Cairn Hill–1899 MIT Observatory site, 3 sights is a 2.9-mile out-and-back in Middlesex Fells Reservation near Haywardville, MA. The route passes Cairn Hill before reaching 1899 MIT Observatory site at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It climbs 316 ft. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
0 mi92 – 282 ft3.7 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Whip Hill Path 42.46373, -71.08227
Nearest town Haywardville, MA
Directions
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Cairn Hill–1899 MIT Observatory site, 3 sights
2.9 mi · ▲ 316 ft · 1 hr 7 min
Elevation 91–283 ft
Out & Back · Middlesex Fells Reservation
Trailhead: Whip Hill Path · 42.46373, -71.08227
Weather Aug 4: Heavy rain, high 76°F / low 67° · precip 80% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 5:39 AM · sunset 8:03 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Transit-accessible: Walton Pk @ Orris St stop 700 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Crystal Spring Path, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Crystal Spring Road, heading SW.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Crystal Spring Trail, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Pipe Line Road, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Reservoir Access Road, heading S.
- 0.2 miPass Cairn Hill.
- 100 ftBear right, heading W.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Hemlock Pool Road, heading SE.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Rock Circuit Connector, heading SE.
- 150 ftPass 1899 MIT Observatory site.
- 150 ftReach Cairn Hill, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 250 ftTurn left onto Hemlock Pool Road, heading S.
- 300 ftBear right onto Reservoir Access Road, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Pipe Line Road, heading N.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Crystal Spring Trail, heading N.
- 450 ftBear left, heading N.
- 200 ftTurn right onto Crystal Spring Road, heading N.
- 350 ftBear left onto Crystal Spring Path, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading NW.
- 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
56% dirt17% gravel5% paved22% unspecified
Weather
Heavy rainTemperature 76°F67°
Precip80%Wind8 mphUV2Humidity80%
Rained 0.8″ 4 days ago
Hourly temperatureRain chance
80°65°
Sunrise 5:39 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:03 PM
Tue
82°62°
Wed
83°63°
Thu
90°70°
15%
Fri
97°73°
26%
Sat
93°71°
40%
Sun
96°70°
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Transit-accessible: Walton Pk @ Orris St stop 700 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Whip Hill Path Trailhead
- Whip Hill & Split Rock Loop via Crystal Spring Trail 1.1 mi · ▲ 91 ft
- Wamoset Hill–Spot Pond Loop, 4 summits 1.2 mi · ▲ 89 ft
- Crystal Spring Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 231 ft
- Crystal Spring Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 287 ft
- Crystal Spring Trail 2 mi · ▲ 237 ft
- Crystal Spring Trail 2 mi · ▲ 294 ft
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