Winter wanderland: Winter walks in the Tri-Town
Amy Nahigyan and Tyler Curtis of Mattapoisett with their dog Jax at Munn Preserve. Photos by Mari Huglin
Jax gets close and says hello at Munn Preserve.
Raised pathways at Osprey Marsh. 
A semi-frozen puddle at Osprey Marsh.
Water and leaves at Osprey Marsh.
Views from Osprey Marsh.
The raised pathway leads to the water at Osprey Marsh.
Osprey Marsh looks over the water. 
View of a boardwalk and osprey nest at Osprey Marsh.
A small water fall at White Eagle Bog.
The paths were covered with some snow at White Eagle Bog.
A tree stands alone on the path at White Eagle Bog.
Red pine covers the paths at White Eagle Bog.
A semi-frozen pond at White Eagle Bog.
More paths at White Eagle Bog.
Lichen can be found on many trees during the winter.
The cranberry bog at White Eagle Bog.
Trees tower over the paths, some still green at the Munn Preserve.
White shells and gravel lead to the water at Munn Preserve.
The edge of the water peeks through the path at Munn Preserve.
Grass blows in the winter wind at Munn Preserve.
Sand meets the forest at Munn Preserve.
A conch shell at Munn Preserve.
The look across the water at Munn Preserve.
The marshes at Munn Preserve.
The water was clear on a sunny day at Munn Preserve.
Amy Nahigyan and Tyler Curtis of Mattapoisett with their dog Jax at Munn Preserve. Photos by Mari Huglin
Jax gets close and says hello at Munn Preserve.
Raised pathways at Osprey Marsh.
A semi-frozen puddle at Osprey Marsh.
Water and leaves at Osprey Marsh.
Views from Osprey Marsh.
The raised pathway leads to the water at Osprey Marsh.
Osprey Marsh looks over the water.
View of a boardwalk and osprey nest at Osprey Marsh.
A small water fall at White Eagle Bog.
The paths were covered with some snow at White Eagle Bog.
A tree stands alone on the path at White Eagle Bog.
Red pine covers the paths at White Eagle Bog.
A semi-frozen pond at White Eagle Bog.
More paths at White Eagle Bog.
Lichen can be found on many trees during the winter.
The cranberry bog at White Eagle Bog.
Trees tower over the paths, some still green at the Munn Preserve.
White shells and gravel lead to the water at Munn Preserve.
The edge of the water peeks through the path at Munn Preserve.
Grass blows in the winter wind at Munn Preserve.
Sand meets the forest at Munn Preserve.
A conch shell at Munn Preserve.
The look across the water at Munn Preserve.
The marshes at Munn Preserve.
The water was clear on a sunny day at Munn Preserve.
While the South Coast is praised for being a summertime haven, that doesn't mean some wintertime fun isn't in order.
Land trusts from Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester host a variety of preservation and trail hikes to keep the community active and outdoors in the colder months. From mental to physical health, organizers across the Tri-Town are making sure residents don't get cabin fever.
“Getting out into nature and into the outdoors this time of year is so important just to stay healthy in terms of getting fresh air in your lungs and getting exposed to the sun,” said Sarah French Storer, the Operations Manager at the Mattapoisett Land Trust.
Storer explained that getting outside can increase community members' moods and immune systems. She added that the Alves-Bucciarelli Preserve is one of her favorites since the vernal pools are full of water and sometimes frozen over.
“The key to hiking in the winter is layers,” Storer said.
According to Storer, bundling up at the beginning of a hike and stripping layers as they traverse the trails is important as walkers' bodies begin to warm up. She recommends coming prepared with proper footwear and understanding present conditions like ice, snow, weather and windchill.
Proper planning includes knowing where to park and which paths walkers will be taking, even though there is good signage throughout the trails.
President of Mattapoisett Land Trust, Mike Huggenin, said he loves walking trails in winter since views are always changing. He enjoys seeing the variety of birds, animal tracks and the intense colors and shadows.
“Every month is different, the light will be different, the landscape will be different,” Huggenin said. “I have been walking these [trails] for 40 years, you always see something that's new and different.”
Some of his favorite hikes include the Munn Preserve, Old Aucoot District and Brandt Island Cove. Huggenin said he recommends walking in the more forested areas to avoid the winter winds.
President of Sippican Land Trust Cathy Stone said that her favorite winter walks are Osprey Marsh, Brainard Marsh and White Eagle Bog.
Osprey Marsh is ideal for strollers and wheelchair users as it offers an elevated boardwalk. She prefers winter walks because she can slow down, look at the water and relax like that of the Brainard Marsh. She explained that winter tends to be more peaceful, especially after a snowfall.
“Looking at the water, the bay, is very soothing, peaceful and quiet,” Stone said. “I think [winter] is a more reflective time of year.” Stone said.
For Mattapoisett residents Amy Nahigyan and Tyler Curtis, they get more use of the lands during the winter. The pair enjoy taking their dog Jax out on the quiet trails as opposed to the busier spots like the rail trails.
Nahigyan said she loves walking the cranberry bogs, Munn Preserve and Brandt Island.
“I think the woods offer a different kind of beauty in the winter…it offers the beauty of real, cold fresh air in the lungs and the sun shining through the trees, which you don't get as much of in the summer,” Nahigyan said.
Curtis explained in the summer they have a ton of options for walking, but walking the trails in winter gets them outside looking at different foliage.
“I feel like in the wintertime there's less to do in the area, and it makes walking these a little bit more interesting,” Curtis said.
