Burns Hill Extended Loop (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Extended Loop (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop

Distance: 2.88 miles

Elevation: 381 feet

My Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Book Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Parking: Very limited roadside parking (unclear if even allowed).
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

Second to last normal Tuesday hike of the year! Just kidding! It's the LAST ONE! We're celebrating Band O'Ween next Tuesday, so I won't get my hike in! It was a BEAUTIFUL afternoon in the mid 60s and the trees were an absolutely stunning yellow. Naturally, a minute into the hike my Burt's Bees fell out of my pocket and immediately blended in with the leaves, but I was able to find it. My lungs were a little mad with the changing seasons, but they adjusted. The power cut was wonderfully sunny and warm, the last set of wires were NOT buzzing today, and I made my way onto the loop!

I never realized that an old road cut across the trail at Low Point #1. I was feeling in the mood for a little adventure, so I turned OFF of the Burns Hill Trail at Low Point #2! There was a piece of flagging tape and a blue blaze marking another path. There were enough flags and blazes to get me around, but there was simply no footbed. Maybe because of the leaves? I was intrigued!

The blue trail opened up to the power cut and crossed a stone wall just after. No blazes to be found, and the trail felt like nothing more than just a deer path. There was ONE piece of flagging tape on a tree that helped. There were also many blue jays, which I guess helped because they matched the trail?

The trail joined the power cut access road, which also felt wrong. The trail narrowed again and crossed an area of denser growth with a single piece of blue flagging tape. Just a bit further I saw another path with a red disc - I decided to turn here since it seemed it would lead me to the trail up Burns Hill... hopefully!

Okay there were more red discs afterwards so I was doing SOMETHING right! I followed these discs back into the woods onto a new trail that had a mixture of orange and red blazes and white discs. The orange paint was the best becuase it featured arrows. This mish-mosh of a trail was fascinating!

I crossed over a couple of footbridge on something at resembled more of a trail before crossing a seasonal brookbed on a bigger bridge. I came to a signed split in the trail - Burns Hill was up on the left and the Beaver Ponds Loop on the right. I was sure curious about the ponds, but I decided to stick to what I know.

The trail was now blazed in blue going up Burns Hill, and after a very short moderate climb orange blazes joined again. I would love it if the town standardized the trails and came out with a useable map!

Near the top there was a confusing series of blue arrows marking another trail that went steeply down the hill with no discernable footpath? I hit 1.0 miles right at the "summit" bench, though, and it was nice to be back in familiar territory! I happily hiked down the spine and started my wiggle down to Low #3. The rise out of Low #3 was spectacularly golden now!

I opted for a more tradition Lap #2, and naturally at Top #2 I realized I didn't have my keys with me... hopefully they're in my car... I spooked a deer at Low #3 and got a golden star on my New York Times Midi Crossword! I did the thing I always do where I step on a stick with one foot and nearly stab my other one with it on my hike out. 

I was happy to see my car still there. I didn't notice any keys on the ground on my hike out. The doors opened and the car started... but where are my keys?! They ended up being buried underneath who knows what... it took me a full five minutes to find them! With relief, I drove over to marching band.

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on Burns Hill Conservation Area Trail.

- After power cut, turn right onto Burns Hill Loop.

- At jct., turn right onto Blue Trail (easy to miss).

- Follow path into power cut, continue carefully.

- At jct., turn left onto Red-Disc Trail.

- At jct., turn left onto Orange/White Trail.

- At jct., continue onto Blue Trail.

- At Burns Hill, continue onto yellow-blazed Burns Hill Loop.

- At completion of loop, hike a second loop using only Burns Hill Loop.

- At completion of second loop, turn right and return to car.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop

Distance: 2.48 miles

Elevation: 351 feet

My Time: 1 hour

Book Time: 1 hour, 24 minutes

Parking: Very limited roadside parking (unclear if even allowed).
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

It was a VERY wet Tuesday afternoon before band and I stubbornly drove myself right on over to Burns Hill because I simply needed some outside time. I popped my umbrella and started my hike though the chilly air in the low 50s and covered in mist with occasional rain drops. I noticed a sore... hamstring from yesterday's hike? I don't think it was my sciatica. There were spooky views from the power cut and my umbrella started to audibly buzz going under the last set of electrical wires... I didn't like that!

I worked my way into the woods, down to Low #1, up and over to Low #2, and then on up to Burns Hill proper, which was comically socked in! I had to carefully walk down the spine due to slippery rocks and leaves. To my delight, the woods were definitely more yellow than last week!

I zoned out for a lot of the back half of Lap #1 and forced myself onto a second lap. My fleece came off and naturally I found myself thinking "I'm glad I came out even though it's gross out." The shelf fungi were the real starts of the show - they were looking good in the wet lighting! 

At the top of Lap #2 I cautiously put my umbrella away, noting a lack of pitters and patters and that the cloud had lifted. I guess maybe we'll have marching band outside (spoiler alert: we did not, it RAINED). I heard another massive flock of geese overhead as I passed the power cut again, and soon I was back at the car ready for an interesting night of indoor band!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on Burns Hill Conservation Area Trail.

- After power cut, turn right onto Burns Hill Loop.

- Hike loop two times, then retrace steps back to car.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album

Burns Hill Loop (2x) and Heron Rookery (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Loop (2x) and Heron Rookery (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop w/ Spur

Distance: 2.74 miles

Elevation: 371 feet

My Time: 1 hour, 2 minutes

Book Time: 1 hour, 33 minutes

Parking: Very limited roadside parking (unclear if even allowed).
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026

The Hike 

Back to Burns Hill! It was a beautiful afternoon in the upper 50s with sunny skies AND a breeze before band. I had a classic t-shirt and shorts, and it was actually a little chilly! This would be my first hike with a 'lil elevation since the sciatica (and the breakup), so I was taking it easy and really reading my body, beacuse if it goes well, I'll be heading to the Whites tomorrow... The leaves were starting to look nice as I hiked in through the access trail, AND I remembered my camera!

Sometimes I feel a little built of guilt for editing my photos, but this season in particular reminds me how much my camera washes the color out of my photos, so I maintain I'm not necesarily enhancing them, but I'm just making them look like they're mean to!

Parts of the trail began to get leafy and my sciatica was feeling pretty good at Top #1. I was aware of it for the first five minutes of the hike, and if I took an awkward step I'd notice it, but otherwise I was feeling good! I really spent the time on this hike enjoying the fall weather, the bright colors of the leaves, and processing the breakup.

If anything, I'm hoping to "lock-in" next week for the forseeable future to get my physical and mental health back on-track, because it's been rough out here. Coming out of Low #3, the leaves were bright and beautiful! My processing throught of this moment was: "I want to make it at least four weeks without any apps. I'm feeling like I'm desperate for attention and I want to get comfortable back being myself before any funny business."

I finished Lap #1 and was feeling good for a second - here we go! I heard some weird sounds at Top #2, which was either wind-related OR a sasquach. Who knows? I happily made my way around, and decided to make a side trip to the Heron Rookery, especially since I now had my camear!

The Heron Rookery trail followed blue blazes along an old stone wall, eventually coming to a low point with a nice view of the wetlands. It had a bench and the water levels were low, but there were some nice reflections in the water. The path continued from the bench, but narrower, before abruptly ending at what seemed like either a natural or beaver outflow dam. I could have explored more, but I was not feeling overly adventerous.

On the way out, I opened up Pokemon Go (classic) and just missed being able to take over the trailhead gym by one second thanks to a raid! Curses!

I WAS feeling good after this hike, so I guess I'll be heading to the Whites tomorrow! This may or may not be a borderline irresponsible decision, but my mental health NEEDS it.

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on Burns Hill Conservation Area Trail.

- After power cut, turn right onto Burns Hill Loop.

- Hike loop two times, then retrace steps back to car after side trip to Heron Rookery.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album

Burns Hill Loop (3x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 3.28 miles

Elevation: 479 feet

My Time: 1 hour, 4 minutes

Book Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes

Parking: Very limited roadside parking (unclear if even allowed).
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

"I would rather be in the Whites but I have to work so I guess Burns Hill is fine" - I crankily wrote in my notes as I started this loop. It was an absolutely stunning, borderline chilly day. It was 63 degrees out with plenty of sun and a consistent breeze. There still was not too much color, but it was still lovely! I was a little sore from yesterday's hike up the Rainbow Trail, but I had zero regrets!

I passed Stone Wall #1 on the access trail - I told myself I cannot play Pokemon Go until I count all the walls! The sun felt wonderful at the power cut. I crossed Wall #2 after starting the loop, and noticed some flagging at a faded blue blaze at low point #2 that I didn't notice on Friday. I passed Stone Wall #2 on the final uphill to the "top."

I noticed some sort of stone obelisk coming down the "ridge" from the "top" - maybe an old property parker?

I meandered down to low point #3 and then followed Wall #4 before crossing it. When I finished my first lap I was surprised that I only crossed four stone walls - it always felt like so many more!

I had a nice and easy second lap and spent a good amount of time in the void. My energy dipped at the end, but I continued on to do a third since it was only 4:10pm and I simply had plenty of time. I also realized this was my final hike of the summer - the vernal equinox was tonight just after 8:00pm!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on Burns Hill Conservation Area Trail.

- After power cut, turn right onto Burns Hill Loop.

- Hike loop three times, then retrace steps back to car.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop

Distance: 2.38 miles

Elevation: 381 feet

My Time: 46 minutes

Book Time: 1 hour, 22 minutes

Parking: Very limited roadside parking (unclear if even allowed).
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

Friday afternoon hikes at Burns Hill are back! I had a really hard week, professionally and personally, and I was in DESPERATE need of some outdoors time. The temperature was in the upper 70s and it was humid, but I wasn't craving death, so that's good? The entry path was a similar level of grown-in as last year, but not too bad. There were upwards of 50 doves at the power cut - was it a migration moment? The power cut was a little cozier than last year. I was wishing I had my camera. The rookery looked like one big, muddy puddle.

I noticed some early fall yellow leaves at the start of the loop, and some of the yellow blazing loking like it got a slight refresh. The first low point was bone dry, and I heard a SCREAMING hawk and the second low point. I hiked over some boards with shrooms and made my way up to the "top." It was pretty up there, but I was really looking forward to the fall colors.

I worked my way down to the third low point, and I was reminded of how bright and pretty the woods are after that third point. I planned to count how many stone walls I crossed on my second lap, but totally forgot. Before I knew it, I was back at the car! Oops!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on Burns Hill Conservation Area Trail.

- After power cut, turn right onto Burns Hill Loop.

- Hike loop two times, then retrace steps back to car.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 2.41 miles

Elevation: 354 feet

Time: 46 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

Plot twist - Tuesday was NOT my last pre-band hike! It should have been, but I needed to decompress after a stressful Friday before the football game that night. It was an almost-chilly 58 degrees out. The access trail was covered in deer tracks through the needles and the gently falling yellow foliage was delightfully peaceful. I didn't spook any deer in my usual spot but there were at least a million grey squirrels to make up for it. On the back side of the loop, two GIANT limbs fell off of a nearby tree about 50 feet away from me which spooked me. I blasted off for a second lap with minimal thoughts, and was soon back at the car and making my way over to the high school for an evening of band! and football, I guess...

Step-by-Step

- Start hike at Burns Hill trailhead.

- Cross power cut, turn right at loop split.

- Follow loop two times with optional visit to Heron Roostery.

- When complete, return via power cut.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 2.39 miles

Elevation: 351 feet

Time: 45 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

Possibly my last pre-band hike! This was another quick and easy double-loop of the Burns Hill Conservation Area within the Westford Conservation Trust land. It was a beautiful 65 degrees out with a breeze. The foliage was looking really excellent, with super bright yellows all overhead. The entry spur of the lollipop loop smelled of delicious pines, and once on the loop, I spooked a few deer in the same spot that I have twice before now. There were little foot holes in the leaves where the deer ran away! I made my way up Burns Hill, and followed the trail through the mixed forest. After the final low spot, the forest transitions to fully hardwoods, all of which were full of golden leaves - it was really spectacular. I took my second lap with little brain activity, and then made my way over to the high school for some band!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike at Burns Hill trailhead.

- Cross power cut, turn right at loop split.

- Follow loop two times with optional visit to Heron Roostery.

- When complete, return via power cut.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 2.44 miles

Elevation: 351 feet

Time: 49 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike 

Back at Burns Hill before band on a ridiculously unpleasant 80 degree day! I was super sleepy and hoping the hike would wake me up (it medium did). My lungs were hurting for whatever reason (probably from the hike this past weekend), which also wasn't pleasant. The roostery/swamp looked drier than ever from the power cut, but I had a wonderful breeze once in the woods. I spooked a deer in the same spot as last week and I noticed the trail was getting much leafier. There were no people nor bugs, except for one gnat at the very end, and I even saw a snake at the end of my second lap!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike at Burns Hill trailhead.

- Cross power cut, turn right at loop split.

- Follow loop two times with optional visit to Heron Roostery.

- When complete, return via power cut.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 2.42 miles

Elevation: 351 feet

Time: 50 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

Back to Burns Hill for some mandatory woods time before marching band! Not much to say about this hike. It was a little warm out and the leaves were starting to change, it was quite lovely! I took a few spider webs to the face and there were some bugs in the low-lying stretches. I did a second lap, got just a little sweaty, and enjoyed an occasional breeze. I spooked a deer in the first low-lying stretch which was fun, and noticed some faded blue blazes in the same area with new pink flagging tape - maybe they're planning to revive an older trail? I had the "hey let's go!" song from My Neighbor Totoro stuck in my head for most of this. A lovely break from reality before band!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike at Burns Hill trailhead.

- Cross power cut, turn right at loop split.

- Follow loop two times with optional visit to Heron Roostery.

- When complete, return via power cut.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Burns Hill Loop (2x) (Westford Conservation Trust)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 2.64 miles

Elevation: 381 feet

Time: 55 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike 

Now for something completely different! I enjoyed the Grassy Pond loop from last week, but it was time to try a new trail in Westford. This one I tried last week, but didn't see a parking lot. A friend said to just park on the residential road, so I did! Burns Hill Conservation Area within the Westford Conservation Trust. I went in with my normal clothes on since it was a neighborhood and I didn't feel comfortable changing. The entry path was a little overgrown, but it had a sign and a hard-to-read kiosk. Thankfully, it was super nice out!

The trail crossed a stone wall and continued on, with a few old woods roads around. The trail then crossed a pleasant power cut with a large swampy area on the left (which I would latern learn is the "Heron Roostery," and on the right were rolling hills. After the power cut, the loop officially began.

I turned left and followed the semi-regular but faded yellow blazes, which meandered through the woods. The trail eventually dipped to a rocky low point where there were a good amount of gnats buzzing about, and the trail here was a little tricky to follow. There were some narrow boardwalks and then a ferny area with yellowing birches - probably still due to the drought. The trail crossed another stone wall and then zig zagged up Burns Hill, which had a bench at the "summit" (pretty inconsequential). The loop turns left here, but more trails are on the right.

The trail followed the spine of the ridge back down and then turned sharply with the sound of I-495 present for company. I meandered some more, passing another seasonably wet spot (dry on this day), and noticed a sign for the "Heron Rookery" down a side trail - I had to take it! It led me to a viewpoint of the swampy area that I saw from the power cut - no herons to be seen, though. Lots of beaver evidence!

Back on the loop, I took a second lap since I had plenty of time. I got a little sweatier than expected, but I was just happy to be out and about. My brain was mostly off for lap two, and soon enough I was back at the car! I didn't see a single other human - I will definitely be back!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike at Burns Hill trailhead.

- Cross power cut, turn right at loop split.

- Follow loop two times with optional visit to Heron Roostery.

- When complete, return via power cut.

Burns Hill Map

Photo Album