Hiking trails of hanson

Veterans memorial forest

Along route 58 is an almost unnoticeable set

of hiking trails that make up the Hanson

Veterans Memorial Town Forest.

On google maps the area is marked

as Camp Wampatuck,

though there's no readily available

information that proves

this is the actual spot where that camp existed.

The small parking area can only handle a few vehicles. Best for SUVs and others that sit higher above the ground.

The parking lot is located right on

route 58, care is needed pulling in

from this busy route, and the lot

is a bit rough going in. 

Another parking area is located just before the forest if you are heading south on route 58.

This one is primarily used for those using the sports fields below.

It is larger and there is a hiking trail along the skate park that leads into the town forest.

It is the better option for those in cars that sit lower to the ground.

From the small parking lot at the Hanson town forest sign,

the main hiking trail is an easy, fairly wide cart path leading into the forest.

You will soon see the familiar white rectangle blazes that mark the way of the Bay Circuit Trail. (BCT)

Quite quickly down the main hiking trail, it turns to the right and meets an intersection.

The main trail goes left here.

The trail continuing straight is

very inviting looking.

It soon becomes meadow like and

you will find a bird house

and a trail side bench.

This makes a sweep up to the right and continues up to route 58.

The path connecting you to the sporting fields leads in here.

At the bird house there is a narrow path that leads

 into the forest.

This will meet the main trail on the way down to the pond edge.

It is useful in making a loop trail through the forest.

Back at the intersection and following to the left

on the main trail through the forest, another

white blaze will greet you.

The first of many fallen trees are the next feature

of the hiking trails here. 

Most are easily stepped over.

In late winter I can see a neighborhood to the left through the forest.

At the cul de sac on Indian Trail in Hanson you will find this sign next to a trail into the town forest.

At .11 the trail turns to the right again.

Shortly after the trail divides at a large pine tree.

Going left will bring you out to the neighborhood.

A cul de sac on Indian Trail.

There is a trail sign at the street but is blank and painted green.

This would be a good place to park

in the event of heavy snow if you are

looking to do some forest snow shoe hiking.

The main trail continues taking a sharp right turn at the intersection with a large pine.

It then runs through an area that seems to be low land and prone to wetness.

Even in winter long grass appears here.  Soon after, the trail climbs a bit and continues pine needle laden.

At .17 another trail intersection. This one comes in from the right and connects the main trail to the narrow trail that leads out of the meadow.

It slices across the main trail and continues on to the left. I continue straight and the hiking trail soon narrows.

At 1/4 mile the main trail and the narrow meadow

trail intersect.

Here you will take a left as the two trails now

continue as one.

There will be several fallen trees to navigate over.

Only the first is of any real challenge, but barely any.

You will be leading downhill and after the fourth fallen

tree you will start to notice the water.

There will be what appears to be a small

esker to the right.

Though I did not find any evidence

to support that notion.

Usually sandy or rocky at the top.

At .28 another trail leads off to the left.

Just after, there is a large clearing.

I noticed a sign on the ground claiming the area to be Tupello Campsite.

There are a couple of small simple benches here and a short path to the pond's edge.

The ponds edge comes out to .30 miles.

There is a faint trail to the left side of the campsite.

On the way down the trail I noticed

just after the esker there is a faint trail to the right.

Took the time to explore this area.

It appeared to have a faded BCT blaze, but the trail soon faded.

If this had been the original way of the BCT it was changed probably due to construction.

Continuing back up the main trail,

I took the trail that lead off to the left,

( now on the right).

This is a narrow path that runs upland

from the pond and parallel to it.

It curves, becomes a bit overgrown,

then descends slightly into an area

that maybe wetland other times of the year. 

Rustic makeshift crossing.

The hiking trail then becomes more defined

and crosses a stream on a makeshift bridge

made with forest material.

There is evidence of animal traffic here as well.

It continues narrow and along a more overgrown area,

then on through a more pronounced wet area.

At .45 of the journey the narrow path now makes a "T" intersection with the hiking trail that sliced across the main trail down.

Here I went right and soon found myself at another stream crossing.

Another makeshift bridge of slippery logs.

Had to rearrange them to make them stable! 

This end of the hiking trail makes a loop.

A trail leading straight leads out to another pond view point.

Two other trails lead uphill. One defined and looking like the trail up.

The other looks less maintained and only looks like it is a water runoff.

Most likely it is both. Water runs down this trail giving it the unmaintained look.

Either trail will start gently uphill but become almost strenuous.

At the top, it meets a fence with beautiful, well

cleared land on the other side.

There is an abundance of no trespassing signs.

One can see the need for the signs, as it appears

someone previously cut through the fence.

The hiking trail runs along the fence for a short distance and comes to an abrupt stop.

Abrupt end to the hiking trail overlooks an obstructed view of the pond below.

It ends at a steep hill that runs down

to the water's edge.

Here I can imagine the trail continuing

down this hill along landscape tie steps

to benches at the water's edge.

This would be a much nicer ending to this trail!

Turning around and taking the 2nd trail down is just as steep as coming up.

Almost forces you to run down it.

Followed my steps back over the

makeshift bridge and on to the

"T" intersection.

I now continued straight.

This will soon bring you to the

other campsite in the Hanson town forest.

Another simple clearing with a bench.

This one has it's sign intact at .57miles.

The simple lone bench at Twin Hawks Campsite.

Continuing on, the trail will now climb gently and soon after intersect with the main trail.

Here I continued straight instead of taking the right to follow back up to my vehicle.

Though, if you do go right,

you will now notice the bat houses

along the trail.

Somehow I missed these both of the times I visited previously.

Continuing straight, this trail will intersect

the meadow trail.

It follows along, narrow

and easy to navigate,  at first.

Soon it will pass an area with many fallen

trees, a bit difficult. 

Soon after this area it intersects the meadow trail.

Here I go right.

The end of the narrow trail leading out to the meadow area.

A short distance on this trail will bring

you out to the meadow area.

Go right and follow the main trail

back to the parking lot or go left

past the jersey barrier, along the skate park

fence and right on the uphill trail to

the sporting field parking lot.

My journey came out to 3/4 miles. Quick hiking in an interesting little forest!

One of many views of the pond.

1. South Shore Hiking Trails
›
2. Hanson
›
3. Veterans Memorial Town Forest