Mass Dog Hikes in Sudbury's Haynes Meadow is where we were...and where it's at!
Are you too busy lately to research new places to go dog hiking and walking? Pent up and need to get out? Or do you take the same old walk, and you hate dog parks? ... (Like I certainly do!)
Well, take a day trip to Haynes Meadow and experience geological wonders and a rich history with stories from a century ago, such as:
A random solitary chimney in the woods that makes you do a double-take as you notice it--with a story behind it that I relay to folks.
Since various internet searches for dog destinations can sometimes show conflicting or outdated information, or are just too shallow of a preview, I hope you enjoy this post instead, and for even more details, you could also check out my awesome Free Online Info Guide for dog hiking at Hayne's Meadow in Sudbury.
Go dog hiking atop Glacial artwork that formed ridges with sweeping views of the marsh, and hike past kettle holes that are home to peepers and other species singing in their vernal pools.
Be a time traveler (it burns more calories than a regular dog walk!) See evidence of a thriving lumber operation, lodges where the workers lived and fires they sat by after skating on the pond over a century ago.
MASS DOG HIKES: FREE ONLINE GUIDEFOR SUDBURY
DOG HIKING:
HISTORY AND BEAUTY AT HAYNES MEADOW IN SUDBURY! TAKE A DAY TRIP!!!
This online guide details THE BEST dog hiking destination I've found as a pro dog walker--What a great day trip!
MASS DOG HIKES: COVID UPDATES FOR OFF-LEASH DOG WALKING
REGARDING OFF-LEASH DOGS SPECIFICALLY, HAYNES IS NOW ON-LEASH ONLY. PLEASE FIND THE MOST UP TO DATE INFO FOR SUDBURY USING THIS LINK.
Thanks to the town of Sudbury for being "on it".
Haynes Meadow Conservation Land is the property of the town of Sudbury. It falls under the umbrella of the Sudbury Conservation Commission.
Be sure to scroll down to see info below on parking, the rules, etc before you go. But first:
Mass Dog Hikes highlights a few main areas of the conservation property...
...Brian even gave these sections his own names!
THE CHIMNEY CHASE
Did you know that the solitary chimney, which I referenced above, that stands in the middle of the woods, tells quite a tale of years gone by? When the old lumber mill that generated power from the brook was in operation in the 1800's, a house stood there where employees would sit around the fire after skating on the pond.
THE GLACIER RIDE
And "just a few" more years back than the 1800's, glaciers formed a lot more than just Haynes Meadow. But all that matters for you and your dog right now is, that you'll be hiking along a ridge on this section of the conservation land that highlights their amazing artwork as you look down over the marsh.
Your dog won't care, but just so you know! ...The terms "eskers", "kame plains" and "kettleholes" are relevant here, and are actually referenced in the Nature's Classroom section below.
First Section of the Property: "The Chimney Chase"
If you park at the Blueberry Hill Rd trailhead, head right at the trailhead sign once you enter the property.
Click here for a map to give you some perspective. Thanks town of Sudbury!
A larger footbridge spans historic Hop Brook (after a series of "tricky" roots that are actually raised a bit BELOW ground--ripe for tripping, so be careful).
MASS DOG HIKES: Head's up for safety
I don't let my dogs go down the decline to the brook on either side of the bridge. Not worth it. Sometimes it's just too rough in terms of flow.
And dog leashes often get stuck in the roots that look like railroad tracks...just before the bridge, so be careful!
The water, as mentioned above, barring drought conditions, flows fairly robustly here and was the source of power for lumber mills many decades ago.
A smaller footbridge spans a much smaller area of water a little beyond this larger bridge. It is very peaceful. It's shown below.
These bridges lead you to:
Picnic and Zen with Your Dog
After you cross the two bridges, a short walk later, it's time to relax and listen to the birds and the brook trickling...the peacefulness is palpable!
You have arrived at the "secret chimney in the woods" in this spot--my favorite picnic spot--and my "Lazyboy" by the pond (a stone which acts as the perfect seat to observe all of this from, right next to the small pond on your right.)
Be sure to access the Online Info Guide for "FREE Sudbury Dog Hiking Guide" for cool videos and pics of this spot, at the bottom this post.
MASS DOG HIKES: FREE ONLINE GUIDEFOR SUDBURY
DOG HIKING:
HISTORY AND BEAUTY AT HAYNES MEADOW IN SUDBURY! TAKE A DAY TRIP!!!
This online guide details THE BEST dog hiking destination I've found as a pro dog walker--What a great day trip!
Second Section of the Property: The Glacier Ride
You (or your dog) don't need to know the glacial vocab terms I mentioned in the highlights section further above about the Glacier Ride. So to soak in the truly awesome power of glaciers from thousands of years ago. Just be present and absorb it. Vocab quiz aside!
After enjoying sweeping views high atop the ridge that I call "Blueberry Ridge" as you make your way along it further away from the Blueberry Hill Lane trailhead, you approach the kettle holes and vernal pools along what I refer to as a "natural roller coaster" of dips and curves.
I refer to this area as Blueberry Ridge, due to its proximity to the nearest parking spot, detailed below.
Mass Dog Hikes asks: Want even MORE learning opp's?
See: Nature's Classroom in the FREE Online Info Guide
In order to not have you reading this post forever, I'll leave the info on "Nature's Classroom" for the free online info guide on Sudbury Dog Hiking.
I refer to Haynes Meadow as "Nature's Classroom" because of what you can learn (and hopefully be blown away by) while you're on what would be regarded by others as "just a dog hike".
What are some of the learning opportunities, you ask? Glaciers. Kettleholes. Eskers. Kame Plains. Lumber mills. "Ghostly White Indian Pipes". "Woody" the Woodpecker. That's what!
Access the Free Guide at the bottom of this post.
The info there arms you with all the information to be the most interesting person at your next cocktail party, or for your children to get an "A" on their next history or geology exam!
Resources from the Town of Sudbury
First of all, the town of Sudbury does an incredible job with the information it makes public regarding its conservation land and other properties--dog lovers love it! I sure do. Thanks Sudbury.
So here are a few links to check that give you WAY more info than I could:
Town of Sudbury links:
The town of Sudbury's web page on Haynes. Overview, trail details and AMAZING facts about the history, geology and natural resources of Haynes.
The town's awesome web on conservation topics, from respecting the area's incredible natural resources to learning how to get involved in protection them!
Sudbury Water Department's site, they have a station adjacent to the wetlands.
AND, CHECK OUT THE FREE ONLINE INFO GUIDE FOR LINKS TO LOCAL ATTRACTIONS SUCH AS RESTAURANTS AND HISTORIC LANDMARKS.
Mass Dog Hikes Wants You to See Some More "Dog Info Heads Ups":
(During "non-COVID times) - Haynes Meadow allows dogs to be off leash if they are under the owner's voice control. This is the town's policy for all of its conservation properties, such as Haynes Meadow.
Also per the town: Dog walkers are expected to remove any dog waste from the trails and not dispose of it in any wetland area.
Parking:
My favorite place to park is off of Blueberry Hill Lane, which is off of Peakham Road (near the intersection Peakham, Old Horseshoe Rd and Pratt's Mill Rd).
Why the Blueberry Hill Lane "pull off" for parking?
I rarely see more than one or two cars here. Many people who enter the trail via this pull-off area, are on foot because they live nearby. And, you can stand on a ridge right near the trail head, and see out over the wetlands as you start your adventure.
I would try Blueberry Hill first. Next choice would be the lot for Gray Reservation. This Sudbury Valley Trustees network of trails is adjacent to Haynes, so you get to see another property on the way in to Haynes! It's located at the top of Old Lancaster Rd, where it meets Hudson Rd.
And there is another access and parking area, but I'd try the other ones first. This one is off of Peakham Rd, near the intersection with Old Lancaster Rd. The address is 489 Peakham. This lot is small. It's on a dirt road that leads to a house--a quite historical house by the way. Links are in chapter 2 about this. But for now, just know to please keep off of the building's property--the town asks that you not go beyond the parking lot.
3 Things to Keep in Mind When You Go:
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