Take a Hike: Sunday, January 13
Walking the Line, to Great Hill
By John Nye Cullity
For our mid-winter walk this coming Sunday, the
Sandwich Conservation Trust will re-visit an old favorite – the trek along the
Barnstable-Sandwich town line. The walk begins at the Service Road, about
half a mile east of Exit 4, and goes in a straight line to 230 foot Great
Hill. Here we find the closest thing we have to a dramatic crest on Cape
Cod, with a nice view towards Nantucket Sound.
The setting is dry pine-oak habitat, livened up
by hills and valleys as we make our way to the top. The land to the left
is the 1200 acre West Barnstable Conservation Area, and to our right is a long
strip of private land that is held in a conservation restriction, but through
the generosity of the landowners the public is allowed to pass. Other
features include a sizable boulder near the top of the hill, and off in the
woods a bit, the rusted remains of an old car. We like to challenge
hikers who haven’t been on this walk before to try to guess the make of the
car. Winners will have their picture taken with the wreck and an SCT
trustee. What more could you ask for?
The walk will begin at 2 PM and will last 45
minutes or so. There are some steep slopes and loose stones, and the hike
will not be held if it is raining. There is no charge. Call me at
(508) 888-7629 if you have questions.