| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Billerica Gap - South Half, MA |
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 | Trails: |
Bay CIrcuit Trail Map 5A |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, December 12, 2009 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of free parking at Billerica High.
For my East Billerica fill-in hike, I parked in the circle at the end of Donna Drive, which seems legal. Warning: the first part of the right-of-way is private property, posted against trespassing by the owner of the last house on the south side of Donna Drive. Fortunately, he was in his yard and gave me permission. He doesn't mind walkers, just ATVs. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Breakable Crust, Mud, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
The RR bridge that used to span the little stream just south of Concord Rd. ("Silver Stream"?) is gone, but you can reach the south side through the grounds of the apartment complex just to the west. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
From Billerica High School to Orchard St., the Proposed Trail follows an old RR bed. South of Concord Rd., there were some marshy sections that would been messy if they hadn't been mostly frozen.
The utility right-of-way path south from Donna Drive ends in marshes just south of the commuter rail tracks. Walk east on the tracks to Gray St. - a road-walk of just .18 mile will take you to the start of the Middlesex Canal segment. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
I hiked the Proposed Trail from the High School south to Orchard Street, where I met Art Smith, the TMAC supervisor for Region 3. He gave me a guided tour of the BCT segment through Middlesex Community College in Bedford, which opened under his supervision earlier this year. He then gave me a ride back to the High School. Thanks, Art!
I then filled in the gap I left last week from the power-line right-of-way at the end of Donna Drive in East Billerica, south to Gray St., near the east end of the Middlesex Canal tow-path segment. That added two miles and brought my total for the day to 8.2 miles.
We completers of Map 5A are a much more select fraternity than, say, the completers of the NE3Ks. I think there are just three of us - Dubious Achievement Department. |
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 | Name: |
Amicus |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2009-12-14 |
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 | Link: |
 https://amicus.smugmug.com/Hiking/2009/BCT-42-Billerica-Gap-o-12-12/10624455_7T7S5#738926268_UiiFU |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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