Let’s Hike Wollomonopoag in Wrentham

The Herons are slowly coming back. WOLLOMONOPOAG
Parking: Elysium Street is off Route 140 a few hundred feet before entering Franklin. Ignore a ny “Private Road” signs and go to the end of Elysium Street where there is Off-street parking on an unpaved lot.
Features: Miles of hiking trails through wooded areas, wildlife viewing, and areas of interest for glacial geology.

“Wollomonopoag” means “Place of Shells,” it features miles of trails, large eskers, several beaver dams, extensive marshes, a large heron rookery, and a mature White Pine forest.
Eskers are the remnants of river beds which ran beneath glaciers more than 13,000 years ago. As the glaciers melted, flood waters ran beneath the ice in tunnels. The flood waters contained enormous loads of gravel and boulders that were laid down as steep, linear ridges. Because eskers are comprised of gravel they are typically mined and sold as fill. Therefore, eskers are becoming increasingly scarce in eastern Massachusetts. It is not hard to imagine that Native Americans found this area attractive: close to water and a natural defensive position that the eskers provided.
Wollomonopoag lies on the upper reaches of the Charles River watershed. The area is important to water quality on a regional level and is the keystone in over 600 The mixed hardwood and pine forests of Wollomonopoag are home to scarlet tanager, deer, beaver, pine martin, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, and wild turkey. The Town acquired this property by eminent domain in 2001.
In two places the trails run off the property. The public may use these trails but stay on the trail and be respectful of those adjoining properties.

Before signing up for this event, please read and understand the entire Write-Up and the Liability Waiver below.
Remember: I am a volunteer. You are solely responsible for your own safety and enjoyment. y signing up for this event you and any guests that accompany you agree to the terms of the Liability Waiver.
Liability Waiver: As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com; the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you for yourself, your heirs, executors, and administrators release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons. Safety First!!!

IMPORTANT POINTS: -Hydrating well prior to hitting the trail and carrying additional water on the trail is a must.
BRING WATER!
Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, keeping in mind that you will heat up quickly! Synthetic wicking and ventilating materials throughout every layer are best for keeping you dry while sweating. Avoid cotton! Wet clothing can cause hypothermia even above freezing.
-Wear appropriate footwear! Be prepared for seasonal trail conditions. There are often plenty of wet, and muddy spots perhaps even some slippery spots on our trail. We will adjust our speed for safety in these areas.
-Bring a snack, we will be stopping for a brief break
Hiking poles would be useful I have some loaners if you have not had a chance to get some yet. Some of the trails tend to be waterlogged, especially in the spring.
NOTE: Trail, distance and times may vary depending on conditions and the speed of the slowest hiker. We start together and stay together as a group.
WEATHER MAY DELAY OR POSTPONE THE EVENT. Please check the event details before heading out.
REMEMBER: Keep your RSVP up to date. Please remove yourself from the going or waitlist ASAP if your plans change so another hiker can take your place. You must be on the GOING list to attend the hike.