Tracks in the freshly fallen snow

We are privileged to live in a town with thousands of acres of conservation land and my husband and I are privileged to be neighbors of Harvard Forest with miles of hiking trails right out our back door.

Because we live so close to nature, we see or hear wildlife on a daily basis.  Inn guests often ask us what animals that might see during a stay at Clamber Hill.  The list is long: fox, coyote, racoon, porcupine, bear, deer, moose, fisher cat, beaver (down the hill in the swamp) and of course a wide assortment of birds including owls, hawks and wild turkey.

The Elusive Fisher Cat

And if you would like to discover more about this lost art of tracking, Walnut Hill Tracking and Nature Center is located right here in the North Quabbin region.  They have a wonderful calendar of programs for people of all ages and all levels of experience.  On January 15th there is a half-day introduction to tracking.  This requires no previous experience and is great for families.  It will be led by Nick & Valerie Wisniewski.

Some of the more advanced classes are led by nationally recognized tracking expert and wildlife photographer Paul Rezendes who wrote “Tracking and the Art of Seeing” in 1992.

“Ultimately, tracking an animal makes us sensitive to it
– a bond is formed, an intimacy develops.
We begin to realize that what is happening to the animals
and to the planet is actually happening to us. We are all one.
Tracking and reading sign help us to learn not only about the animals
that walk in the forest — what they are doing
and where they are going — but also about ourselves.
For me, this interconnection is survival knowledge
and the true value of tracking an animal.”
- Paul Rezendes, Tracking and the Art of Seeing

So if you are looking for something different to do this winter, plan a trip to Central Massachusetts and investigate the back roads and forests of the North Quabbin area.  You might be amazed at what you find.

Of these eight, the only one I am familiar with is Northfield Mountain which I can heartily recommend! There are 26 miles of wide groomed trails. The terrain varies from meadows to sloping hills to a climb to the beautiful reservoir at the summit. And the Northfield Mountain Visitor Center doubles as a ski lodge.

Or for those that have their own skis and don’t care about groomed trails –Harvard Forest in Petersham also has miles and miles of trails–which the Petersham residents enjoy! Some of these great trails start right at our Inn, Clamber Hill. We have even had guests ski up to spend the night (although they had their luggage dropped off)

No matter which type of skiing you prefer–get out there in time to enjoy the fresh snow!

The Inn at Clamber Hill has it’s own trails right out the back door and into Harvard Forest, but there are also trails at the Quabbin Reservoir, Dunn Pond State Park in Gardner, the James W. Brooks Woodland Preserve and the Women’s Federated State Forest in Petersham, and Lake Dennison State Park in Winchendon has miles and miles and miles of trails.

And if you don’t own snow shoes but would like to rent or purchase them, contact either Jim Jackson at Rocky Ridge Outfitters or Paul Anderson at Trailhead Inc. Both gentlemen are more than willing to help you.

So no excuses, come enjoy the great outdoors this winter!

Clamber Hill guests taking a hike in Harvard Forest December 7,2009