The North Quabbin Trails Association (NQTA) recently opened an expansion of the Tully Trail with a celebration of 67 hikers at the Tully Meadows Farm, 485 Tully Road, North Orange.
The new trail, cleared and blazed by volunteers and NQTA President Bobby Curley, meanders along the west branch of the Tully River and up to a clearing with views of Tully Mountain. The new trail is part of the 22-mile loop trail around Tully Lake and winds through three wildlife management areas. Trail parking is available anytime at the trailhead across the street at 485 Tully Road.
The opening of this trail marks a milestone for NQTA. Curley recently signed an 118-page license agreement with the Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Authority. This license transfers responsibility to NQTA for full trail management of the 22-mile Tully Trail outside of the Trustees of Reservation land. Other parties to the agreement include Fred Heyes of Heyes Forestry Products and Mount Grace Land Trust.
Bob Busby, owner of the Tully Meadows Farm, allowed those at the celebration onto his front yard. Busby is a scientist specializing in seismology, but carries an expansive knowledge of the natural world. He spoke to hikers about the animals and plants along the trail.
Another trail companion that day was Blise Olsen of Orange, a post doctoral graduate from Princeton University specializing in oceanography. Olsen is studying climate change and its effect on marine ecosystems.
For more information, and to see the Summer Adventures and Map of the Month, visit www.nqta.org.
Jack Dunphy is the property owner of Orange Innovation Center, real estate developer and NQTA’s Travel and Tourism Coordinator and a board member.