Red Rock / Hermit Crab LbNA #43240 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | Bombtabulous  |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Sep 4, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Gloucester |
| County: | Essex |
| State: | Massachusetts |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Found by: | Bears 3 |
|---|---|
| Last found: | Sep 3, 2011 |
| Status: | FFFaFma |
| Last edited: | Sep 4, 2008 |
Hand Carved
Compass Needed
Some tough terrain, probably not great for very small children
Bring Camera to capture the view
½ Hr. to 1 Hr. trip depending how long you stay
Red Rock is a favorite spot for local climbers; we would field trip here in High School for Project Adventure. This spot offers some great views of the North Shore. First go to the junction of Rt. 128 and Rt. 133 in Gloucester. Exit 14 off 128. On Rt. 133 there is a small parking area in between the North Shore Mini Storage Facility and the overpass of Rt. 128. Park in this spot.
In this parking area there is a path that leads into a wooded area that will run in between the highway and the mini storage. Take this path. As you start out on the path you will come to a “Notice” sign, keep going and cross a wood plank bridge over a small stream. Keep following the path; go over a second wooden bridge. The highway should be on your left and the mini storage facility on your right. As you go over the second bridge keep following the path. As you reach the end on the storage facility the path gets a bit rocky, keep going, you are still on the right track and the right path.
Soon the path will lead to a very large boulder and some fallen trees. Keep following the path as it leads closer along the highway. (Note: there is only one path, it appears to split in a few spots but you will always end up in the right place as you keep going) Next the path will bend to the right as you reach a bunch of birch trees. Some have fallen but there are a bunch still standing. Follow the path to the right and up the trail. The highway will be at your back now. This part of the trail is a bit tougher but keep going up among the rocks and roots.
As you near the top the path will open up a bit and there will be a huge rock face on your left. This huge rock face looks pretty un-climbable but with the right equipment you could do it, but you won’t have to today. Just beyond this rock face to the right there is a rocky “stairway” that will lead you to the top. This can be a bit tough at this point, but you’re almost there!
Follow the path up as best you can, as you near the top keep an eye out to your right. You will notice a bunch of bigger boulders that are good for standing on. There are about 5 of these boulders that are kind of in a row. Make your way over to these boulders and find the 2 that are touching. Stand on these boulders for a great view. Standing on the more northerly rock and looking north you will be able to see the back side of Crane Beach, Hog Island, and the Essex River. Now get your compass. Standing on the north rock take a reading of 180 degrees or directly south. Take about 23 steps from the rock following this reading; you might have to negotiate around a small tree. Your steps will lead to the beginning of a small crevasse. In this crevasse under the overhang and under a rock and some leaves you will find the Red Rock Letterbox. Be careful as it is a little tough to get to but you should be able to fit. The stamp is a bit bigger than the ink pad so you will have to rotate it around to get it all inked up.
Now that you are up here you might as well have a look around as there are more great views. Cape Ann, Ipswich, Essex, the Annisquam Bridge and much more is all visible from different points on top of Red Rock. Enjoy. Go back the way you came in to get back to the parking area.
Compass Needed
Some tough terrain, probably not great for very small children
Bring Camera to capture the view
½ Hr. to 1 Hr. trip depending how long you stay
Red Rock is a favorite spot for local climbers; we would field trip here in High School for Project Adventure. This spot offers some great views of the North Shore. First go to the junction of Rt. 128 and Rt. 133 in Gloucester. Exit 14 off 128. On Rt. 133 there is a small parking area in between the North Shore Mini Storage Facility and the overpass of Rt. 128. Park in this spot.
In this parking area there is a path that leads into a wooded area that will run in between the highway and the mini storage. Take this path. As you start out on the path you will come to a “Notice” sign, keep going and cross a wood plank bridge over a small stream. Keep following the path; go over a second wooden bridge. The highway should be on your left and the mini storage facility on your right. As you go over the second bridge keep following the path. As you reach the end on the storage facility the path gets a bit rocky, keep going, you are still on the right track and the right path.
Soon the path will lead to a very large boulder and some fallen trees. Keep following the path as it leads closer along the highway. (Note: there is only one path, it appears to split in a few spots but you will always end up in the right place as you keep going) Next the path will bend to the right as you reach a bunch of birch trees. Some have fallen but there are a bunch still standing. Follow the path to the right and up the trail. The highway will be at your back now. This part of the trail is a bit tougher but keep going up among the rocks and roots.
As you near the top the path will open up a bit and there will be a huge rock face on your left. This huge rock face looks pretty un-climbable but with the right equipment you could do it, but you won’t have to today. Just beyond this rock face to the right there is a rocky “stairway” that will lead you to the top. This can be a bit tough at this point, but you’re almost there!
Follow the path up as best you can, as you near the top keep an eye out to your right. You will notice a bunch of bigger boulders that are good for standing on. There are about 5 of these boulders that are kind of in a row. Make your way over to these boulders and find the 2 that are touching. Stand on these boulders for a great view. Standing on the more northerly rock and looking north you will be able to see the back side of Crane Beach, Hog Island, and the Essex River. Now get your compass. Standing on the north rock take a reading of 180 degrees or directly south. Take about 23 steps from the rock following this reading; you might have to negotiate around a small tree. Your steps will lead to the beginning of a small crevasse. In this crevasse under the overhang and under a rock and some leaves you will find the Red Rock Letterbox. Be careful as it is a little tough to get to but you should be able to fit. The stamp is a bit bigger than the ink pad so you will have to rotate it around to get it all inked up.
Now that you are up here you might as well have a look around as there are more great views. Cape Ann, Ipswich, Essex, the Annisquam Bridge and much more is all visible from different points on top of Red Rock. Enjoy. Go back the way you came in to get back to the parking area.