The Trail Hikers had their last hike of the season, in Uxbridge, MA, at
West Hill Dam Reserve. It was the best hike, yet! We had so much fun.
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| The picnic tables are flooded! |
The dam is unusual in that it isn't filled unless there is a flood. It was built in the 1950s to protect the Blackstone Valley from flooding. Park Rangers work there and we were fortunate enough to have one keep an eye on us, right from our entrance to the park. We were just starting up the road when a ranger came out of a building and greeted us and exchanged small talk. He told us about the flooded trails and what our best course of action would be. Then we encountered him again near the flooded out picnic tables. He was in a tractor, so he drove the tractor through the water and we saw that the water really didn't reach too high up the tractor tires. He stayed with us, while we waded through. We waded through two flooded areas of the road.
He was also nice enough to unlock the public toilets for us, since we were an organized group. Here are some pictures of the flooded picnic table areas, and the ranger driving the tractor through the flooded road, and us--wading through up to our knees.
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| Park Ranger rode this tractor through the flooded road. |
We saw a big, black, water snake, and a turtle. Near the end of the hike, we were blessed by walking through a field of wild flowers. It was beautiful.
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| Off came the hiking shoes and socks; we rolled up our pant legs; and we waded through. |
The rangers provide visitor assistance to fishermen, hunters, birders, hikers, snowshoers, cross country skiers--year round. The dam reserve is a park that has 34 picnic sites, one playground, and a swimming area. There are five miles of hiking trails.
We ended the hike with a picnic lunch, beside the dam. The picnic was fun as we said our goodbyes until the fall. There is one more interesting fact. When we looked down at the river rushing from the dam we could see the water flowing downwards, very fast. However, when we looked left toward the dam, the water was flowing up towards the dam. No ranger was around to explain this countercurrent exchange of water. My questions will just have to wait until next time. And there will be a next time--definitely.
