GET FIT Hike #1: Plum Island

Diamond sparkling surf, blue sky, and crisp salty air! The ocean wildlife refuge welcomed us!

We like to visit the ocean in the spring because it's quiet, less crowds and more relaxing! This time we headed down to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island in Newburyport, MA for some fresh air and sunshine. It was sunny, temperature was in the high 40’s and breezy.

After paying the 5-dollar admission fee per car we drove 3.5 miles down the park road to the Hellcat trail area. During the drive we observed Parker River to the right before emptying into the ocean at the tip of the island. Marshes and pools made for plenty of snow-white egrets, ducks, and a few regal swans. They don't call this a national wildlife refuge for nothing!

Once we reached the Hellcat trail parking area, we waited for other members to arrive. We first followed the path out to the observation tower that gave us a view of the river, the pools and the Hellcat trail area.

The Hellcat trail is a loop first exploring the marsh and then the dunes. The entire trail is actually elevated boardwalks and stairs that wind their way through vernal pools, woodlands, swamps and sand dunes which we had a great time on. Much different than our White Mountain hiking trails! We took the Marsh Spur where we found ourselves surrounded by twenty-foot-tall golden reeds flanking the boardwalk that made us feel like we were in a marsh jungle! Here we took a group picture. Later on, we reached the high point atop the Hellcat Dunes for a deep blue ocean view.  

When we were done there was more time for fun so we headed to Lot 6, and hiked on the Stage Island Trail through a drumlin with panoramic views of ocean and estuary, to the Sound overlooking Ipswich Bay. Before us spread a freshwater marsh. The grassy trail led us to Ipswich Bluff. Across the inlet in Ipswich, rise the hills of Great Neck, Little Neck, and Castle Neck, all composed of ground moraine-glacial sediments deposited by an ice sheet. The Bluff provides a great view of the tidal inlet.

We then made this a loop by walking along the low dunes of Sandy Point, wrapped around Sandy Point itself with a fine view of Crane’s Beach across the water and then reaching the boulders below the 40-foot-high cliff known as Bar Head. We reached a fence alerting us not to trespass onto the Piping Plovers home, an endangered species now gradually pulling back from the brink of extinction. We then followed the road back to our vehicles on Lot 6 taking in one last time the views of the freshwater marsh.

Afterwards almost everyone went back to Bob's Lobster Shack to for a late lunch outside on their picnic tables. They are known for their lobster rolls. This is one the best spots on the seacoast for seafood. Their fisherman’s platter is huge so Jon and I split one. Others ordered lobster rolls and fried clam dinners.   

Sunny fun, close to home with a great group of GOers! Three miles of walking and only 100 feet or so of elevation gain. This area was stunning and trails different than most hiking trails. It's a perfect paradise if you're into birding. There are people running all over with spotting scopes and $20,000 camera/lens combos. The beach was amazing and it only costs $5 to enjoy it. It's open sunrise to sunset. No mountains but with the little hiking trails and beach it was a great place to spend a day with our GO friends to kick off the beginning of spring hiking season! If you have time, explore brick fronted Newburyport with restaurants, cafes, exquisite gift shops and known for its harbor walk. 

Craig sent a link to a quick summary of our adventure! 

Our first of four GetFit Hikes to get fit for summer hiking! Let's get together and explore the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (Plum Island), Sandy Point State Park and the Hellcat Trail! We’ll meet at the Hellcat Swamp Nature Trail parking area [directions below]. Plum Island is also known for the great variety of birds that nest there, so bring your binoculars too.

We'll be visiting the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and our first stop will be to walk the Hellcat Swamp Nature Trail. We'll then drive to the south end of the island for some seashore walking. There will be an observation tower to climb with views of the entire island and surrounding coast! By the time we finish, we will have walked an easy 5 miles in the salty air and you may have a fine sunburn, too. Afterwards, we'll have a late lunch nearby at Bob's Lobster Shack.  

Hellcat Swamp Nature Trail: There will be observation towers to climb with views of the entire island and surrounding coast! This is a nice level boardwalk between .8 and 1.4 miles through the freshwater marsh, shrub, vernal pools, dune, and maritime woodland habitats. There are several lookouts with benches on the boardwalk.

Sandy Point State Park: Afterwards will get back into our cars and drive here. We'll take a path lined by head-high salt marsh grass towards Ipswich Bluff. Ten minutes down the path we'll turn left towards the shoreline and follow it around the reservation, past Emerson Rocks, and have great views across the water of Ipswich's Little Neck, Steep Hill Beach, Cranes Beach, Gloucester and Rockport! Depending on the tide this is a great spot to collect driftwood and shells which have washed up on the shoreline.

After we've headed up the beach we'll turn around and retrace our steps for a bit, then take a path through the dunes back to the parking lot. This hike is about 3.2 miles (longer if we want to go further up the beach), is on level terrain the entire way and should take around 2 hours. Except for the first 10 minutes of this hike which is on a grass and dirt path, we'll be walking on sand. There is a portable toilet in the parking lot, and another near the path through the dunes.

Optional Post-Hike Lunch: Everyone is welcome to join us for a late lunch at nearby Bob’s Lobster Shack known for its lobster rolls and fried clams! We eat outside on picnic tables and it’s BYOB so pack some cold beers in your cooler.