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!