WoodlandTrek Blog: New England Nature Photography
Updates, Stories, and Photo Collections from Forests, Streams, and Reservoirs
Welcome to the WoodlandTrek blog, where I share new nature photography from across New England. Discover images of forests, hiking trails, small brooks, beaver ponds, and reservoirs, along with stories and tips from my adventures.
Rattlesnake Hill is a popular hike at the Quabbin Reservoir, offering wide, unobstructed views of the reservoir and surrounding forest. The outlook is most commonly accessed from Gate 29, which is a hike of approximately 4.5 miles round trip. A alternative route is available from Gate 27, at roughly 3.5 miles round trip, though this route includes a very steep hill on the way back to up Gate 27.
From Rattlesnake Hill, Quabbin Reservoir stretches out in deep blue, surrounded by lush green forests bathed in bright sunlight. Taken on June 16, 2024, this view represents the classic perspective from Rattlesnake Hill. The reservoir’s deep blue water contrasts with the dense green forest, especially under clear summer conditions.
Full Album: https://woodlandtrek.com/portfolio/2024-06-16/
This second perspective, taken on October 6, 2024, shows Rattlesnake Hill from below as viewed from the Rabbit Run Railbed near Gate 35. The rock cliff face that defines Rattlesnake Hill is present but subtle and difficult to distinguish at a distance, often requiring zoom or closer inspection to clearly identify.
Full Album: https://woodlandtrek.com/portfolio/2024-10-06/
From Rattlesnake Hill, Quabbin Reservoir stretches out in deep blue, surrounded by lush green forests bathed in bright sunlight. Taken on June 16, 2024, this view represents the classic perspective from Rattlesnake Hill. The reservoir’s deep blue water contrasts with the dense green forest, especially under clear summer conditions.
This second perspective, taken on October 6, 2024, shows Rattlesnake Hill from below as viewed from the Rabbit Run Railbed near Gate 35. The rock cliff face that defines Rattlesnake Hill is present but subtle and difficult to distinguish at a distance, often requiring zoom or closer inspection to clearly identify.
As of this date, the website contains 4,617 items and 172 albums.
Aerial photographs show one of the “Long Swamp” beaver site on 2021-11-28. Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aerial photograph shows the “Beaver Loop” beaver site on 2021-09-19. Aircraft: Piper Arrow
Aerial photograph shows the “Beaver Loop” beaver site on 2021-09-19. Aircraft: Piper Arrow
All that remains of the viaduct at the Wachusett Dam are the footings in the water, as seen in my photos from 2025. (Album: 2025-07-13) The black and white photos dated 1905 and 1906 show the structure that once stood. The viaduct was removed in 1975.
Roads highlighted in magenta indicate completed hikes.
Last Updated: 2026-03-14
Last Updated: 2026-03-14
Table shows days with distance greater than 2 miles according to Apple Health app.
| Date | Distance |
|---|---|
| 1/12/2025 | 4.8 |
| 1/18/2025 | 3.4 |
| 2/15/2025 | 2.9 |
| 2/22/2025 | 2.6 |
| 3/9/2025 | 5.0 |
| 3/15/2025 | 5.6 |
| 3/19/2025 | 3.9 |
| 3/22/2025 | 7.7 |
| 4/10/2025 | 3.4 |
| 4/14/2025 | 2.5 |
| 4/25/2025 | 4.9 |
| 4/29/2025 | 6.4 |
| 5/3/2025 | 2.7 |
| 5/8/2025 | 2.7 |
| 5/11/2025 | 4.9 |
| 5/13/2025 | 3.3 |
| 5/18/2025 | 6.2 |
| 5/27/2025 | 3.3 |
| 6/1/2025 | 11.1 |
| 6/8/2025 | 4.5 |
| 6/16/2025 | 2.8 |
| 6/21/2025 | 4.6 |
| 6/29/2025 | 4.8 |
| 7/5/2025 | 3.4 |
| 7/13/2025 | 5.8 |
| 7/19/2025 | 7.6 |
| 7/22/2025 | 3.2 |
| 7/26/2025 | 5.9 |
| 8/2/2025 | 3.7 |
| 8/6/2025 | 3.0 |
| 8/9/2025 | 7.9 |
| 8/16/2025 | 4.6 |
| 8/22/2025 | 3.6 |
| 8/28/2025 | 2.3 |
| 8/31/2025 | 5.0 |
| 9/4/2025 | 3.0 |
| 9/9/2025 | 4.3 |
| 9/12/2025 | 2.0 |
| 9/13/2025 | 4.4 |
| 9/17/2025 | 4.6 |
| 9/21/2025 | 4.4 |
| 9/28/2025 | 5.5 |
| 10/3/2025 | 3.5 |
| 10/5/2025 | 3.4 |
| 10/7/2025 | 2.6 |
| 10/11/2025 | 9.4 |
| 10/18/2025 | 9.4 |
| 10/26/2025 | 3.9 |
| 11/2/2025 | 5.2 |
| 11/8/2025 | 7.9 |
| 11/14/2025 | 2.2 |
| 11/15/2025 | 6.5 |
| 11/19/2025 | 3.6 |
| 11/23/2025 | 6.5 |
| 11/29/2025 | 5.7 |
| 12/7/2025 | 5.7 |
| 12/13/2025 | 3.7 |
| 12/18/2025 | 3.0 |
| 12/20/2025 | 9.1 |
| 12/28/2025 | 5.9 |
| 12/29/2025 | 2.4 |
| Total | 288.2 |
Table shows days with distance greater than 2 miles according to Apple Health app.
| Date | Distance |
|---|---|
| 1/1/2024 | 4.2 |
| 1/6/2024 | 4.2 |
| 1/12/2024 | 2.6 |
| 1/13/2024 | 2.0 |
| 1/15/2024 | 3.9 |
| 1/21/2024 | 3.5 |
| 1/27/2024 | 4.9 |
| 2/3/2024 | 3.7 |
| 2/6/2024 | 3.2 |
| 2/10/2024 | 4.0 |
| 2/12/2024 | 2.7 |
| 2/15/2024 | 2.8 |
| 2/17/2024 | 4.0 |
| 2/19/2024 | 3.0 |
| 2/25/2024 | 3.0 |
| 3/3/2024 | 3.8 |
| 3/9/2024 | 3.2 |
| 3/16/2024 | 4.2 |
| 3/31/2024 | 3.9 |
| 4/7/2024 | 4.1 |
| 4/9/2024 | 2.9 |
| 4/14/2024 | 3.9 |
| 4/19/2024 | 2.6 |
| 4/21/2024 | 3.6 |
| 4/25/2024 | 2.9 |
| 5/3/2024 | 4.3 |
| 5/4/2024 | 5.4 |
| 5/11/2024 | 7.1 |
| 5/14/2024 | 2.7 |
| 5/19/2024 | 6.9 |
| 5/26/2024 | 4.0 |
| 6/1/2024 | 3.9 |
| 6/4/2024 | 2.8 |
| 6/8/2024 | 2.8 |
| 6/16/2024 | 7.0 |
| 6/24/2024 | 2.8 |
| 6/29/2024 | 3.6 |
| 7/3/2024 | 4.2 |
| 7/7/2024 | 2.8 |
| 7/14/2024 | 3.5 |
| 7/18/2024 | 3.4 |
| 7/20/2024 | 6.7 |
| 7/27/2024 | 8.4 |
| 8/11/2024 | 4.8 |
| 8/13/2024 | 4.6 |
| 8/17/2024 | 4.7 |
| 8/21/2024 | 3.8 |
| 8/27/2024 | 5.5 |
| 9/2/2024 | 4.7 |
| 9/8/2024 | 4.2 |
| 9/15/2024 | 8.6 |
| 9/18/2024 | 3.4 |
| 9/22/2024 | 2.8 |
| 9/27/2024 | 4.6 |
| 9/29/2024 | 2.4 |
| 10/6/2024 | 9.9 |
| 10/11/2024 | 3.3 |
| 10/18/2024 | 4.0 |
| 10/20/2024 | 5.7 |
| 10/22/2024 | 2.6 |
| 10/25/2024 | 3.0 |
| 10/27/2024 | 4.8 |
| 11/2/2024 | 4.1 |
| 11/3/2024 | 2.8 |
| 11/10/2024 | 4.0 |
| 11/14/2024 | 2.7 |
| 11/17/2024 | 8.9 |
| 11/20/2024 | 3.0 |
| 11/25/2024 | 2.8 |
| 11/27/2024 | 3.1 |
| 11/29/2024 | 2.1 |
| 12/1/2024 | 5.5 |
| 12/4/2024 | 2.7 |
| 12/13/2024 | 2.7 |
| 12/15/2024 | 3.5 |
| 12/17/2024 | 2.7 |
| 12/21/2024 | 4.1 |
| 12/24/2024 | 2.9 |
| 12/31/2024 | 7.6 |
| Total | 321.8 |