a quarter mile I was at the “Beware” sign adjacent to a large deck of benches overlooking the marsh. The trail continues into the marsh and I wondered if there is a bridge or platform beneath the snow? The Professor’s trail continues through more woodland eventually ending at the tip of the football shaped island surrounded by salt marsh and tidal creeks. Because of the deep snow cover, I was able to cross on snowshoes from the island to Patmos Road.
Snowshoes off, I walked along Patmos Road to the tip of Sawyer’s Island reaching far into the Great Marsh. Ocean smells filled the air I but could not see or hear the surf. Only the crunch of icy snow beneath my feet and an occasional call from a seagull disturbed the quiet. A stream of water was visible pushing its way through chunks of ice on Mud Creek. The map shows a kayak and canoe launch at this location, in season. I walked back along Patmos Road until I was able to pick up the Audubon trails again and continued on snowshoes to the parking lot taking in the short Kestrel Trail Loop at the very end. All together I covered three and half miles, two thirds of which were on snowshoes.
walkingjane walk at Rough Meadows Rowley
Date: March 13, 2015
Distance: 3.5 miles
Weather: Partly cloudy, 25 degrees
Fee: none
Pets: no
What I liked about this walk: large open spaces, interesting landscape, very quiet
What I didn’t like about this walk: no bathrooms, road to trail was unpaved and very rutted (spring)