December 12, 2022
After doing the Fort River Trail, I hopped in the car and headed twenty minutes down I-91 to Frannie Stebbins NWR close to the CT border. This area is also a National Natural Landmark (preserved flood plain), so it was nice to cross two things off my LifeQuest at once.
This refuge has active train tracks running through it; do not cross the tracks! The trails do not go over them, even though some lead right to them. The trains come by frequently and quickly, and there is no time for them to stop for anyone or anything. To do every bit of all the trails, one needs to first park on one side of the tracks, hike, and then park on the other side to get the rest of the miles.
I walked for two and a half hours at a brisk pace while at the refuge, so using that info I estimate I walked six or seven miles. That includes repeating certain sections to get to all parts of all trails and doubling back when necessary.
It was odd walking in the woods and hearing/seeing the highway and train traffic so close by. The parts close to the Connecticut River were nice, though. There’s a campsite by the river with two raised platforms for those who paddle. Also, in spite of the urban noise all around, this area is a favorite of migrating birds. I saw a lot of geese and a couple of swans, though I did not get a decent photo of any of them.
