Easy 2.5 mile Hike at Breakheart Reservation

Entering from the Reservation’s Wakefield/Rear entrance this is an easy 2.5 mile afternoon hike (with a beach for a dip) around a small lake in the rear section of the Breakheart Reservation just north of Boston. It is a co-event with GayOutdoors (also LGBTQ).

A third is on paved fire roads and the rest on trails along the water. It’s 60% in the woods/shaded.

About 3/4s of the way around is a beach we'll make a stop at. If the weather's nice and you might want to take a dip bring your suit. (The only caveat is that it's the off-season and the porta potties to change in may've been taken away. You may need to wear your suit in/out for the hike. I will try and call and get info on the facilities the Friday before.)

Towards the end some people often do an optional climb up a side trail to the top of a small hill with a distant view of Boston. It adds about a 1/4 of a mile and 100ft of elevation with a short steep climb. It's easy to bypass if you want to keep it easy.

Anything more than a drizzle will cancel - there’s no rain date planned.

Breakheart Reservation info & map - https://www.mass.gov/locations/breakheart-reservation. (From the rear entrance to the reservation we’ll go counterclockwise around Pierce Lake.)

NOTE: You can use "100 Hemlock Road, Wakefield MA" as the address. That's the address of the Northeast Regional Voc Tech, which shares a large parking lot with the Reservation.

Any questions email me at [corgi321@pm.me](http://mailto%3Acorgi321@pm.me/).

*****Directions
NOTE > Be sure to note that we're entering the Reservation through the less common rear entrance. If you find yourself at the front entrance (which is nearer Rte 1 and where the visitor center is) get to "R" by going back out to the main road and turning right. Go approx 1 mile to the light and turn right at the light and pick up at "The last turn" below.)

Parking is free.

Even if you’re using using GPS please note - the last turn - the sign for Hemlock isn’t large *but* there is a largish sign for the Voc Tech (and a ball field) on the corner. Note that there is also an elementary and a middle school on the main road by the turn - ignore them. The Voc Tech is separate and is up behind them.)

Follow Hemlock into the lot at the end. You’ll see the school on the left. The entrance to the Reservation is marked by two stone pillars at the end.

Meet to the left of them. I’ll be wearing a beige Yosemite cap (with a round logo).