Four Pinnacles and Four Climbs

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In 15 miles there are four climbs (remember, it's mostly flat in this area), and you'll get to see four historic pinnacles brought from Harvard University's Gore Library about 100 years ago. You'll cross Essex County Greenbelt Association's land, across trails managed by Essex County Trails Association and Discover Hamilton, into Appleton Farms, managed by the Trustees of Reservation and back to Bradley Palmer State Park, which also has a portion of the Bay Circuit Trail.

This is a great loop to stretch the legs, get some climbing in, and see some beautiful north of Boston trails.

Starting from the parking area for Vineyard Hill (off Asbury St in Hamilton, MA), you'll have a short roll and a good climb to wake your legs up. Taking the Vineyard Hill Trail clockwise is a little less steep than counter clockwise, but it's still steep. After that it's mostly flat while you head into Bradley Palmer State Park.

Both Bradley Palmer and Appleton Farms are used by horse back riders, so keep that in mind, if you're carrying some speed. The trails in Bradley Palmer will eventually have you cross a small field and hop on the main road as you head out of the park and on to Higland Street very briefly. Be careful when you take a left on to the road and go less than 1/4 mile and pop on to a singletrack on your right.

This takes you pass the Pingree school and on to Highland to Cutler. When you hit Cutler Road, go straight across and enter Appleton Farms. Take an immediate right and you'll eventually get to the Appleton Singletrack. It's a fun little trail that does have a section of bog bridges... the gap between the two boards (which run parallel to the trail) will catch narrow tires.

The singletrack will drop you back out to the wider trails where you'll take a left. This straight trail will take you to the first of the four Gore Library pinnacles. Check it out for a bit, and don't get confused by the multiple trails at this intersection. Just keep going straight.

From there you'll eventually take a right and then loop around to the left for another singletrack trail that takes you up to Pigeon Hill Singletrack and the next pinnacle (and the second climb). Check out the amazing view and head back down the trail to head into Appleton Farms proper. You'll be on the Bay Circuit Trail for a bit, but you'll have to divert from the course for a bit to the 3rd pinnacle. Back on to the Plains Loop briefly before taking a right and checking out the fourth and final library pinnacle. You'll back track along some of the same trails and some different until you get back to Bradley Palmer (and again, be careful on the short stint on Highland St).

In Bradley Palmer you'll take the Bradley Palmer Perimeter Rd but then branch off to get down to the Ipswich River before heading back up and up to the top of Moon Hill. You'll come down from Moon Hill (and again, watch out for horse back riders), and work your way to the main parking area. Here, if you need it, there's a tool stand (thanks to NEMBA) and rest rooms. From the parking lot you'll have your last climb up to Bradley Palmer--Along Asbury Rd (48-74) before turning on to the Shaw Field Trail and ultimately back to the Vineyard Hill parking area.

Appleton Farms is the country's oldest continuously running farm. thetrustees.org/place/apple…