May’s edition of Our Open Places featured a beginner’s guide to enjoying open places in and around Holliston. This month, let’s introduce some of the tools a more advanced hiker and explorer might use to discover some amazing areas around Holliston. 

Before we begin, you should be aware of and evaluate your skill level as well as your physical fitness in moving through wilderness and unmarked trails. Whereas a beginner’s guide will remind you to bring water and leave a note at home with your destination in case you go missing, this more advanced guide will assume you are aware of your physical limitations and reasonable in your approach to enjoying the outdoors.

There are also wildlife conservation concerns with human traffic. One person walking through a fern field will crush some ferns which easily regenerate. There are natural game trails everywhere where other animals do the same. A crowd of people trampling plants may cause too much damage. Also, we must be conscious that human presence—which can cause unintentional stress—does not disturb wildlife and large animals like deer, coyotes, black bear and bobcats that will get “pushed out” of daytime sanctuaries and move into less ideal security.

Most of the terrain of Massachusetts that is livable, plantable, or hikable, already has trails or is private property. Naturally people planted in fields with good soil and have avoided building in areas that have flooding or water. If you want to explore areas that see little foot traffic, you will most likely come across water features. Again, keep in mind that wetlands and vernal pools are protected and fragile. You can’t hike these areas in sneakers, so the more advanced user will need “gear.”

You’ll need lightweight hiking pants, not shorts, to keep ticks at bay. Consider treating them in permethrin, being careful to read all warnings  on the labels. If your pants get torn up by thicket and briars, consider “upland game” pants which can be found at outfitters like BassPro. These pants have rugged materials that allow pheasant hunters to walk through brush without tearing or scratching of skin. 

If you are putting on miles, you’ll need decent boots—and they should be waterproof. Duck-style boots like L.L. Bean boots give you four inches of rubber on the bottom and tight lacing keeps leaks to a minimum. Calf-high boots like Lacrosse allow you to step in a fifteen inch stream without getting wet. There are inexpensive hip waders you can buy and carry in a pack just in case you have the urge to go deeper. The more rugged and waterproof they are, the more uncomfortable and expensive they can get.

One amazing tool for finding peaceful wilderness areas in Eastern Massachusetts is the canoe or kayak. Waterways are tranquil and wild, even if you’re paddling right near someone’s backyard. Canoes and kayaks come in all sizes and prices. If you can find one in “these times” they are great fun that can end in a quick swim afterwards.

Decades ago setting out into the wilderness required purchase of trail maps or plat maps to see where land was accessible. Today you can access this information with the number one most useful tool of advanced exploring: the smart phone. Smartphones have access to data, phone service, and have features like GPS location and compass direction.

The use of the smartphone, especially in Eastern Massachusetts where coverage is almost universal, allows any hiker to leave the house with no knowledge of a landscape and devise a plan at the trailhead of what you’d like to do. While experiencing nature for most is an escape from digital media—and I encourage you to turn off your phone when you can—the smartphone is a map, a lifeline to help, a camera to capture memories and much more. Downloading a few apps to your phone can help you get more out of your trip. Just don’t be too tempted to check your Facebook feed and emails while you’re enjoying the summit peak!

While most trailheads have maps where you can plan your journey, have you ever taken a few turns and then completely forgot your plan a hundred yards into your hike? Snap a picture of the trail map with your phone and you’ll always have it with you. Also, free apps like All Trails or Gaia GPS allow you to use your GPS location to see where you are and where the trails are located. Most offer paid services like “download offline maps,” a great feature if you’re hiking in an area where there is no cell service.

Did you know that when you download offline maps you can still use your phone’s GPS positioning, even if you have no service or wifi? The offline map is the data of “what’s there” and the GPS uses satellites to place you into the downloaded map. If you’re paying for this feature, you’ll want to consider OnX maps.

One last free app to mention is Under Armor Map My Run. It allows you to make your hike using GPS and gives you information on your workout. There are hundreds of mapping apps and these are just a few. 

In planning a trip, satellite images like those on Google Maps can show you “big forest.” Waze can take you there, and it automatically avoids traffic. If you are planning a trip and hiking between public properties like State Forest, you might want Arc GIS Explorer. This is a free collection of GIS maps. Type in “Massachusetts Interactive Property Map,” and you’ll be able to see plots of land and the registered owner. In general, if the land is not posted “No Trespassing,” it is legal to walk across. Still, if there is a public easement or access, it’s much better to avoid walking over private property. Using a map like the Interactive Property Map will show you which plots are public and which are private. 

Your iPhone has a flashlight for when it gets dark or as an emergency signal. Say into your phone, “Hey Siri, Open the Compass” and be amazed. You can call emergency services if someone gets injured. If you want to make a photo or video memory of your adventure, you can do that and even add graphics and music and post it to social media all from your phone.

Don’t forget that batteries don’t last forever, and a good backup battery is the most important safety item you can bring. All of your maps, phone, and compass don’t work when your battery is dead or if you break your phone. Never be 100% reliant on a gadget that can be lost or broken.

Armed with your “advanced gear,” Kayak, and GPS Maps you’ll be unstoppable— digging into deep swamps, reaching great heights and crossing hidden meadows. Here in Massachusetts we don’t have the millions of acres of open space as in the West, but there are plenty of adventures to be had, great views to see, and memories to be made. 

Publishers’ Note:  This article is the third in a series called “Our Open Places.”  The purpose of the series is to increase interest in outdoor activities, highlight some special places we have in the Holliston area, and provide information for those of all levels of experience in outdoor recreation. The Holliston Reporter is appreciative of Matt Hodgdon’s efforts.