SMF'S Middle Road Sanctuary Good Place for Winter Walks

The Middle Road Sanctuary, actually two separate parcels totaling more than 100 acres connected by a trail easement across private property, is located on the terminal moraine which marks the farthest advance of the last glacier roughly 18,000 years ago. The glacial origins are betrayed by steep ridges and valleys as well as numerous erratics, large rocks left behind as the ice sheet retreated. The steep ridges make for relatively strenuous hiking, at least for the Vineyard. However, the views of Chilmark Great Pond, Blackpoint Pond and Tisbury Great Pond from the Kings Highway end of the yellow trail are fitting reward.

The predominant vegetation is mixed deciduous woodlands, primarily black, white and scarlet oaks with scattered beeches, sassafras and red maples. The understory is primarily huckleberry, although there is also a great deal of viburnum and sweet pepperbush. A red maple swamp dominates the southwest corner, with sphagnum moss, skunk cabbage and various wetlands shrubs, including viburnum, maleberry, sweet pepper bush, highbush blueberry, swamp azalea and poison sumac. Along the top of the ridge which runs across the property is a small heathland on either side of the trail which supports plants more typical of sandplain habitats such as little bluestem, sweetfern, rockroses, pinweeds, golden heather and reindeer lichen. Also along the edges of the trails grow a number of plants typical of open, sunny spots including goldenrods aster and bluettes.

Common birds include typical woodland species such as chickadee; white breasted nuthatch, great crested flycatcher, rufous-sided towhee and hairy, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers. Oven birds and wood thrush probably nest in the sanctuary since several males have been heard singing during the breeding season. Red-tailed hawks are seen regularly in and around the sanctuary and probably nest in the area. Turkey vultures, which are uncommon in New England but increasing in numbers, have been seen over the sanctuary.

The walking trails are shown on a map at the edge of the parking lot and are marked by red and yellow wooden markers. The red trail is a 0.6-mile loop running up and across a hillside and along the top of a ridge before dropping back down the hill to complete the circle. The mile-long yellow trail leaves the red trail and continues along the ridge before swinging down the opposite hillside and continuing up and over a second ridge where it ends at the kings Highway. From there walkers can retrace their steps to the red trail. Those desiring a longer walk, turn left on the Kings Highway and follow it to Meetinghouse Road. Another left turn takes you back to Middle Road and a final left along the edge of Middle Road completes the loop back to the parking lot.

Winter is a wonderful time to walk the Middle Road Sanctuary. With the leaves off the trees it is possible to really see the lay of the land and one can almost sense the force of the massive glaciers which created it. During winter, small evergreens such as teaberry, spotted wintergreen and round-leaved pyrola are more obvious, a welcome scattering of color. In April and May, before the trees leaf out, spring ephemerals like trailing arbutus, Canada mayflower and wild geranium open their delicate blossoms. In June and July, a few spectacular pink lady slipper orchids bloom along the red trail. Middle Road Sanctuary also provides excellent habitat for white-tailed deer. Although the deer themselves are rarely encountered, their trails and pellets are common.

How To Get There:

A bike rack, small parking area and trail map are located on the south side of Middle Road, not far from the intersection with Tabor House Road. From down Island, take the Pan Handle Road to Middle Road and head towards Chilmark for roughly 2.5 miles. Look for Meetinghouse Road on your left. The sanctuary parking lot, also on your left, is about 0.4 miles past the intersection with Meetinghouse Road. From up Island, take Middle Road heading east from Beetlebung Corner. Look for Tabor House Road on your left; the parking lot will be on your right, 0.2 miles past eh intersection. The entrance to the parking area is marked by a green and white "Middle Road Sanctuary" sign.