Hemlock Pool & Middlesex Fells Reservoir Area (Middlesex Fells Reservation)
Hike Type: Tracing Loop
Distance: 4.75 miles
Elevation: 377 feet
Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026
The Hike
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I am convinced that all children are evil leprechauns becuase work was BAD today. I scooted over to the Fells before going to Christien's for a little stomp around. I landed around 3:15pm and temps were in the mid-40s with a chilly breeze but bright sunshine. Plan was to romp around the Rock Circuit Trail corridor hitting as many new trails as I could. I had shorts on with a long sleeve and fleece to start - it was feeling like a fall day!
I crossed Woodland Road and continued onto Woodland Path, which was expectedly wet. I was wishing I had a pair of gloves and my buff, but oh well! I maneuvered around a decent amount of sticks, twigs, branches, and the works after last night's wind storm, and there was a little flooded stretch near the Rock Circuit/E5-2 area, but nothing outrageous. I hiked the Hemlock Pool Path, first to Hemlock Pool, where I heard the beautiful call of Wood Frogs! Two guys were skipping rocks on the pool, which like, fine, but let the frogs croak in peace!
I took off my fleece and hiked towards Gate 53 and a little spur trail along a stream which REALLY smelled like spring (which I concluded is simply the smell of wet, formerly frozen, dirt). There was a little unmapped trail in this area that I followed for fun which passed a vernal pool and a very stoic female mallard.
I walked briefly along East Border Road and then went back into the woods for some more wandering, slowly making my way towards E4-4, which had a pond that was still slightly frozen! I also passed a group of about 13 preteen boys with 13 shih tzus? It was mystifying and terrifying, I got OUT of there fast!
I hiked the network of roads around Gate 35 and eventually made my way to the Fells Reservoir, passing at least 70 robins on the way and some animal that seems to have exploded (fur EVERYWHERE). I always thought the Fells Reservoir was like the ones on the Winchester/Medford side - closed to the public, but it was very clearly open to hiking as long as you stayed on the trails, and it was STUNNING.
I hiked along the reservoir for a little and then circled around the restricted area which had something burred underground, I'm guessing pumps and water storage and the works. I'm really looking forward to coming back! I made my way to F5-1, hit a few hanging chads around there, and then followed the Cross-Fells Trail all the way back to the car!
Step-by-Step
- Park at Flynn Rink.
- Start hike by crossing Woodland Road and entering Gate 33 onto Woodland Path.
- At E4-7, turn right.
- At E5-1, turn left onto Rock Circuit Trail.
- At E5-2, turn left onto Hemlock Pool Path.
- At E4-13, turn around.
- At E5-3, turn right.
- At Highland Ave, turn around.
- At E5-3, turn left onto Hemlock Pool Path.
- At Gate 54, turn left onto East Border Road.
- At jct., turn left onto path.
- Hike triangle around E4-14, then continue on Hemlock Pool Road toward Gate 35.
- At Gate 35, turn around.
- At E4-3, turn left.
- At E4-1, turn left onto Reservation Path.
- At Woodland Road, turn around.
- At E4-2, turn right.
- At E4-4, turn around.
- At E4-2, turn right onto Reservation Path.
- At F4-5, turn right to circle Fells Reservoir.
- Hike the circle around the restricted area, and then hike towards F5-1.
- From F5-1, turn right onto Hemlock Pool Road.
- At nearest point to Rock Circuit Trail, turn around.
- At F5-1, turn sharply left onto Cross-Fells Trail.
- Follow Cross-Fells Trail back to car.
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