ItвЂ™s too small for a house, so it may have been another storage building.Д¬ontinue south to the Dog Pound and the old highway garage. The nearby foundation has a zigzag footprint, as though it started small and was enlarged in stages.

There are plenty of theories about the purpose of this building, from root cellar to dynamite storage.

There were lots of mom-and-pop granite quarries in Westford, and these stones likely came from nearby. Examine its interior and marvel at the stone roof and the delicate construction of the pillar. You may miss the foundation tucked into the forest on your left, but the stone chamber is right by the trail. Perhaps an early road went through here, or a settler used it to access his crops or pasture. Take some time to examine the sides to see the care and effort involved in its construction. Keep to the right at junctions to arrive at the stone lintel bridge, which blends into its environment so well that you may not notice it until you realize youвЂ™re crossing a stream. The trail then enters a pine forest, a fine example of a succession forest, which evolves from a disturbed area by initially favoring a monoculture of a fast-growing species attuned to the soil, moisture and microclimate. Near the bottom it turns left to parallel a stream at some distance, crosses a stone wall, and ascends abruptly to the edge of undisturbed land. The trail soon descends steeply and you should watch your footing on the leaves. See if you can identify your location on the map. One of the viewpoints is next to a stone boundary marker. The trail parallels the edge of the quarry, with a few excellent views to the south. A network of ATV trails covers this area and if youвЂ™re unfamiliar with it, it is best to turn right up the hill to do your loop counterclockwise. The sand was deposited by glaciers, and what remains are steep hillsides and some mounds of stabilized debris. This is the remains of the sand quarrying that occurred during much of the mid 20th century. There is a large sandy area south of the main trailhead. Several interesting loops are possible, with the most interesting ones encompassing the architectural highlights: a sturdy stone lintel bridge, a complex building foundation and a small but magnificent stone chamber built into a hillside. Long-time residents often refer to this area as the Farmer Parcel. The land is administered by the Water, School and Highway Departments and the Conservation Commission.

These trails extend throughout the land formerly owned by James and Phyllis Farmer.

Root cellar in sanctuary