A Loop Trail around Lexington

I've scouted out a set of trails and low-traffic roads which together form a nice loop around Lexington. I have never yet ridden the entire loop while keeping track of my odometer, and I have not even marked off the loop in gmap-pedometer to determine the length of the circuit. I think it can be made quite close to the length of a Marathon, so I've been calling this circuit the "Lexathon." Some people think it sounds like a fund-raising event on TV...

So far I have used relatively low-tech tools just to get the concept out of my head and onto a shareable medium. I scanned a nice map (which shows most of the Lexington conservation lands as well as the roads) from the Community Phonebook Company into a bitmap file, and used Microsoft Paint to draw the trails, along with some alternative routes. Saving the bitmap file as jpeg makes it small enough to email (one meg instead of six). However, I'm doing all the editing work on the bitmap file, since it preserves the quality better than jpeg.

Okay, enough talking... here's the current map, version 1.92:

It's been updated to show the entrance from Laconia Street into the Lower Vine Brook conservation land. Thanks to the local residents who pointed it out to me!

If you're interested, you may want to save the image on your computer and print it out.

I think the key blocks are somewhat self-explanatory, but post a reply here if you have some questions.

Condition of the Loop

Many of these trails are ROUGH. Some barely exist, especially when the weeds and brush grow during the spring and summer. If you are interested in helping to keep the existing trails open, please contact the Steward for the area to get permission.

The segments marked in green on the map are barely-existent (or even non-existent), or cross private land, or both. Don't expect to ride those sections, although you might be able to pass through on foot.

For bicyclists, note that all of the trails in Lexington are for use at your own risk. You are responsible for knowing what is rideable for yourself at your own skill level. There are numerous sections where it may be safest to dismount and walk. And remember, any walkers or horseback riders have the right-of-way.