Rockin' the North Shore

Small cave formation within Franklin Park

Back out on the road less than two weeks after my last trip ended. It all began on Day One with additional time put in on places visited during that previous trip. This was areas in the outskirts of Boston. It all began with a return to Hemlock Gorge and its Devil's Den/Indian Cave. Then swinging less than 10 miles (as the crow flies!) it was once again Mattapan where a more careful examination was made of the boulders first seen two weeks prior. It included combing the grounds for additional geologic treasures and I was rewarded with the discovery of a second large deposit of Roxbury Conglomerate boulders. With a short time remaining to get out of the City before rush hour traffic, I backtracked a bit to make a quick excursion through the Wilderness section of Franklin Park. Again, additional boulders of conglomerate came to light and the rediscovery of a small cave first seen some years prior.

The Devil's Pulpit - and possible Whitefield pulpit

My ultimate destination was the favorite campsite on Cape Ann and my 'trusty' GPS decided to give me a tour of some of the most urban parts of Boston, prior to taking me out of the city. But by Day Two, I was ready to continue the travel up into the more northerly sections of Essex County. Here a more thorough examination was carried out of the Nubble Squid rocks, part of the Clinton-Newbury Fault. An old favorite was next at the Devil's Den and Pulpit, followed by the diminutive rock Bummers Rock before finishing this day at with a lead hanging over from long ago: Frazer's Rock.

Frazer's Rock - very early 1900s.

Dungeon Rock @ Lynn Woods.

Kicking off the Third Day, I wandered down to an old favorite hangout in Lynn at Lynn Woods. This was mostly to update information on several sites, some well known, and some not so well known. Here, I covered Dungeon Rock, Union Rock, and Forest Castle. An old 1890s map found upon my return home, makes it clear there are many more objects of interest to be found. Wandering through Lynn, I took a quick look at a street with the name Echo Grove hoping it might provide a clue to an old stereoview of a location bearing that name. Once again, additional research provided the information it was another site within Lynn Woods. This day was finished up at Lynn's Lovers Leap.

Lovers Leap.

Lovers Leap - circa 1870s/80s.

An intentional light duty day was planned for my Fourth Day so I stayed closed to camp catching the famed Pigeon Cove shoreline, lunching at Lanes Cove, at finishing down by the Blackburn entrance to Dogtown. Here I updated photos of Tent Rock, a somewhat little know quarry down near the reservoir, and visiting five of Babson's inscribed boulders: Be True, Be Clean, Save, Help Mother, and Get A Job.

Ship Rock - early 1900s postcard image.

Day Five brought us once again to the end of another camping trip. Pulling out of town, I headed down Rt 128 to land in Peabody. Here, a visit to a very favorite at Ship Rock. After that, I stuck to the same moraine as Ship Rock to investigate possible boulders discovered on aerial imagery. Some very huge ones, exceeding 100 feet in circumference, were located. Definitely some of the best discoveries to come out of this area in years. Then eventually on to the Mohawk Trail to make my way back to the Berkshires.

The BMW Boulder. Over 100 ' circumference and 16+ feet high.

Quonahasset and other "long rocky places".

Memories of old resurfaced when September would bring me to the South Shore. One of my favorite campgrounds is here. Some of my 'rockiest' exploits have take place in this region. But with the passing of time (and ongoing process of checking items off my list) a somewhat different approach takes place! I needed to also visit the Cape and almost opted to make a second camp there. In the end, all excursions were run from seashore area of Plymouth County. And - a total of seven different counties were visited!

The Devil's 'own' footprint - along side that of a human.

One of the largest erratics on the South Shore.

The traditional 'scenic route' started day one with a couple stops along the Charles River in Norfolk County. This allowed me my first look at Big Rock, and a return for further investigations at Indian Cave. A couple minor rock samples were brought from the later to run an elementary geologic test. It was then on to Bristol County for a quick trip to the Devil's Footprint, the largest sized of this formation I've run across. Then it was on to the coast where a second look at the gigantic Damon's Rock took place. Following that, camp was set up and I still had enough time to take in Glad Tidings Rock.

Modern times @ Profile Rock.

On day two it was decided to take that planned trip out to the Cape, so a lot of driving lay ahead. Early morning started down on Buzzards Bay at Profile Rock. This relic from days gone by is mostly buried now by beach sand. Still: approximately 40% survives above ground level. Proceeding closer to the Cape Cod Canal (where some say is the 'official' beginning of the Cape) an old favorite in Chamber (Sacrifice) Rock began the Barnstable County part of my day. From there it was on to Hokum Rock and The Pebble/Devil's Rock. Sandwiched in between the latter two, was finally locating Alms House Rock. Alms House is another giant boulder that likely lays partially buried so its true height remains a mystery. It is mostly surrounded by heavy growth making measurements and photography nearly impossible. But I came up with something around 67 feet circumference and 14 feet high. Next time I shall bring the brush cutters!

Modern day depiction of 'The Cave' - aka: The Devil's Den.

After the heavy amount of driving during the last two days, I decided to keep it close to .. ' 'home'. Once again, this involved my traditional mix of 'something old - something new'. Early morning found me hiking into a small cave I've come to call Rattlesnake Den. Local history mentions a rocky formation by that name but it's location would be a bit farther away. I followed with a half-hearted attempt (drive-by only) to see if Sunset Rock might have a secondary access. One that would not take you through the backyards of the two owners. However, it is basically tucked in between the housing development and the railroad tracks that carry traffic between Boston and the South Shore. This was followed by Lawson Park and its memorial boulders (one of which is depicted on an old postcard), a couple quick photos of Hatchet Rock, and a quick drive by of Toad Rock. This then landed me on one of the most beautiful sections of South Shore coastline where a walking tour ensued to access the Old Man of the Rocks, Pulpit Rock, and Devil's Den/The Cave. After 'cooking' out in the hot sun it was a drive past the likely Aunt Betsy's Rock.

Tunnel Rock.

Outcrop with Emerson plaque @ Franklin Park.

A little farther distance on day four brought me close to - and into - the suburbs of Boston (thank God for the GPS!). A long return to the giant boulder in the Blue Hills once know as Grepon. It is around 100 feet in circumference with heights as much as 22 feet on the backside. There is also a neat little talus cave (10.5 feet long) in the rubble at one end. Next stop brought me to Franklin Park where I've had ongoing investigations into features from its past history. A more expansive trip was made through the area between the Wilderness and 99 Steps to seek out a possible Sunset Rock and additional perched/balanced boulders. Then across Circuit Drive to look into the rock and Emerson plaque at the Overlook on Schoolmaster's Hill. The walk back to the car was via a route through small ledges that are reported to be the remains of a quarry (now filled) that has been on a postcard as Lovers Leap/Bottomless Well. The 'gem' of the day was a jaunt over to Mattapan where a large accumulation of Roxbury Conglomerate boulders yielded the forgotten Tunnel Rock. I am also hoping the lost Fairview Rock (with the location 'Neponsett' [sic]) may lie nearby.

View out of Makepeace-Manly Cave.

After a rainy night, I broke camp and moved on out to the beltway around Boston to make a quick trip into Hemlock Gorge and it's Devil's Den/Indian Cave. Not feeling up to snuff, I planned to head home from here. But a good cup of overpriced Turnpike coffee got me ready to take on one more high value target! The stop was way back in Worcester County where I pushed on through some nearly impossible overgrowth to Makepeace-Manly Cave. This small cave formation is notable for it's inscriptions from area residents during the 1800s.

Inscriptions @ Makepeace-Manly Cave.