A glacially formed hill and Wenham Lake are two striking natural features of the John C. Phillips Nature Preserve. The narrow, winding, steep-sided ridge that borders part of the lake is an esker. This type of geological formation is created from sand and cobbles deposited by a river flowing under a melting glacier. The esker here was formed about 15,000 to 20,000 years ago.

In addition to being the water supply for Beverly and Salem, Wenham Lake is also a habitat for waterfowl and waders, such as ducks, geese, sandpipers, herons, and egrets. Bald eagles have also been spotted on the lake. Common trees in the forest are white pine, Canadian hemlock, and oaks. The understory sports one of the richest assortment of wildflowers in Beverly, including Maple-Leafed Viburnum, Pink Lady’s Slipper, Partridgeberry, Flowering Wintergreen, Canada Mayflower, Solomon’s Seal, Indian Cucumber Root, and Baneberry.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve.