Winter Light (and volunteering) in the Middlesex Fells

By Charlie McCabe

I'm lucky to live within walking distance (a little over a mile) of a portion of the 2,300-acre Middlesex Fells State Reservation, a mostly wooded state park that is bisected by a major highway (boo!—another legacy of the 1950s highway-building craze) but still boasts a wide array of terrain, vegetation and numerous ponds, streams, and other water bodies. My paying work tends to slow in December and January, and I use that as an excuse to get out and volunteer. I also serve on the board of directors of Friends of the Fells, the nonprofit that works with the state to protect and preserve the fells, and we welcome donations of any amount. ;-)

Recently we've had several big storms that have brought up to five inches of rain about one week apart, and that has caused a fair amount of flooding and runoff. So I've been walking the trails, unplugging culverts, and trying to fix drainage issues. I've also taken a few photos that speak to the beauty that I see—and one of the reasons I volunteer as a trail steward and board member. Enjoy!

Rock surfaced trail

The Cascade, flowing after an overnight of rain

The setting sun (all too early this time of year)

MWRA Ponds

Footbridge over a stream

Recently restored holding pond

One of the hundreds of culverts / drainage pipes

Setting sun (3:45 pm) against the rocks and winter foliage

Bridge and stream in Virginia Wood area of the Fells

There's a clogged pipe down there somewhere (and the water is cold . . . )

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