Menemsha Hills is a 211-acre preserve is part of The Trustee of Reservation. It offers a rocky shoreline and scenic vistas across Vineyard Sound to the Elizabeth Islands. Climb to the top of the second-highest point on the Vineyard. Enjoy a leisurely picnic. Take in some spectacular ocean views.
The three miles of trails allow walkers to experience multiple mini-environments, including wetlands; woodland groves leading to a hilltop; open, wind-blasted coastal plain; and a rocky ocean edge. The low, marshy areas just beyond the parking areas support red maples and beech, while red, white, and black oaks mantle the slopes of Prospect Hill. Approaching the shore, dune grass and pitch pine predominate. Look for goldenrod and beach plum helping to anchor the dune cliffs above the beach, where rocks of every size dot the sand and line tide pools.
This reservation (and all of Martha’s Vineyard and the other islands and coastal areas of the Northeast), was crushed and scraped, carved and shaped, by thousands of years of glacial advance and retreat. The wetlands here exist partly as a result of their underpinnings of impervious clay, created when looser sand and gravel soils were compressed by millions of tons of ice.
Within the woods, there are still some sizeable boulders, called erratics, left behind by the retreating ice. (Many were hauled from their earthen beds to be used in breakwaters). Similarly, the uplands and bluffs overlooking Vineyard Sound were formed as the glacier creaked and rumbled across this corner of the North American continent.
Hike to one of the highest promontories on the island, then descend through woodlands and hardy seaside groundcover to coastal bluffs overlooking Vineyard Sound, where visitors can enjoy sublime with views of the Elizabeth Islands.
The trail offers moderate hiking along three miles of trails. The spur to top of Prospect Hill may require minor exertion.
Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1½ hours. Facilities: Seasonal portable toilets at parking lot.
PLEASE TAKE CARE TO PROTECT THE ENVIORMENT or geocaching will not be allowed in places like this..
Cache is 1.2 miles from the parking area. BEWARE of ticks and poison ivy!!