Assuming it is not rainy or unfavorable winds, Craig expects to be on Pinnacle Rock on October Big Day counting migrating hawks.  Indigenous Peoples’ weekend is generally a good time to see migrating Bald Eagles as well as accipiters flying past the Rock.  Craig would welcome your help and participation.  If unsure about the weather that day, call Craig’s cell – 781-873-9358 to see if he is at the Rock. Participants may call Craig the night before to check on his plans (781-322-0306). It’s generally not a very early start. Please check with Craig to find out when he expects to be there.

Pinnacle Rock location is in the southeast corner of Middlesex Fells Reservation, Malden, Massachusetts.

Finding Pinnacle Rock seems to present a problem. Although there is a map of the site on Hawkcount.org. that will get you in the right vicinity, the trail signs for the Rock are not very helpful and may indeed lead you astray. There are two entrance gates that can be used to find Pinnacle Rock – Gate 52 and Gate 56. If this is your first time getting to the Rock, I highly recommend that you use Gate 52 as the white blazes will lead you directly to Pinnacle Rock. Also, though the route is longer, it is less strenuous. Once you know where the Rock is, you can more easily take the shorter and more direct (more strenuous) route from Gate 56.

To get to gate 52 first find the first parking lot on Fellsway East [in Medford], just north of East Border Road. The map at the parking lot will indicate the Rock; it’s in the extreme southeast corner of the Fells Reservation. Cross the road and head south toward East Border Road. Shortly on your left will be gate 52. Follow the Rock Circuit Trail (white blazes). It will lead you right onto the Rock. When you get there, the only hill to the south will be an old metal tower with a radio antennae/ airport beacons? [Some of them were round disks, but as of this writing only one remains].

To get to gate 56, park on Woodland right off East Border Road. The gate will be directly opposite Woodland on East Border Road. [On the map this is labeled Pinnacle Rock Path]. Walk up the path to the crest of the hill. The radio tower will be on your right. [The white blazes here will lead you to the tower. However, if you go this way it is a more difficult climb. You will have to continue following the blazes to the Rock which is north of the tower]. The less strenuous way is to continue past the path to the tower. On your right you will see the Rock. At the top of the hill on your right you will see a fallen tree trunk lying on the ground. After passing this, the path will go downhill and you will see a path to the top of the Rock. [It is possible to walk to this entrance from the Orange Line (Oak Grove Station), although it is a bit of a hike].