Partial Rock Circuit Loop (Middlesex Fells Reservation)
Distance: 4.23 miles
Elevation: 505 feet
Elevation: 505 feet
Time: 1 hour, 26 minutes
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A
The Hike
"Man Versus The Sun" - that could be the title of this one. I had a couple hours to kill after work so I headed back to the Fells for the first time in a while to tackle the Rock Circuit Trail. I knew I would be cutting it close. I zoomed over after school and got started by crossing the busy Woodland Road. It was sunny, a bit breezy, and a warm 55 degrees.
Once in the woods, I followed the Cross-Fells Trail to E4-8, curving around the dried-up Shiner Pool and turning onto the Rock Citcuit Trail. The Braintree police department put out a public safety notice joking that if you even look at a leaf the wrong way, it'll catch fire, and that was apparent up here, too.
The Rock Circuit Trail joined a gravel road rounding another dry pool, passed over a dead mouse (RIP), and then crossed another gravel road that led to the Fells Reservoir. The trail neared an apartment complex and then turned further into the woods, where blazes were abundant.
At the first outcropping, I passed the terminus for the Crystal Spring Trail, and began to traverse up and down and up and down over many rock outcrops. There was an "almost-view" right before descending to cross the Fellsway East, and then ascends back up again toward Melrose Rock.
Melrose Rock provided a nice view. Notably, I could see a plume of smoke coming out of a nearby brush fire. A similar view from White Rock was up next, followed by a trickle of water heading down The Cascade. I wanted to investigate it further, but I was still racing against the setting sun.
There was another nice view from Black Rock, which included the ocean for the first time of the hike, followed by another view to some nearby athletic fields. The Rock Circuit Trail continued to wiggle up and down several more outcroppings, ultimately landing at the best view from Pinnacle Rock, overlooking Boston.
I quickly backtracked and then continued over the loop, acknowledging that I might be losing this race against the sun. I made it over Boojum Rock and the MIT Observatory site, but later dipped off onto Hemlock Pool Road. I do think I could have made it, but the dimming light was making following the trail difficult, and I knew I would be fine on a wider road/trail. My return trip was nice and easy, the Hemlock Pool was also fully dried up, and I arrived at the Woodland Road crossing with perfect timing - no cars in either direction!
Step-By-Step
- Park at Flynn Rink.
- Carefully cross Woodland Road.
- Start hike on blue-blazed Cross-Fells Trail/Woodland Path.
- At E4-8, turn left onto white-blazed Rock Circuit Trail.
- Follow loop clockwise.
- After MIT Observatory, when Rock Circuit Trail nears Hemlock Pool Road, cut through woods to Hemlock Pool Road.
- Turn left onto Hemlock Pool Road.
- At E4-13, turn right onto Woodland Path.
- Return to car.
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