New Fern Hike this Sunday

Ruggles Pond, Wendell MA

For those of you who have been on our fern walks & hikes to our same favorite locations each year, finally a new location!

This is a 2.4 mile hike along a relatively flat trail around Ruggles Pond in Wendell State Forest. There are some wet and boggy areas with small footbridges. But a lovely scenic hike with many ferns, including several wood ferns, lush cinnamon ferns and lots of the uncommon Massachusetts Ferns (Parathelypteris simulata). This photo is of Massachusetts Ferns, which are identified in part by the bottom pinnae pointing in a V-shape downwards.

The entrance to the State Forest is on the Montague-Wendell town line. The address of the headquarters is 392 Wendell Rd, Millers Falls, MA 01349. Drive down the road to the pond and beach, which has a large parking lot next to it. There is a $5 charge for parking, unless you have a DCR state park Senior Pass (which allows you to park in any MA state park for free).

Sorry for the short notice, consider this a "pop up" fern hike! If you have not been here, it is worth visiting. About half of the trail we will be on is the New England National Scenic Trail.

Posted: to PV Fern News on Wed, Aug 9, 2023
Updated: Wed, Aug 9, 2023