This list has been superceded by the September-October 2016 list.

July-August 2016 (and beyond) AMC Boston Chapter Local Walks/Hikes
updated Saturday, January 12, 2019 11:21 AM

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

Calendar Grid here

Sat, July 2, 2016. Belmont Woodlands. (walks, hiking) - approved June 27 with map (no image)
Brisk, scenic 7-mi. hike including Wellington Hill, Highland Meadow, Weeks Pond, Beaver Brook, and Rock Meadow. 9:45am-1:30pm. Bring lunch. From Rte. 128 (I-95), take Exit 28A/Trapelo Rd 3.4 miles E to 3rd set of lights, turn right onto Waverly Oaks Rd., immediate left into pkg. lot. Bus 73 (Harvard T) to end, walk 0.3 mi. Rain cancels. L Marc Hurwitz.

Sun, July 3, 2016. Lynn Woods, Lynn. (walks, hiking) - approved June 19 with map and image
Approx. 5 miles, Leader's Choice. 9:00am-1:00pm. Bring lunch, H2O, and snacks. Dress for the elements. From I-95/Rte. 128 take Walnut Street exit, 4 miles. From Rte. 1, Walnut Street exit, 2 miles. Turn left on Pennybrook Road to Western Gate parking lot. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Nelson Caraballo (617-548-8579; Nelsonnec1@aol.com).

Mon, July 4, 2016. Worlds End Reservation. (hiking, walks) - approved May 16 with map and image
Scenic 5-mi. walk, 8:30-11:30am. Bring snack/water. From Rte.3A rotary in Hingham, take Summer St. 0.5mi. to light, L on Martin's Lane to entr. $6.00 per person fee for non-members of the Trustees of Reservations. Avoid Rte.228 due to holiday event road closures. Storm cancels. No e-mail after 7/3. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Beth Mosias (781-335-5034, 7-9pm).

Sat, July 9, 2016. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Summer Special! (walks, hiking, photography, Conservation) - approved June 19 with map and image
10:00am-12:30pm. Easy 5 mile walk on lovely wooded trails, including Middlesex Turnpike remains from the 1800s. From the Billerica Rangeway Town Forest to the Chelmsford Russel Mill Town Forest. Although I prefer winter walks, this may be the last time to enjoy this emerald connection. After construction of 400 apartments this area will never look the same again. Bring plenty of hydration and bug spray; sturdy footwear and tuck pants in socks. Park along Rangeway Road, just east of the Rte 3 bridge / overpass. L Marlies Henderson.

Sat, July 9, 2016. Squantum Point Park to Pope John Paul 2 Park, Quincy/Dorchester. (hiking, walks) - approved July 4 with map and image
7-mile walk from Squantum Point Park, along Quincy Riverwalk, across bridge to Boston Harborwalk to Pope John Paul 2 Park, 9:30am-12:45 pm. Bring snack & water. Take Rte. 3 South to exit 12, Rte. 3A South. Continue over the Neponset Bridge onto Quincy Shore Drive and bear left on East Squantum Street. Turn left and take Victory Road Marina Bay, take left on Haul Rd into the Squantum Point parking lot. L Mike Tuohey (breadcrumbs60@gmail.com).

Sun, July 10, 2016. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. (walks, hiking) - approved June 19 with map and image
Mod-stren. approx. 5-mi. hike, hills/rough terrain, 9:00am-2:00pm. Bring snacks/lunch/water. Meet at Northeast Metro School. From Rte. 95/128 exit 39 (Wakefield), take North Ave. E 2.5 mi. (becomes Nahant St.), R on Farm St., L on Hemlock St. to end. Rain cancels. L Nelson Caraballo (617-548-8579; Nelsonnec1@aol.com).

Sat, July 16, 2016. Eastern Blue Hills, Quincy. (hiking, walks) - approved July 11 with map and image
Fast-paced, moderately hilly 7-mi. hike to remote scenic areas including Fox Hill, Kitchamakin ledges, Chickatawbut overlooks, 9:30am-1:30pm. Bring lunch, water. Meet at Shea Ice Rink, Willard St., Quincy. From SE Expwy exit 8 in Quincy, go S 0.6 mi. on Willard St. Or from Rte. 93/128 exit 6 in Braintree, go N 0.7 mi. Bus 238 from Quincy Ctr. T sta. Rain cancels. L Marc Hurwitz.

Sun, July 17, 2016. Bedford/Burlington/Lexington Woodlands. (hiking, walks) - approved May 16 with map (no image)
Very hilly 6-mi. wander through various conservation & municipal lands. 9:45am-2:30pm. Meet at the new Wilson Mill Park, Old Burlington Rd., Bedford, MA. From Rte. 128 exit 32 merge on Rte. 3N for 1.5 mi. to exit 26, turn L on Burlington Rd (Rte. 62) toward Bedford for 0.6 mi., turn sharp L on Old Burlington Rd. Pkg. lot is 0.3 mi. at dead end. Rain cancels. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Mark Levine (trailmark@verizon.net).

Sun, July 17, 2016. Grassy Pond Conservation Land, Acton. (Instruction, walks) - approved June 3 with map
Slow-paced nature walk through fields and forests to Grassy Pond looking for mid-summer wildflowers and fruits. The walk will focus on plant ID and fun natural history. 9:30am-12:30pm. Rte. 2 to Exit 42 (Rte. 27/Main St., Acton). Follow Rte. 27 north for about 1 mile through Acton Center and turn left on Nagog Hill Rd. Go 1.1 miles. Parking lot on left just past small meadow. No dogs; $1 for non-members. Heavy rain cancels. L Boot Boutwell (781-729-4712).
Boot Boutwell is a freelance itinerant naturalist who teaches and leads nature walks for Mass Audubon, The New England Wild Flower Society, The Winchester Public Schools, and The Friends of the Middlesex Fells as well as the AMC.

Sun, July 17, 2016. Mt. Auburn Cemetery. (walks) - approved July 10 with map and image
[Rte. 16 (Mt. Auburn St.) on Cambridge/Watertown line]. 2.5 hr. introductory walk exploring its beauty and history. Theme: Signs & Symbols. Although this walk is intended for those who have never or rarely been to Mount Auburn Cemetery, all are welcome to join. Meet at side of Story Chapel (about 100 feet beyond the main entrance) at 1:00pm. Cars should not be parked on roads with solid or broken green lines on them. No food allowed. T accessible - both the #73 and #71 buses stop nearby. Temperature of 80+ may shorten walk. Rain cancels. If in doubt, call L the morning of the walk. L Jim Loughlin (617-923-8039).

Fri, July 22, 2016. "Beat the Heat" Harborwalk walk in the Seaport District and Fort Point, Boston. (walks) - approved July 10 with map and image
Moderate-paced 4-mi. walk on waterside walkways of Boston/South Boston with spectacular views, 6:30-9:00pm. Meet just inside the main doors at entrance to South Station T Stop and Train Station on Summer Street. Rain cancels. L Marc Hurwitz.

Mon, July 25, 2016. Edible Wild Plant Walk in Lincoln. (Instruction, walks) - approved June 3 with map
6:00-8:00pm. A ramble with expert forager Russ Cohen around the edges of Blue Heron Organic farm in Lincoln and into the adjacent woodlands to learn about the comestible virtues of at least eighteen species of edible wild plants, many of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. Pending favorable weather conditions, several edible mushroom species may be encountered as well. L Russ Cohen (781-646-7489).
Link: Blue Heron Organic Farm http://www.blueheronfarmlincoln.com/test2/index.html

Sat, July 30, 2016. Broadmoor Mass Audubon walk, Natick. (walks, hiking) - approved July 10 with map and image
9:00am-11:00am. Meet at the Visitors Center. Join us for a walk in this convenient (Natick on Route 16), yet expansive wildlife retreat. Moderate pace, easy trails with some gentle hills and rocks, including the trail along the Charles River. Bring water and snacks. No children or dogs. Heavy rain cancels. Call Lisa if uncertain. Charge: $5 if not a Mass Audubon member, plus $1 if not an AMC member. L Lisa Fleischman (617-244-5747 before 9pm; day of hike 617-244-5747).
Driving directions: http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/broadmoor/directions

Sat, July 30, 2016. Middlesex Fells, Malden. (walks, hiking) - approved July 20 with map and image
6-mile. hike, some rocky steep hills to cliff views including waterfall w/lunch at pond, Moderate-rated hike, not for beginners. 10:00am-2:30pm. Bring lunch/water/hiking shoes. Meet on Washington St. side of Oak Grove T sta. From Rte. 93 exit 32 in Medford take Rte. 60 E 1.2 mi., L on Highland Ave. 0.5 mi., R on Glenwood St. 0.6 mi., L on Wash. St. 0.1 mi., Park on street. Email if severe weather. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Mike Tuohey (breadcrumbs60@gmail.com).

Sun, July 31, 2016. Lynn Woods, Lynn. (walks, hiking) - approved June 19 with map and image
Approx. 5 miles, Leader's Choice. 9:00am-1:00pm. Bring lunch, H2O, and snacks. Dress for the elements. From I-95/Rte. 128 take Walnut Street exit, 4 miles. From Rte. 1, Walnut Street exit, 2 miles. Turn left on Pennybrook Road to Western Gate parking lot. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Nelson Caraballo (617-548-8579; Nelsonnec1@aol.com).

Fri, Aug 5, 2016. Squantum to Thompson Island Walk, Quincy/Boston. (walks, hiking) - approved Aug 1 with map and image
Unusual 4-mile sunset walk with spectacular views along sandbar at low tide to one of the Boston Harbor Islands, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Bring hiking boots, dinner/snack & water. From Boston, take Rte. 3 South to exit 12, Rte. 3A South. Once under the Rte. 3 bridge and through Neponset Circle, continue over the Neponset Bridge onto Quincy Shore Drive and take a left on East Squantum Road 1.3 miles from Neponset Circle. Continue on E Squantum Road--which becomes Dorchester Street--for 1.4 miles. Park along right side of street just before gate to Moon Island. Meet across the street by entrance to American Legion Post. (GPS Coordinates 42.3027669,-71.0111489) Rain cancels. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Marc Hurwitz.

Sat, Aug 6, 2016. Blue Hills, Ponkapoag Pond. (hiking, walks) - approved May 16 with map and image
4 mi. beat-the-heat hike, 7:00am-9:00am. Bring snack/water. I-93/Rte 128 exit 2A to Rte.138S for 0.7 mi. to Ponkapoag Golf Course pkg. lot on L. Storm cancels. No dogs; non-AMC $1. L Beth Mosias (781-335-5034).

Sat, Aug 6, 2016. West Quincy Quarries & Granite Railway. (hiking, walks) - approved July 31 with map and image
Come by after the Ponkapoag hike... 5.5-mile walk to Granite Railway & quarries, some rock scrambling and steep sections, 10:00am-2:00pm. Bring lunch/water/hiking shoes. Meet at Shea Ice Rink, 651 Willard St., Quincy. From SE Expressway Exit 8 in Quincy, go south 0.6 miles on Willard St. Or from I-93/Route 128 Exit 6 in Braintree, go north 0.7 miles. Or for public transit take Bus 238 from Quincy Center T station. Email if severe weather. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Mike Tuohey (breadcrumbs60@gmail.com).

Sat, Aug 6, 2016. Boston's Back Bay Fens. (walks) - approved July 31 with map
View museums and cultural institutions; explore the Rose Garden and Victory Gardens. 10:00am-1:30pm. Meet at corner of Huntington Ave. & Museum Rd. (Museum stop on Green Line "E"). Bring lunch & water. No dogs. New members welcome. Heavy rain cancels. L Sharon Marshall (617-542-4551 from 7-9pm, smarshallmd@juno.com).

Sun, Aug 7, 2016. Melrose Parks & Conservation Lands. (walks, hiking) - approved Aug 3 with map and image
Scenic 8-mi. hike in Pine Banks, Mt. Hood, & adjoining parks, 10:00am-2:30pm. Volcanic remnant, esker, ponds, fine hilltop views. Meet in main pkg. lot of Oak Grove T sta, Malden. From Rte. 93 exit 32 in Medford take Rte. 60 E 1.2 mi., L on Highland Ave. 0.5 mi., R on Glenwood St. 0.6 mi., continue on Winter St. 0.1 mi., L into T sta. lot or park on street. Ls Robert Winters (Robert@rwinters.com), Mike Stadelmaier (hikeinfo@yahoo.com, 770-377-8896 to 10pm).

Sat, Aug 13, 2016. Parks & Greenways, Quincy. (hiking, walks) - approved Aug 8 with map and image
7-mile walk w/beach, woods, salt marshes, historic sites, 10:00am-2:30pm. Bring lunch & water. Take Quincy Shore Drive to Wollaston Yacht Club pier at Beach St. Or T to Wollaston, walk 1 mile. Email if severe weather. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Mike Tuohey (breadcrumbs60@gmail.com).

Sun, Aug 14, 2016. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. (walks, hiking) - approved June 19 with map and image
Mod-stren. approx. 5-mi. hike, hills/rough terrain, 9:00am-2:00pm. Bring snacks/lunch/water. Meet at Northeast Metro School. From Rte. 95/128 exit 39 (Wakefield), take North Ave. E 2.5 mi. (becomes Nahant St.), R on Farm St., L on Hemlock St. to end. Rain cancels. L Nelson Caraballo (617-548-8579; Nelsonnec1@aol.com).

Sat, Aug 20, 2016. Middlesex Fells, Medford. (walks, hiking) - approved Aug 15 with map and image
Fast-paced 5-mile hike through remote areas including views from ledges and water views, 11:15am-2:30pm. Bring lunch/water. From north: Rte. 93 S to exit 32 (Rte. 60). Take right on Rte. 60 west and stay on Rte. 60 through Medford Center. 1 mile from exit off Rte. 93, bear right at rotary onto Rte. 38 north. After 1 mile, take left on Playstead Road and park on road along stone wall. From south: Rte. 93 N to exit 31 (Mystic Valley Parkway/Rte. 16). After 1 mile, take right on Winthrop Street (Rte. 38 north) then bear left at rotary to continue on Rte. 38 north. After 1 mile, take left on Playstead Road and park on road along stone wall. Bus: #134 from Wellington Orange Line T stop outbound to bus stop at Winthrop Street and Playstead Road. Rain cancels. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Marc Hurwitz.

Sun, Aug 21, 2016. Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery & North Bridge, Concord. (walks, hiking) - approved July 31 with map
See water lotus in bloom, authors' graves and other Concord wonders on slow-paced, 5 mile ramble. Meet 10:00am. From Concord center take Monument Street 0.5 miles to North Bridge parking area on right. Bring lunch, water and sturdy rambling shoes. No dogs. Non-AMC members, $1. L Jerry Yos (781-935-4647, before 11pm), CL Gail Zwink (508-460-5038).

Thurs, Aug 25, 2016. Lake Waban (Wellesley) walk. (walks) - approved July 31 with map and image
5:45pm-7:00pm. Lake Waban (Wellesley) walk, with optional dinner following. Join us for a walk around lovely Lake Waban on the Wellesley campus. Moderate pace, gentle trail. Wear sneakers with good treads or hiking shoes. Bring water, snacks, and bug repellent. No children or dogs. Heavy rain cancels. Call leader if uncertain. $1 charge if not AMC member. Afterwards, enjoy a pizza or another dish at nearby Alta Strada. Enter campus from Route 135, main entrance, at the traffic light. Follow signs for the visitor's parking garage. Then meet outside of Alumnae Hall directly across from the garage. Wellesley College Interactive Map. L Lisa Fleischman (617-244-5747).

Sat, Aug 27, 2016. Rock Meadow Conservation Land, Belmont. (Instruction, walks) - approved June 3 with map
Slow-paced nature walk through fields and forests to enjoy nature in summer. The walk will focus on plant ID and fun natural history. 9:00am-12:00pm. No dogs; $1 for non-members. L Boot Boutwell (781-729-4712).
Boot Boutwell is a freelance itinerant naturalist who teaches and leads nature walks for Mass Audubon, The New England Wild Flower Society, The Winchester Public Schools, and The Friends of the Middlesex Fells as well as the AMC.
Directions:
From the East - Take Rte. 2 westbound and get off at Exit 56 (Rte 4/225, Lexington/Bedford). At the fork in the ramp, bear right (Rte 4/225, Lexington/Bedford). At stop sign at end of ramp, turn left on Winter St. and follow directions From Winter St below.
From the West - Take Rte. 2 Eastbound and get off at Exit 56 (Winter St/Waverly). At end of ramp, take right onto Winter St and follow directions From Winter St. below.
From Winter St. - Follow Winter St. for about one mile to its end and take a left onto Concord Ave. In 1/10th mile bear right onto Mill St. In 1/10th mile take first right down a hill into Rock Meadow parking lot. It comes just after 295 Mill St on the opposite side of the road. It comes on you quickly and is easy to miss. ARRIVE EARLY. PARKING LIMITED. Steady rain cancels.

Mon, Sept 5, 2016. World's End Reservation, Hingham. (walks, hiking) - approved June 20 with map and image
5 mile walk, 8:30am-11:30am. Bring snack/water. From Rte. 3 exit 14, take Rte. 228N 6.5 mi., L on Rte. 3A 1.0mi. to rotary, R on Summer St. 0.5 mi. to light, L on Martin's Lane to entr. $6.00 parking fee for non-members of the Trustees of Reservations. Storm cancels. No dogs. Non-AMC members, $1. L Beth Mosias (781-335-5034).

Sat, Sept 10, 2016. 3rd Annual Duxbury Beach Walk. (walks, hiking) - approved July 31 with map
10:00am-Noon, moderate pace. Bring water and snacks. No children or dogs. Lunch afterwards at a local restaurant for anyone interested. Heavy rain cancels. Call if uncertain. Directions: From North or South: Take Rte. 3 to Exit 11. Exit roundabout at 2nd turn from either direction which is Congress/West Street for 1.8 miles. (stay right at fork,continuing on West St.). Straight at traffic light onto St. George Street 1.1 miles to Washington Street, Left for 30 yards and then immediate right onto Powder Point Road. 1.0 mile to the Powder Point Bridge Parking lot before bridge. Call Mary (781-771-3680) if needed. L Lisa Fleischman (617-244-5747 before 9pm), CL Mary Wisbach (781-771-3680 before 9pm; mwisbach@aol.com).

Sun, Sept 11, 2016. Maudslay State Park, Newburyport. (walks, hiking,F,N) - approved Aug 27 with map (no image)
1:30pm-4:00pm. Easy 4 miles on mostly flat terrain, through woods, fields, gardens. Meet at 1:30PM at parking lot. Small parking fee or DCR parking pass required. Rain cancels, no dogs please. L Ted Harney (978-764-1272; 4hikes@gmail.com), CL Sheila Pendleton (4hikes@gmail.com).
Driving Directions: I-95N to Exit 57, Left onto Route 113W, over I-95 and through the lights, 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Hoyt's Lane and follow to the end. Turn right into parking lot. [http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dcr/massparks/region-north/maudslay-state-park.html]

Sat, Sept 17, 2016. Boxford State Forest. (hiking, walks) - approved Aug 8 with map (no image)
Meet at 1:00pm in the parking lot on Middleton Rd. in Boxford, at the steel gate. Take Rte. 95 and use exit 51 on the Topsfield-Boxford line. Go west (left if heading north, right if heading south on 95) and then an immediate right on Middleton Rd. Go about 1 mile to parking area on left. Easy terrain. moderate pace, kids and dogs welcome, time about 2 hours. L Steve Davis.

Sun, Sept 18, 2016. Purgatory Falls, NH. (hiking, walks) - approved May 16 with map (no image)
6-mi. lollipop route along picturesque stream past waterfalls, cascades, along ledges & hilly forest terrain, 9:30am-3:30pm. From Nashua NH go W on Rte. 101A toward Milford 7 mi., L onto Rte. 101 W ramp toward Wilton, NH 5 mi., continue N thru light (cross Rte. 101A) over bridge onto North River Rd., 0.8 mi. cross Center Rd. 0.5 mi. to McClellan Tr. lot on L. Storm cancels. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. L Mark Levine (trailmark@verizon.net).

Wed, Sept 21, 2016. Blue Hills Hike, Milton. (hiking, walks) - approved Aug 8 with map and image
Blue Hills - 5 mile brisk-paced hike along yellow triangle trail with rolling hills, 10:30am-1:30pm. Meet at Houghton's Pond parking lot. Bring lunch and water. Storm cancels. L Beth Mosias.

Mon, Oct 10, 2016. Blue Hills, Ponkapoag Pond. (hiking, walks) - approved Aug 8 with map and image
4 mi. mod.-paced hike, 10:30am-1:30pm. Bring lunch+water. I-93/Rte 128 exit 2A to Rte.138S for 0.7 mi. to Ponkapoag Golf Course pkg lot on L. Storm cancels. No dogs; non-AMC $1. L Beth Mosias (781-335-5034).

Sun, Oct 16, 2016. Hale Reservation, Westwood. (hiking, walks) - approved Aug 8 with map and image
Easy walk, mostly woods, across a dam & thru a meadow, 1:00-3:00pm. From Rte. 95/128 exit 16B, take Rte. 109 W 1.2 mi., R on Dover Rd. 0.3 mi., R on Carby St. 0.6 mi. to Cat Rock pkg. lot. Rain cancels. No dogs, non-AMC members $1. L Jean Veigas (781-449-4324).

Sat, Nov 12, 2016. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Great Meadows and Two Brother's Rocks. (Conservation, hiking, walks) - approved Aug 27 with map and image
10:00am-12:30pm. Enjoy nature and camaraderie, laced with environmental and historical tidbits: A five mile easy walk along the Concord River, through Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Timber Creek Conservation Land, Governor Thomas Dudley Park. Start and end at Great Meadows parking by the intersection of Rte 4 and Concord River. L Marlies Henderson (978-808-6634 between 8am and 8pm; brimar_11@msn.com).

Sun, Nov 20, 2016. Walking Tour of Nahant, MA. (hiking, walks) - approved Aug 27 with map (no image)
Approx. 5 mi.leisurely walk thru resort with harbor views. Meet 1:00pm in front of Tides Restaurant on Long Beach parkway. From Boston take 1A north through Nahant rotary. Park in lot (no fee). Heavy rain cancels. L Mary Ellen Delaney (mryeldln@aol.com; 978-745-7708 before 9pm).

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