Located within Middlesex Fells, a 2,500 acre reservation criss-crossed with hiking and mountain bike trails, Bear Hill Tower was constructed in 1910 on a 319 foot elevation as an observational tower. It's actually the second tower built on this site as a replacement for an original one built by the Appalachian Mountain Club, and is perhaps one of the lesser known locations on the Massachusetts list of historical places.
Driving to the reservation was a bit confusing as we had to enter a small industrial park to find the trailhead. We were almost convinced our directions had led us to the wrong area, but after a couple testy exchanges with Siri we found our spot, a small parking area to the left of the first building in the park. From there we started our half-mile hike to the tower.
I've read that the the Bear Hill Tower is sometimes locked, but I don't know this for a fact since this gate was wide open the day we visited. Or, maybe Tina picked the lock with one of her bobby pins while I wasn't looking.
My suspicion is that the tower used to be locked but is no longer maintained, a suspicion I base on the large tree that's been allowed to grow and obscure the front of the tower. That feels to me like a place nobody is looking after. But provided you're lucky enough to enter it like we were, you'll find yourself climbing a tight, circular stairway that starts with cement steps before changing to these more narrow wooden planks. Also, Dramamine makes a person brave, notice the 2 missing rails where Tina stood to take this picture.
Make your way up its 4 winding levels and you'll be rewarded with a view that stretches all the way from New Hampshire to Boston. Squint past the glare of my forehead and you'll see the Boston skyline in the background of our picture.
This was our last stop for the day on a whirlwind visit to several sites in Boston, so luckily it was a very easy hike. Next time you're looking for something not too challenging that has a very cool payoff at the end, take an afternoon and make the one-mile loop up Bear Hill in Stoneham.
Links:
Coordinates of Bear Hill Tower
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ReplyDeletere-edited comments follow (I forgot to add some things)
DeleteThanks for sharing. I grew up in the Boston area and lived in Medford for many years. Discovered this place in the mid '80s and it was the culminating spot of my daily six mile early morning bikeride. I pumped up the hill to Bear Hill Tower, ascended the circular staircase and when I reached the top, I inhaled deeply and took in the stunning views. I reached my daily goal. It was all downhill from here, then home, shower, and off to work. Good memories. Moved out of New England in the mid 90s but came back for a visit in 2003 (out of shape) but took my mountain bike. It wasn't the same as I struggled to get up the hill to the tower and had to walk it. But ascending the stairs to the top filled me with the same vigor I experienced in my earlier days. :) I found it to be a spiritual place. Often times when I climbed the tower I had to stop and got Deja Vu that I was on the same tower but in early mideval Europe and I was some sort of member of a warring Royal family and troops were nearby. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat story and memory of this area! I'm glad you were able to revisit the tower in later years. I guess none of us move as quickly as we did in our youth, but as long as our sense of adventure doesn't leave us we're still doing fine. Thank you for the comment! Dave
ReplyDeleteSo what's the large circle building ?
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