Back to Crane Swamp and Cedar Hill

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The Crane Swamp Conservation Area includes 2,225 acres of open space straddling the borders of Northborough, Westborough, Southborough, and Marlborough. The centerpiece is a high quality 400-acre red maple swamp. The swamp is surrounded by a complex of open fields, wet meadows, ponds, pine plantations, and oak-pine forests, with Cedar Hill to the west and Walnut Hill to the northeast. Wildlife species known to inhabit the conservation area include bobcat, coyote, Red fox, Eastern Cottontail rabbits, Snowshoe hare, White-tailed deer, Barred Owl, Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock, Spotted turtles and Monarch butterflies.

TRAIL MAP and INFO HERE! (http://www.sudburyvalleytrustees.org/?q=node/154)

Distance: About 3 miles
Tortoise time: About 2 hours
Some ups and downs...nothing too steep.

GET YOUR TORTOISE CAP! CLICK HERE! (https://www.meetup.com/Fellowship-of-the-Tortoise/pages/ORDER_YOUR_TORTOISE_CAP_NOW!)

Please wear sturdy shoes or boots and wool socks. Some of the land is boggy, so waterproof shoes are best. Poles highly recommended. Depending on precipitation over the next few days, gaiters would be a good idea. Bring snack and water. Be sure to wear layers.

DIRECTIONS: take Route 495 to exit 23C (Simarano Drive exit). Continue to the lights at the end of the exit ramp. Take a left at the lights onto Simarano Drive. Continue to another set of lights and take a right onto Cedar Hill Street. Parking for the reservation is at 360 Cedar Hill Street. The entrance will be on your left across from Forest Street. There is ample parking, labeled with SVT signs, immediately on your right. A trail easement, marked by posts and SVT markers leads around the wetlands and to a kiosk behind the buildings.

Disclaimer!

As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree (https://www.meetup.com/Fellowship-of-the-Tortoise/pages/Disclaimer/)to the following:
this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness,disability (https://www.meetup.com/Fellowship-of-the-Tortoise/pages/Disclaimer/), and/or death to participants and/or others;
you assume all risk associated with this activity;
you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate (https://www.meetup.com/Fellowship-of-the-Tortoise/pages/Disclaimer/) in this activity;
you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com;
the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and
you release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons.