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A Walk in The Middlesex-Fells Reservation: 19 July 2009

I live across the street from Totally Tanned in Medford, a small city that's part of the Boston metropolitan area. I can walk to the Red Line MBTA station in Davis Square in 20 minutes. But just two miles away is the Middlesex-Fells Reservation, a little-known forested area that includes parts of Medford, Stoneham, Malden, Winchester, and Melrose.  It includes reservoirs, hiking trails, look-out towers, a field for dogs to romp in--and a lot more. Look for it on the map of Massachusetts. This morning I walked the 6.9 miles Skyline Trail. Here's some of what I saw.

 
I followed the white blazes, like the ones on the Appalachian Trail. In places, the signage is ample.
 
Did glaciers furrow the granite of the summits?
 
Note to hikers: mid-July is great for berries
 
A blaze marks the way
 
Atop one summit is a labyrinth--for meditation, I suppose.
 
A lawn of moss
 
Sometimes the toppled tree is the one bearing the blaze.
 
This tree's roots are melded to the boulder
 
Indian pipes
 
Sassafras
 
In the end, it's the rock that endures.
 
The rocks are granodiorites
 
The forest is ever-changing
 
A typical view of the woods along the trail
 
Some of the other trails presumably afford more spectacular views of the several reservoirs.
 
Look for these between Little Pine Hill and Pine Hill.
 
The view from Winthrop Hill includes MDC headquarters.
 
Not all the ascents were like stairs
 
This open area called the Sheep Meadow is a gathering place for dogs
 
Some sections of the Skyline Trail include the bike path.
 
That's Boston in the far distance.
 
The best view is from Pine Hill,visible from Route 93.
 
At age 59, Rod Kessler is still going to blazes.
 
Comments? You come too?
COMMENTS
Wlk68 said at 5:56 p.m. on Jul 19, 2009:
Wow, I had no idea this trail was even there, just a stone's throw from Boston. Thanks for sharing.
Mpierce said at 8:11 p.m. on Jul 19, 2009:
Wow! Gorgeous photos! I, too, was surprised to learn about this gem of a place. Great view of 93 from Pine Hill.
Bo_bo_92 said at 8:24 p.m. on Jul 19, 2009:
Very nice little story and layout. Loved the color and texture
Jody95 said at 10:16 p.m. on Jul 19, 2009:
Nice legs!
Kate_in_NH said at 3:44 p.m. on Jul 20, 2009:
Granodiorites? Different from erratics, I presume. Interesting. Great pictures.
Coatlicue03 said at 10:51 p.m. on Aug 4, 2009:
I love the way you've composed this...almost like a poem.
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