Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• Sunday Morning Hike- Dogtown Commons & Goose Cove Reservoir

  • When
    Sunday, February 23, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Off Cherry St., Gloucester, MA
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Join us for a winter hike on the main trails of the Dogtown Common and Goose Cove area, following a slightly different route than in the past.

  We will start up Dogtown Road and turn west at the gate to head over to Goose Cove Reservoir, where the water views through the trees are especially beautiful at this time of year.  After a short jaunt up the service road, we’ll cut back over to the Adams Pines Trail and up to Commons Road, where we’ll pass several ancient cellar holes, and if time permits, do a short detour to see the site of the “S” boulder marking the Stanwood cellar.

  Back on Commons Road, we’ll head down to Dogtown Square and turn up the Moraine Trail, which features several major Babson boulders and cellars on the way to Pearce's Pasture. From there, we'll do a loop over to the Boulder Trail to take in several more big boulders, before making a beeline down Dogtown Road back to our cars.

  This route is about 4 miles on uneven yet relatively easy terrain, and usually moves at a fast pace (compared to routes on more difficult terrain), but snow and ice may slow us down. With stops, please allow up to 2.5 hours for this hike.

  See the map and route here.

  
  

  Meeting spot:  We will meet at the main entrance to Dogtown off Cherry St., just a short distance north of the intersection with Reynard Street, on the right.  There is a small parking lot part a quarter mile up Dogtown Rd. on the right.    If filled, park on the right side of the road beyond the lot.  See map of the parking location HERE.

  
  

  Please note that dogs are not permitted on the Sunday Morning Hikes.  If you are interested in getting notified of Dog-Friendly hikes with the Cape Ann Sunday Hikes group, you can join their Google group list from The Cape Ann Sunday Hikes home page.

  Show details
• Volunteer Signup-- Dogtown Trail Race

  • When
    Sunday, May 18, 2025
  • Location
    Rockport and Gloucester, MA (parking by Evans Field, 3 Station Square, Rockport)

  Register

  Help support our 2025 Dogtown Trail Race by signing up to Volunteer with us on race day!

  Our Annual Dogtown Trail Race is our only fundraising event of the year (all of our other hikes are free!), and attracts between 150-200 runners and walkers from the North Shore and beyond. The race takes place on a 5.4-mile course that covers trails throughout Dogtown in Rockport and Gloucester (for more information on the race, you can view the Dogtown Trail Race Event Page).

  
  

  This race would not be possible without help from our many volunteers!  If you would like to join us in this effort, please sign up here!
  

  
  

  
  

       

  
  

  Volunteer needs include:

  Help with parking, race-day registration, taking photos, helping at water stations (one at the start/ finish area, and one out on the course), serving as a safety monitor out on the trails (where you will help guide the participants in the right direction at key junctures), helping to mark the course (the day before the race), helping to take down the course markers after the race (this group will begin walking the course just after the race starts, remaining behind the last participants), and just coming to cheer on our runners and walkers as they arrive at the finish line!

  Volunteers will also receive a Cape Ann Trail Stewards Dogtown Trail Race T-shirt!  (Sign up to volunteer by May 1 to guarantee availability)

  Register here if you are able to help us on May 18, and we will be in touch with you in the weeks prior to the race to finalize plans (you will be able to indicate any specific areas of interest in volunteering when you register).

  Many thanks for your support!!

  
  

  Meeting Spot: Race parking will be by Evans Field next to 3 Station Square in Rockport. To get there, turn into the Whistlestop Mall entrance off of Railroad Ave. (Evans Field is just past the Ace Hardware store-- both the field and the hardware store will be on the right). See the Google map location HERE.

  The race start/ finish area is near the water tower at the top of Summit Ave., which is accessible via a trail from Evans Field.

  Note:  Depending on the volunteer roles, some volunteers may meet and/ or park at other locations.  Details will be arranged with each volunteer prior to race day.

  The race starts at 9:00am, and volunteer needs will be within the timeframe between 7:00am and 12:00pm (volunteers will not be needed or expected to be available for this entire timeframe).
  

  Show details
• Dogtown 5 Mile Trail Race- May 18, 2025

  • When
    Sunday, May 18, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Rockport and Gloucester, MA (parking by Evans Field, 3 Station Square, Rockport)

  Register

  Join Cape Ann Trail Stewards for our 8th Annual Dogtown Trail Race!

  Runners and Walkers are Welcome!

  This annual race covers a beautiful and challenging 5.4 mile course starting and finishing near the water tower at the top of Summit Ave. in Rockport.   The terrain ranges from carriage roads with minor rocks/ roots, to more extreme technical sections with extensive large rocks (requiring a degree of "boulder-hopping"), and everything in-between! 

  The course travels through many historic and popular sections of Dogtown, including the Squam Path, New England Forestry Foundation's Norton Memorial Forest, Whale's Jaw, the Luce Trail, Briar Swamp, and the Rockport Town Forest.

  
  

  This Race is part of the 2025 North Shore Trail Series.  Go the North Shore Trail Series page on the Trail Animals Running Club website for further information and to sign up for the series.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Online Registration is $25.00 for CATS Members, and $35.00 for Non-members.

  Race Day Registration is $30.00 for CATS Members, and $40.00 for Non-members.

  
  

  BECOME A MEMBER
  

  
  

  
  

          

  Both Runners and Walkers are welcome to Register!  Walkers will start behind the runners, at the same time as the runners (all walkers will start promptly at 9am when the race starts).  The marked course will remain open with support (safety monitors, water stop, etc.) from 9am to 12pm. 

  
  

  
  

  Cape Ann Trail Stewards Dogtown Trail Race T-shirts guaranteed for the first 100 registrants

  
  Prizes for first overall male and female, and for first male and female in the age group categories of 39 and under, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+

  
  

  If you are interested in volunteering for this event, CLICK HERE to sign up as a volunteer!

  
  

  
  

  Click on the images below to view and download a Course Map:

  
  

  Dogtown Race Course shown on Dogtown Common Trail Map*:

  
  

      

  
  

  Dogtown Race Course Map shown on GaiaGPS  Trail Map:

  
  

  

  
  

  • Click HERE to view and download a gpx file of the route in GaiaGPS.
  • To view and download a full copy of the Dogtown Common Trail Map (without the race course overlaid), click HERE. 

  
  

  *Note that the Dogtown Common Trail Map was first published in 1987 and does not show all current existing trails.  Refer to the GaiaGPS map version of the race course for a more complete reference of surrounding trails.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Meeting Spot:  Race parking will be by Evans Field next to 3 Station Square in Rockport.   To get there, turn into the Whistlestop Mall entrance off of Railroad Ave.  (Evans Field is just past the Ace Hardware store-- both the field and the hardware store will be on the right).  See the Google map location HERE.

  Participants will walk through Evans Field to a trail that will take them to the race registration and check-in area, which is near the water tower at  the top of Summit Ave. (signs and volunteers will guide you on where to go).

  
  

  Registration and race check-in will be from 7:30am to 8:45am.  The race starts at 9:00am.

  For any additional questions about the race, registration, or CATS memberships, email us at contact@capeanntrailstewards.org.

  Show details