Introductory hikes or rides are relatively short and appropriate for most users, including families with children. Nearby Recommended Routes. The trail is reasonably well-blazed (in white) but it crosses many other trails and fire roads so a map or the Hiking Project mobile app is strongly recommended. The parts of the trail closer to the Flynn Rink parking lot are a fairly gentle hike in the woods, while the parts around to Fellsway East feature a fair amount of ascents/descents and some short scrambles. After a few hundred feet you'll find … Show Breakdown 3.7 from 7 votes 5 Star 14% 4 Star ... did cross fells trail to rock circuit (not on map). TURTLE-FUR: Free Shipping On Orders Over $25, EX-OFFICIO: Order by 12/15 for Free 12/24 Delivery. Maximum fun for short travel time -- it's less than 10 miles away from MIT campus. Two reasons. Middlesex Fells in June Photos taken on the Rock Circuit and Cross Fells Trails in Middlesex Fells, June 14, 2008. Hard L onto Brooks Rd. It's located in Massachusetts, United States.A traditional cache in a rocky part of the Middlesex Fells Reservation. Follow the trail for a quarter mile to Reservation Path, where a fence marked “Fells Reservoir MWRA” (or something to that effect) signals that the man-made lake is just beyond. With the detour to the Cascade, and a 10-minute lunch at Pinnacle Rock, I reached Boojum within an hour and a half. Newbies may even want to consider hiking with someone else who knows the area.). Be the first to rate! This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a … Spend several years living on Cap Hill after graduating, too. One rock in particular involves a somewhat tricky maneuver over (or under) a fallen tree. On … Descending from the observatory, the trail dips in and out of a few small, forested ravines. Rock Circuit Surprise (GC10K1G) was created by Fells Walker on 1/28/2007. This vista marks about the halfway point along the 4.7-mile hike. or East Border Rd. A moderate hike. South Reservoir Loop via Sheepfold Trailhead is a 4.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Stoneham, Massachusetts that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. That would be aces. Melrose is a BEAUTIFUL city from every angle, hi or low, with gracious Victorian homes, tree lined streets, and a bustling downtown. It can be accessed by foot. ( Log Out / Of course, a bit of scrambling is required, but within 0.2 miles of Jerry Jingle, you are at the top. Draw 7 Park in Somerville is a good place to take a break, with a shoreline view of two MBTA rail lines, the Amelia Earhart Dam, and the Mystic Station power plant. No Coupon Necessary. They are part of the Rock Circuit Loop, which can be accessed from either Woodland Rd. We'll be going around the Rock Circuit Trail in Middlesex Fells Reservation, a trail whose idea of fun is to seek out large rocks protruding from the ground and intentionally go up and over each of them, even when it would be easy to go around! A view of the Boston skyline from one of the many rock outcroppings. Join us for a vigorous hike on the Rock Circuit Trail, a strenuous and whimsical, 4.7-mile loop that goes right up and over every rocky jag in sight. Find Hemlock Pool in the Middlesex Fells (southwest of MWRA Reservoir). Love it there. Of course, a normal hike would have simply skirted these mighty granite bulges to get from point A to point B. Rock Circuit Trail (Middlesex Fells Reservation, MA) Posted on August 21, 2013 by Andrew Wojtanik. A paved bike path along the banks of the Mystic River. Length 2.7 miElevation gain 377 ftRoute type Loop But it did not take long to discern that typical hiking pace (about two miles per hour) does not apply here. Find Hemlock Pool in the Middlesex Fells (southwest of MWRA Reservoir). It is almost entirely singletrack, with several sections more closely resembling rock-climbing than trails. Perhaps visit in the spring to make the short trip worthwhile. 8.2mi Show 1 More Check-Ins Feb 19, 2018 Mona Sangesland. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Save up to 70% Off Best-Selling Outdoor Gear & Apparel at Backcountry's Massive Holiday Sale! More info The Cascade Ha! Rock Circuit: Melrose Rock, Black Rock, and Pinnacle Rock is a 4.2 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Medford, Massachusetts that features a lake and is rated as moderate. But the original trailblazers, with white spray paint at hand, clearly had a twisted sense of humor…. See the map here: Get a free paper map when you join Friends of the Fells with paid membership. I was on the Rock Circuit trail two weeks ago and saw the same fire damage. The highlight of the day will be Pinnacle Rock. Sophie, Robert Jacobs, Kristin Kuhn, Alex Vandiver, and I hiked the Rock Circuit Trail. Length: 5.0 miles RT (shortened) Elevation gain: negligible. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Location: 42.444992, -71.091835. At one point in my hike, I found myself off the trail—having veered onto what in hindsight I discerned to be Wyoming Path—but fortunately the “new” trail wounds its way meeting back up with Rock Circuit after about ¼ mile. For now, take the southern route (to the left). Urban hiking at it’s best! Maybe we should do it together sometime. Don’t let this trail’s relative … The small parking areas are always open. ... Descriptions of Middlesex Fells plants and animals … There was a fire in the Breakheart Reservation a few weeks ago as well which was not a controlled burn either. Mystic Basin Bike Path, Medford MA. On the beautiful Sunday afternoon that I visited, I had the entire rock to myself. Caveats aside, for a trail within striking distance of a bustling metropolis, this is really the cream of the crop. The trail is marked one way (beginning at the Recreation Headquarters) for use with the self-guided trail brochure, describing 150 years of water powered industry. At the gravel road, turn right, then a quick left to again catch the narrow but signposted Rock Circuit path. Back at the Cross Fells Path, continue right as the trail gently climbs up into the fells. Just a few minutes of walking brings you to a couple boulders just off the trail to the left. This is, in fact, a more popular alternative trailhead than Goodyear Avenue—but harder to get to on a weekend without a car (as buses run less frequently). At Shiner Pool, the trail finally crosses Hemlock Pool Road. 8) Boojum Rock, Middlesex Fells, Malden. Virginia Wood Trail connects to the Rock Circuit Trail. A helpful reminder, however, is to note that the Rock Circuit Trail is located at the top of a hill (not unusual for the 4.2-mile loop). I only completed half of the full circuit in about 45 minutes. Hi Andrew. Alternate Routes . Nice views of the Boston skyline. At one of the several granite slabs, enjoy a sneak peek of Wright’s Park (owned by the city of Medford) down below—where one can make out, with a bit of effort, Wright’s Pond. In some places, the white blazes marking the route simply lead directly up the jagged fells. The Rock Circuit Trail is a 4 mile loop on the less-used eastern side of the Fells that features a waterfall and some of the best views the Fells have to offer. We would not recommend bringing a dog. At 0.1 mile, the Cross Fells merges with East Path, after which the trail cuts west and climbs more steeply toward the Rock Circuit Trail. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. Approaching the rock from its shady “backside,” the trail actually skirts the edge of the rocky section to the west before ascending south under tree cover. For the entire 4.7-mile route—because of its confusing and heart-pounding nature—allot around 4-5 hours; less if you already know the area and/or have considerable experience with rock scrambling or bouldering. Overview. Backpacking the White Mountain 4000 Footers Guidebook, NEMO Tensor Alpine Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad Review, Foam Sleeping Pads vs Inflatable Pads on the Appalachian Trail, The Trans Adirondack Route Guidebook and Map Set, Western Mountaineering Versalite 10 Sleeping Bag Review, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad w/ WingLock Valve Review, 200g vs 400g Insulated Winter Hiking Boots: How to Choose, What are the Differences Between Men’s and Women’s Sleeping Bags, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest Backpack, Sea-to-Summit Etherlite XT Ins. Return the way you came. The rest of my hike continued to be quite rugged and I got lost as usual towards the end and had to bushwhack to the road to get back to my car. Many trails criss-cross the Middlesex Fells Reservation and offer a wide variety of scenery, distance, and difficulty. Explore more in our professional, high quality trail guides and outdoor reviews. Among the chosen destinations is the Cross Fells Trail in our very own Middlesex Fells Reservation! The climbing up and down off rocks shocked us! It is really easy to lose the trail unless you are very attentive. The WHITE blazes mark the Rock Circuit Trail loop. Show all ... Head a few hundred feet in before taking the first left on the black rock trails path (a wider trail), marked in white. Find your next trail with the descriptions below. Lots and lots of stumbling all around – certainly on the Rock Circuit Trail! Rock Circuit Trail (East) is a 1.7 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Melrose, Massachusetts that features a great forest setting and is rated as moderate. In fact, this mostly-forested Rock Circuit Trail is purposely designed—or so it seems—to seek out and conquer every single steep, rocky crag in Middlesex Fells. The Rock Circuit Trail is a 4-mile loop on the less-used eastern side of the Fells that features a waterfall and some of the best views the Fells have to offer. Hi there! By: gemutlichkeit . The trail is rated as moderate and offers a number of activity options. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until November. 1. Don’t let this trail’s relative height (just around 300’ at its peak) and proximity to a major city fool you: this 4.7 mile circuit (4.2 mi. See also the photos from my previous hike at the Fells in May here . Find where Hemlock Pool Path intersects with Rock Circuit Trail. Second, when in doubt where the trail is heading, it is probably a safe bet to assume that it is heading for the nearest granite outcropping. The Rock Circuit trail makes a small loop around the MWRA reservoir in the Eastern Fells. Middlesex Fells - Rock Circuit Trail (June 20) Each of the West and the East Sides of Middlesex Fells has one moderately challenging Trail, both with White Blazes and both offering much scrambling over rocks. Trailforks ranks trails with a combination of user ratings and raw trail usage data from rides. This multi-use trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating with a 32 ft blue climb. Middlesex Fells Reservation 4 Woodland Rd. pack they become extra treacherous. It is the yin to White Rock’s yang—Black Rock. Blazed in white, this is a loop trail that can be done in either direction from a variety of starting points. 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