Information
The information in this box gives you a quick idea of the statistics and specifics of each hike.
DISTANCE & CONFIGURATION Distance notes the length of the hike round-trip, from start to finish. If the hike description includes options to shorten or extend the hike, those round-trip distances will also be noted here. Configuration defines the trail as a loop, an out-and-back (taking you in and out via the same route), a figure eight, or a point-to-point.
DIFFICULTY The degree of effort that a typical hiker should expect on a given route. For simplicity, the trails are rated as easy, moderate, or strenuous.
SCENERY A short summary of the attractions offered by the hike and what to expect in terms of plant life, wildlife, natural wonders, and historical features.
EXPOSURE A quick check of how much sun you can expect on your shoulders during the hike.
TRAFFIC Indicates how busy the trail might be on an average day. Trail traffic, of course, varies from day to day and season to season. Weekend days typically see the most visitors. Other trail users that may be encountered on the trail are also noted here.
TRAIL SURFACE Indicates whether the trail surface is paved, rocky, gravel, dirt, boardwalk, or a mixture of elements.
HIKING TIME How long it takes to hike the trail. A slow but steady hiker will average 2–3 miles an hour, depending on the terrain.
DRIVING DISTANCE Listed in miles from Boston Common. Even if you don’t start there, the mileages should give you an estimate of travel times from where you live.
ELEVATION Lists elevation at the trailhead and another figure for the highest or lowest altitude on the route. If there is no significant gain, that is also noted.
SEASON Names the best time of year for doing the hike, in the authors’ opinions.
ACCESS Fees or permits required to hike the trail are detailed here—and noted if there are none. Trail-access hours are also shown here.
MAPS Resources for maps, in addition to those in this guidebook, are listed here. (As previously noted, the publisher and author recommend that you carry more than one map—and that you consult those maps before heading out on the trail, to resolve any confusion or discrepancy.)
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS At-a-glance, you’ll see if there are paved sections or other areas for safely using a wheelchair.
FACILITIES This item alerts you to restrooms, water, picnic tables, and other basics at or near the trailhead.
CONTACT Listed here are phone numbers and website addresses for checking trail conditions and gleaning other day-to-day information.
LOCATION The city (or nearby community) in which the trail is located.
COMMENTS Here you will find assorted nuggets of information, such as whether or not dogs are allowed on the trails.
In Brief
Think of this section as a taste of the trail, a snapshot focused on the historical landmarks, beautiful vistas, and other sights you may encounter on the hike.
Description
The heart of each hike. Here the author provides a summary of the trail’s essence and highlights any special traits the hike offers. The route is clearly outlined, including landmarks, side trips, and possible alternate routes along the way. Ultimately, the hike description will help you choose which hikes are best for you.
Nearby Activities
Look here for information on things to do or points of interest: nearby parks, museums, restaurants, and the like. Note that not every hike has a listing.
Directions
Used in conjunction with the GPS coordinates, the driving directions will help you locate each trailhead. Once at the trailhead, park only in designated areas.
GPS Trailhead Coordinates
As noted in “Trail Maps,” the author used a handheld GPS unit to obtain geographic data and sent the information to the publisher’s cartographers. The trailhead coordinates—the intersection of the latitude (north) and longitude (west)—will orient you from the trailhead. In some cases, you can drive within viewing distance of a trailhead. Other hiking routes require a short walk to the trailhead from a parking area.
You will also note that this guidebook uses the degrees–decimal minute format for presenting the GPS coordinates.
N42° 21.650′ W71° 04.250′
The latitude and longitude grid system is likely quite familiar to you, but here is a refresher, pertinent to visualizing the GPS coordinates:
Imaginary lines of latitude—called parallels and approximately 69 miles apart from each other—run horizontally around the globe. The equator is established to be 0°, and each parallel is indicated by degrees from the equator: up to 90°N at the North Pole and down to 90°S at the South Pole.
Imaginary lines of longitude—called meridians—run perpendicular to latitude lines and are likewise indicated by degrees. Starting from 0° at the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England, they continue to the east and west until they meet 180° later at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. At the equator, longitude lines are also approximately 69 miles apart, but that distance narrows as the meridians converge toward the North and South Poles.
For more on GPS technology, visit usgs.gov.
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
The maps in this book have been produced with great care and, used with the hike text, will direct you to the trail and help you stay on course. However, you’ll find superior detail and valuable information in the U.S. Geological Survey’s 7.5-minute-series topographic maps. At mytopo.com, for example, you can view and print free USGS topos of the entire United States. Online services such as Trails.com charge annual fees for additional features such as shaded relief, which makes the topography stand out more. If you expect to print out many topo maps each year, it might be worth paying for such extras. The downside to USGS maps is that most are outdated, having been created 20–30 years ago; nevertheless, they provide excellent topographic detail. Of course, Google Earth (earth.google.com) does away with topo maps and their inaccuracies, replacing them with satellite imagery and its own inaccuracies. Regardless, what one lacks, the other augments. Google Earth is an excellent tool whether you have difficulty with topos or not.
If you’re new to hiking, you might be wondering, “What’s a topo map?” In short, it indicates not only linear distance but also elevation, using contour lines. These lines spread across the map like dozens of intricate spider webs. Each line represents a particular elevation, and at the base of each topo a contour’s interval designation is given. For example, if the contour interval is 20 feet, then the distance between each contour line is 20 feet. Follow five contour lines up on the same map, and the elevation has increased by 100 feet. In addition to the sources listed previously and in Appendix B, you’ll find topos
