Planted:                 May 25, 2002

Length:                  Minuteman Bikeway; 10.5 miles.

                                Bedford to Letterbox; 3 ¼ miles.

                                Lexington to Letterbox; ¾ mile. 

                                Drive-by; ¼ mile.

Difficulty:             Easy. Flat, paved surface.

Directions:

To start in Bedford ; From I-95, take exit 31B to Routes 4 & 225 ( Bedford Street ) northwest for 1.9 miles. Turn left down Loomis Street and follow to the intersection of South Road . On your left is where the trail begins along Bedford Depot Park. Cross over South Road to Railroad Ave and you’ll find the parking lot on your left behind the bike shop. 

To start in Lexington ; From I-95, take exit 31A to Routes 4 & 225 ( Bedford Street )  southeast for 1.7 miles. Turn left (after Meriam Street ) at Depot Square and park in the municipal parking lot located straight ahead. Trail runs parallel to the lot. For a Drive-by; before you reach Lexington Green, turn left down Camellia Pl (next to the Lexington Fire Dept.) and park in the lot at the end. The trail is through an opening in the fence. Turn left and see clues.

To start at Thorndike Field; From I-95, take exit 29 to Route 2 east to Alewife. Take the exit for Routes 3 & 16 northeast. Turn left onto Massachusetts Ave. at the next intersection and continue for a ½ mile. Turn left on Lake Street and left on Margaret Street . The parking lot is located at the end of the road, next to the trail.

To start from Alewife T-Station; Take Boston 's Red-Line to access this station. See; MBTA for more information. For information about taking your bike on the subway. See; MBTA/BIKES . From I-95, take exit 29 to Route 2 east to Alewife. Take the exit for Alewife Station Access Road and park at the T Station's parking garage.

The Minuteman Bikeway follows the former route of a railroad line between North Cambridge and Bedford . Built in 1846 and extended in 1874, the rail line was finally discontinued in 1981. The bikeway was then constructed between 1991 and 1993. The 12 foot wide, paved surface is divided by a yellow line for its entire length. Road crossings are well marked with signs and crosswalks. For more information visit;  BEDFORD DEPOT PARK  or  MINUTEMAN BIKEWAY  .

Starting in Bedford , be sure to check out the old Bedford Depot Freight House, if it’s open. It has information on the history of the railroad and also sells some refreshments. Next to the Depot is an old Boston & Maine Railroad passenger car. Across the street is a bike shop. Also from this point, you can access the Bedford Narrow Gauge Spur Letterbox. From Bedford , the trail has a slight uphill grade to Lexington and then a slight downhill grade to Arlington . As you start out you will immediately pass by the former Bedford Railroad Depot to your left. After a ¼ mile, note the two old Whistle stop markers with the yellow wood attached to them. After a few road crossings you will pass beneath some power lines and come to a large swamp. Two miles takes you over I-95 via an old railroad trestle. After 3 ¼ miles, spot a grassy area on your left with a long granite bench suspended between two rocks. Another rock has a memorial dedicated to Albert Lester. To the left is a small path through the woods. Go up the path to a sign that reads " Lexington Conservation Land " and look to your left (This sign has been reported as missing, only a post left). You’ll see three large Maple trees in a row. Behind the third tree, under some logs is the Minuteman Bikeway Letterbox. This is close to the bike trail, so please be discreet. Continuing along the trail, at the 4 mile mark you will enter Lexington Center and pass by a Visitors Center and the old Lexington Depot. The Depot is currently undergoing some restoration and plans call for converting the old "ticket windows" for use selling drinks and snacks to trail users. A parking lot is located here.

Note; You can take a quick detour here to check out the historic sights, such as Lexington Common, the site of the first battle of the Revolutionary War. There are also shops and restaurants. The Visitors Center has restrooms and a very large Cooper Beech tree out front. You can also access the Battle Road Trail from here by taking Mass. Ave west . See;  Battle Road Trail Letterbox .

Continuing along the trail, at the 6 mile mark you hit the Arlington town line. The trail is all newly paved from here to Alewife. There is a trailside bike shop/snack bar at 8 miles. After 9 miles you reach Arlington Center , where the trail takes a detour through town via two crosswalks. The railroad used to cross the street at this point and they have preserved some of the old tracks in a small park. Shops and restaurants here as well. From the end of the trail, turn right up Mystic Street and cross over Mass Ave via the cross-walk. Turn left and cross the street again, following alongside Mass Ave. Keep an eye to your right to spot where the paved trail picks up again near some park benches. There is a large sign over the trail entrance. Another ½ mile will bring you past Spy Pond on your right. You then come to Thorndike Field after about 10 miles and a parking lot. Another ½ mile will bring you to the Alewife T Station, a stop on the commuter rail line into Boston . There is a green sign showing the various bike routes and mileages from this point.

Alewife T Station, a stop on the commuter rail line into Boston is a hub for four trails that radiate from it, as well as, another proposed future trail. From the northwest, the Minuteman Trail terminates here. Head south for the Fresh Pond Trail. See; Fresh Pond Letterbox and a future spur from Fresh Pond that will connect to the Charles River Bikeway called the Watertown Branch Rail Trail. See; Watertown Branch Rail Trail .West takes you along the Fitchburg Cutoff, a short trail that is part of the larger Mass Central Rail Trail and still a work in progress. See; Fitchburg Cutoff . East takes you along the Red Line Linear Path which turns into the Somerville Community Path, both of which are part of the larger Mass Central Rail Trail. See; Somerville Community Path . A proposed trail heading northeast called the Alewife Brook Trail would connect to the Mystic River and the Mystic River Paths. See; Mystic River Paths .