ROADSIDE TRAILS

 MT MISERY LETTERBOX:

LINCOLN, MASSACHUSETTS

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Planted:                October 9, 2002

Length:                Route 117 parking lot to Letterbox; 0.4 of a mile 

                              Roadside Trail Loop; 8 ¾ miles

                              Route 126 Trail; 4 ¾ miles        

                              Trapelo Road Trail: 1.6 miles

Codman Road Trail; 1 ¾ miles

Difficulty:            Moderate. Hilly terrain on both hard packed and paved narrow trails.

                              Not recommended for small kids on bikes.

Directions:

From I-95, take exit 26 and drive east on Route 20 for ½ a mile. Turn left onto Route 117 west and go about 6 miles to a small gravel parking lot on the right. There will be a sign indicating this is the Town of Lincoln Conservation Area. The parking lot is at the bottom of a hill, just down from where you crossed Route 126.

Lincoln 's Roadside Trails now cover over 8 miles in the town. They consist of paved trails along the roadways of Lincoln and vary in width and quality. There are also hiking and biking trails inside the Conservation Area which exists throughout the town. The Letterbox is hidden along a hard packed bike trail in the Conservation Area, but I also give lengths and details of the various paved trails that link together in town.

From the Route 117 parking lot; head past the #4 green metal pole along the hard packed Conservation Area Trail. There will be a sign board here showing all the trails in the Lincoln Conservation Area.

Note; The bike trail portions through the area are designated by blue diamond bike trail signs posted on the trees. Bikes are not allowed on the hiking paths.

When you come to the Y in the trail, bear left following the blue diamonds. Right takes you out to Route 117. You pass by a pond to your right and ascend a bit of a hill. After 0.4 miles you come to an intersection and a sign that says Kettle Trail. The bike trail continues down the White Trail and a Yellow Trail crosses your path. Turn right on the Yellow Trail and follow the stone wall on your left until you see a White Pine tree up against the wall. Go to this Pine tree on the opposite side of the wall and take 3 paces (2 steps = 1 pace) farther up the wall. In the wall is the Mount Misery Letterbox. Return to the bike trail and continue following the blue diamonds along the White Trail. Another couple tenths of a mile brings you to an open field. Go through the field, noting that this is all part of the Conservation Area and used as community gardening. You exit the fields onto Old Concord Road and turn right. There is another map of the area here. This brings you to Route 126 after a mile and the end of the Lincoln Conservation Area. Cross over the road to the paved Route 126 Trail. Head left (north) alongside Route 126. After a ½ mile you cross over the commuter railroad tracks. The paved trail ends after ¾ miles at Baker Bridge Road . Cross the road to the start of the Mountain Bike Trail. This leg is hilly on narrow trails with tree roots making for a sometimes bumpy ride. As you ascend the first hill, you come to an intersection. Bear right following the blue diamonds. We think the left trail heads towards Walden Pond State Reservation, but didn't check it out. After almost a mile, you come to Sandy Pond Road . Turn left down this road and immediately cross over to the trail. You’ll spot another map board here. This section of trail is wider and flatter. You pass by Sandy Pond, also called Flint Pond to your right. After a mile of this section the trail turns right on Oxcart Trail. This section is crushed stone and a nice ½ mile ride. After about 2 ½ miles on the Mountain Bike Trail you come to Bedford Road . Left brings you up to Route 2 after only 0.1 miles. Head right along the Bedford Road Trail which is paved, but narrow. The first ½ mile is uphill and tops out next to an apple orchard. The last ½ mile is downhill to Lincoln Center . You pass by an impressive granite stone parish house before the trail switches sides of the road and brings you to the brick library, complete with clock tower. About 5 ¼ miles total so far to Lincoln Center from Route 117.

Note; From Lincoln Center you can check out the Trapelo Road Trail to your left which is 1.6 miles long on hilly, sometimes rough pavement. Not a lot to see. It ends abruptly across from Tabor Hill Road .

Note; You may also check out the DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park (See; DECORDOVA MUSEUM ) by turning right down Sandy Pond Road and traveling a ½ mile on-road. 

Continuing straight takes you along the Lincoln Road Trail. This section is relatively flat. You pass by the Lincoln Town Hall and the trail crosses the road just past the Post Office. You come to South Lincoln after 6 ¾ miles. Here you cross over the commuter railroad tracks, next to the Lincoln Commuter T-Station. For more information visit; MBTA or MBTA/BIKES for information on taking your bike on the train. Another ¼ mile brings you to Codman Road and the Town of Lincoln Police and Fire Station.

Note; The 1 ¾ mile Codman Road Trail crosses here. Right heads north for ¾ miles and runs into the Route 126 Trail. Left takes you 1 mile south along Codman Road , then Route 117 and ends near Tower Road .

Lincoln Road Trail continues for another ½ mile, but after only a ¼ mile you’ll come to Route 117 ( Great Road ). Turn right and follow the Route 117 Trail for a ½ mile to Route 126. A total of 7 ¾ miles so far.

Note; The 4 ¾ mile Route 126 Trail crosses here. Heading left (south) takes you all the way to Wayland Center, about 3 ½ miles. Heading right (north) takes you past the Codman Road Trail, Conservation Area Trail and up to the Mountain Bike Trail.

Cross over Route 126 and continue downhill for another ¾ miles along the Route 117 Trail to where the trail ends. Cross the road and enter the Lincoln Conservation Area. Turn left after the pond and this will take you back to the Route 117 parking lot. About an 8 ¾ miles loop, not counting the spur trails.  

HH

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LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON

JUNE 19, 2008

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