East Over Reservation: Hales Brook and Sippican River Tracts
For those who want to take a walk on the wild side, look no further than the Hales Brook and Sippican River Tracts of East Over Reservation. Located in Marion and managed by The Trustees, this large town-owned property is part of a network of local conservation areas that you’ll love to explore.
Features
If you’re looking for a variety of natural landscapes to explore, take a walk at the Hales Brook and Sippican River Tracts of East Over Reservation. From the trails, admire the peaceful waters of Hales Brook, groves of holly trees, and rock outcroppings rising up from the ground.
The Hales Brook and Sippican River Tracts are part of a network of conservation areas in this corner of Marion and Rochester. For even more outdoor adventures, check out nearby Mary’s Pond, Leonard’s Pond, Delano Memorial Forest, and this property’s namesake, East Over Reservation.
Boardwalks along the trail are fun to walk across, and also protect important wetland areas from hikers’ boots.
Trails
The Hales Brook and Sippican River Tracts offer 2.5 miles of walking trails and boardwalks through pine forests and along the Sippican River. These trails are well marked with posted maps, so they’re great for hikers of all levels. (Download trail map)
Begin your walk across a boardwalk through wetlands, where you can peek at this ecologically diverse area without trampling through it. The trail leads to one of two trail junctions. Turn right at either of these junctions to hike several interconnected loops through the forest. Along these trails, you’ll find glacial erratics and a rock slab bridge.
If you turn left, the trail crosses Hales Brook and leads toward the Sippican River, where you can enjoy several scenic river overlooks. The Trustees of Reservations, which manages this property, is planning to extend this trail past active cranberry bogs and into Rochester. Until then, make sure to follow all posted signs to respect neighboring private property.
Habitats & Wildlife
The Hales Brook and Sippican River Tracts protect upland forests and wetlands along these peaceful waterways. The Sippican River’s sheltered waters are a good place to spot waterfowl, especially in the winter. Look for songbirds in the oak and pine forest, as well as signs of wildlife such as mink, muskrat, fox, and deer.
Download Property Map