The Wetlands is one of my favorite sections of the Forest.
Wetlands, ca. 2007:
I had described the Wetlands as "Fallen trees, mossy ponds, rickety bridges, reeds, rushes, cat-tails, lilly pads ..."
Although I visit the Forest semi-regularly, I have not seen the Wetlands since the Great Flood. During the recent Saint Martin's summer I did venture down there and I was quite astonished in what I saw.
At the entrance to the Gifford Memorial Boardwalk, things looked more or less normal.
The most obvious sign of anything unusual was a very thick coat of dried mud covering the Boardwalk, with signs of recent footprints, indicating recent use.
However, after venturing a few hundred feet into the Forest, it was very obvious that things were not normal.
The Boardwalk, one of two equal-access trails in the Forest was buckled and was off its footing in many places.
This next photo best shows the depth of the flooding.
Notice the high-water mark, the "bathtub ring" about 6 feet or so up the tree trunks.
Repairs are in progress!
Recent tire tracks show the repair work to the base of the trail, and parts of the Boardwalk have been salvaged and stacked ready for re-assembly.
Sections of fallen trees, once blocking the path of the Boardwalk, have been removed, as we see from the recent saw marks and sawdust.
The area surrounding the Great Marsh is still damp from the muck left over from the receding flood waters.
The Great Marsh itself has a very normal look to it, for this time of the season.
The flood has taken its toll on the signage along the path of the Boardwalk.
Some signs have escaped with only minor damage.
Others appear to be damaged beyond repair! :(
Speaking of signs ...
I guess I should have read the bottom-center note before venturing on the Boardwalk, huh? :)
