Ash Brook Reservation Hiking Trail

No way to access unclear where to pick up the trail. Almost like they don’t want people to enjoy

Not for the faint hearted! The swamp trail is challenging, despite negligible elevation changes. With the loss of the ash trees to the emerald ash borer, agressive invasives block much of the trail. You will face 2 to 4 foot deep tangles of tearthumbs and taller multiflora rose in some parts. There are also abundant native greenbrier and poison ivy. The ground is very wet and muddy, even flooded, including the trail in any but drought conditions. There are also many fallen branches and tree trunks you can trip over, hidden by the thick weeds. Blazes are sparse or lost due to bark peeling off dead trunks. Mosquitos were heavy, but this time I did not encounter ticks. I was there mid-September, 2024. There were some good points! Both common and uncommon late-season wetland wildflowers were blooming. Bring waterproof boots, repellent, a head net and clippers, if not a machete.

Very pretty place nestled in the woods, have been driving past the reservation my whole life so I figured I would give it a go. First portion of the trail is standard, but it quickly ramps up in intensity as the path disappears and mud becomes the standard. Lots of bugs and ticks (picked off two during my thirty minute hike). I love nature and this is definitely remote at some times, but I turned back because I was ill prepared, hoping to come back and finish the hike some day.

Love the solitude but super wet. Couldn’t go too far because of the water. Wear your rainboots any time when there’s been rain!

This is a little hidden gem. It's probably best to walk on this trail after there's been some dry weather, because the trail goes through some extremely swampy areas. It's not a long trail, but it might take you a while to work your way through it because you will be looking for footholds a great deal of the time. If you like your nature trails to be perfectly manicured like a lawn so your shoes and pants don't get dirty, this is not the trail for you. Maybe go to the mall instead.