Stone Arch Bridge Area Trails (Westford Conservation Trust)
Hike Type: -o-o-o
Distance: 2.38 miles
Elevation: 181 feet
My Time: 53 minutes
Book Time: 1 hour, 16 minutes
Parking: Limited parking at trailhead on Cold Spring Road.
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026
The Hike
Happy 31st & 2 month birthday to me! This age has been beating the absolute life out of me. I was hoping to take a couple days this week after the breakup to have a breakdown in the Whites, but my sciatica heavily prevented that. Thankfully, I was feeling a little better by today (Friday), emotionally and physically, so I went back to the Stone Arch Bridge area before the football game just to get my walk in. I DID bring my camera today! I did NOT bring my zoom lens, but I think we're past the days of good birds. Oops - I could hear the band rehearsing from the trailhead! Don't tell anyone!
I started my hike over Mt. Trashmore and noticed a particularly spooky cloud. I'm glad I did this hike instead of Burns Hill becuase I could still feel the sciatica on the uphill segments, but I was feeling significantly better on the flats and downs. I am FLIRTING with doing a super loop up Nancy and Carrigain next week... tbd!
I enjoyed a heavenly breeze coming down Mt. Trashmore as more spooky clouds rolled in, and per usual I had to pee, so I went into the Bird Sanctuary area, where I actually saw a person (I NEVER see people on this trail).
It was dreadfully hot and humid out (low 80s) and I was dripping sweat. The sky agreed, because it too began to drip sweat on me (rain), which actually felt lovely. I got onto the Loop Trail and heard a tree or limb snapping, but didn't see anything of merit. The rain was sounding loud on the leaves, but very little was getting to me.
I smelled a skunk, swatted at a few bugs near the hairpin turn, and hiked over some exploded blue jay feathers? The uphill out of the Loop Trail hurt more than I wanted it to, but the flat was still lovely. Since I had my camera, I took a few photos on either side of the Stone Arch Bridge on the way out. I passed a duo with a disobedient dog named Pepe, which did bring me just a little bit of joy.
Step-by-Step
- Start hike on Tom Paul Trail.
- At jct., turn right to hike over Mt. Tashmore.
- At terminus, turn right onto Tom Paul Trail.
- At jct., turn left onto Russell Bird Sanctuary.
- At terminus, turn left onto Tom Paul Trail.
- At jct., turn right onto Loop Trail.
- At terminus, turn left onto Tom Paul Trail.
- Follow Tom Paul Trail to car.
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