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Upcoming events

    • Sunday, March 24, 2024
    • 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    • Summit Ave. Rockport, MA
    • 0
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    Join us for an early spring hike through the scenic woodlands around Briar Swamp, which straddles the boundary of Gloucester and Rockport, on the northern edge of Dogtown.

    Our route will take us through the Rockport Town Forest and Pool Hill, down to the southern edge of Briar Swamp, then across the boardwalk and over to Common Road and Whale's Jaw.  From there we will detour up to a trail behind Whale's Jaw and along the edge of the Norton Woods, then head back down to the Squam Path and the Town Forest Trail back to our starting point.

    The route is a mix of carriage roads and single-track trails, with easy to moderate ups and downs, and plenty of rocks and roots underfoot-- plus several interesting features and curiosities along the way! 

    Total distance is about 3.7 miles.  Allow two hours from the starting point.  See the map and route HERE in Gaia GPS.  


    Meeting Spot:  We will meet at the top of Summit Ave. in Haskins Park, on the circular drive near the Pool Hill water tower.  There is plenty of parking.  See the hike map for specifics.


    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.


    Please note that dogs are not permitted on the Sunday Morning Hikes.  We have a Dog-Friendly Hikes group which is now repeating each Sunday Morning hike the following month.  You can join the Dog-Friendly Hikes Google group from the Cape Ann Sunday Hikes group home page to get announcements of each Dog-Friendly hike.
    • Saturday, May 18, 2024
    • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Rockport and Gloucester, MA (parking by Evans Field, 3 Station Square, Rockport)
    Register

    Join Cape Ann Trail Stewards for our 7th Annual Dogtown Trail Race!

    (Runners and Walkers are welcome!)

    This annual 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.


    Attention Runners:  

    Note that this race will be also be part of the new 2024 North Shore Trail Series! 

    (featuring additional races from Essex County Trail Association, Greenbelt, Team Gloucester, and Trail Animals Running Club)


    Click HERE to view  a flyer listing all of the races in the series,

    and go the North Shore Trail Series page on the Trail Animals Running Club website for further information!


    This race will be also part of  Wicked Running Club's 2024 Wicked Grand Prix.




    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



            

    Both Runners and Walkers are welcome to Register!  Walkers will start behind the runners, at the same time as the runners (all walkers will start promptly at 9am when the race starts).  The marked course will remain open with support (safety monitors, water stop, etc.) from 9am to 12pm. 



    Cape Ann Trail Stewards Dogtown Trail Race T-shirts guaranteed for the first 100 registrants! 


    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+. 


    Additional raffle prizes will be awarded to both walker and runner finishers at random intervals at the race finish.


    Click on the images below to view and download a Course Map:


    Dogtown Race Course shown on Dogtown Common Trail Map*:


        


    Dogtown Race Course Map shown on GaiaGPS  Trail Map:



    • Click HERE to view and download a gpx file of the route in GaiaGPS.
    • To view and download a full copy of the Dogtown Common Trail Map (without the race course overlaid), click HERE


    *Note that the Dogtown Common Trail Map was first published in 1987 and does not show all current existing trails.  Refer to the GaiaGPS map version of the race course for a more complete reference of surrounding trails.



    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.

Past events

Wednesday, March 06, 2024 CATS "Short Hike"- Ravenswood Boulder Field Trail Loop
Sunday, February 25, 2024 Sunday Morning Hike- Dogtown: Complete Loop
Sunday, February 04, 2024 Sunday Morning Hike- Pine Pit to Lanesville Quarries
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 CATS "Short Hike" series- Annisquam Woods
Thursday, December 21, 2023 Winter Solstice Sunrise Walk at Poles Hill
Sunday, December 17, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- Pigeon Hill St. to Norton Forest
Sunday, November 26, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- Pigeon Cove Quarries
Thursday, November 23, 2023 CATS Annual Thanksgiving Dogtown Hike
Sunday, November 19, 2023 Rockport Barrier Beach Walk: The Future of These Beaches with Respect to Sea Level Rise
Sunday, October 29, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- Beverly Commons
Saturday, October 28, 2023 Trail Work Day at Kieran Nature Preserve & Rockport South End trails
Saturday, October 21, 2023 Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) Wilderness First Aid Training
Saturday, October 21, 2023 Trail Work Day at Andrews Woods, Rockport
Saturday, October 14, 2023 Ocean Views Walk from Ravenswood to Rafe's Chasm
Sunday, October 08, 2023 5th Annual Ted Tarr Memorial Cross- Cape Ann Hike
Saturday, September 30, 2023 2023 Trails and Sails Event: Ocean Views Walk from Ravenswood to Rafe's Chasm
Sunday, September 24, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- Rockport South Woods
Sunday, August 27, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- Briar Swamp and Norton Woods Loop (Rockport/ Gloucester)
Sunday, July 23, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- MECT Wilderness Conservation Area: Cedar Swamp to West and North Loops
Sunday, June 25, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- Northern Woods Loop (Dogtown) from Gee Ave.
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Summer Solstice Sunrise Walk at Poles Hill
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Cape Ann Trail Stewards Annual Meeting and Drinking Water Resources Talk
Saturday, June 10, 2023 Trail Cleanup at Manchester Western Woods
Saturday, June 10, 2023 Trail Work Day at Andrews Woods, Rockport
Sunday, May 28, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- Ravenswood Park: Magnolia Swamp to Ledge Hill Scenic Vista and More
Saturday, May 20, 2023 2023 Dogtown 5 Mile Trail Race- May 20, 2023
Saturday, May 13, 2023 Trail Work Day at DeLamater and Kieran Sanctuaries
Sunday, May 07, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- Tompson Street Reservation: Concord St. to Eagle Rock
Saturday, April 29, 2023 Rockport Barrier Beach Walk: The Future of These Beaches with Respect to Sea Level Rise
Sunday, March 26, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike- Dogtown: Complete Loop
Sunday, February 26, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike - Pine Pit to Woodland Acres and Gloucester Quarries
Sunday, February 12, 2023 Sunday Afternoon Hike - Squam Path to Norton Woods (Dog Friendly Event)
Sunday, January 22, 2023 Sunday Morning Hike - Squam Path to Norton Woods
Saturday, December 10, 2022 Woodland Acres Trail Work Day
Sunday, December 04, 2022 Sunday Afternoon Hike - Beverly Commons (Dog-Friendly Event)
Sunday, December 04, 2022 Poles Hill Trail Work Day
Sunday, November 27, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike - Dogtown Northern Loop
Thursday, November 24, 2022 CATS Annual Thanksgiving Dogtown Hike
Saturday, November 19, 2022 Haskell Pond Loop Hike
Sunday, November 06, 2022 Manchester Western Woods Hike
Tuesday, November 01, 2022 Cape Ann Trail Stewards Annual Members Meeting, and Environmental Sustainability Talk
Sunday, October 30, 2022 Sunday Afternoon Hike - Upper Luce Trail & Bad Dog Trail (Dog-Friendly Event)
Sunday, October 23, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike- Beverly Commons
Saturday, October 22, 2022 Trail Work Day on Choate Island
Saturday, October 15, 2022 Trail Work Day at DeLamater Sancturary
Sunday, October 09, 2022 4th Annual Ted Tarr Memorial Cross- Cape Ann Hike
Sunday, September 25, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike -Upper Luce Trail & Bad Dog Trail
Sunday, September 18, 2022 Sunday Afternoon Hike - Rockport South Woods (Dog-Friendly Event)
Saturday, September 17, 2022 Trails and Sails Event: Ocean Views Walk from Ravenswood to Rafe's Chasm
Sunday, August 28, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike - Rockport South Woods
Sunday, August 14, 2022 Dog-Friendly Hike - Manchester-Essex Woods
Sunday, July 31, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike - Manchester-Essex Woods
Sunday, July 10, 2022 Inaugural Dog-Friendly Hike: Dogtown Complete Loop
Sunday, June 26, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike-Dogtown - Complete Loop
Tuesday, June 21, 2022 2022 Poles Hill Solstice Hike
Sunday, June 12, 2022 Magnolia Woods Mountain Laurel Hike
Sunday, June 05, 2022 National Trails Day - Western Woods, Manchester
Sunday, May 22, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike- Squam Road to Norton Forest & JerryMannder Trail
Saturday, May 21, 2022 2022 Dogtown 5 Mile Trail Run - May 21, 2022
Saturday, May 14, 2022 World Fish Migration Day Celebration: Mill Brook Hike
Sunday, April 24, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike- Pine Pit to Gloucester Quarries and Luce Trail Loop
Sunday, March 27, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike- Tompson Street to Eagle Rock
Sunday, February 27, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike -Briar Swamp from Summit Ave.
Sunday, January 23, 2022 Sunday Morning Hike -Norton Woods from Revere Street
Sunday, November 28, 2021 Sunday Morning Hike - Pine Pit to Woodland Acres & Gloucester Quarries
Thursday, November 25, 2021 CATS Thanksgiving Dogtown Hike
Saturday, November 20, 2021 Dexter Pond Loop Trail Maintenance
Sunday, October 24, 2021 Sunday Morning Hike - Beverly Commons
Sunday, October 10, 2021 3rd Annual Ted Tarr Memorial Cross Cape Ann Hike
Saturday, October 02, 2021 2021 Dogtown 5 Mile Trail Run - October 2nd!
Sunday, September 26, 2021 Sunday Morning Hike - Pigeon Cove Quarries
Saturday, September 18, 2021 Trails and Sails Ocean Views Walk from Ravenswood to Rafe's Chasm
Sunday, August 29, 2021 Sunday Morning Hike -Manchester-Essex Woods
Saturday, August 14, 2021 Haskell Pond Loop Hike
Sunday, August 01, 2021 Sunday Morning Hike -Ravenswood from Magnolia Swamp to Ledge Hill Trail
Sunday, June 27, 2021 Sunday Morning Hike: Norton Forest & JerryMannder Trail
Sunday, June 20, 2021 Poles Hill Solstice Hike
Sunday, June 13, 2021 Magnolia Woods Mountain Laurel Hike
Saturday, June 12, 2021 Wildflower Walk at Dogtown/Babson Reservoir - #2
Saturday, June 05, 2021 National Trails Day at Woodland Acres/Pine Pit
Tuesday, June 01, 2021 Annual Meeting/Native Plants talk (Zoom)
Saturday, May 29, 2021 Wildflower Walk at Dogtown/Babson Boulders
Sunday, May 23, 2021 Sunday Morning Hike - Pigeon Hill St to Bad Dog & Anne’s Path, plus Steel - ~4 mi.
Saturday, May 22, 2021 Joint CATS/Rockport Rights of Way Work Morning at Delamater Sanctuary
Tuesday, May 04, 2021 CATS May Board Meeting - Zoom
Sunday, May 02, 2021 Sunday Morning Hike - Dogtown - ~4 mi.
Monday, April 19, 2021 Earth Week 2021 DIY Trail Cleanup
Friday, December 11, 2020 2020 Dogtown 5 Mile Trail Run - Virtual Challenge: Dec 11-13!
Thursday, November 26, 2020 CATS Thanksgiving Dogtown Hike
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 CATS November Board Meeting - Zoom
Sunday, October 25, 2020 Powderhouse Hill Hike
Sunday, October 11, 2020 2nd Annual Cross Cape Ann Hike
Tuesday, October 06, 2020 CATS October Board Meeting - Zoom
Sunday, September 20, 2020 Haskell Pond loop Hike
Tuesday, September 01, 2020 CATS Board Meeting - Zoom
Tuesday, June 02, 2020 CATS Annual Meeting - Wildflower Talk and Business Meeting
Tuesday, April 07, 2020 CATS Board Meeting
Thursday, November 28, 2019 Thanksgiving Dogtown Walk
Saturday, November 09, 2019 Rockport Rights of Way Andrews Woods Cleanup
Sunday, October 13, 2019 1st annual Ted Tarr Cross Cape Ann Walk
Saturday, September 21, 2019 Trails and Sails Ocean Views Walk from Ravenswood to Rafe's Chasm
Sunday, June 30, 2019 Pole Hill Solstice Walk
Sunday, June 23, 2019 Mountain Laurel Hike in Magnolia Woods to Rafe's Chasm
Tuesday, June 04, 2019 CATS Annual Meeting
Sunday, May 19, 2019 Dogtown 5 Mile Trail Run
Tuesday, May 07, 2019 CATS Board Meeting
Saturday, April 27, 2019 Rockport Conservation Commission Earth Day
Saturday, April 27, 2019 Earth Day Cleanup with Clean Gloucester - 3rd Annual
Tuesday, April 02, 2019 CATS Board Meeting
Tuesday, February 05, 2019 CATS Board Meeting
Saturday, December 01, 2018 Stewardship Saturday: Poles Hill
Thursday, November 22, 2018 Thanksgiving Dogtown Walk
Sunday, November 18, 2018 Mt. Ann Sunday Morning Walk
Sunday, November 11, 2018 Sunday Morning Manchester Hike
Sunday, October 21, 2018 Mt. Ann Sunday Morning Walk
Saturday, October 13, 2018 Stewardship Saturday - Dogtown
Tuesday, June 05, 2018 Annual Meeting
Sunday, May 20, 2018 Dogtown 5 Mile Trail Run
Saturday, April 14, 2018 Stewardship Saturdays - Location TBD


Cape Ann Trail Stewards | PO Box 690 | Essex | MA | 01929

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