| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
None , MA |
|
 | Trails: |
Bay Circuit Trail, road walk |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, November 10, 2024 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at St Augustines Cemetery as I did for my redline on 11/3 as well. Small place to pull off. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I do not recall much in the way of blowdowns. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
Usual BCT blazes.
1st redline of the day was of Section 5 of the BCT. Just for completeness’ sake, I started at St. Augustines Cemetery where the BCT crosses Lupine Rd even though the section between here and the south end of Indian Ridge Reservation isn’t described in the guidebook. As is often the case with the BCT, parts of it were not terribly well marked and the guidebook’s description did not match that of the online map, which did not match the online trail description on the BCT website. The latter was the correct one this time around. The tricky/ambiguous part was along the Merrimack river heading towards Lowell. Best I could tell, stay left in St. Mary’s cemetery and go toward what looks like a gated off area but isn’t to find the dirt path that leads to the river. Turn left along the river and follow it about a 1/4mi till the path basically ends (even though it shows a trail continuing). Turn left onto Burnham Rd, then IMMEDIATELY turn right onto River Rd. Follow River Rd for 1/3mi before bearing left onto Raven Rd which you follow to Rt 133. From there, I think the guidebook’s directions are correct but the fact it never even mentions Raven Rd is concerning. Markings occasionally popped up through this section.
At the end of this section of the BCT, I then began a very long (9mi) road walk back to my car. I followed Chestnut St for 0.2ki —> right onto Nesmith St/Rt 110/38 for 0.1mi —> Rt 133 for several miles —> right onto Cutler Rd —> Reservation Rd —> Lupine Rd back to car. Trails were pretty dry. Gaia had me at 17mi, 750ft of gain, 5hr43min for the BCT part. Add about 9mi for the road walk back. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2024-12-03 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
