Bluebird Hill, Stone Arch, and Russell Bird Sanctuary (Westford Conservation Trust)

Bluebird Hill, Stone Arch, and Russell Bird Sanctuary (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: ---o- Loop

Distance: 1.55 miles

Elevation: 79 feet

Time: 31 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

Okay now my actual probably last pre-band hike! I didn't have enough time for the usual Burns Hill Loop because it was Band O'Ween, but I knew there was a trail network near the school I hadn't checked out, so I drove over there and basically free-wandered! I entered the woods and came up to an open hill with a trail - turns out to be Bluebird Hill. I noticed vents along the hill, so I was thinking it used to be a dump, and the Westford Conservation Trust website includes this funny annecdote: 

"On your right, you will pass the old, capped dump, which residents used to call “Mt. Trashmore,” but at which a resident has erected a sign naming it “Bluebird Hill.” This caring individual has erected bluebird nesting boxes on the dump’s vent pipes and also around the edge of the hill. The birds have taken up residence and one can now observe vibrant bluebird pairs perching on the hill’s grass and weed stems. Also look for red fox hunting mice on the hill."

After descending "Mt. Trashmore," I turned right to rejoin the original path, which looked like an old road grade or pipe line, turns out to be an old rail bed. It was really lovely! The sun was shining through the trees with vast wetlands on the left and woods on the right. This hike already had more views than my Burns Hill Loop, but with that comes many more people (in fairness, I saw maybe 12 max, but still!). 

I came up to the Stone Arch bridge, which had a series of sketchy wooden stairs down to the base of it which offered a lovely view along the Stony Brook and beneath the bridge. From here, I turned around and then took the Bird Sanctuary trail, which was narrower and beautiful. It looped around a mini-peninsula that jutted into the wetlands, with lovely views through the trees. 

My return trip was quick and easy, passing some more people. I caught up to some slow walkers, so instead of following the Rail Trail back to the car, I went back up and over Bluebird Hill and just barely snuck in front of them. It was a lovely, easy, short hike!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike at Russell Bird Sanctuary parking area.

- At jct., turn right to climb over Bluebird Hill.

- At terminus, turn right onto Rail Trail.

- At Stone Arch Bridge, follow stairs down.

- Enjoy view, turn around and retrace steps.

- At jct., turn right onto Bird Sanctuary Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto Rail Trail.

- At jct., turn left to climb over Bluebird Hill.

- At terminus, turn left and return to car.

Stone Arch Trail Map

Photo Album