| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Ash Hill, Rocky Hill (Breakheart Reservation), MA |
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 | Trails: |
Fox Run Trail, Pearce Lake Trail, Saugus River - Fox Link, Saugus River Trail, Lodge Trail, Ridge Trail, Ash Path, Silver Lake Trail, Spruce Trail, Hemlock Road |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, March 20, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at the HQs on Forest St. Gated here so you can't drive down the roads further. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Fox Run Trail is blazed in orange, Pearce Lake Trail in blue with occasional surveyors tape guiding you along the beach, the link trail in yellow and orange I think, Saugus River Trail in yellow, Lodge Trail in red (faded), Ridge Trail in red (NOT white like the guidebook says), Silver Lake Trail in blue, and Ash Path I believe was blazed in purple. I don't recall frequency but I don't think any of the trails were difficult to follow with the possible exception of Pearce Lake Trail along the beach. Leaner/widow maker you might have to duck under about 10min into Fox Run Trail, old, large stepover blowdown at the jct of Fox Run Trail and Saugus River - Fox Link, and a bunch of blowdowns on Ridge Trail near its end on Spruce Trail I believe. I think all jcts were signed. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs are allowed. Not entirely sure but I think they need to be leashed in most areas. I saw that they have a "Barking Lot" where they are allowed to be off-leash though. Good trails for dogs. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Another nice post-work redline, and, for once, I had my act together and started at a reasonable time, had everything already mapped out, and got a lot done! My route: Fox Run Trail (south to north)--> clockwise loop around Pearce Lake Trail --> Fox Run Trail (north to south) --> Saugus River - Fox Link --> Saugus River Trail (south) --> OAB on Lodge Trail --> Saugus River Trail --> Pine Tops Rd --> Ridge Trail --> Ash Path (eastern jct north/counterclockwise to) --> Hemlock Rd (west) --> counterclockwise loop around Silver Lake Trail (with needed OAB to Flume Rd which is needed for redlining) --> Hemlock Rd (west) --> Ash Path (south/counterclockwise) --> Ridge Trail (west) --> Spruce Trail (east) --> Hemlock Rd and Pine Tops Rd south back to car. I don't recall ground conditions terribly well but I know there was at least some wetness and presumably some mud. Snow/ice is long melted here. Trails were easy to follow except for the possible exception of Pearce Lake Trail where it wasn't terribly well marked along the beach. That being said, there was some blue flagging around bushes that I think was put there to guide you along the shore. Cool ruins along Lodge Trail and nice views along Ridge Trail which had many more ups and downs than the other trails. Gaia had me at 9.8mi, 600ft of gain, 3hr14min. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-03-24 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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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