Cape Ann vacation

I recently took a short vacation with my wife up to Gloucester.  We really didn't have a game plan and hadn't planned on any hiking. However, because going to the beach is the most boring activity in the whole world!!, we decided to check out a few places to go exploring.

The first place we checked out was Ravenswood Park in Gloucester.  With a few wrong turns (Damn Apple Maps!), we arrived at the parking area.  After searching the car for my bug spray ( which was mysteriously missing), we grabbed a map and headed into the woods.  About 100 yards in, the notorious GreenHead Fly, welcomed us! Though annoying, they weren't too bad (yet), and we pressed on.  We decided to take the "Ledge Hill Trail" up to a vista spot that looked over Gloucester harbor.

After reaching the top of Ledge Hill, we tried to take in the view, however at this point, we were under a constant barrage of kamikazing flys and Mosquitos. So with a quick double time step, we descended the hill, and found a connecting trail leading us out of the EEE/West Nile infested Jungle and back to the parking area.  

Our short "trot" in the woods was probably just a little over a mile, and what we did get to experience, was a rather nice area!  We both concluded that we would need to come back and check out the rest of the park (WITH BUG SPRAY!!!) Now it was on to a plate of fried clams! (Or so I thought).......

On our way to Woodmans, we took a quick detour to Rockport and its Halibut Points State Park.  Now at this point, I was a starving, a little cranky, and all I could think of, was a plate of deep fried whole bellied clams covered in tartar sauce.  

Now we had both been to Halibut point before, and being tired and hungry, I was content with bypassing the park.  However, my better half insisted that we hadn't been and should check it out since we were in the area.  With my stomach grumbling, I obliged, and off we went.  

Halibut points property is on the ocean, has a large old quarry, and an old WWII tower overlooking everything.   There are also many trails that traverse the entire property.  We stuck to the quarry loop trail that starts and ends at the tower.

About half way around the quarry there is a turn off that took us out to the ocean.  From here there are other trails that branch off, however we returned to the quarry loop.

After finishing the loop, my wife says" I guess you were right, we have been here before"!  Tired, hungry, drenched in sweat, and riddled with bug bites, I did what any man (well a smart man anyways!!) would do and just smiled back at her.  We headed back to the car and finally towards Woodmans, and after a long morning of adventure, the clams and cold beer were oh so good!!!

Rocky Woods Reservation

It was 95 degrees with 100% humidity, my girls were at the beach (I HATE THE BEACH!), it was a perfect day for a hike!!

I ventured out to Medfields Rocky Woods  Reservation which is a place that I have never been to before.  Upon arrival I paid a small $4 fee to the ranger (used for reservation upkeep) and grabbed myself a map.  I determined my route, and away I went!! Right from the beginning, I noticed how well maintained the trails were.  The trails were fairly wide with no overgrowth (keeping the ticks at bay!). I was also impressed with the trail signage and trail intersection markings (I could clearly see where my $4 was going).  

I picked a route that would take me through the differing terrains of the park.  The first part, was the loop trail to Echo lake.  Echo lake had a nice boardwalk bridge that crossed right over the middle. 

Unfortunately, the other side of the bridge was under a few feet of water, so I was forced to take a wider loop around the lake.  Before I continued around the lake, I watched the many "death from below" Bass strikes on the unsuspecting flies.  This little lake seemed like a Bass fishermans dream, I'll definitely have to come back and try my luck!

Continuing around the lake, I came out to where I would have, if I had made a swim for it!  This was the first major trail intersection I had come across, and it was both numbered and labeled with the trail names, and on top of that, there was a small kiosk with a map of the reservation! I don't think you could get lost here if you tried! 

I chose to continue on the ridge trail, which passed a small pond and travelled back and forth between new growth and old growth pine forests (think of the smell of a christmas tree lot!).  Eventually I came out to the "Tower" trail where I made my ascend of Cedar hill.

This was my stop for lunch.  Though the temps were still smoldering in the high 90's, there was a nice breeze at the top of hill that had a nice psychological cooling effect!  After lunch, I descended on the Cedar hill trail and back towards the parking area.  Along the way I passed Chickering Pond which is the largest body of water on the property.  Again it looked like a primo spot for Bass!

After rounding Chickering Pond, I caught the trail back to the parking area.  Guesstimating, by looking at the map, I would say the hike was approx 3.5 miles.    

All-in-all this place was an awesome hike!  I love the places that offer it all in a small package!  From ponds and swampland to to an elevated peak ( with great views!), I was able to sample it all in a reveltivly easy hike!