Pine Hole Bog

The Ward Reservation, a property of The Trustees of Reservations, is home to a number of different habitats. Pine Hole Bog is a typical northern bog. A seven-hundred foot boardwalk will keep us high and dry as we look for bog plants such as the insectivorous pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), the American larch or tamarack (Larix laricina), and poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix). Then we will hike up Holt Hill, the highest hill in Essex County (420 feet) for a look at some upland plants as well as a view of the Boston skyline. Near the summit are the “solstice stones,” (of relatively recent placement) which indicate the cardinal points of the compass as well as the points of the summer and winter solstices and the vernal and autumnal equinoxes. Bring lunch and a hand lens if you have one.

Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.