Stream and Esker Loop

Urban wilderness loop in Cold Spring Park visiting wetlands and an esker, which is a winding ridge left over from the ice age. The sections of trail through wetlands are difficult to follow due to the many side trails and heavy undergrowth. Don't do this loop if you mind getting your feet wet! In early Summer the stream side sections are buggy. This loop provides a surprisingly deep wilderness feeling in the middle of the suburb of Newton, MA. Counterclockwise description: Starts and ends at the Cold Spring Park parking area, and for a time follows the Life Trail Loop, or Cold Spring Park Trail. Just after a bridge by a school, the Stream and Esker Loop veers left into wetlands and more-or-less follows streams, first east, and then south, until it emerges onto a rough softball field. It veers left across the back of the field, across a plank bridge, and turns right onto good trail to Dunklee Road. Left on Dunklee Road until the Life Trail, marked by bollards, is encountered again. Go left on the Life Trail a few steps and then take a lesser used left fork up the esker. Follow the esker to its end, drop down to good trail, go right a short way, and left at a four-way intersection back onto the Life Trail. Follow the Life Trail back to the parking lot.