January-June 2021 (and beyond) AMC Boston Chapter Local Walks/Hikes
updated Thursday, August 19, 2021 12:36 PM

For further information, send e-mail to Robert Winters at Robert@rwinters.com.

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This page has been superceded by the July-December 2021 page

Sat, Apr 3, 2021. Early Spring Walk in Cutler Park Reservation. - registration required
Join us for a morning hike in this local gem, just off Route #128. Highlights include Kendrick Pond, views of the Charles River and the boardwalk crossing a marshland. The 6 mile trail has minor ups and downs, with some roots and rocks and we will hike at a moderate pace for around 3 hours. We will observe MA state guidelines on social distancing and face covering. More detailed information will be provided once participants are confirmed on the hike. L Judith Watson

Sun, Apr 4, 2021. Lynn Woods, Lynn. - registration required
Sunday hike. 9am-1230pm. 5.5-6 mi hike. Visiting key locations on reservation. MASK MUST BE WEAR AT ALL TIMES. Must wear hiking boots/trail shoes. Light trail lunch/trail snacks/water. Dress for weather. Meeting at Pennybrook Rd. parking lot. L Nelson Caraballo

Sat, Apr 10, 2021. Glacial Features Walks, Sudbury. - registration required
Join glaciologist/geophysicist Bruce Porter for a socially distanced walk through Hop Brook Basin in Sudbury, Mass. While wearing a face mask, explore the many features formed by the glacier that blanketed New England 10,000 yrs. ago. Kettles pit the plane. Kame terraces rise abruptly to create beautiful vistas of the wetlands below. Severe weather postpones walk to the rain date of 4/11. Enrollment is limited. Time and location provided with participant approval. L Bruce Porter

Sat, Apr 10, 2021. Explore the North Andover Woodlands. - registration required
Join us for this moderately paced, 5.5 mile loop hike around Lake Cochichewick and the Weir Hill reservation. This hike has everything - lakeside views, meandering woodlands, a 500ft hill summit and open meadows, all coming to life with the recent Spring sunshine. The trails are mostly flat, with some exposed roots and boardwalks in places but there are also some steeper sections as we approach the hill summit. We expect to be hiking for about 2.5 to 3 hours and will be observing MA state guidelines on social distancing and face covering. More detailed information on the hike route and meeting location, will be provided once participants are confirmed on the hike. L Judith Watson

Thurs, Apr 15, 2021. Best Day Hikes Near Boston: Blue Hills Reservation. - registration required
Our first hike kicks off in the Chickatawbut area of the Blue Hills. We will hike at a moderate pace among the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. The spring is a lovely time of year to hike and if we're lucky we'll get to see the Great Cedar Swamp full of birds and green mossy wetlands. Maybe the Mountain Laurels will be in bloom. Plan to start at 9:30am and hike approximately 5 miles within 2.5-3 hours. This is a great way to get outside locally, reinforce your hiking skills, and meet new people. Online registration is required and limited to 10 participants, including leader(s). Bring a back pack with water, rain jacket, snacks, mask, hand sanitizer, and poles if you use them. After you register, the hike leader will send you detailed information on meeting location and planned trails. L Cindy Crosby

Sun, Apr 18, 2021. Beverly Commons Conservation. - registration required
10:00am-2:30pm. Join us for a 7.2 mile hike in the forest. You'll want to bring hiking poles and have a good hiking boot as we traverse up and down the rocky trails. Plan to pack 2 liters of water & lunch. Looking forward to exploring the trails with you. L Robin Doyle

Sun, Apr 25, 2021. Sawyer Conservation Area, Atkinson, NH. - registration required
11:00am-1:00pm. On this hike, we'll start in Atkinson, NH and walk into Haverhill, MA. It's a fairly well-travelled and well-marked trail with some elevation (about 275 ft). The total walking/hiking distance is between 3.5 miles and 4.4 miles. We could add on if the group wants to and has the time. The terrain is mostly flat but there is some gradual climbing, some walking over rocks and logs and, crossing over brooks. At the turn, we'll pass a frisbee golf course in the making. *There are about 5 parking spots at the trailhead on Sawyer Road, Atkinson. L Robin Doyle

Thurs, Apr 29, 2021. Best Day Hikes Near Boston: Great Esker & Osprey Parks. - registration required
Our second hike will bring us to Great Esker and Osprey Overlook Parks. We will hike at a slow-moderate pace among the rolling side trails and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There will be some climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. This area is an outdoor classroom and will thrill at any time of year. Salt water marshes, estuaries, reversing falls, osprey, eagles, herons, and over 30 species of fish abound. Make sure your phone is fully charged, you'll want to take lots of pictures. Plan to start at 9:30am and hike approximately 5 miles within 3.5-4 hours. This is a great way to get outside locally, reinforce your hiking skills, and meet new people. Online registration is required and limited to 10 participants, including leader(s). Bring a back pack with water, rain jacket, snacks, mask, hand sanitizer, and poles if you use them. After you register, the hike leader will send you detailed information on meeting location and planned trails. L Cindy Crosby

Tues, May 4, 2021. Afternoon Walk in Noanet Woods. - registration required
1:30pm-4:30pm. Join us as we explore one of the Trustees of the Reservations most popular properties in Dover, MA. This moderately paced, 5.5 mile loop hike will follow mostly flat trails, with some exposed roots and includes a short uphill section to take in the views from Noanet Peak (361ft). We expect to be hiking for about 2.5 to 3 hours and will be observing MA state guidelines on social distancing and face covering. More detailed information on the hike route and meeting location, will be provided once participants are confirmed on the hike. L Judith Watson, CL Nural Aman

Sat, May 8, 2021. Warner Trail Hike #3. - registration required
9:00am-1:00pm. Join us for our 3rd Warner Trail Loop Hike in the Foxboro State Forest. Highlights include some ancient stone sites, glacial erratic, Carpenter's Pond, Lyons Falls, and more. Approx. 6-8 mile Moderate hike. Severe weather cancels. More detailed information will be provided once participants are confirmed for the hike. L Laura Cerier, CL Roy Wolfe

Thurs, May 13, 2021. Best Day Hikes Near Boston: Whitney and Thayer Woods. - registration required
Our third hike will bring us to Whitney and Thayer Woods. We will hike at a slow-moderate pace among the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. Whitney and Thayer Woods has well maintained woodland trails and if we're lucky, we may be able to see the colorful rhododendrons and azaleas in bloom. Plan to start at 9:30am and hike approximately 5 miles within 3.5 hours. This is a great way to get outside locally, reinforce your hiking skills, and meet new people. Online registration is required and limited to 10 participants, including leader(s). Bring a back pack with water, rain jacket, snacks, mask, hand sanitizer, and poles if you use them. After you register, the hike leader will send you detailed information on meeting location and planned trails. L Cindy Crosby

Sun, May 16, 2021. Winnekenni, Haverill, MA. - registration required
11:00am-1:00pm. Winnekenni is a 700-acre conservation area in northeast Ma in the Merrimack Valley. We'll hike between 4 and 5 miles. The terrain gravel or sand. The views of Kenoza Lake are beautiful. L Robin Doyle

Sun, May 23, 2021. Nobscot Reservation & Tipling Rock, Sudbury, MA. - registration required
9:00am-12:00pm. Join us as we explore the woodlands of the Nobscot Reservation, near Sudbury, MA. This moderately paced, 6 mile loop hike will follow follow forest trails with some exposed rocks and roots and includes some steeper sections as we take in the views from Tipling Rock (371 ft) and Nobscot Hill (600 ft). We expect to be hiking for about 3 hours and will be observing MA state guidelines on social distancing and face covering. More detailed information on the hike route and meeting location, will be provided once participants are confirmed. L Judith Watson, CL Nural Aman

Thurs, May 27, 2021. Best Day Hikes Near Boston: Blue Hills Reservation. - registration required
Our fourth and final hike of the series will end with a loop trek up to the highest point of the Blue Hills Reservation, the 635' summit of Great Blue Hill with a climb up the Eliot Tower. Sweeping views of the Boston Skyline can be seen on a clear day. We will hike at a moderate pace among the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. This hike will involve climbing steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch those views. Plan to start at 9:30am and hike approximately 5 miles within 2.5-3 hours. This is a great way to get outside locally, reinforce your hiking skills, and meet new people. Online registration is required and limited to 10 participants, including leader(s). Bring a back pack with water, rain jacket, snacks, mask, hand sanitizer, and poles if you use them. After you register, the hike leader will send you detailed information on meeting location and planned trails. L Cindy Crosby

Sun, June 6, 2021. Sunday morning hike/walk in the Middlesex Fells Reservation. - registration required
10:00am-1:00pm. Join us for a Sunday morning hike/walk in the Middlesex Fells Reservation 6 miles North of Boston. The Middlesex Fells Reservation is the second largest reservation in Massachusetts after Blue Hills Reservation. It has many trails with easy to moderate hikers, bikers and horseback riders. We will walk/hike the Reservoir Trail of 6+ miles. There are some hills but the terrain is easier than the Skyline or Rock Circuit Trails. Suggest bringing: at least a liter of water; something to eat; footwear suited to uneven, muddy and rocky terrain. Hiking boots may be best when mud is likely, but hiking shoes and trail runners may do as well. Highest elevation: 317 ft. We will hike at a moderate pace for around 3 hours. Severe weather cancels the event. More detailed information will be provided once participants are confirmed on the hike. Ls Sam Aman, Judith Watson

Sun, June 20, 2021. Lynn Woods, Lynn. - registration required
Sunday hike. 9am-1230pm. 5.5-6 mi hike. Visiting key locations on reservation. MASK MUST BE WEAR AT ALL TIMES. Must wear hiking boots/trail shoes. Light trail lunch/trail snacks/water. Dress for weather. Meeting at Pennybrook Rd. parking lot. L Nelson Caraballo

Sat, June 26, 2021. Warner Trail Hike #3. - registration required
9:00am-2:30pm. Join us for our 3rd Warner Trail Loop Hike in the Foxboro State Forest. Highlights include some ancient stone sites, glacial erratic, Carpenter's Pond, Lyons Falls, and more. Approx. 8-mile Moderate hike. Severe weather cancels. More detailed information will be provided once participants are confirmed for the hike. L Laura Cerier, CL Roy Wolfe

Sat, June 26, 2021. Ward Reservation - Holt Hill & Boston Hill, Andover.
10:30am-12:30pm. Join us as we explore Ward Reservation in Andover, a Trustees property. We will walk on a boardwalk observing interesting plants and vegetation before getting to Pine Hole Pond, a rare quaking bog. If we are lucky we will spot the insect eating pitcher plants. Then we will meander through a field with spectacular views before going into the woods as we work our way up Holt Hill, the highest point in Essex County, where we will find the "Solstice Stones" near the fire tower. After we will hike to Boston Hill. The trail has some steep inclines. Wear or bring bug repellant, and hiking shoes are recommended in case we have some muddy areas. Since this is a Trustees property, parking is $6 unless you are a member. If so, bring your membership card and you can use the kiosk to put a ticket on your dashboard. Hiking shoes/boots and poles are helpful. Dress to avoid ticks. Park at 34 Prospect Road. L Robin Doyle

Sun, June 27, 2021. Morning Walk in Noanet Woods. - registration required
9:00am-12:00pm. Join us as we explore one of the Trustees of the Reservations most popular properties in Dover, MA. This moderately paced, 5.5 mile loop hike will follow mostly flat trails, with some exposed roots and includes a short uphill section to take in the views from Noanet Peak (361 ft). We expect to be hiking for about 2.5 to 3 hours and will be observing MA state guidelines on social distancing and face covering. More detailed information on the hike route and meeting location, will be provided once participants are confirmed on the hike. L Judith Watson, CL Nural Aman

Sat, July 3, 2021. Explore Weir Hill, North Andover.
10:30am-12:30pm. Join us for a 4-5 mile walk/hike along Edgewood Farm Trail and the Stevens Trail, a scenic and easy to moderate walk. This is a Trustees Park and is free to all. Park at 65 Stevens Street, N. Andover and, if the lot is full, parking is allowed on the street. L Robin Doyle, CL Julia Hsia

Fri, July 9, 2021. Historic Streets of Charlestown.
6:30pm-9:15pm. Moderate 5-mi walk including water views, old homes, views of the Boston skyline, and newer parts of the Harborwalk. Bring snack/dinner and water. Meet by entrance to park across from Blackmoor restaurant in City Square. Rain cancels. L Marc Hurwitz

Sat, July 10, 2021. Ward Reservation, Andover.
10:30am-12:45pm. Join us as we explore the sprawling landscape of the reservation and climb two hills (Boston & Holt) where the views are excellent (on a clear day!). We'll walk between 3 and 5 miles at a moderate pace. All levels are welcome. Some trails bisect the Bay Circuit Trail (the one that connects the North & South Shore). Park at the Trustees parking lot, on the right hand side of Prospect Street. Drive to very end of the road, past homes, and park at 65 Prospect St. If you are a Trustees member the parking is free. Otherwise the fee is $6. You can pay by cash (there is a little metal box) or use your CC at the kiosk. There are no bathrooms. Pack a snack, water, sunscreen, bug spray, and if you prefer, hiking poles. Many hikers used them on our last trip to Ward Hill. L Robin Doyle, CL Julia Hsia

Fri, July 16, 2021. Harborwalk Walk, Fort Point/Seaport District.
6:30pm-9:15pm. Moderate 5-mi. walk, much of which is along the Harborwalk including scenic water views throughout. Bring snack/dinner and water. [NOTE: Due to Covid we will not be stopping in any stores to get food.] Meet just outside the main doors at the entrance to the South Station T Stop/Train Station on Summer Street. Rain cancels. Leader: Marc Hurwitz

Sat, July 17, 2021. Explore the Lynn Woods. - registration required
2:00pm-5:00pm. A 5-mile loop in the western section of the USA's largest municipal park. Expect varied terrain -poles helpful; moderate/fast pace. No dogs, please. Heavy rain cancels. L Thurman Smith.

Sat, July 17, 2021. Crown Hill / Noyes, NH.
10:30am-12:45pm. Join us on a 3.2 mile walk on the Atkinson Conservation Land hiking trails which are well-kept, easy to navigate and fun to do. We'll do a loop and will pass through 3 NH towns: Plaistow, Hampstead and Atkinson. Trailhead parking lot: 460 East Road, Hampstead, NH. You might also see the Town Line sign: Atkinson | Hampstead, the parking lot is right smack dab in the middle of both towns. L Robin Doyle

Special designations:
C = Conservation program
F = Great for first timers in activity area
N = New members especially welcome