Date(s) Hiked: June 21, 2005
Trails(s) Hiked: Various trails up and from Holt Hill at the Ward Reservation in Andover, MA (hiked to the Solstice Stones).
Total Distance: About 1.5 miles (easy)
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Trails were dry, saw one deer, bugs not an issue.
Special Required Equipment: Picnic Basket, food, White Zin Wine
Druid costumes and ceremony gear optional :wink:
Trip Report: Ms. Trailboss and I decided to celebrate the summer solstice by hiking to the solstice stones at the Ward Reservation for a nice sunset picnic. The Ward Reservation is easy to get to from I-93 and is minutes from Boston. The small parking lot and trailheads are located off of Prospect Street in Andover (off of Rte 125...take Exit 41 from 93).
Maintained by the Trustees of the Reservation, the large plot has 13 miles of trails running through woods, bogs, open meadows (two summit areas with views), and down old woods roads.
The former Boston Hills Ski Area borders the eastern perimeter of the reservation, which will interest the skiers and riders here.
We left the parking lot and hiked up through the apple orchard and meadow that the border a small estate. Once we got to the pine trees, we headed east to the solstice stones. It was in the large unmowed meadow that was east of the estate that we saw a deer who was checking us out. About 15 mins later, we were sitting on Holt Hill with two other families who had small kids and were enjoying a very pleasant evening. The hill has great views to the south (Boston skyline and the Blue Hills in the distance). We settled down and began supper. Some local teens came to hang out and smoke, but we were not cool enough for them and they left.
After supper, we strolled along the mowed meadows and old apple orchards before returning to the stones at the top of Holt Hill (420 feet in elevation, highest point in Essex County).
By sunset, we were the only folks left. Regrettably, the capped reservoir tanks and the fire tower blocked our view of the sunset, but you can rest assured that the sun did set in line with the appropriate stone. :wink: After a couple hours, we headed down the green trail, which tramples on the access road for the towers, back to the car. Bugs were not a problem.
A nice evening, nice stroll, and great dinner with the lovely Ms. Trailboss made this summer solstice one not to forget!
Here is a pic of Holt Hill and the Stones where we camped out:
. This was taken from the Trustees Website.
Also, Here is the PDF version of the trail map
Trails(s) Hiked: Various trails up and from Holt Hill at the Ward Reservation in Andover, MA (hiked to the Solstice Stones).
Total Distance: About 1.5 miles (easy)
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Trails were dry, saw one deer, bugs not an issue.
Special Required Equipment: Picnic Basket, food, White Zin Wine
Druid costumes and ceremony gear optional :wink: Trip Report: Ms. Trailboss and I decided to celebrate the summer solstice by hiking to the solstice stones at the Ward Reservation for a nice sunset picnic. The Ward Reservation is easy to get to from I-93 and is minutes from Boston. The small parking lot and trailheads are located off of Prospect Street in Andover (off of Rte 125...take Exit 41 from 93).
Maintained by the Trustees of the Reservation, the large plot has 13 miles of trails running through woods, bogs, open meadows (two summit areas with views), and down old woods roads.
The former Boston Hills Ski Area borders the eastern perimeter of the reservation, which will interest the skiers and riders here.
We left the parking lot and hiked up through the apple orchard and meadow that the border a small estate. Once we got to the pine trees, we headed east to the solstice stones. It was in the large unmowed meadow that was east of the estate that we saw a deer who was checking us out. About 15 mins later, we were sitting on Holt Hill with two other families who had small kids and were enjoying a very pleasant evening. The hill has great views to the south (Boston skyline and the Blue Hills in the distance). We settled down and began supper. Some local teens came to hang out and smoke, but we were not cool enough for them and they left.
After supper, we strolled along the mowed meadows and old apple orchards before returning to the stones at the top of Holt Hill (420 feet in elevation, highest point in Essex County).
By sunset, we were the only folks left. Regrettably, the capped reservoir tanks and the fire tower blocked our view of the sunset, but you can rest assured that the sun did set in line with the appropriate stone. :wink: After a couple hours, we headed down the green trail, which tramples on the access road for the towers, back to the car. Bugs were not a problem.
A nice evening, nice stroll, and great dinner with the lovely Ms. Trailboss made this summer solstice one not to forget!
Here is a pic of Holt Hill and the Stones where we camped out:
. This was taken from the Trustees Website. Also, Here is the PDF version of the trail map
