19 September 05: Middlesex Fells: Whip Hill and Virginia Woods
This hike was completely unplanned. I got some work done this
morning, but it was too nice out and I zipped up Fellsway East to find
someplace for a walk. I left Melnir parked at the Pond St lot, and
first did the Crystal Spring trail to the north (40 minutes), then
wandered around Virgina Woods and the Rock Circuit Trail to the south
(90 minutes).
First, here's a map of today's hike, including a clickable imagemap so
you can click on an area and see the pictures. Nifty! The white
arrows show my route, from the white "Start" in the center.
Click on the thumbnails to see the full size picture.
Views from Saddleback Hill, looking west at Spot Pond Reservoir.
Swampy areas near Whip Hill, dead standing trees in watery ground.
Near the summit of Whip Hill, beautiful glades.
Crystal Spring, including the 19th century stonework. The spring
itself is dry, though, seems like a very dry end of summer.
White "drawing" fungus, soft and new. Usually I only see it after
it's gotten all hard and dried out -- which is when it's good for
drawing on.
Rock outcrops right on the Fellsway East.
View from Melrose Hill, looking east over Melrose.
At the summit of White Rock, pretty beech and sumac.
Crossing Fellsway East, looking down on cars from a sharp "arete" ridge.
Trespassing from Wyoming Path, through a hole in the fence, to see the
Fells Reservoir.
Water tower, from Pipeline Road. It's much MUCH bigger than it looks
in this picture.
Spot Pond Brook has several areas of cute little stoneworks, left over
from the Industrial Revolution mills that used to operate here.
The plaque at the Pond Street parking area, describing Virginia Wood
and lots of historical trivia.
This page maintained by
Wil Howitt
Last updated 20 September 2005
