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Halibut Point Hike: July 4, 2005

thetrailboss

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Date(s) Hiked: July 4, 2005

Trails(s) Hiked: Various trails on the reservation on by the ocean

Total Distance: About 3 miles

Difficulty: Easy with some interesting rock scrambles by the ocean

Conditions: Great. Excellent visibility.

Special Required Equipment: $2 entry fee per car, trail map.

Trip Report: HALIBUT POINT

After having done a ten mile day on the Wapack Trail, (which included both North Pack Monadnock and Kidder Mountain, we decided to enjoy our sunny Fourth of July by heading to the rocky Halibut Point on Cape Ann for some hiking and rock scrambling. Halibut Point is an interesting place—having a checkered history that includes being one of the largest rock quarries in the area (the quarry is one of the focal points on this trip) as well as having a World War II fire control tower that was used to defend the east coast from attack. This area is now a state reservation with about 3-5 miles of easy hiking trails that offer nice cool tunnels under the thick seaside canopy, some great rock scrambling right on the water, and great vistas from the large grout pile and from the top of the tower. It offers AZer’s a big change of pace from the mountains.

After paying the $2 parking fee and getting booted up, we headed down the main entrance trail that took us to the quarry and the visitor’s center (in the old tower). From here, we began an hour-long tour of the small trails that took us through some wildflowers, to the edge of the quarry, the top of the grout pile, and to the rocky coastline. First timers will want to do the self-guided tour, which is laid out in the map and brochure,for it takes one to the many artifacts of the quarry including cut rocks, “dead men” that were used for holding the large derricks, and the dog holes that are seen in many of the rocks.

From the top of the grout pile, we headed south to the shoreline where we roamed around and did some rock scrambling while taking in the incredible ocean vistas. The granite ledge and rocks that make up the shoreline are not unlike their brethren high up in the peaks of the White Mountains.

After exploring the shoreline, we headed up the road back to our car and grabbed lunch. We had a nice lunch with a view before exploring the views from the tower, which rises four flights up! By now the haze had lifted completely offering views that extended to the distant Mount Agamenticus in York, Maine :eek:. Having seen the views, walked along the shoreline, and explored the tower and the many cool exhibits, we said goodbye to the official park collie before heading back down the coast to Route 128. Though we look forward to heading back to Vermont, we will miss being only 45 minutes away from such a cool and unusual place. Any hiker should visit Halibut Point for the change of landscape and experience that it offers :wink:
 
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