The Parker Woodlands Road Less Traveled

We're also going to hike some trail sections that aren't usually done on Parker Woodlands hikes.

Event Rating: Level 3
Distance: ~7.5 miles, might be 8.
Elevation Gain: ~900 feet
Time Duration: ~3.5 hours
Blaze Orange: Required

Hikers are required to have attended a level two hike, or similar difficulty, within the past two months to sign up for this hike.

\\\

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

-Robert Frost

\\\

Before signing up for this event, please read and understand the entire Write-Up and the Liability Waiver. By signing up for this event you agree to the terms of the Liability Waiver.

From the Audubon website:

Visitors to Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge find an extensive trail system through diverse terrain that can take most of a day to fully explore. Revolutionary War-era carriage roads and historic rock cairns take hikers back in time. Trails are hilly, interspersed with several calm, flowing streams. The 860 acre property includes some areas of rocky landscape that are perfect for strenuous exercise as well as wildlife observation.

Refuge Highlights

Habitat: forests, brooks, fields, rocky terrain
Wildlife to watch for: fox, fisher, mink, deer
Birds commonly found: Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Wood Duck, Northern Waterthrush, Pileated Woodpecker, Worm-eating Warbler, Ovenbird, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Offerings: Birdwatching, Programs
Historic rock cairns dot the landscape

Dogs are prohibited. Click here to learn why and review other trail guidelines.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wear a good pair of hiking boots. This hike will be wet and muddy in spots. Bring two liters of water minimum as well as snack food.
Drink plenty of water before the hike to pre-hydrate.

You can find a trail map at this link:

https://asri.org/hike/wildliferefuges/george-b-parker-woodland-wildlife-refuge.html

Use this link to find the Parker Woodlands parking lot:
Parker Woodlands Parking Lot

===============================
Liability Waiver: As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity, you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com; the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you for yourself, your heirs, executors, and administrators release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons.