Massachusetts Canoeing
Medfield (Mile 31.8)
Sherborn (Mile 33.2)
Sherborn (Mile 33.2)
The River is wide and slow at the put in, with marshy areas on both sides and almost no visible development. A few spectacular estates, way back up on little hills. Loostrife rules. It’s also Great Blue territory, and you’re almost certain to spot one or two taking off as you spur them into awkward flight somehow by merely passing along side.
The actual rocky narrow section comes up after about a half mile. Major transformation -- not only narrower, but high exposed rock banks take over. Densely wooded with tall dark green pines. This is one of the most attractive sections of the Charles.
I recommend passing the beautiful TTOR landing spot right at the beginning of the Narrows and continuing on at least to the railroad bridge if not all the way to Route 27. Then land there on the way back. Because if there’s a nicer river bank canoe landing anywhere in eastern Mass, I don’t know about it. The Trustees have created a small lot, cleared and grassy, trees and bushes on both sides that’s just a perfect place to sit around and do nothing, talk some, watch the River go by, listen to the birds.
And then there’s the walk. It’s a little less than two miles on pine needle trails through a sweet smelling forest high above the River. High canopy for shade, all the little shrubby stuff gone down below, creating a long clear view through the trees. Cross the path that leads down and over the railroad bridge and you’re on Sherborn Town Forest. Take a left toward the Charles at the first turn-off and you arrive soon at the amazing King Phillip’s Look-Out. Supposedly where he (aka Metacomet) planned the infamous King Phillip’s War in the 1670s, attacking outlying little settlements from Mendon to Medfield. The fact that there’s several other rocky overlooks in this general neck of the woods also referred to as King Phillip’s Rock or Lookout doesn’t detract from the vibe of the place at all. It’s a commanding and somehow unexpected view of the River, the bottomland, and the low rolling hills about a half mile or so back. One of the great overlooks.
Access
From Boston, take Route 9 to Elliot St and stay right on it for 5 or 6 miles to the center of Dover, which isn’t much. Take a right onto Springdale Ave and follow it past a few neat old houses to Farm Rd. Turn left onto Farm and continue to the bottom of a little hill, where you turn right onto Bridge St. The parking area is about 200 yards on your right. Great spot with excellent River access.
Remarks
Metacommet was the grandson of Massasoit, the Wampanaug sachem who let Squanto (who had been kidnapped along with 20 other Wampanaugs by an English explorer ten years earlier and had miraculously made his way back after learning to speak English and was still willing to help the white guys; I’m not making this up) teach the Pilgrims how to grow things and find food in southeastern Mass. So the grandfather lets the newcomers learn how to survive -- and fifty years later the grandson says, "enough of this shit," unites five tribes which had been at war forever and tried to get things back to the way they used to be. We know how that story ends.
Visits
7/1/95 - Howie, Susie, Joan and I
8/26/95 -- Joan and I and Louise
8/95 -- With Jeremy, started at Route 27. Walked acros the RR bridge; later a train came by, (we had thought it was unused)
7/6/96 -- Lou and Tom
8/10/97 -- Joan and Tom and Maurice