2021-1-22, Summer Hill Preserve, Madison, CT

 On 2021-1-22, I visited the Summer Hill Preserve in Madison, CT.  I made an interactive map on which I'll put location numbers that I will refer to.  Below is a static screenshot of the interactive map.


Here is a link to the interactive map: https://arcg.is/0j80qK               

1.  An off-road Madison Land Conservation Trust parking lot that I parked in.  The lot could hold about six cars.

2.  I saw hundreds of plants like this, the tallest about eight feet high, most about two or three feet high.  I think this American holly, Ilex opaca.


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3.  I am not sure what happens with this ford on rocks when there is a lot of water.  Some would say that there should more water between the rocks to let water pass through.  Crossing was easy on 2021-1-22.


3.  A view from the ford of two beaver dams.


4.  Looking easterly into Regional Water Authority property.

5.  Symplocarpus foetidus, commonly known as skunk cabbage, in its spathe form.  In the spathe is the spadix on which the flowers are formed.

6.  I think these are sassafras trees on the west side of Summer Hill Road.

6.  My guess was that this leaf came from one of the sassafras trees.


7.  There was a lot of old trash in this area, as well as an old cellar hole.

7.  Is that an old hinge with hammer marks on it?


Near 7.  One of the few large blockages on Madison Land Conservation Trust trails.  This blockage was caused by multiple fallen trees, perhaps felled by bittersweet vines.


8.  The sign read, "Summer Hill Schoolhouse, 1859-1922."


9.  I think the bark was blown off this white ash by lightning which turned the water between the tree and its bark to steam which pushed the bark off the tree.


10.  Along a new blue-blazed trail.


Near 10.


11.  A map posted at this intersections.  Most of the current trails are not shown.


12.  I thought this must be an old road which the trail crossed.














David Reik

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