Mid-Northern Lawrence Woods Tracing (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Mid-Northern Lawrence Woods Tracing (Middlesex Fells Reservation)

Hike Type: Tracing Loop

Distance: 3.65 miles

Elevation: 322 feet

Time: 1 hour, 7 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Middlesex Fells Reservation Tracing, 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike 

Another day in the Fells! I'm chipping away at the Lawrence Woods section of the reservation, mostly becuase it's the closest section to school and it's the dark times. I was feeling proud of myself for getting out for a second day in a row! It was a WARM 47 degrees with sunny skies and almost no breeze. Trails were a bit muddy at times, but mostly fine. I started my hike by getting a small loop on the main side of the reservation before crossing South Border Road and digging back into the middle portion of the northern Lawrence Woods!

It felt so good to be outside (per usual), so good that I wasn't even annoyed at the wildly unfriendly hikers this park seems to attract. I followed the Cross-Fells Trail up Ram's Head Hill, which was 80% crushed needle ice (pretty satisfying to walk on). This stretch of trail had some old communication wires overhead for a portion - I guess to that pole or old foundation? 

I meandered my way over to the Mustang Trail/Whitmore Brook Road area and heard some commotion through the woods, it almost sounded like sports, which was confusing considering it was December 18th. I made it onto Whitmore Brook Road and followed it to the busy MA-38. The trail proper was nice! Kind of like a Burma Road in the Blue Hills, but less wild. I backtracked for a bit, following more old communication lines, and then continued up toward B5-5, which passed a narrow strip of wetlands.

Now I made my way over to the Mustang Trail, which brought me to Medford High School (the commotion WAS sports!). I walked along the back parking lot before dipping back into the woods (unsigned) and then hit another stretch of the Mustang Tram before making my return trip back on Ram's Head Road. I even passed a super chunky bunny!

My drive home reminded me (unfortunately) of why I'm medium-adverse to the Fells - it was LONG. Well over an hour. It hurt. Still glad I got out, though!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Cross-Fells Trail on South Border Road.

- Start hike on Cross-Fells Trail toward B5-15 and C5-13.

- At C5-13, turn right.

- At C5-14, turn right.

- At terminus, turn right.

- Cross South Border Road.

- Follow Cross-Fells Trail to Ram's Head Hill.

- At B5-13, turn right.

- At B5-12, turn right.

- At B5-11, turn left.

- At B6-2, turn right onto Cross-Fells trail..

- At B6-1, turn right, continuing on Cross-Fells Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Whitmore Brook Road/Cross-Fells Trail.

- At terminus, turn around.

- At previous junction, continue straight on Whitmore Brook Road.

- At B5-5, turn right.

- At B5-11, continue right.

- At B6-2, turn right onto Cross-Fells Trail.

- At B6-1, continue straight onto Mustang Loop Trail.

- At Medford High, follow parking lot left and reenter woods.

- Follow path back to B6-1.

- At B6-1, turn right onto Cross-Fells Trail.

- At B6-2, turn right to continue on Cross-Fells Trail.

- At B6-3, turn right onto Mustang Loop Trail.

- At B6-10, continue straight, leaving Mustang Loop Trail.

- At B6-11, turn left onto Ram's Head Road.

- Follow Ram's Head Road back to car.

Middlesex Fells Reservation Map

Photo Album