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• Sunday Morning Hike- Dogtown: Complete Loop

  • When
    Sunday, March 26, 2023
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Cherry St., Gloucester
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Join us for a 4- mile hike along the main trails of the historic “Commons Settlement”, popularly known as Dogtown.

  We will start the hike on Dogtown Road, then turn left up the Adams Pines Trail for a quick look at Goose Cove Reservoir, then head back along Commons Road to Wharf Road, which will bring us down to Dogtown Square. Along the way we will see boulders marking the cellar holes of 18^th century houses.  

  From Dogtown Square, we will  head over to the Babson Boulder Trail and follow it down to Babson Reservoir, stopping to see a dozen or more of Roger Babson’s famous boulders carved with inspirational sayings.  From there it will be a short hike up the fire road back to Dogtown Road and our cars.  

  Here is a link to a map of the complete route:  

  https://www.gaiagps.com/public/hakYz6S9prbr3bjHokF2skKp

  This is a relatively easy hike, with mostly gentle grades but plenty of rocks and roots underfoot.  With stops, be prepared for the hike to take about 2 hours.

  
  

  Meeting Spot:  We will meet at the main entrance to Dogtown off Cherry St., just a short distance north of the intersection with Reynard Street, on the right.  See the hike map for specifics.  There is a small parking lot part a quarter mile up Dogtown Rd. on the right.   If filled, park on the right side of the road beyond the lot.  

  
  

  Please arrive early (we recommend planning to arrive between 9:50 and 9:55 am in order to be ready for the group's 10 am departure).  The hike will depart promptly at 10 am.

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• Rockport Barrier Beach Walk: The Future of These Beaches with Respect to Sea Level Rise

  • When
    Saturday, April 29, 2023
  •  
    12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
  • Location
    Cape Hedge Beach Parking Lot, Seaview Street., Rockport
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Join us for an interpretive walk along Rockport’s Long, Cape Hedge, and Pebble Beaches to learn about how these beaches have been changing due to sea level rise, and what the future is likely to bring. 

  The walk will include learning about dune and salt marsh migration and the associated impacts to municipal infrastructure such as roads and parking lots, as well as private property.  

  This walking tour will be led by Eric Hutchins from Rockport, who has over 25 years of professional work experience at NOAA protecting and restoring coastal habitats throughout the Gulf of Maine.  Eric is also on the Board of Cape Ann Trail Stewards.

   

  

  (Photo of a 2018 storm surge overtaking Penzance Road, along Pebble Beach in Rockport))

  
  

  This will be a mixed ability walk that includes flat sections of beach but also traversing and walking over a section of the cobble dune at Cape Hedge Beach. 

  Ankle-supporting shoes and assessing your ability to walk over the cobble dune are recommended.  Total distance will be around 2 miles, and the estimated time is just under two hours, which will include many stops to discuss coastal processes, habitat restoration and protection, and simply the opportunity to appreciate this beautiful stretch of barrier beaches. 

  Walk Limit:  50 persons

  Meeting Spot:   Meet at the Cape Hedge Parking lot at the end of Seaview Street in Rockport.  Arrangements will be made for free parking for all registered participants.  

  Please arrive a little early.  The walk and talk will start promptly at 12:30 pm…rain or shine. 

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• 2023 Dogtown 5 Mile Trail Race- May 20, 2023

  • When
    Saturday, May 20, 2023
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Rockport and Gloucester, MA (parking by Evans Field, 3 Station Square, Rockport)

  Register

  Join Cape Ann Trail Stewards for our 6th Annual Dogtown Trail Race!

  REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

  
  

  The race covers a beautiful and challenging 5.4 mile course starting and finishing near the water tower at the top of Summit Ave. in Rockport.   The terrain ranges from carriage roads with minor rocks/ roots, to more extreme technical sections with extensive large rocks (requiring a degree of "boulder-hopping"), and everything in-between! 

  The course travels through many historic and popular sections of Dogtown, including the Squam Path, New England Forestry Foundation's Norton Memorial Forest, Whale's Jaw, the Luce Trail, Briar Swamp, and the Rockport Town Forest.

  
  

  
  

  Online Registration is $20.00 for CATS Members, and $30.00 for Non-members.

  Race Day Registration is $25.00 for CATS Members, and $35.00 for Non-members.

  
  

  become a member
  

  
  

  The first 75 registrants are guaranteed a race T-shirt.

  
  

  Prizes for first overall male and female, and for first male and female in the age group categories of 39 and under, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+

  
  

  Click on the images below to view and download a course map:

  
  

   
  

  
  

  Click HERE to view the Race Course in GAIA GPS maps, and to download the gpx file.

  
  

  To view and download a full copy of the Dogtown Common Trail Map (without the race course overlaid), click HERE.

  
  

  
  

  Meeting Spot:  Race parking will be by Evans Field at 3 Station Square in Rockport.  Participants will walk through Evans Field to a trail that will take them to the race registration and check-in area, which is near the water tower at  the top of Summit Ave. (signs and volunteers will guide you on where to go).

  Registration and race check-in will be from 7:30am to 8:45am.  The race starts at 9:00am.

  For any additional questions about the race, registration, or CATS memberships, email us at contact@capeanntrailstewards.org.

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