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Willowdale State Forest East (Pine Swamp Section) [C-D]
Detail Map (80k)
Locus Map (60k)
Size: 2400 acres, east and west sections
Location: Ipswich and Topsfield. From junction of Pineswamp Road and Linebrook Road to Route 1 at West Street. 3.5 miles.
Parking: Doyon School on Linebrook Road and at Route 1 and West Street. On Topsfield Road for Bradley Palmer Branch.
Permitted: Hiking, horseback riding and mountain bikes except when trails are extremely wet, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in season. Dogs are allowed if leashed.
Hours: Dawn to dusk.
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"Given to the people of Massachusetts as a place to enjoy the peace and beauty of river, woods, fields and hills.” — Bradley Palmer
History
The original land for both the Pine Swamp and Hood Pond sections of Willowdale State Forest was owned by Bradley Palmer. Additional parcels continue to be added to Willowdale State Forest as land and funds become available. Palmer and his estate are described in the Hood Pond section of this guide.
Natural Features
The eastern section of Willowdale State Forest consists of forested glacial hills and eskers with numerous wetlands.
The marshes are characterized by open water and such typical marsh plants as yellow pond lilies, pickerelweed, reeds, arrowheads, cattails, purple loosestrife, sedges, duckweed, sweetflag, Joe Pye weed and blue flag and yellow irises, and are a prime habitat for waterfowl.
Intermixed with the marshes are swamps which are somewhat drier and can therefore support woody shrubs such as high-bush blueberry, buttonbush, alder, willow, dogwood, viburnum, elder, sweet-gale, leather-leaf, spirea, winterberry, shadbush, and purple chokeberry.
Red maple swamps are common and sweet pepperbush, buttonbush, white swamp azalea, rosebay rhododendron, skunk cabbage and jack-in-the-pulpit grow beneath the red maples. There are many varieties of ferns and mosses. Red shouldered hawks and barred owls may nest in these swamps.
The forest also provides excellent habitat for the whitetail deer which can often be seen bounding through the woods, especially near dawn or dusk. Because the deer are so common (more so now than in colonial times), it behooves the hiker to be aware of the deer ticks which can be carriers of Lyme disease. Other mammals include opossum and fishers and most recently, coyotes. None are a threat to hikers.
Throughout the early spring and summer, the woods and wet areas are the breeding grounds and home of several species of amphibians. The first are the mole salamanders which enter vernal (temporary) ponds almost as the ice starts to melt. They breed at night during the first warm rain of the springtime (called “Big Night"). Next come the wood frogs which sound like ducks, and then the spring peepers. These are followed by toads, tree frogs, and finally the green and bull frogs.
Bay Circuit Route
- Enter this section of the trail at Pine Swamp Road, a dirt road adjacent to the Doyon Elementary School. This road is not a public way, so please tread softly. The property owners have given us permission to use the trail for non-vehicular, passive recreation.
- Hike for approximately 1/4 mile along this road until you see the Jersey barriers (placed here to block vehicle traffic) and Trail Marker #1 on your right. Turn past these barriers into Willowdale State Forest.
- Users should be aware that many trails criss-cross through this part of the forest and that there are many different trail markings. Keep alert for the rectangular white blazes, and if you choose to explore one of the other trails, leave markings so that you can retrace your steps.
- The numbers on the map relate to each trail intersection and properly used, this will allow you to explore the East or Pineswamp section of Willowdale without fear of getting lost. Numbers 1-12 mark the Bay Circuit Trail. (Don't be confused by #s 48 and 47 on the trail between #6 and #7).
The Bay Circuit Trail passes through some wet areas, especially during the spring and after major rainstorms, but for the most part you will traverse gently rolling uplands.
- In a little over 1/2 mile the trail turns left at a three way junction (#2).
- In 1/4 mile, the trail descends a small hill and turns abruptly right at another three-way intersection (#3).
- After passing through a swampy area on solid footing, the trail turns left . Keep alert for the double blazes which indicate these turns. A wooden sign reading FIRE HOLE is posted on a tree (between #s 4 and 5) and indicates that the small pond to the right is a firehole for combatting forest fires.
- Continue following the trail until you reach a major junction with wooden signs to help you find your way (#6). The Bradley Palmer Branch, also marked with Bay Circuit Trail blazes by the Boxford BCTC, bears left to the southwest, and if you follow it for about 1/2 mile you will emerge on Topsfield Road 3.5 miles from Route 1 and just across from the pedestrian-equestrian bridge that crosses the Ipswich River. There is room for several cars if you wish to start or end your hike at this place.
- One of the other signs reads Rowley and directs you back along the route you have taken from Doyon. Another sign says Hood Pond, and if you wish to continue on the Ipswich Bay Circuit Trail, turn right to follow this trail to the Hood Pond section of Willowdale State Forest.
- From this major junction of the branch trails, proceed west.
- Turn right at the next trail junction. The trail then heads northwest for over 1 mile with many intersecting trails entering from both sides.
- At a four-way trail intersection, turn left. In about 1/4 mile, turn right at a three-way junction.
- In another 1/4 mile, after passing by an area of ponds and marsh that used to be a cranberry bog, turn right onto a narrow trail (#12). In a few hundred feet, this trail crosses Howlett Brook on an extended wooden footbridge.
- In 1/4 mile, the trail enters onto West Street, and in less than 100 feet, crosses Route 1. Use extreme caution when crossing Route 1, as it is a very busy, high speed road! There is parking for several cars at a gravel area on the east side of Route 1 at the intersection with West Street.
