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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Dogtown Common, Whale's Jaw, MA
Trails
Trails: Dogtown Road, Wharf Road, Common Road, Luce Trail, Tarr Trail, Babson Boulder Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: Cherry Street to height-of-land in Gloucester. Room for several cars in the marked trailhead pulloff but room for probably more along the road? Not really clear as there appears to be a dump near the parking area and the road is narrow. Trail maps were available at the trailhead.  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: the few minor streams were rock-hoppable 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: The trails between the Cherry Street Parking lot and the Whale's Jaw were very well-marked. However, From the Luce Trail out to the Tarr Trail, I spent considerable time trying to find the turn and the trail near the Gravel Pit. Then, near the train tracks the trail(s) were very obscure. There are a multitude of (not too well used) mountain bike trails in the northeast section of the reservation. I carried a GPS and was VERY glad I had it.  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Saw more dogs than people, I suppose that is appropriate!!!! :)  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: There are a handful of sweatshirts tossed about where there are apparent party zones-- often the little high points along the obscure trails.  
 
Comments
Comments: My first time back to Dogtown in MANY years. The cellar holes near the Dogtown Common are much more obscure now. Intersections area mostly well-marked with numbers that correspond to locations on the free trail map at the trailhead.

Very pleasant place to re-explore. Lots of trail-running opportunities! There are many interesting large boulders, tho some of the biggest ones had graffiti on them :( The area was pretty desolate and appears to get some bike traffic on the well-used trails. The more remote areas are VERY rocky and, well, isolated!!!! The occasional train horn and gravel pit noise let me know I was never far from civilization, tho.

Nice afternoon!!! :)  
Name
Name: Becca Munroe 
E-Mail
E-Mail: beccahiker@yahoo.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-10-14 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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