Sundays in September Fern & Forest Walks 2016

Sundays in September Fern & Forest Walks

PIONEER VALLEY FERN SOCIETY

SUNDAYS IN SEPTEMBER 2016

Mt. Toby is located in Leverett & Sunderland MA, between Routes 47 &63.

Mt. Toby 1

Fern & Forest Walk Sunday - September 11, 1-3 (4pm if side trip to caves)

We’ll walk the Tower Rd through managed UMASS forest identifying trees and ferns along the way. If there is time and interest, we’ll extend the walk to include a side trip to (but not into) the famous Sunderland Caves. We should see more than a dozen ferns, including walking fern, silvery glade fern, maidenhair spleenwort, and long and broad beech ferns. Moderate level hike.

Directions: Meet at the trail head parking area on Reservation Rd. in Sunderland. From the intersection of Routes 116 & 47 in Sunderland, Mass, follow Rt. 47 north to the town line with Montague. Just after the town line sign, turn right onto Reservation Rd. The gate, trail head parking area and kiosk are 1/2 mile on the right.

Pre-registration not required. Rain cancels. Free to all interested parties.

Mount Toby 2

Fern & Forest Walk Sunday - September 18, 1-3pm

Come explore the forest trails at Mt. Toby around Roaring Brook Falls and along the RR tracks. On these mesic, east facing slopes we’ll find some of the less common trees and shrubs in our area, including red elm, bladder nut, mountain maple, and round leaved dogwood. Some of the unusual fern species we may see include Goldie’s fern, bulblet fern, walking fern, and narrow-leaved glade fern. Moderate level hike.

Directions: Meet at the small parking area next to the old Ashram on west side of Rt.63 in Sunderland at Box # 438, 6 miles north of the traffic light in North Amherst center, and 1/10 mile south of the intersection of Montague Rd. to Leverett center. There is a suggested parking fee of $2.