Saturday, March 27, 2010

Cedar Swamp, Essex

The North Shore has a number of areas in which to do hikes, including one that can either be done as an extremely short (and extremely scenic) boardwalk stroll or a much longer hike that includes deep woods and hills. This entry concentrates on the former, as one of the best parts of the extensive conservation land on the Essex-Manchester border is the cedar swamp that is within minutes of the start of the trailhead on Southern Avenue. The aforementioned boardwalk cuts through the heart of the swamp, with memorable views in all directions. The walk along the boardwalk only takes a few minutes, but there are so many good vantage points that you could easily spend an hour or more in the area, taking photos and looking for wildlife. For those who are looking for more of a workout, once the boardwalk ends a trail continues on, allowing for several miles of hiking over varied terrain.



Below are some photos of the cedar swamp, which by the way, is only a couple of minutes north of Route 128 (take the School Street exit).



photo of Cedar Swamp, Essex, MA



photo of Cedar Swamp, Essex, MA



photo of Cedar Swamp, Essex, MA