Disclaimer and Cautions: The Bay Circuit Alliance, as the advocate and promoter of the Bay Circuit Trail, expressly disclaims responsibility for injuries or damages that may arise from using the trail. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of maps or completeness of warnings about hazards that may exist. Portions of the trail are along roads or train tracks and involve crossing them. Users should pay attention to traffic and walk on the shoulder of roads facing traffic, not on the pavement, cross only at designated locations and use extreme care. Children and pets need to be closely monitored and under control. 0.3 Left at trail jct (water tower on summit can trail from Bradley Palmer SP and the be seen thru trees; take side trail to right to Discover Hamilton Trail comes in from left summit for limited view down service road (this connector trail leads 0.5 mi to clearing); start descent to the east. Topsfield Rd; parking available on 0.5 Halfway down turn right up hill again; Topsfield Rd at trail crossing) Many side Map 2 - Rowley, Ipswich, Hamilton, follow blazes to old rd. Right; then quick trails enter the next stretch; from #6 follow Topsfield, Georgetown, Boxford - BAY left (rutted wet areas due to ATV use in this blazes and go straight at #48, #47, #7, #8, area). and #9.Left at jct #10. Right at jct #11 off CIRCUIT TRAIL route 1.0 Cross Dow Brook, then cross under power woods rd and proceed across swampy area, (as shown on map 2 dated May 2014) line; turn right. Continue on trail to Ipswich trail changes from woods road to single (text updated May 2014) Club Homes Assoc land (conservation track. restriction), then into Linebrook Woods 5.8 Jct #12. Right to boardwalk across The BCT often follows pre-existing local trails; Conservation Area. Cross 3 new Howlett Brook. At East Street, turn right BCT-specific blazing is a work in progress and equestrian/foot bridges built by Essex and follow for 100 ft to Rte 1, Newburyport may be sparse in segments. We encourage you County Trails Assoc, and follow trail thru Turnpike. to review and carry corresponding local maps fields and past a kiosk to Linebrook Rd. on your BCT walk. D N42 40.146 W70 55.576 Trail Notices regarding trail problems and B N42 41.110 W70 53.816 6.2 East St at Rte 1 crossing (P=4) (CAUTION: closures are posted on the website at 2.5 Willowdale State Forest parking area heavy traffic; although trail continues www.baycircuit.org under the Explore tab. (P=8). Tr jcts in this eastern part of directly across the highway it is safer to Please review them for updates to the trail Willowdale State Forest are numbered. proceed left to top of hill and cross there, guide and maps. BCT mainly follows wide woods roads, then return along other side of Rte 1) easy walking. Enter the Hood Pond section of (North to South) PROSPECT HILL in Enter Willowdale State Forest thru forest Willowdale State Forest. ROWLEY to MIDDLETON RD in BOXFORD gate, parallel field to woods. Turn right after passing field and at #24 turn left. E N42 40.117 W70 56.065 A N42 42.544 W70 53.478 Straight at #4. Bear right at #5 and 6.8 Cross Old Right Rd, right at #64, straight at 0.0 Prospect Hill trailhead is on south side of continue to junction at #6. #65, then right at #66 onto side tr and down Rte 133, 0.5 m west of jct Rte 1A (P=5). steep hill. Cross footbridge. Proceed on dirt rd thru gate, past rd on right C N42 40.007 W70 54.318 7.6 Right onto Linebrook Rd for 200 ft, then that ascends to summit. Follow white 4.4 Jct #6. Right at this major intersection. before reaching Boxford Rd (Ipswich) turn blazes. (See map point N for description of the left into woods. Cross second footbridge, 0.2 Right at field, ascend to Prospect Hill alternative east/west route to this major and 0.2 mi to Boxford Rd. summit. intersection) Note: white blazed connector
Map 2 May 2014 1 F N42 40.316 W70 57.033 Rowley Rd and Camelot Rd. Turn left on Round Top Park, left back onto Round 8.0 Boxford Rd in Ipswich. (Just before Rowley Rd, right onto Rte. 97, cross I-95 Top Rd, and proceed southeast through crossing Boxford Rd, left on side trail 0.12 bridge, continue 0.5 miles to Kelsey Rd., intersection (3-way intersection with all 3 mi to a scenic panoramic view of Hood and turn left to resume following the BCT. legs named Round Top Rd), then right Pond) Follow esker, right onto another Temporary route is 2.1 miles. onto Campground Rd, and left onto esker, then down toward Boxford Rd in Chapman Way. Enter woods at end of Rowley. Now in Georgetown-Rowley If able to cross the Mill River, follow trail paved section of Chapman Way. Cross State Forest . to intersections #28, #26, #27 and #22. At footbridge over Lowe's Pond inlet #22, turn left and follow the woods road to (CAUTION: Sometimes this part is 9.5 Right onto Boxford Rd briefly; cross and bridge crossing Rte. 95. flooded by beavers ) go left uphill into woods. Go right, 15.1 Right on Boren Lane and in 150 ft, turn descend esker to cross Mill River on a G N42 42.171 W70 57.992 left across the grass (between # 41 and 45 causeway and open ford. 11.1 Cross bridge over I-95 (Pingree Farm Boren Lane) and enter Chapman Woods. service road). Bear left at fork in woods Follow antique woods rd (Chapman Way) CAUTION: as of Spring 2014, Mill River rd. to emerge at cemetery on left, down gravel levels have gone down from those 11.8 Entrance to Georgetown-Rowley State driveway to the end where it meets associated with previous beaver related Forest (P=10) at end of Pingree Farm Rd Georgetown Rd. flooding. It is possible to cross the from Rte 97. Immediate sharp left after 15.8 Left onto Georgetown Rd (becomes Elm causeway and open ford in times of low passing metal gate, continue on woods rd, St); at intersection of Depot Rd (east) and water using caution and at your own risk. then right at T jct. Middleton Rd (west) to Boxford Center. Some rock hopping or balancing on a 13.2 Leave Georgetown-Rowley State Forest, plank may be required. go right on King Edwards Ct, and left on K N42 39.754 W70 59.864 King George Dr. 16.0 Boxford Center . Boxford Bay Circuit If the Mill River is impassable, there is a Trail map & Boxford Community Store on temporary blazed alternate route H N42 41.218 W70 58.965 right (food, restroom, parking (P=25+) bypassing the crossing and all of the 13.7 Cross Rte 97 onto Kelsey Rd. (Temporary available) primary BCT route through Georgetown- route joins here) 16.1 Left onto Topsfield Rd. In 0.4 mi turn Rowley SF: At trail intersection #84 (at 13.9 200 ft past intersection with Trask Rd, turn right onto Cahoon Rd for 0.15 mi; then 9.5 miles) turn left on Boxford Rd. left onto RR bed under power line; after right into Boy Scout Park (P=25+). Pass Proceed south into Boxford, taking a left 200 feet, turn right across ditch and up to left of playground, enter woods back into the woods across from 62 embankment onto BCT bearing right on southwest corner of parking lot by Rowley Rd. Right at the next trail blazed tr thru woods and parallel to Kelsey following service drive. Turn sharp left at intersection, passing through open area on Rd. field with pavilion and pass through a woods road. Left on woods road near the 14.0 Left onto Hemlock Rd and follow curve campfire circle. Follow blazes to exit main Cleaveland Farm gate. After a short right; after 0.3 mi ,turn right onto Ipswich between 2 houses onto Dana Rd. (Note: if distance, right on a trail which parallels Rd for 300 f t, then left onto Round Top Boy Scouts are using park, bypass the Rowley Rd. and leads to the intersection of Rd to house #18. Right for short trail thru park via Dana Rd)
Map 2 May 2014 2 entered. Go 0.5 mi., past one tr on right to L N42 38.712 W70 59.337 Currently this section of the trail starts at Cutler Rd. 17.1 Right onto Dana Rd, then go thru the cul- Appleton Farms and joins the Bay Circuit Trail de-sac and bear left onto the Dana Rd from Plum Island in Willowdale State Forest. P N42 38.005 W70 51.920 extension Plans are underway to connect the trail from 2.7 Cross Cutler Rd to trail entrance in the 17.2 At break in stone wall, right onto path to Appleton Farms to Crane Beach. Nearest Harvard Forest . Portions of the trail enter Lockwood Forest, proceed to Fish parking for beginning of current trail is located overlay the Discover Hamilton Trail. Go Brook, then bear left. With Fish Brook on 0.3 mi north of the Rte 1A trailhead off 0.1 mi. to tr bridge over Black Brook. Enter right, in 0.2 mi enter field, proceed along Waldingfield Rd. Coming north on Rte 1A, left Essex County Greenbelt's Pingree right edge; re-enter woods directly across on Waldingfied Rd, and first left to enter the Reservation . Cross bridge, bear left up field from where you entered the field. driveway for the parking area (P=20). From onto esker then right down to 4-way tr jct. Shortly, cross a stone retaining wall, bear the parking lot, you can either follow Rte 1A Right at tr jct. Left up hill. Right at horse right, pass old mill site on the right (note: south to the Rte 1A trailhead or follow the fence. Follow tr downhill and parallel to horses not allowed along Fish Brook dam Appleton Farms trail south from the parking horse track. Keep left. When tr meets site trail) lot, intersect with the Bay Circuit Trail, and driveway on left, right and follow driveway 17.8 Right onto Lockwood Lane for 400 ft turn right. This trail section is marked with to Highland Road. crossing 2 bridges. Resume tr on left white blazes. (south) side of the street. Walk around the R N42 38.206 W70 53.135 gate and follow the tr along the west bank N N42 39.123 W70 50.627 4.3 Cross Highland Rd, and right on bridle path of Fish Brook. Continue straight at 4 way 0.0 Enter Appleton Farms (dogs and bikes paralleling Highland Rd. Cross driveway, woods rd jct, bear right at fork, to stay on prohibited) on private driveway off Rte 1A. continue on bridle path paralleling marked main trail up a hill, thru a wet Follow old dirt road around Patch Field to Highland Rd and over bridge connecting to spot, up a small hill past a kiosk (with Carriage Barn and The Trustees of Bradley Palmer State Park. BCT map) to Middleton Rd. Reservations office area. Cross RR bridge 4.5 Enter Bradley Palmer State Park on tr left. and follow horse and walking trails along Intersection numbers are on DCR posts. M N42 38.408 W70 59.447 the Great Pasture. At cut thru of stone wall, Bear left at 68, straight through 75, 71, 72 18.5 Cross Middleton Rd. Enter Bald Hill leave Appleton Farms . to park service rd. Reservation at steel gate (P=8), where 1.5 Appleton Farms Grass Rides (horses 5.4 Straight across service rd to tr. At major jct map of reservation is posted. prohibited). Continue straight to offset trail of six trails with town boundary marker go junction (right 0.2 mi to parking on right. Straight through 55, 56, 40 to (Continued on Map 3) Highland St) and cross thru junction, pass steeplechase course and open field. two more trail junctions, turn right on Take left on trail going uphill into the descending trail, and cross over a small woods at 39. Bear right at 38, then straight (East to West ) APPLETON FARMS and stone bridge. Follow trail to Round Point through 35 and 30 to Moon Hill field. APPLETON FARMS GRASS RIDES, granite monument. Bear left at field and follow edge of field. HAMILTON; to WILLOWDALE STATE 2.2 Six trails converge at the monument. Leave Right at 31 to summit of Moon Hill, then FOREST TRAIL JUNCTION, IPSWICH by the trail opposite from where you down to 27 and left along edge of field.
Map 2 May 2014 3 Right at 26. At bottom go straight across Reservoir where the BCT crosses one end of it. Georgetown-Rowley State Forest (DCR; open area and continue straight down tr 1,112 acres) - Split by I-95, but a footbridge through 5 and 3 to Ipswich River. Cross connects the two sides and carries the BCT over footbridge to Topsfield Rd Willowdale State Forest--Pine Swamp the highway. Certain trails are open to ORV’s Section (DCR; 2400 acres) - beautiful forest, and snowmobiles, including part of the BCT. S N42 39.629 W70 54.169 eskers and wetlands, criss-crossed by numerous Impressive eskers near the eastern edge. Map 7.0 Topsfield Rd. Parking available at trail old carriage roads and trails. Getting lost is available at BPSP hq and online crossing on shoulders and to west, an open easy, but tr jcts have recently been marked with www.mass.gov/dcr Click on “trails” and in area along the north side of rd, (but do not numbers. Map in 20141 edition of BC Guide to BTA/BOLT guidebook to Boxford trails block service rd gate). Cross Topsfield Rd Walks in and around Ipswich shows numbers. Harlan P. Kelsey Arboretum (Horticultural and go 0.5 mi. straight on past several trails Map online www.mass.gov/dcr Click on Society of Boxford; 4.2 acres) - protected to well-marked jct #6. “trails”. BCT thru Willow-dale is described in remnant of a 500 acre nursery with many plants BTA/BOLT and in Ipswich guides. The BCT 3- brought from No.Carolina. Paths thru former C N42 40.007 W70 54.318 way junction where the Hamilton branch and show garden. Visitor center and parking to be 7.5 Bay Circuit 3-way jct in Willowdale State the Rowley/Newburyport branch meet is in the developed. P along Hemlock Rd (on BCT) Forest eastern section (see map 2 point C center of the Pine Swamp section and is labeled on this section of trail). Turn right to head with trail signs. A favorite area of equestrians. Chapman Lane - Beautiful views; enjoy this to Plum Island, and left to head to Kingston Bicyclists should use caution. old cart lane to the center of Boxford. Part of Bay.) Willowdale State Forest--Hood Pond Section the Lane has been permanently protected by a
(DCR; 2400 acres) - Some of the most BTA/BOLT land purchase
spectacular glacial eskers on the BCT, as well Boxford Historic District - BCT passes thru; Map 2 - Rowley, Ipswich, Hamilton, as numerous kettle holes and vernal pools. many fine old buildings, described in Topsfield, Georgetown, Boxford - From Linebrook Rd at Hood Pond to Rowley BTA/BOLT guidebook to Boxford trails THE JEWELS Rd the BCT runs mostly on top of an esker, Lockwood Forest - BCT goes thru the very steep at points Prospect Hill (DCR; 90 acres) - This parcel, Lockwood/Moore estate conservation land and including the summit of Prospect Hill, was Cleaveland Farm State Forest (DCR) - over private land protected by a conservation acquired by the state in 1995 with the help of Acquired in 1997 with help from the former restriction. Views of the pond on Fish Brook, the BCA and others. It is a glacial drumlin owners (the Haynes family), BTA/BOLT, rhododendrons and azaleas. Respect owners' rising 267’ above sea level, providing a limited Boxford Conservation Fund, and Essex privacy by keeping to south side of field near view from Cape Ann to the Isles of Shoals in Country Greenbelt. Contains many eskers and pond. Historic forge and mill sites NH and Mt. Agamenticus in Maine. BCT wetlands and helps protect a fragile Appleton Farms Grass Rides and Appleton passes over the summit. environment. BCT runs along the northern edge Farms , Ipswich (TTOR; 917 acres) - wide for a short distance. Trail map is included in the Ipswich Town and Water Dept. Lands - vistas and many broad formal trails, originally new edition of the Boxford Bay Circuit Forested lands behind Dow Brook and Bull intended for equestrians and horse-drawn guidebook. Also on DCR Willowdale map. Brook Reservoirs make a very pleasant area for carriages (horses and dogs banned from various walking. Good view down Bull Brook areas. Check TTOR website for rules and more
Map 2 May 2014 4 info). Detour off the BCT up the hill to the Map available free at park hq and online: north edge of the property and an extensive www.mass.gov/dcr Click on “trails”. Trails are view over Appleton Farms, in continuous also shown on Discover Hamilton trail map and Map 2 - Rowley, Ipswich, Hamilton, cultivation since the 1600’s. It will be BC Guide to Walks in Ipswich . 978-887-5931 Topsfield, Georgetown and Boxford - continued as a working farm. A master use plan Ipswich River - wonderful flat-water canoeing. FOR MORE INFORMATION is being drawn. It is easy to get lost in the Grass The IRWA publishes an excellent canoeing map Rides. Follow the red TTOR disks that mark and occasionally leads canoe trips. Canoes can Trail marking: BCT is marked with dollar-bill the BCT/Discover Hamilton Trail here, or be rented at Audubon’s Ipswich Sanctuary and sized white blazes everywhere except in obtain the detailed map for sale by TTOR. from Foote Brothers on Topsfield Rd Appleton Farm Grass Rides. When you get to the monument (the setting will Trail uses: BCT and other trails are generally surprise you), note on which trail you entered Willowdale Mill (Essex County Greenbelt) - at open to all non-motorized uses and closed to all the clearing. The BCT continues on the trail the north-east corner of Bradley Palmer on motorized uses with a few exceptions. Horses directly opposite. Popular for cross-country Winthrop St; can be reached from BCT by a are not permitted in Appleton Farms Grass skiing, but the small parking area is often full lovely trail along the Ipswich River Rides nor on some trails in Ipswich River on weekends; cars parked along Cutler Rd will downstream from the footbridge where the Wildlife Sanctuary at certain times. Dogs be towed. Try parking at Bradley Palmer S.F. BCT crosses prohibited in Ipswich River Sanctuary. A and skiing or walking BCT to Grass Rides and Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary recent change in DCR policy has prohibited back (Massachusetts Audubon; 2,267 acres) - 10 ATV use in Georgetown-Rowley SF. Harvard Forest in Hamilton - Harvard miles of trails, including esker trail overlooking Snowmobiles permitted on certain trails in University owns a tract on both sides of the Wenham Swamp and an incredible rock garden. Bradley Palmer SP and Georgetown-Rowley MBTA rail line; contains some unusual tree Canoes for rent in summer; limited camping on SF. See DCR maps for details. Most trails are species. For more details see the Discover islands by prior arrangement. Courses and suitable for cross-country skiing. Most are open Hamilton trail guide available from the birding walks offered for adults and children. to mountain bikes, but the glacial eskers are Hamilton Conservation Commission. The BCT Trail map available for loan or purchase. Small fragile. Bike with care with the land in mind. passes through a small corner of this forest admission fee for non-members. Closed Equestrians are frequent on most, and mountain Mondays. Horses, dogs, bicycling prohibited. bikers in particular need to be careful not to Pingree Reservation (Essex County Greenbelt) Access from Perkins Row, off Rte 97 south of frighten the horses. - acquired recently as a gift from the Pingree Rte 1 jct 978-887-9264 family. It is an important part of the protection
Map 2 May 2014 5 www.btabolt.org for current sources and prices. 978-887-7031 Ipswich Bay Circuit Trail Committee has • The Bay Circuit Guide to Walks in and Local trail and land/water protection been instrumental in establishing BCT from around Ipswich , (Ipswich BCT Committee) organizations Rowley thru Willowdale SF, now working to includes a detailed guide to the BCT from Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation extend Hamilton branch of BCT to Crane Prospect Hill, Rowley to Rowley Rd in (DCR) administers Bradley Palmer SP, Beach. New members welcome. Meet 2nd Boxford between Willowdale S.F. and Willowdale, Georgetown-Rowley, Cleaveland Tuesday at Town Hall in Historical Georgetown-Rowley S.F. Available at many Farm and Boxford SF, and Prospect Hill. Commission office at 7:30 locations including town clerk's office, Headquarters are in the northern part of Bradley library, stores Palmer SP, off Asbury St, 978-887-5931 Rowley Bay Circuit Committee was created • Discover Hamilton Trail map and trail www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails.htm in 1986 to encourage inclusion of Rowley's description (Ham.Cons.Com). Free at open space in the BC greenway. They are now Hamilton Town Hall on Rt. 1A (577 Bay Rd) The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) , the working on closing BCT gap between Newbury • Trail maps of Appleton Farms and Grass country's oldest land trust with 111 outstanding and Rowley. Rides and of Crane Beach & Wildlife reservations and conserve 45,000 acres in Refuge on TTOR website: Massachusetts, including 6 thru which BCT Hamilton Conservation Commission www.thetrustees.org passes; own Appleton Farms Grass Rides and developed “Discover Hamilton Trail,” part of • Essex Country Greenbelt sells a guidebook the Crane properties in Ipswich. Quarterly which coincides with BCT of their properties online: www.ecga.org newsletter to members. www.thetrustees.org • Bradley Palmer, Willowdale, Georgetown- Horticultural Society of Boxford , working to Rowley, Cleaveland Farm, Boxford SF, Essex County Greenbelt Assn own or hold protect and improve the Harlan P. Kelsey Prospect Hill (DCR) Maps available at conservation restrictions on many properties, Arboretum. POBox 142, Boxford 01921 headquarters; some also online particularly wetlands. BCT passes through www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails.htm. Pingree Reservation. Monthly hikes. Massachusetts Audubon protects the Ipswich • Ipswich River canoeing map sold online: www.ecga.org Quarterly newsletter. 978-768- River Sanctuary and 44 other properties. They ipswichriver.org 7241 offer classes and walks for adults and children. • Maps online at Essex County Trails Assn Beautiful bi-monthly magazine and reduced www.ectaonline.org Boxford Trails Assn/Boxford Open Land admission fees for members 1-800- Trust (BTA/BOLT) has been a prime mover AUDUBON www.massaudubon.org Maps • Massachusetts Audubon maps online and steward of the BCT and other trails in online. www.massaudubon.org. Maps online. Boxford and surrounding towns. The group • Pingree Reservation. Map online at Essex owns or holds conservation restrictions on Ipswich River Watershed Assn (IRWA) County Greenbelt Assn. www.ecga.org • several open spaces. Weekly hikes, 9:15 works to protect water quality and enhance Trustees of Reservations property maps for Tuesdays, annual equestrian events, quarterly recreational use of the Ipswich River and sale; order on-line. Some also online: newsletter. Office on second floor above tributaries. Organize occasional canoe trips and www.thetrustees.org Boxford Community Store (978-887-7031). events. Quarterly newsletter. 978-356-8939, Website at www.btabolt.org . ipswichriver.org
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Essex County Trail Assn (ECTA) - mostly BAY CIRCUIT ALLIANCE, INC equestrians, but also hikers and mountain E-Mail: [email protected] bikers. Maintain trails including Bradley Website: www.baycircuit.org Palmer SP and Pingree Reservation. Conduct rides and occasional hikes. Quarterly newsletter 978-526-4849
New England Mountain Bike Assn(NEMBA) sponsors many rides, including some in this area; help maintain trails in Boxford SF Monthly newsletter 800-576-3622
Charles River Wheelmen - very active group of bicyclists that lead rides of varying lengths throughout Bay Circuit area. Excellent website lists rides, other information, and membership info. www.crw.org
North Shore Bikeways Coalition promotes road and mountain biking, as well as development of bikeways, including proposed Border to Boston Bikeway, which might follow the abandoned rail line in Boxford and Topsfield. www.masspaths.org/bikeways/facguide/mapnpr io.htm
Greater Newbury's Friends Of Our Trails (FOOT) merged with the Coastal Trails Coalition. Info on the website: www.coastaltrails.org/j1/
Informal hiking group meets Wed. 9:30 am fall to spring, weather permitting, at Ipswich Town Wharf. For info phone 978-356-5823
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