ECTA Trail Alerts

The Gardner property is seasonally closed to horses.

The trail between Peter Britton’s driveway and the Hayscales trail in Bradley Palmer that connects the two so that you don’t have to go onto Highland Street is still under construction. The very temporary bridge that goes over the stream is for **people only** but some have tried to ride their horses over it. It is **very dangerous** for horses. This trail is therefore CLOSED TO HORSES until it is complete later this year.

The “Three Pipe Trail” in Willowdale has been repaired. It’s beautiful, enjoy (before it gets too cold!).

Fall 2006

The ECTA has cleared, maintained, or repaired the following trails; Biolabs in Ipswich (thanks to Amanda Smith for mowing), Pingree Reservation in Hamilton, Major trail link in West Newbury, Trail on causeway behind Brackenside, Mowing in Bradley Palmer, Pruning of brush along the main drive in Bradley Palmer.

Willowdale - A dangerous, swampy trail has been closed to riders in Willowdale. A horse and rider went down on this water-covered trail. Both horse and rider are fine. Please observe posted “Trail Closed” sign.

Clark Racetrack - Riders, please “walk” on the trail that touches the old Clark racetrack in the Fox Hollow area in Hamilton.

Ski Hill in Hamilton - Please do not ride up the paved driveway that leads to the old Ski Hill in Hamilton off of Autumn Lane.

Summer 2006

Pingree School/Britton’s/Bradley Palmer - Be sure to observe the new ECTA signage. The landowner requests that riders ride on the grass along the driveway. STAY OFF the driveway.

Appleton Farm - Appleton has opened new equine/walking trails on the northwest portion of the farm. Look for new ECTA directional signage.

Brackenside in Hamilton - The landowner at Brackenside has asked the ECTA to please notify the public that the racetrack at Brackenside is permanently closed. They are willing to let equestrians ride through, but asked that we please follow their instructions or we may risk losing an important trail link.

The trail crosses a small portion of the driveway only. Please follow ECTA marked trails. Riders please stay on the driveway and off the lawn. No Dogs! (With exception of the Myopia Hounds, who may pass through with permission.) Walk only on this portion of the ECTA-marked trail.

7/31/06 PESCOSOLIDO Property Ipswich -
The trail along the Pescosolido driveway is now cleared. Nat Pulsifer and I went at it this morning. Nat pruned the high branches; I mowed with the tractor. On most of the trail I was able to mow two 5 ft tractor widths, about 10 feet total across. While that width would clear a carriage, there is one spot on the trail where two big trees constrict the trail to little more than one tractor width, a little over 5 feet across, no more than 6 ft. So, before you take a carriage down the trail, please look at the narrow spot which is about 3/4 of the way down the trail. Let Nat and me know if there is anything we can easily do to enable a carriage to pass or if there is any impediment we missed.

Otherwise, the trail is fine for riders. There is no mud at this time. There are no dogs pressed up against a fence. There are no serious hazards. However, be careful of two granite blocks in the trail marking property lines (the blocks are about 6×6 inches and stand 8 inches above the ground. Also be careful of a defunct telephone wire alongside the trail (but off the trail in the bush) on the left as you enter.
Joe Sandulli

7/9/06 PESCOSOLIDO Property Ipswich - ECTA has been asked by the owner that all riders NOT use the driveway. She has complained of manure droppings. Please us trail abutting driveway. It will be cleared ASAP by ECTA
5/18/06 All Trails - Due to the record rain, it is a good idea to stay off all trails until conditions improve.

5/15/06 Appleton - Due to the rain, all secondary horse trails are closed including Hamilton Gate. The trails will remain closed until conditions improve. Stay tuned for updates

5/15/06 Brackenside Area - The Racetrack at Brackenside is permanently closed. The ECTA trail goes over a small portion of the driveway of the house at the old racetrack only. Please follow the ECTA trail signs. Riders must stay on the driveway and off the lawn. Riders must walk on this section of the trail. No dogs are permitted on this section of the trail. The only exception is the Myopia Hounds passing through with permission of the landowner only. Continued violation of the above puts this critical connector of the ECTA Hamilton Trail system at risk. Please respect the landowners who make it possible for all to enjoy the historic bridle trails of Hamilton and Essex County. Inform your fellow riders of the ECTA trail rules and if you see a rider in violation, please remind him or her of these requests.

4/29/06 Appleton - Appleton Farm is now open to riders.

3/22/06 Appleton - All driveways at Appleton are walk-trot only and are the only thing open until May 1. There is no cantering at Appleton. No trails are open now.

3/16/06 Hamilton - Warning - Pingree School Area - All horseback riders - Do Not ride on the driveway behind the Dellovo house on Highland Street (near the Pingree School) in Hamilton. It is a long private drive and the landowner requests no riders on the drive. PLEASE use the grass area off to the side of the driveway.

3/15/06 Hamilton - Pingree Reservation (Cameron driveway) - Riders connecting to the Pingree Reservation via the Cameron’s driveway must STAY ON THE GRASS DO NOT RIDE ON THE CAMERON’S DRIVEWAY.