Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT) & Tri-state marker
Where: Southern New England Trunkline Trail (SNETT)
When: 8/6/2019
With: Solo
I'd seen the SNETT on maps, and heard about it from folks I knew. Then a friend ran it (and established the fastest known time). That got me thinking that a bike ride might be possible, and when the opportunity arose (a day with nothing planned, good weather), I went. Jane & Andy were still sleeping as I loaded my bike in the car and made the quick drive to the start.
The SNETT is a former railroad bed, 22 miles long, and owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation. It passes through six towns, with the level of development varying from town to town. The first few miles were an easy riding packed stone dust path. It changed to a paved trail for a time, then went back to stone dust.
I passed folks from time to time, walking dogs or just walking, but generally had the path to myself. For the most part, the land surrounding the trail was all woods, with some remnants of the railroad (retaining walls, etc.). Houses and buildings would start to appear as I approached a road crossing, then it was back into the woods.
Most of the time the route was continuous and obvious, but from time to time I had to check Google Maps or Open Street Maps to confirm the way. In Bellingham, the trail ended at Center St., with no sign of a continuation on the other side. A sign for SNETT parking however led down an adjacent street to the trail. Side trails weaving around the main trail could also be confusing, but I managed to figure out where to go without too much trouble.
A passage through a tunnel under Route 126 led to a somewhat rough section, with a narrow path through encroaching vegetation. I had a brush with some thorny plant in here that left my right arm a bit bloody. The trail was also loose sand, rather than a firm surface, making for tough peddling. It didn't last too long though, and soon I was cruising along. And then there were the moguls...long stretches of undulating path, with alternating dips and rises. Wearing, and a bit annoying.
The end of this section was the first of two spots requiring some road travel to bypass a discontinuity of the trail. In this case, the Blackstone River was the impediment. At some point there must have been a bridge for the railroad, but it was gone now. Fortunately I had good directions for the bypass, and I quickly made my way to the beginning of the next section.
This section was a 3.7 mile portion of the Blackstone River Greenway. When complete, it will be a nearly 50 mile long path following the Blackstone River from Providence RI to Worcester MA. It's being built in seven sections, and this one was gorgeous. A 10 foot wide paved path, with bridges, views, and an impressive road underpass. I enjoyed the smooth ride, thinking I'd bring Jane back here sometime.
The end of this section was the second place requiring a bypass, with the four lanes of Route 146 as the obstruction this time. Again, the instructions I had led me through the bypass and I was back on the trail. It was much rougher at first, requiring a good amount of walking to get back to the SNETT route, though a rather poor surface. Lots of mud and a rough surface for a while before returning to a gravel surface.
I checked the maps to gauge my progress (mileage markers earlier in the ride had stopped at the end of the Greenway section), usually at road crossings or parking areas. The trail in this area passed through long stretches of seemingly remote forest, with no signs of civilization for miles at a time. I wasn't concerned I was lost...I just wanted to know how much further I had to go.
I took a long break at one of the last parking areas for the trail, off Depot St. in Douglas. It was just a bit before noon, and I'd been riding for about 3 hours. I sat at a picnic table, ate some snacks, and checked my maps. I knew I was getting close, with just a few more landmarks (road crossings, mostly) before I was done.
Back on the bike, I continued to make my way toward the final section in Douglas State Forest. A few more road crossings and I was there. I checked a map on a sign board in the parking area, noting a short side trail from the end of the SNETT to a tri-state (MA-CT-RI) marker, which I hoped to visit. Then it was back on the bike for the last portion of the journey.
The trail here was flat, arrow-straight, wide as a road, open to the sky (no trees overhead) and seemingly endless. Despite pretty ponds and marshes along the way, it just wasn't all that enjoyable. Perhaps because I was tiring, or because the end was within reach. I did have a couple of encounters with other travelers to break things up though. One was a young couple who were walking with full head nets. I hadn't had much trouble with bugs, but probably because I was moving faster. The other was a large (10?) family group on bikes. A man and two women with a bunch of kids. The adults seemed enthusiastic. The kids...not so much!
With a good surface, and the end drawing near, I began pushing the speed. I was expecting some sort of sign or something to indicate I was at the end, but only saw trail crossing signs and such. Then, after I passed back into a wooded area, I noted a sign that just said "Trail" and thought I saw something a short way back in the woods. I stopped the bike and turned around. The thing I'd seen was the Connecticut boundary marker, and the opposite side of the trail sign said "Tri-state marker .3 miles". I was at the end of the SNETT!
Thank goodness I decided to check out the thing I'd seen in the woods. Otherwise I would have kept riding into Connecticut. I congratulated myself, then hid the bike in the woods and headed up the trail to the tri-state marker. It was a short but rugged walk there, leading to an impressive granite obelisk.
I took a few pictures, and noted the time. Just about 1PM, four hours after I began. Four hours? I'd figured the entire out and back trip would take about that long. 10 MPH wasn't an unreasonable pace, especially on a flat, somewhat groomed surface. But I'd been going at just a bit over half that. And now I was faced with repeating the route in reverse. It didn't make me happy.
I returned to my bike and began the ride back, encountering the family on bikes again, and two riders on horses (with the horses wearing bug masks). Now, on the ride out I'd had in the back of my mind that I could call Jane for a ride home if necessary. It would only take her a half hour or so to drive to me. It was a nice safety valve thought, and now I was considering it.
I figured I'd try riding back and would see how far I could go before I'd had enough. I thought I'd make it through at least a few sections of the trail, but it was not to be. About halfway back through this final section I admitted I was just not interested in riding any more. I'd completed the ride of the trail from end to end, and that was enough. I also noted that my water supply was running low, another reason for calling it a day.
I stopped and tried to send Jane a message to ask for a pickup, making sure to say I was okay...just tired. Cell coverage was poor though, and I wasn't able to send her the location of the parking area. I said I'd send it later and kept riding. A bit later I was back at the parking area, and I managed to get a good fix on my location to send. With Jane (my savior!) on the way, I found a shady spot to rest, ate my remaining snacks, and awaited her arrival. She arrived fairly quickly and a short ride back to my car completed my adventure.
More pictures
SNETT parking & by-pass info
When: 8/6/2019
With: Solo
I'd seen the SNETT on maps, and heard about it from folks I knew. Then a friend ran it (and established the fastest known time). That got me thinking that a bike ride might be possible, and when the opportunity arose (a day with nothing planned, good weather), I went. Jane & Andy were still sleeping as I loaded my bike in the car and made the quick drive to the start.
The SNETT is a former railroad bed, 22 miles long, and owned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation. It passes through six towns, with the level of development varying from town to town. The first few miles were an easy riding packed stone dust path. It changed to a paved trail for a time, then went back to stone dust.
I passed folks from time to time, walking dogs or just walking, but generally had the path to myself. For the most part, the land surrounding the trail was all woods, with some remnants of the railroad (retaining walls, etc.). Houses and buildings would start to appear as I approached a road crossing, then it was back into the woods.
Most of the time the route was continuous and obvious, but from time to time I had to check Google Maps or Open Street Maps to confirm the way. In Bellingham, the trail ended at Center St., with no sign of a continuation on the other side. A sign for SNETT parking however led down an adjacent street to the trail. Side trails weaving around the main trail could also be confusing, but I managed to figure out where to go without too much trouble.
A passage through a tunnel under Route 126 led to a somewhat rough section, with a narrow path through encroaching vegetation. I had a brush with some thorny plant in here that left my right arm a bit bloody. The trail was also loose sand, rather than a firm surface, making for tough peddling. It didn't last too long though, and soon I was cruising along. And then there were the moguls...long stretches of undulating path, with alternating dips and rises. Wearing, and a bit annoying.
The end of this section was the first of two spots requiring some road travel to bypass a discontinuity of the trail. In this case, the Blackstone River was the impediment. At some point there must have been a bridge for the railroad, but it was gone now. Fortunately I had good directions for the bypass, and I quickly made my way to the beginning of the next section.
This section was a 3.7 mile portion of the Blackstone River Greenway. When complete, it will be a nearly 50 mile long path following the Blackstone River from Providence RI to Worcester MA. It's being built in seven sections, and this one was gorgeous. A 10 foot wide paved path, with bridges, views, and an impressive road underpass. I enjoyed the smooth ride, thinking I'd bring Jane back here sometime.
The end of this section was the second place requiring a bypass, with the four lanes of Route 146 as the obstruction this time. Again, the instructions I had led me through the bypass and I was back on the trail. It was much rougher at first, requiring a good amount of walking to get back to the SNETT route, though a rather poor surface. Lots of mud and a rough surface for a while before returning to a gravel surface.
I checked the maps to gauge my progress (mileage markers earlier in the ride had stopped at the end of the Greenway section), usually at road crossings or parking areas. The trail in this area passed through long stretches of seemingly remote forest, with no signs of civilization for miles at a time. I wasn't concerned I was lost...I just wanted to know how much further I had to go.
I took a long break at one of the last parking areas for the trail, off Depot St. in Douglas. It was just a bit before noon, and I'd been riding for about 3 hours. I sat at a picnic table, ate some snacks, and checked my maps. I knew I was getting close, with just a few more landmarks (road crossings, mostly) before I was done.
Back on the bike, I continued to make my way toward the final section in Douglas State Forest. A few more road crossings and I was there. I checked a map on a sign board in the parking area, noting a short side trail from the end of the SNETT to a tri-state (MA-CT-RI) marker, which I hoped to visit. Then it was back on the bike for the last portion of the journey.
The trail here was flat, arrow-straight, wide as a road, open to the sky (no trees overhead) and seemingly endless. Despite pretty ponds and marshes along the way, it just wasn't all that enjoyable. Perhaps because I was tiring, or because the end was within reach. I did have a couple of encounters with other travelers to break things up though. One was a young couple who were walking with full head nets. I hadn't had much trouble with bugs, but probably because I was moving faster. The other was a large (10?) family group on bikes. A man and two women with a bunch of kids. The adults seemed enthusiastic. The kids...not so much!
With a good surface, and the end drawing near, I began pushing the speed. I was expecting some sort of sign or something to indicate I was at the end, but only saw trail crossing signs and such. Then, after I passed back into a wooded area, I noted a sign that just said "Trail" and thought I saw something a short way back in the woods. I stopped the bike and turned around. The thing I'd seen was the Connecticut boundary marker, and the opposite side of the trail sign said "Tri-state marker .3 miles". I was at the end of the SNETT!
Thank goodness I decided to check out the thing I'd seen in the woods. Otherwise I would have kept riding into Connecticut. I congratulated myself, then hid the bike in the woods and headed up the trail to the tri-state marker. It was a short but rugged walk there, leading to an impressive granite obelisk.
I took a few pictures, and noted the time. Just about 1PM, four hours after I began. Four hours? I'd figured the entire out and back trip would take about that long. 10 MPH wasn't an unreasonable pace, especially on a flat, somewhat groomed surface. But I'd been going at just a bit over half that. And now I was faced with repeating the route in reverse. It didn't make me happy.
I returned to my bike and began the ride back, encountering the family on bikes again, and two riders on horses (with the horses wearing bug masks). Now, on the ride out I'd had in the back of my mind that I could call Jane for a ride home if necessary. It would only take her a half hour or so to drive to me. It was a nice safety valve thought, and now I was considering it.
I figured I'd try riding back and would see how far I could go before I'd had enough. I thought I'd make it through at least a few sections of the trail, but it was not to be. About halfway back through this final section I admitted I was just not interested in riding any more. I'd completed the ride of the trail from end to end, and that was enough. I also noted that my water supply was running low, another reason for calling it a day.
I stopped and tried to send Jane a message to ask for a pickup, making sure to say I was okay...just tired. Cell coverage was poor though, and I wasn't able to send her the location of the parking area. I said I'd send it later and kept riding. A bit later I was back at the parking area, and I managed to get a good fix on my location to send. With Jane (my savior!) on the way, I found a shady spot to rest, ate my remaining snacks, and awaited her arrival. She arrived fairly quickly and a short ride back to my car completed my adventure.
More pictures
SNETT parking & by-pass info
