“Panther Cave? More like Panther Pile!” I bet that’s what Governor John Winthrop thought when he first saw this jumble of rocks back in 1632. Today we are going to explore this geological wonder.
Panther Cave isn’t really a cave, but a collection of large boulders. These boulders create a sort of “cave-like” structure. Glacial ice deposited these impressive rocks during the last ice age. Imagine the immense power it took to move these massive stones!
Now, climb to the top of Panther Cave for a quick detour. Take care as you climb, it can be a bit rocky.
From the top, you can see the Skyline Trail. This trail crosses over Panther Cave. Follow the white blazes if you are heading east. The terrain here gets quite rocky. The Skyline Trail descends steeply for a short distance. Then, it levels off. A short distance later, the trail reaches Quarry Road.
Back in the 1800s, Elizur Wright advocated for the protection of this land. He would be happy to see so many people enjoying this urban oasis.
The Middlesex Fells Reservation has over 100 miles of trails. These trails offer hiking, biking and even horseback riding. The park is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration helped develop the Fells in the 1930s. They planted over one million trees. They maintained and developed roads and trails.
Panther Cave marks a major trail junction. From here you can choose different paths.
I hope you enjoyed this brief stop at Panther Cave. Take a moment to appreciate these impressive boulders. They have stood here for thousands of years.