End-to-End Hike along the Bay Circuit Trail: Detailed Accounts from the Journey
Adventuring through the Bay Circuit Trail: A Massachusetts Greenway Adventure
June 2, 2024, saw me knee-deep in swamp water, navigating a flooded dike somewhere in Kingston Bay. The possibility of an unwanted snake companion or a leech attaché made for thrilling entertainment. Spotting a heron soaring overhead, I almost missed a root submerged in the water, tripping me up. The water was neither cold nor dirty, just cool and mucky. It drizzled gently, with the air thick with humidity. I had hiked my shorts up my hips in a desperate attempt to stay dry and laughed as I went. I had never longed for an office job more.
This swamp was once a thriving habitat of regal Atlantic White Cedars but was depleted by centuries of resource extraction. In 2002, the Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Department purchased the property. Today, the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area houses 81 bird species, expansive cedar and red maple swamps, and an abundance of fish.
The area is part of the larger Bay Circuit Trail (BCT), a 230-mile trail surrounding greater Boston that links local parks, greenspaces, rail trails, and roads into one network, simultaneously passing through 38 towns and varying landscapes - from marshy preserves perfect for birdwatching to challenging mountain bike trails, to classic New England stone-wall-bordered hiking trails.
As the BCT Coordinator for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC), I am tasked with facilitating and supporting a network of dedicated volunteers, land managers, and partner organizations who share a common goal - maintaining, improving, and promoting the BCT. My role varies from day to day - collaborating with AMC's Grants Department to secure funding, leading volunteer trail maintenance events, and conducting trail assessments.
To truly understand the trail, I spent 14 days this spring embarking on a southbound end-to-end hike along the officially designated BCT.
A Springtime Trek
Though I initially planned to complete the trip in two consecutive weeks, life, as it often does, had other plans. Instead, I broke the journey into two segments - ten days in April, four days in June. Given the circumstances, I did some minimal planning, considering factors like the average miles I could cover in a day (about 15 miles), available parking, camping sites, and transfer options for supplies (i.e., snacks). The result was four nights spent camping and nine nights at home or with friends, with the help of Ubers, family, and kind volunteers along the way.
Despite being accessible by public transportation, the BCT does not offer conventional alpine zones or remote river crossings. Nonetheless, it boasts a unique charm, weaving through forests of Eastern White Pines, across open fields, and along the wetlands and swamps that define eastern Massachusetts.
Tracing the Greenway
I had the BCT all to myself for the most part; however, I did meet some remarkable characters. Jeff Hixon, Vice President of the Boxford Trails Association, graciously led me on a brief trek through Boxford's seven miles of the BCT. He is instrumental in maintaining and managing the gorgeous network of trails in Boxford. My hiking partner, Jeff, and his energetic companion were the perfect companions, filled with conversation and interesting tidbits along the way.
Jane Cairns, President of the Andover Trails Board, gave me a tour of BCT's 17 miles in Andover. Armed with her encyclopedic knowledge of the town's history, we covered two memorable days together. Jane's thoughtful preparations, including strategically placed water jugs, snacks, and transportation arrangements, made for a memorable experience.
Al French, the affectionately termed "father figure of the Bay Circuit Trail", welcomed me into his home and invited me to camp on his front lawn. He regaled me with stories about the value of the BCT and left me feeling quite warm, both in temperament and from the cozy fire in his soot-filled fireplace.
On my last day on the trail, my father joined me, challenging an overgrown stretch of trail that the spiders apparently preferred. With sticks in hand, we fought a losing battle against numerous webs and shared a well-deserved lunch beneath the trees.
In the conservation lands, I was not alone - barred owls, baby turtles, deer, and a curious river otter kept me company. I spent the rest of my journey exploring the trail, cataloging maintenance opportunities, and being thoroughly captivated by the beauty of eastern Massachusetts.
The BCT has led me to rediscover the wealth of green spaces in my hometown. As I continue to promote the trail to the surrounding communities and encourage more volunteers to join, I eagerly anticipate sharing the joy and beauty of the trail with others.
While the BCT does not provide traditional mountain vistas, it is easily accessible, offering a perfect escape from city life for those in search of peace and quiet within nature. For more information on the Bay Circuit Trail, visit the AMC website at Bay Circuit Trail.
During my tenure as the BCT Coordinator for the Appalachian Mountain Club, I constantly advocated for maintaining and improving the trail, which was part of my diverse responsibilities that included collaborating with AMC's Grants Department and leading volunteer trail maintenance events.
My personal 14-day hike along the Bay Circuit Trail in the springtime highlighted the unique charm of the trail, as it snaked through forests, open fields, and wetlands, allowing me to rediscover the hidden gems of green spaces in my hometown. This trail, though not offering conventional alpine zones or remote river crossings, served as an accessible escape for those seeking a peaceful retreat from city life.
