Still rolling...

With a bit of a 'landmark' birthday under my belt, it seems a good time for a long overdue update.

Rare view of the Old Man of the Fells minus snow

Most know the past four years or so, I've involved myself with regional hiking group the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers. Long distant trips have become far and few between. An exception was made recently that took me to 'old stomping grounds', first at the Middlesex Fells then on up into Essex County. The first day was fraught with all sorts of logistical problems cause by a GPS breakdown. By the next day I had the resources of a phone app to assist me. So my only site I took in on Day1 was a follow up search for possible remains of the Old Man of the Fells. I had culled information from a Facebook post which led me to its approximate former site. Nothing here looked to be a possibility. I eventually wound my way up to North Andover to spend the night at Harold Parker State Forest.

Cradle Rock - from a circa 1870s stereoview

I started out Day 2 with some solid information on Cradle Rock in Groveland. This boulder seemed to gain its 'fame' from the 1890s book by John Henry Sears on Essex County geology. I had a map pointing out its location and even a rare stereoview of the rock. The short story is a home is being build on that site indicated on the map. Interesting is a nice rock sits out front of the house which would have made a dandy of a pedestal. What happened to Cradle Rock remains a mystery.

Dogtown boulder #29 @ Goose Cove surrounded by water.

Using the rest of the day, I hit Cape Ann setting up camp at my usual location. But first catching Lanes Cove, an old friend, and a short walk through Andrews Woods. In the 'Golden Age' of Pigeon Cove much of the land had been dived up into lots for homes. It never totality came to fruition and some of Andrews Woods is part of that property I investigated. A street called Woodside Ave exists on old maps but it seems to have been absorbed into the trails at Andrews Woods. Nearby I took my traditional walk along the Atlantic Path allowing plenty of time to ponder the Ocean. Many features from olden days - including early quarry workings - were passed. Along the way was Chapin's Gully and I ended my romp at the Great Gargoyle. But before heading back to set up camp, I checked the water level at Goose Cove Reservoir for possible access to Boulder #29. The reservoir was quite full and #29 lay a bit off shore surrounded by water.

Salem Willows from an early 1900s postcard.

The willows @ Salem as they appear today.

Starting the third day I made one trip off the Cape. This time to Salem to revisit the Willows. I had wondered if willow trees still existed at this (still) popular early era attraction. Indeed a good number still existed and I got the opportunity to walk some shoreline while the tide was still towards the low side. Sliding in to Dowtown's outer perimeter, I looked in on a cave show to be some years back by a former resident. Then on to the shoreline around high tide and went to look up George Washington's face and Money Rock.

Abandoned quarry in Dogtown.

Starting out Day 4, I once again went into the outer perimeter of Dogtown to find an abandoned quarry likely used building the rail line in the area. I had a bit of a time finding the old quarry but realized high waters/flooding prevented me from a direct access. Bushwhacking out, I returned to my entrance trail by the Help Mother boulder. Moving out I headed down to Stage Fort Park along with Half Moon and Cressy Beach. Then a bit south to Magnolia and Rafes Chasm Park. Returning to Rockport, I had wanted to revisit Mill Brook Meadow and Pond. Millbrook has a long history from fishing by the Algonquins to an early grist mill. I finished up quietly visiting a nearby cemetery and the grave of two Rockport residents. Parents to a friend.

Giant boulders @ Sea Rocks.

My last full day had me out at the tip of Cape Ann and the Babson Quarry. Although in reality I was gaining access to the Sea Rocks property and its giant ocean side boulders/pseudo caves. A quick look followed at Profile Rock which always needs vegetation removal. It is forever trying to fade into the growth upon a hill that once was famous for it's open view of Pigeon Cove. I moved back down to Dogtown one more time to hit a second cave found some years back. The day was finished off at Sunset Hill (also: Pole - or Poles - Hill) in the Riverdale section of Gloucester.

For the final day it only remained to see when the rain would move in. Fortunately it gave me enough time to pull up camp. Unfortunately, it ended my ramblings for this trip. I decamped to the Berkshires!