Starting at 139 Old Turnpike Road, Mansfield and ending at 25 Iron Mine Lane, Ashford – 10.4 miles ~ 4.5hrs with a break for lunch and some backtracking for Dogo

Today we returned to the Nipmuck which we hadn’t been on since the end of February. The trail was much more green and lush now. The Fenton River is still the highlight of this trail for me. The light reflected off its surface making coppery splashes and the river plays beautiful forest music.

This section is basically flat. There were maybe 2 notable inclines. Beautiful ferns, Mountain Laurel and awesome rocks surround the trails. There were a lot of fun man-made bridges to cross through mucky sections and over the various streams.

I was so excited to reach the Natchaug Forest until there was not one but two snakes on the trail. After a brief meltdown it was decided that Doggo and Dana would lead to hopefully stop me from seeing them. It worked from there out all we saw were little frogs. There is a letterbox shortly after you enter called Perry Hill Log Book that Dana signed for us.

Other notables from the trail: we had a beautiful moment with a large vulture soaring down into a field, a rock that looked like a big dog, lion or bear, someone lost their glasses near where we snacked, and there is a cool house on the way to the parking lot. There is a woman named Cricket who lives there and is sewing masks with her friends. They have made over 20,000 masks and have them hanging outdoors sorted by size and a sign that says free. Beautiful people, beautiful artsy house.

Adventurers included: Jes, Dana, Bryan and Dogo