View Full Version : Warner Trail in Massachusetts. Anyone done it?
Homer&Marje
06-25-2008, 17:29
Found out about this Warner Trail that starts about 15 mi north of my house in Sharon Mass. Turns out it was established pre-WWII by AMC members Charles H. Warner and John Hudson. Connects Southern Mass to norther RI and goes through a bunch of state forests. Just trying to find out if anyone has done a piece, its a 30 mile long trail me and the wife are heading out july 4th 5th and 6th to do it. Will post pictures tho... and as a technicality im not blue blazing. the trail is marked with white blazes (and silver metal discs) oh and Triangles with hiker pictures on it... you get the point no blue blazes
Blue Jay
06-25-2008, 22:15
It is very beautiful, you should have a great time.
Found out about this Warner Trail that starts about 15 mi north of my house in Sharon Mass. Turns out it was established pre-WWII by AMC members Charles H. Warner and John Hudson. Connects Southern Mass to norther RI and goes through a bunch of state forests. Just trying to find out if anyone has done a piece, its a 30 mile long trail me and the wife are heading out july 4th 5th and 6th to do it. Will post pictures tho... and as a technicality im not blue blazing. the trail is marked with white blazes (and silver metal discs) oh and Triangles with hiker pictures on it... you get the point no blue blazesDo you have a guide? I'll try to attach one. If it isn't here, PM me and I'll email it. I have Jim Goveia's Octopber 2002 version.
THe AMC Mass hiking guide I have is wrong. The Warner Trail starts in Sharon on Dedham Street, not in Canton. Trail starts on south side of Dedham St on a curve. Space to park a car on north side of Dedham St. Trail is marked fairly well most places, but there are places where a new development has wiped out parts of it. just walk around and pick it up on the other side.
There are also a LOT of unmarked ATV paths that make route finding difficult. If you lose the trail, best to work your way to the next road crossing and pick it up there. I used to have GPS coordinates for all theroad crossings but I lost the file.
THe trail is easiest (or at least less difficult) to follow if you go North to South. In particular the Mt Fern Street and the street with the underground house are very tricky going North. Going south there is a spot before you get to Foxboro near a pond where people have put up NO TRESPASSING signs. They aren't legal.
What amazed me about the Warner Trail is how comparitively little road waling there was. I mean, it basically goes from outside of Boston to outside of Providence mostly in woods. Never knew there were so many town forests.
Be sure to come back and let us know how you did.
Homer&Marje
06-26-2008, 10:07
Thank you very much for the info, will post pictures when we get back. I was debating the nobo or sobo question myself so I appreciate steering my direction. I wasnt able to load your attachment because acrobat reader is stupid but that's not your fault, but i did find a revised trail book on Warnertrail.org with some pretty grainy topo maps... should be fun, if i get lost, I'll just walk home! My house is in attleboro which sits directly in the middle of the trail, i'll call a cab HAHAHA. seriously shouldn't get lost tho.
Happy Trails
_terrapin_
06-26-2008, 10:11
PS to the OP: if you're interested in info on the MA Mid-State Trail, PM me. Hiked it last year as a warm-up for my AT section hike.
Homer&Marje
06-26-2008, 10:12
http://www.warnertrail.org/
This is the website, it has a brand new May 2008, fully printable guide book and those grainy topo maps i spoke so highly of. i did not print them. just the guidebook! so if anyones interested in a short weekend hike this is a good one i hope!
Check it out:
http://www.netrail.org/
Can link trails from the ocean all the way to Canada.
Homer&Marje
07-02-2008, 08:38
Going out on the Warner Trail for the 4th folks, Marje has a brand new backpack to try out, We'll cover up the North Face symbol with duct tape, that should work. Anyone know how wet the trails are in Mass with recent rain??
Going out on the Warner Trail for the 4th folks, Marje has a brand new backpack to try out, We'll cover up the North Face symbol with duct tape, that should work. Anyone know how wet the trails are in Mass with recent rain??Not bad. THere are a couple of boggy areas at the norhtern end that probably will be squishy, but overall, the route is generally on the hills much more than you would believe possible.
Have a grea hike and don't forget to give us a report.
Homer&Marje
07-03-2008, 08:31
Thank you very much... gonna get as many pictures as i can, i wonder if i'll see some 4th fireworks from the woods, good reason to try and camp on some high ground.. Will post some pics when i get back, and give an update on the Warner Trail
Happy Trails!
Homer&Marje
07-04-2008, 15:55
well... didnt go as planned. 3 miles in i made a critical mistake and cut a very deep laceration in my index finger:mad:... severed a nerve got six stitches and i'll see everyone in Franconia last week of july... narly cut but i will spare you posting the pic.... have 2 do the Warner trail another time
_terrapin_
07-04-2008, 19:52
well... didnt go as planned. 3 miles in i made a critical mistake and cut a very deep laceration in my index finger:mad:...
Weren't you the one going on about the joys of carrying a really big knife while hiking? :-?
Homer&Marje
07-04-2008, 21:47
doesnt matter the size... woulda happened with anything... stupid mistake... 6 stitches doubles my lifetime count of stitches and 3 were from falling on an exercise bike with my head and 3 getting hit in the head w/ a hockey stick.. i have collected knives for 15 years and never once cut myself w/ one... more respect and caution learned... was that my punishment from WB for starting an argument about knives?? no seriously tho, poetic justice... still cant feel my finger, nerve is definitely cut. makes typing difficult but somehow more interesting
will never leave without my knife still happy trails
_terrapin_
07-04-2008, 22:01
Hey there, Homer, I apologize for making fun of The Knife (said in best Paul Hogan drawl.) Musta been a nasty cut to call off a hike for. Knocking wood as I type this.
Homer&Marje
07-04-2008, 22:19
ya... when fat spills out of your finger it's hospital time... real dissapointing i was eating lunch in the best spot too... but i was lucky i was right near a road and went to a ladys house and she drove me to the hospital 10 minutes away... just hoping that nerve damage is not permanent... and marje has been making fun of me all day amidst feeling bad and naucious
DOH!!!!
Homer&Marje
07-07-2008, 10:13
Here is my trail report from Warner Trail. Hiked 3 hours in rain. Went to hospital. This is why. Dont look if you have a weak stomach.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=25994&catid=member&orderby=title&direction=ASC&imageuser=17846&cutoffdate=-1
Homer&Marje
09-12-2008, 17:55
Well, leaving sunday morning to go back and do the Warner Trail again.
If you read the thread you know it didn't go so well last time. This time I am going solo, Sunday and Monday 34 miles, split 20 + and remainder. Going to be raining on Sunday real bad, but I have a small tent, extra tarp, and pack cover, If it's cold the frogg toggs. Only going with about 13 lbs + water... thinking about just filling up the gallon canteen and the 20 oz camel. should last me the 2 days and I won't have to pump any water.
Post some pics if I take any in the rain.