Sudbury Valley Trustees Gray Property



Red Acre Foundation Land

Stow MA

Summary: A one-hour out-and-back tour through the southern section of the Captain Sargent Land into the largest of the Red Acre parcels, passing through fields, forest and wetlands, over streams and along a ridgeline by a glacial kettle hole. Moderately easy with several steep sections; expect muddy and wet areas. Because the area just west of the Captain Sargent fields may be impassable when the weather has been wet, an alternate route is also provided.

Trailhead Location: The Captain Sargent parking area is located on the north side of South Acton Road, just east of its junction with Tuttle Lane. The parking lot can accommodate several cars.

Quick Guide

1. Cross South Acton Road from parking area, and turn right along the field’s edge.

2. Cross Tuttle Lane, bearing slightly right.

3. Follow trail along northern and western edges of two fields, turning right partway along edge of second field into woods.

4. After traversing a wet, boggy area, turn right at T-junction onto wide trail.

5. Cross a stream that flows over path, then right at next trail junction onto narrow path.

6. Turn right at next two T-junctions; trail now runs atop a ridgeline, with occasional faded orange blazes.

7. Cross a stream and the wet area beyond, to end of trail at a split rail fence by the edge of a field.

8. Retrace your path to the parking area.

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Key Trail Directions and Landmarks

• From the entrance to the parking area, cross South Acton Road. Pass through a small wooded area to the edge of a large field.

• Bear right to circle around the edge of the field, continuing to Tuttle Lane (paved).

• Cross Tuttle Lane, bearing slightly to the right onto a grassy path leading through undergrowth to a large field. An abandoned foundation built of great blocks of granite lies to the left of the trail by the road.

• Bear right to circle this field. As the well-worn trail starts to curve back toward Tuttle Lane, turn right through a wooded strip and over a stone fence to a second field.

• Turn right along the edge of this field. As the trail around the field begins to bear to the left, continue straight into the woods, under tall pines.

• The level trail soon dips lower into a wetland area. Pick your way carefully through a long section of wet and muddy trail. (If the area is too flooded for passage, see Alternate Route below.) Eventually the trail rises to higher, drier ground, and meets a wider trail at a T-junction (Intersection A). Turn right.

• The trail rolls gently through a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees and undergrowth, with occasional muddy areas. Where a stream flows across the trail, well-placed logs provide a way across.

• Shortly after the stream, turn right onto a narrow trail. The path soon climbs up a moderate slope to a T-junction; turn right again.

• The trail dips sharply down, then uphill to the top of a ridge. Turn right along the ridgeline. Occasional faded orange blazes lead you past a wetland area and a glacial kettle-hole to the left of the trail.

• The path descends to a stream. Cross the stream on stones, then pick your way across a wet area toward the next orange blaze beyond.

• The trail soon curves up and onto drier ground, ending at a spilt-rail fence by the edge of a large field. Retrace your path to return to the parking area on South Acton Road.

Alternate Route (adds 30-45 minutes to the round-trip time)

• Retrace your route to the field, then continue toward Tuttle Lane, bearing right as you near the road. When you reach the pavement, turn right along the lane.

• Just before a T-junction with Red Acre Road, turn right onto an informal trail passing behind private homes. The trail winds past a lovely little pond to a T-junction with a dirt road. Turn left to Red Acre Road (paved)

• Turn right on Red Acre and walk along the road for about three minutes. Across from #109, turn right and briefly downhill past a metal gate, on a wide and level trail threading through a small wetland.

• You will see the trail from the flooded area come in from the right after a couple of minutes (Intersection A). Continue with the main hike above from this point.

Jill Phelps Kern

May 2002

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