Middlesex Fells – remains of an ancient volcano

Middlesex Fells – remains of an ancient volcano

Middlesex Fells – remains of an ancient volcano

In the time it takes to cook a pizza, you could hop into a car and leave away from the futuristic skyscrapers emerging from the grounds around Kendall Square and be lost among the crisscrossing pathways of the fells.

  • Fells – and old, some consider archaic, word to describe a barren, mountainous, and moor-covered landscape

Middlesex Fells is sometimes referred to simply as the “fells”. You can maybe imagine then for any transplant to this area the confusion whenever we learn of a place called the “fells” and why we have a hard time imagining what it means to visit this area.

To help future transplants visualize the fells a bit more

  • Located north of Boston – the Fells is rocky, forest covered gem in an otherwise town-dominated landscape. At ~2,575 acres of land sprawling across five communities (Malden, Medford, Melrose, Stoneham, and Winchester) and with over 100 miles of bike routes and hiking trails, this rugged oasis is a source of respite away from the digital world and a place to test one’s mettle among nature.
  • The rocky landscape is a result of being part of an ancient volcanic zone, known as the “Lynn Volcanics”. The dominant rocks are known as Lynn Felsite, a type of Rhyolite – an igneous rock (rock formed by magma) with high silica content. The mass of volcanic rock supposedly origins from an event around the Paleozoic age (estimated 250-550 million years ago), when a microcontinent named Avalonia was forming. This volcanic arc is the source of many of the rocks that stretch across New England and connected through England and parts of Belgium and Germany. History connects England and New England in more ways than just through human events.
  • The ponds and reservoirs make up about 12% of the surface area of the fells or about 325 acres. As part of the drinking supply or emergency drinking supply for the surrounding communities, limited to no activities are allowed in the water. As a result, the coastline appears pristine and perfect for admiring through the camera or on a walk.

If you are visiting to take photos, I recommend following the myriad of trails along the banks of the ponds and reservoir. These pathways are less frequented and offer spectacular views around each corner. Also, come around dawn as parking is sparse, spread around the exterior of the Fells and limited, some fitting only 5 or 7 vehicles.

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