Several Columbus Day Weekend Walks to be Held in Barnstable

BARNSTABLE – The Cape Cod Pathways Fall Walking Weekend will be held next Friday through Columbus Day.

The Barnstable Land Acquisition and Preservation Committee program features various walks along pathways and trails throughout town.

For all walks, good walking footwear, tick precautions, bug repellant, sunscreen and water are recommended.

All of the walks are free except the 10 a.m. walk on October 7.

A list of walk locations and times can be found below.

• Friday, October 6 at 10 am: Bridge Creek Conservation Area, West Barnstable is a three plus mile, two hour walk, which goes through a varied terrain of woods, wetlands, and old cranberry bogs with beautiful, expansive views of marshlands. The terrain is mostly flat with a few hills, walked at an easy pace. Directions: The starting point of the walk will be at the grassy triangle in front of West Parish Church (Rooster Church). From Route 6, take Exit 5 to Route 149 North (Meetinghouse Way). West Parish Church is on your left after the rotary. Park on the quiet side of the road next to grassy area. Walk leader:  Farley Lewis, LAPC Vice Chair and Fall Weekend Walk Coordinator, 508-737-6983; [email protected]
• Friday, October 6 at 3 pm: Old Jail Lane Conservation Area, Barnstable Village. This two mile, one and half hour loop walk will also feature a discussion on plants, trees and history of the area. This walk consists of moderate terrain with some steep sections. Directions: Meet at Old Jail Lane Conservation parking lot across from 354 Old Jail Lane in Barnstable Village. Walk Leader: Will Holden, Land Stewardship Coordinator, Barnstable Land Trust and  recent college, AmeriCorps and Vermont’s Long Trail graduate,  508-771-2585; cell: 978-833-4375; [email protected]
• October 7 at 7 am: Cotuit Woods. This approximate 3 mile, 2 hour walk goes through the trails of Cotuit woods with some dirt roads. It is an easy, flat but long walk.  Directions:  Meet at Eagle Pond Parking area with carpool to Crocker Neck.  Take Route 28 to Cotuit Landing Shopping Center lights, Turn onto Putnam Road and follow to Eagle Pond Parking Area on the left. Walk Leader: Mark Robinson, Director of the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts and expert guide and prime mover for conserving open space in Barnstable. 508-292-5716; [email protected]
• Saturday, October 7 at 10 am: Crocker Neck , Cotuit :  This two mile two hour walk is an interpretive walk through the diverse ecosystems  and flora and fauna of Crocker Neck. The walk will encompass woodland trails and salt marsh edge. Directions: Meet on Santuit Road and park at the second gate (opposite 92 Cotuit Cove Road). Walk Leader:  Gil Newton, ecologist and author. Contact Barnstable Land Trust at [email protected] or call 508-771-2585. The cost of this walk is free for Barnstable Land Trust members and $5 for nonmembers.
• Sunday, October 8 at 9 am, Santuit Pond Preserve Walk. This 2 mile, 1 1/2 hour walk meanders through abandoned cranberry bogs, scenic pond vistas, an active herring run (in the spring), and restored fish ladder and dam. This site was originally slated for development and was purchased by the State, Mashpee and the Town of Barnstable. The terrain is mostly flat and the pace will be moderate. Directions:  Route 28 to Santuit/Newtown Road heading north. Proceed on Santuit/Newtown approximately  7/10ths of a mile. Parking is on the left side of the road, heading due north . Walk leaders: Phyllis Miller, [email protected] and Steve Gould, [email protected]
• Sunday, October 8 at 2 pm: Sandy Neck, West Barnstable. This 4.2 mile, 2 plus hour strenuous hike through soft sand will meander through a variety of habitats including the salt marsh, expansive sand dunes, dune swales, freshwater wetlands and the intertidal along the beach . There is the opportunity to see rare migratory birds preparing for their fall migrations as well as small diamondback terrapin hatchlings making their treacherous journey back to the marsh. Directions:  Follow Route 6A west toward Sandwich. Turn right onto Sandy  Neck Road and follow to the Gatehouse. Park in the gravel lot on the left near the garage. Walk leader:  Sean Kortis , Sandy Neck naturalist, 508-362-8300; [email protected]
• Monday, October 9 at 9am: Crooked Cartway, West Barnstable/Marstons Mills. This three mile, 2 hour wooded walk culminates at the Walker Point Observation Deck with nice southerly views. The trails were previously used as cartways and are now part of the large network of walking paths maintained by the Town of Barnstable. The terrain is mostly flat with one hill to the Observation Deck. Directions:  Route 149 (south from Route 6; north from Route 28) to Rotary at Marstons Mills Airport, go west on Race Lane for 1.1 miles and take right onto Crooked Cartway. Go to the end. Park in front of gate. Walk leader: Janet Crystal, [email protected]
• Monday, October 9 at 2 pm: Old Neck Lane Walk, Barnstable Village. This one mile, one hour very hilly somewhat challenging walk features both natural history and Cape Cod history.  It crosses through typical Cape Cod pine and oak forest  and past remnants of old stone walls with evidence of how the Cape was carved out by glaciers. Directions:  Exit 6 off Route 6  and go north on Route 132 to Cape Cod Community College entrance on the right. Proceed to Parking lot #7. Walk leader: Kris Clark, 508-776-7522; [email protected]