Rocky Gutter Reserve (Middleboro, MA)

If you want to avoid getting a disease, don't come to Rocky Gutter between May and October. You will literally get swarmed by bugs and it won't be pretty. I've had some real scary experiences in this park, yet I've also experienced some moments of intense solitude. The key is to come after the first hard frost when temperatures hover below 60 degrees. This can also be tricky because that's usually during hunting season. So long as you wear bright colors, you should be okay. Otherwise, the horseflies, mosquitoes, and gadflies will ruin your experience completely. Rocky Gutter trails off into a swamp in the southeast corner. The northern edge along the access road seems to be the best spot to pick up trails. I have ridden through here enough to find other means to access the park via power lines. Great place to explore, yet not exactly a 'destination' spot.

View from the main access rode (runs east to west across the northern quarter).

More power lines (spared by Sandy)

Sandy did some damage, but not nearly as much as Irene, at least around these parts.