One of our follow hikers said it best when he stated "I've never hiked in such a diverse terrain on one hike." Our final section trek of the Warner Trail offered hiking through wetlands, around cranberry bogs, urban roadways, wooded hillsides and rocky ledges with spectacular vistas. Most of our trip would be located in the Moose Hill Audubon Sanctuary, a beautiful 2000-acre wildlife refuge. After a round about drive we won't talk about anymore; the group started their hike in the rain along the Canton/Sharon, Massachusetts line at Dedham Street.

Entering a hardwood forest we proceeded up hill weaving through the woods till we crossed Beaver Brook. The terrain changes from hardwoods to a pine forest as we pass a strange pit with charred wood in it eventually emerging onto a power line, the trail follows a muddy service road a short distance before turning onto Mt. Fern Street . Hiking up this dead end street, the rain stopped and we turned right onto Bullard Street. Following Bullard Street to the intersection with Norwood Street the trail turns right and quickly enters the woods on the south side of the road. After a short bushwhack to a ridgeline, the group follows an old bridle path. Checking to see if this is the right trail, one of our companions spots a rusty trail marker blending in with the tree. Hiking under a forest of towering red pine we talk about how to tell the difference between a white and red pine, checked out an owl pellet laying on the footpath and point out some fiddleheads just sprouting out of the damp soil. Turning west, the overgrown trail follows another power line, crosses a perennial brook and enters the Moose Hill Sanctuary on an old farm road.

Hiking between a set of stone walls, the farm road takes us passed a long forgotten hay field with bluebird houses and several beehives. Passing a long line of cherry trees growing next to the western stone wall, I explain to the group about how they got there. "When I'm working as a land surveyor, I look for thinks like this in the woods. A lot of times that would indicate there was a fence standing here long ago. You see, after birds would eat the cherries they'd fly over to the fence to rest. After digesting the cherries, they would pass the pits and over the years the trees would grow. To prove my tale, I walk over to a 12" tree growing in the line and point out a peace of barbed wire passing through the center of the tree. Slowly the farm road tapers down to a footpath and enters a wooded wetland. The path continues through the wetland area passing a vernal pool. Slowly the grade begins to climb and makes a turn before a bog bridge.   Now following the trail with a letter A we cross Moose Hill Parkway and reenter the woods. Wandering through the oak and birch forest on a trail also know as the Kettle Trail. As the group enters a grass parking lot, the quiet of the day is broken with the laughter of children playing.

We're at the headquarters of the Audubon's oldest sanctuary in Massachusetts . Taking a break here we talk about the hike and watch the children play on the front lawn of the headquarters. Returning to our hike the Warner Trail crosses Moose Hill Street and passes between two stone pillars. In about 50 yards the trail turns off onto a westerly trail known as the Summit Trail. Scrambling up the steepest section of trail so far we arrive at the summit of Moose Hill, the second highest costal feature in Massachusetts. On this wooded hilltop stands a fire tower with no trespassing signs on it. At the gate to the perimeter fence is a car and we joke about making a visit to the tower. The trail passes behind the fire tower and crosses over the concrete footings of a previous tower. Descending quickly over a rocky knoll, the Warner Trail turns right at the junction of a woods road. Hiking passed several other trails we start to climb again and meet the first people I've seen hiking, other than my groups on the whole Warner Trail. The sky lightens up as the trees begin to get thinner and we emerge on to Bluff Head and a spectacular vista to the south. The view warrants a break as the groups sit on several rocky steps. At the edge of the Bluff stand several White Cedar, all in a bonsai looking state. On the horizon the top of Gillette Stadium can be seen, it's hard to believe that 70,000 people invade this area in the fall. I'm a big football fan and even to me it looks out of place from here.

The trail continues toward the southwest passing a rocky pinnacle protrudes out into space and on top of it sits a large wooden chair. Laughing, Matt makes a comment, "I would have loved to watch who ever dragged that chair up to its perch."  Descending another 100' or so down the face of Bluff Head a short side trail takes us out onto Allen's Ledge. Occupying a portion of the ledge is a large stone chimney. I've tried to do some research on the Internet about the site and found little but a statement that a cabin once occupied the ledge. What a view they had. The trail drops steeply below treeline and reaches a another woods road near the bottom of the slope. Following that out to Walpole Street the Warner Trail leaves the Moose Hill Sanctuary.

Crossing Walpole Street , the trail climbs through the woods to the summit of Pierce Hill; although shorter than Moose Hill it offers a nice view into the next valley. Descending steeply at times we follow another woods road that was once known as Old Post Road. Walking in the footprints of the first colonists the group leaves the woods and travel up a paved driveway to Pine Street . Heading left on Pine Street and right on to South Walpole Street we cross over then under Route 95, passing a cranberry bog and stopped at utility pole #46. The trail information I've got states we return to the woods here on Dudley Hill Road a thin woods road that is left over grown to discourage misuse. The description also said to hike passed a white house on your left and pick up the trail near that properties back yard. The white house was there, but it didn't mention the guy in the backyard with an axe! Hiking on the woods road as my information stated, the guy stopped splitting wood and glared at us. Trying to be friendly I walked over to the stone wall and told him we where looking for the Warner Trail . Axe man said "It might be further into the woods but it wasn't on his property."  I thanked him and told him we'd keep looking. Walking back to the group I spotted the next trail marker near his property corner. Axe man went back to work splitting wood and I read the directions to the group but loud enough so he could hear. Then diplomatically turned pointing out the next trail marker, loud enough once more for him to hear and hiked our party through.

Continuing on the trail takes us into a white pine wood and we travel along the western shore of the cranberry bog. At a fork in our footpath the group bears right and enters a wetland area with the green shots of skunk cabbage popping up everywhere. Using caution on what appears to be a well made log bog bridge we find that some of the logs roll on their footings to make for a interesting crossing. We traverse close to several private homes at the edge of the woods and turn left, hiking through someone's yard to Beach Street. Note: Last trail marker in woods was missing but nails in tree were found and you can see the next marker on a utility pole on Beach Street . Turning right on Beach Street we walk about 50 yards to a wooden fence, crossing the street and return to the woods.   The trail continues passed a row of large rocks into an area that looks like it had been clear cuts several years ago. Now small white pines are reclaiming the sandy area. Turning left on a old gravel road the group hiked out to Edward Street, our car and a trip stated on our first store hike, a trip to the local beer cafe.

I want to thank all the people and dogs that hiked with Blackstone Valley Outfitters. Not all completed the Warner Trail with me but all added something special to the journey through an urban New England Trail. We started the trek on a snowy cold day, had two days of clear blue spring days and two days of rain or cloudy weather. In the five days we hiked the trail we only ran into 2 hikers. We hiked though wooded hills that rivaled the White Mountains in beauty, passed along historic roads, towns and forgotten farms. Although not an easy trail to follow and it changes do to development I recommend hiking it to everyone.