Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Chapter Local Walks/Hikes Committee Local Walks/Hikes (2003)

To show what we do, the listing below contains the complete Local Walks/Hikes schedule since the beginning of this year. Also, since the activities in the upcoming months generally will be similar to those in the same months in previous years, there are complete lists of the 2002 and 2001 activities.

Meeting locations, driving directions, leader names, and other details have been omitted. See the current issue of AMC Outdoors, the AMC members magazine, for full details of this month's schedule.

The Photo Gallery pages have photos of some of the hiking areas. Note that "L" is the abbreviation for "leader".

• Wed., Jan. 1. Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. Walk to view trees & shrubs, 1:30 PM, then social hr. at Doyle's Tavern in JP.
• Sat., Jan. 4. Borderland State Park, Easton. Easy 5-mi. hike, 12:30-3 PM.
• Sat., Jan. 4. Paine Estate, Waltham. Short hike at 12:50 PM.
• Sun., Jan. 5. Acton Arboretum, Acton. 3-mi. X-C ski or hike if no snow, 1-3 PM.
• Sat., Jan. 11. Blue Hills, Milton. Easy 4-mi hike on Wolcott & Border Paths, 9 AM-12:30 PM.
• Sat., Jan. 11. Callahan State Park, Framingham. 5-mi. hike, 10 AM-12 PM.
• Sun., Jan. 12. Blue Hills, Canton. X-C ski or hike if no snow 6 mi. around Ponkapoag Pond, 10 AM-3 PM.
• Sun., Jan. 12. Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain. 3-mi. walk in garden cemetery w/sculpture path, 10:15 AM-noon.
• Sun., Jan. 12. Emerald Necklace, Boston. 6-mi. walk incl. Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Pond, SW Corridor Park, ending at Copley Sq., 12:15-3:15 PM.
• Tue., Jan. 14. Slide Program, "Flora & Fauna of New England", 12:30 PM.
• Sat., Jan. 18. Minute Man Nat'l Park & Great Meadows NWR, Concord. Easy 4-mi. walk in historic area & woods, 12:45-3 PM.
• Sat., Jan. 18. Noanet Woodlands & Hale Reservation, Dover. 6-mi. hike in beautiful woodlands w/ponds, hills, frozen waterfall, 10 AM-2 PM.
• Sun., Jan. 19. Middlesex Fells, Stoneham. Hilly 7-mi. hike on Skyline Trail, 9:30 AM.
• Sun., Jan. 19. Bedford & Lexington Conservation Lands. 6-mi. hilly hike, 10 AM-1 PM.
• Sat., Jan. 25. Blue Hills, Quincy. 7-mi. hike, 9:45 AM-2:15 PM.
• Sat., Jan. 25. Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharon. Easy 3-mi. nature walk, 1 PM.
• Sun., Jan. 26. Middlesex Fells, Stoneham. 6-mi. hike around scenic reservoirs & possible tower views of Boston, 9:30 AM-2 PM.
• Sun., Jan. 26. Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. Brisk hike, 10 AM-12:30 PM, then opt. walk around Jamaica Pond ending at Brookline T stop at 2 PM.

• Sat., Feb. 1. Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle. Novice-interm X-C ski or hike if no snow, 12-4 PM.
• Sat., Feb. 1. Blue Hills, Quincy. X-C ski 6 mi. over mod. terrain or hike in hilly areas if no snow, 10 AM-3 PM.
• Sun., Feb. 2. Blue Hills, Milton. Annual Soupe d'Poisson Hike in honor of Mead Bradner, 5 mi. on variety of trails, some steep, incl. Skyline Trail w/views, 12:30-4:30 PM.
• Sun., Feb. 2. Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Leisurely walk in natural, artistic, & cultural landmark.
• Sat., Feb. 8. Duxbury Beach, Duxbury. 8-mi. hike on barrier beach to Gurnet Pt. lighthouse, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sat., Feb. 8. Blue Hills, Milton. 5-mi. hike to Dark Hollow & Tucker Hill, 9 AM-1 PM.
• Sun., Feb. 9. Noanet Woodlands, Dover. 5-mi. hike in beautiful woodlands w/ponds, hills, views, frozen waterfall, 10:30 AM-2:30 PM.
• Thur., Feb. 13. Slide Program, "Namibia, Zambia & the Zimbabwe Eclipse", 12:30 PM.
• Sat., Feb. 15. Blue Hills, Quincy. X-C ski 6 mi. in remote Chickatawbut section or hike if no snow, 10 AM-3 PM.
• Sat., Feb. 15. Maudslay State Park, Newburyport. Easy 4-mi. walk or X-C ski to Merrimac River views, beaver works, & possible bald eagles.
• Sun., Feb. 16. Middlesex Fells, Stoneham. Hilly 7-mi. hike on Skyline Trail, 9:30 AM.
• Sun., Feb. 16. Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Leisurely 2.5-hr. afternoon walk exploring natural beauty of 174-acre park-like cemetery containing many historic figures.
• Sat., Feb. 22. Maudslay State Park, Newburyport. 6-mi. X-C ski or hike if no snow on carriage roads of former estate, 11 AM.
• Sat., Feb. 22. Stony Brook Reservation, West Roxbury. Woods hike to Turtle Pond, glacial formations & Bald Hill (view), 1-4 PM.
• Sun., Feb. 23. Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle. 4-mi. winter treasures natural history walk.
• Sun., Feb. 23. Middlesex Fells, Malden. Hike to cliff-top views & frozen waterfall, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sun., Feb. 23. Alewife Reservation & Fresh Pond, Cambridge. 4-mi, 2+ hr. walk w/discussion of MDC master plan for Alewife, 3:30 PM.

• Sat., Mar. 1. Blue Hills, Milton. L's choice hike, 10:15 AM-2:45 PM. Length & route depend on conditions.
• Sat., Mar. 1. Charles River Greenway, Newton/W. Roxbury. Easy hike to Millennium Park, 10:50 AM.
• Sat., Mar. 1. Bedford Conservation Lands. 4-mi. hike to Fawn Lake & Wilderness Park, 1-3:30 PM.
• Sun., Mar. 2. Walden Pond, Concord. 8-mi. hike in Thoreau country incl. Fairhaven Bay on Sudbury River, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sun., Mar. 2. Blue Hills, Canton. 5-mi. hike around Ponkapoag Pond, 10:30 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sat., Mar. 8. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. 7-mi. hike to scenic ponds & rocky hills w/fine views, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sun., Mar. 9. Middlesex Fells, Malden. Hike to cliff-top views & frozen waterfall, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sun., Mar. 9. Sharon. 5-mi. X-C ski or hike if no snow, some hills, l2:30 PM.
• Sat., Mar. 15. Blue Hills, Milton. 4-mi. hike to top of Bucks Hill, 9 AM-12:30 PM.
• Sun., Mar. 16. Cambridge Parks & Greenways. 7-mi. hike incl. Fresh Pond, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Charles River Greenway & Harvard, 9:15 AM-12:30 PM.
• Tue., Mar. 18. Slide Program, "Hiking in Iceland", 12:30 PM.
• Sat., Mar. 22. Minute Man National Park, Lexington. 7-mi. hike on Battle Rd. Trail to Meriam's Corner in Concord & back, 10 AM-3 PM.
• Sat., Mar. 22. Middlesex Fells, Stoneham. Hilly 7-mi. hike on Skyline & Reservoir Trails w/views from 2 towers, 9:30 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sun., Mar. 23. Prospect Hill Park, Waltham. Hike at 9:50 AM w/steep climb up former ski slope.
• Sun., Mar. 23. Blue Hills, Milton. 7-mi. hike on variety of trails w/views & lunch on Buck Hill, 10 AM-4 PM.
• Sat., Mar. 29. Estabrook Woods, Carlisle/Concord. Hike 12-4 PM.
• Sun., Mar. 30. Cutler Reservation, Needham. Hike at 9:50 AM.
• Sun., Mar. 30. Warner Trail, Sharon. Trail clearing, 12-4:30 PM.

• Sat., Apr. 5. Middlesex Fells, Winchester/Medford. Early spring in the Fells. Nature walk w/lots of stops to look for signs of spring, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM.
• Sat., Apr. 5. Delaney Wildlife Management Area, Stow/Harvard. 6-mi. hike.
• Sun., Apr. 6. Blue Hills, Milton. Mod. strenuous 10-mi. hike on Skyline Trail w/steep hills & views, 9:30 AM-3:15 PM.
• Sun., Apr. 6. Flat Rock Wildlife Sanctuary, Fitchburg. 6-mi varied hike to Sanctuary, cons. land, & around reservoir, 10 AM-2 PM.
• Sun., Apr. 6. Borderland State Park, N. Easton. 5-mi. natural history walk to look for spring.
• Thur., Apr. 10. Slide Program, "Mostly Wildflowers: Up Close & Personal" , 12:30 PM.
• Sat., Apr. 12. Blue Hills, Milton. Level 6-mi. walk around Ponkapoag Pond w/stops to look at nature, 9 AM.
• Sat., Apr. 12. Middlesex Fells, Stoneham. Hilly 9-mi. hike on Skyline Trail w/5- & 7-mi. options, tower views & lunch at Wright's Pond, 9:30 AM.
• Sat., Apr. 12. Borderland State Park, Easton. 6-mi. hike, woods trails, Moyle's quarry, 10 AM-3 PM.
• Sun., Apr. 13. World's End Reservation, Hingham. Leisurely 4-mi. walk, 9 AM-noon.
• Sun., Apr. 13. Warner Trail, Section 1, Cumberland, RI. 60th season. Mostly level 10-mi. hike w/varied scenery from Wampum Corner, Wrentham S to Diamond Hill, RI, 9 AM-4 PM.
• Fri., Apr. 18. Rolling Meadows Conservation Land, Boxborough. Woodcock walk, 7:15-8:30 PM, to see their twilight aerial courtship flights.
• Sat., Apr. 19. Blue Hills, Milton. 7-mi. hike on variety of trails, some steep, incl. Skyline Trail w/views, 10 AM-4 PM.
• Sat., Apr. 19. Weld Woods, W. Roxbury. Easy 3-mi. walk in former estate w/woods & ponds, 1 PM.
• Sun., Apr. 20. Lincoln Conservation Lands. 10-mi. hike to Mt. Misery & Farrar Pond, 9:30 AM.
• Sun., Apr. 20. Noanet Woodlands, Dover. 6-mi. hike in beautiful woods w/ponds & views, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sun., Apr. 20. E. Gloucester. 5-mi. pavement walk w/scenic harbor & ocean views, 1-4 PM.
• Mon., Apr. 21. Boston Marathon Walk, Lincoln/Boston. 14th annual 20-mi. walk to North Sta. via Lincoln & Weston & joining Marathon rte. in Newton or quit & take T anywhere after midpoint.
• Mon., Apr. 21. Boston Marathon Hike, Jamaica Plain/Newton. Hike 8 mi. via Arboretum, Allandale Woods, Hancock Woods, Hammond Pond Park to Heartbreak Hill as lead runners pass, 9:30 AM-1:30 PM.
• Sat., Apr. 26. Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle. 6-mi. hike w/ponds & ice cream stand, 10 AM.
• Sat., Apr. 26. Middlesex Canal, N. Billerica. Level 5-mi. walk along historic canal N to Chelmsford, 1:30-4 PM.
• Sat., Apr. 26. Minute Man Nat'l Park, Lexington. 22nd annual easy hike through Fiske & Cranberry Hill areas, 1:30-4:30 PM.
• Sun., Apr. 27. Warner Trail, Section 2, Wrentham. 10-mi. hike N from Wampum Corner in Wrentham to High Rock in Foxboro, mostly in protected forests w/view & some wet spots, 9 AM-4 PM.
• Sun., Apr. 27. Middlesex Fells, Malden. 7-mi. hike w/ponds, waterfall & views, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sun., Apr. 27. World's End Reservation, Hingham. Slow 5-mi. walk in Olmsted-designed park w/harbor views, 11 AM-2 PM.

• Sat., May 3. Blue Hills, Milton. Mod. strenuous 10-mi. hike on Skyline Trail w/steep hills & views, 9:15 AM-3:15 PM.
• Sat., May 3. Estabrook Woods, Carlisle/Concord. Hike 12-4 PM.
• Sat., May 3. Crane Beach, Ipswich. Hike 7 mi. in woods & dunes w/possible deer, 1:30 PM.
• Sun., May 4. Warner Trail, Section 3, Wrentham. 10-mi. hike S from Moose Hill in Sharon to High Rock in Foxboro incl. Bluff Hill & good views, 9 AM-4 PM.
• Sun., May 4. Freedom Trail, Boston & Charlestown. Boston history in a walking & talking tour.
• Thur., May 8. Slide Program, "Hiking in the Dakotas, Montana & Wyoming", 12:30 PM.
• Sat., May 10. Fowl Meadow, Milton. Bird walk, 3 mi., 7-10:30 AM. Learn to bird. See common & rare species at height of spring migration.
• Sat., May 10. Parks & Greenways, Wellesley. 8-mi. walk along brooks, ponds, aqueducts, eskers & woods, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sun., May 11. Middlesex Fells, Stoneham. Hilly 9-mi. hike on Skyline Trail w/5- & 7-mi. options, tower views & lunch at Wright's Pond, 9:30 AM.
• Sun., May 11. Lincoln & Concord Conservation Lands. 10-mi. hike to Fairhaven Bay, Sudbury River, Walden Pond & Pine Hill, 10 AM.
• Sat., May 17. Wachusett Mtn., Princeton. Moderate, fun, 5-mi. hike w/lunch at Echo Lake, 9:45 AM.
• Sat., May 17. Tophet Chasm & Oak Hill, Littleton. 3-mi. hike, steep at times, to geologically unusual site & cliff-top view of Boston, 10 AM.
• Sun., May 18. Blue Hills, Milton. Difficult 8-mi. hike incl. 6 hills w/views, 9:30 AM-3 PM.
• Sun., May 18. Weston Conservation Lands. Easy 3-mi. walk through varied habitats at Cat Rock & 80 Acres, 1:30-4 PM.
• Sat., May 24. Warner Trail, Sections 3 & 4, Wrentham. Mostly level, easy pace 15-mi. hike S from Sharon to High Rock in Foxboro, incl. Moose Hill & views, 9 AM-5 PM.
• Sat., May 24. Blue Hills, Canton. Leisurely 6-mi. walk around Ponkapoag Pond & on bog boardwalk, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sun., May 25. Blue Hills, Quincy. 8-mi. hike on Great Dome Foot Path w/wildflowers & scenic hills, some steep, 10 AM-4 PM.
• Sun., May 25. Maudslay State Park, Newburyport. 4-mi. walk on former estate w/formal gardens & Merrimack River views, 10 AM-1 PM.
• Sun., May 25. Lincoln Conservation Lands. 10-mi. hike to Flint (Sandy) Pond & Old Wheeler Farm, 10 AM.
• Sat., May 31. Fowl Meadow, Milton. Bird walk, 3 mi., 8-11:30 AM. Learn to bird by listening for & identifying late migrant & nesting species in the best birding area in the Blue Hills.
• Sat., May 31. Squam Range, Moultonborough, NH. 4-mi. hike w/1000 ft. elev. gain to 1500-ft. summits of Cotton & Livermore Mtns. Possible wildflowers.
• Sat., May 31. Dogtown Common, Gloucester. Fast-paced hike, 12-5 PM.

• Sun., June 1. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. 5-mi. hike w/hilltop views & 2 scenic ponds, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM. Can combine w/PM Lynn Woods hike.
• Sun., June 1. Lynn Woods, Lynn. 6-mi. hike via Undercliff Path to pirate cave & 3 large ponds, 1-4:30 PM.
• Wed., June 4. Hancock Woods, W. Roxbury. Evening walk to caves, glacial terrain & marsh boardwalk w/possible lady's slippers, 6 PM.
• Sat., June 7. Blue Hills, Milton. Leisurely, hilly 4-mi. hike via Wolcott Path & Skyline Trail to Eliot Tower on Great Blue Hill, 9 AM-1 PM.
• Sat., June 7. Great Brook Farm State Park, Carlisle. 6-mi. hike incl. Blueberry Hill & Fern Loop, 1-4 PM.
• Sun., June 8. Lincoln Conservation Lands. 8-mi. hike to Mount Misery, Walden Pond & Pine Hill, 10:15 AM.
• Sat., June 14. Middlesex Fells, Medford. 14-mi. hike in two sections, do either or both: western Fells, 9 AM-12:15 PM; eastern Fells, 12:45-4 PM. Shady rte. if hot.
• Sat., June 14. Blue Hills, Milton. 8-mi. hike on Skyline & other trails w/views & some steep hills, 9:30 AM.
• Sat., June 14. Maudslay State Park, Newburyport. 6-mi. hike on carriage roads of former estate, 10 AM.
• Sun., June 15. Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH. 6-mi. walk around pond, over hills & along stream, 9:30 AM-3 PM.
• Sun., June 15. Horn Pond Area, Woburn. Late spring at Horn Pond. Nature walk w/lots of stops focusing on what's in flower & what's in fruit, 9:30 AM-12:30 PM.
• Sun., June 15. Arlington & Lexington Conservation Lands. Leisurely 5-mi. hike around Arlington Reservoir, up Whipple Hill, & beyond, 3:30-6:30 PM.
• Sat., June 21. Charles River, Cambridge to Newton. 20-mi. walk over Longfellow Bridge to North End for snack then along Charles River to Newton Ctr. & return via Beacon St./Comm. Ave or take T, 9 AM.
• Sat., June 21. Blue Hills, Canton. Leisurely 6-mi. walk around Ponkapoag Pond & on bog boardwalk, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sat., June 21. Wapack Trail, Ashburnham. Very strenuous 9-mi. climb from Windblown Ski Ctr., New Ipswich, NH, S to Mt. Watatic, 11 AM-6 PM.
• Sun., June 22. Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield. Celebrate summer w/5-mi. natural history walk.
• Sun., June 22. Middlesex Fells, Stoneham. 6-mi. hike around 3 scenic reservoirs w/tower views of Boston, 10 AM-2:30 PM.
• Sat., June 28. Ashland State Park, Ashland. Easy 3-hr. walk around pristine Ashland Reservoir & through woods followed by swim, 10 AM.
• Sat., June 28. Blue Hills, Milton. Hike 10 AM-2 PM.
• Sat., June 28. Brook Farm, W. Roxbury. 4-mi. interpretive walk at site of 1840's utopian community & hike in woods, 12:45-4 PM. Theme: Hawthorne & transcendentalism.
• Sun., June 29. Lincoln & Concord Conservation Lands. Scenic 8-mi. hike to Mt. Misery & Fairhaven Bay then swim at quiet end of Walden Pond, 9 AM-3 PM.
• Sun., June 29. Beaver Brook Association, Hollis, NH. 6-mi. hike in beautiful 2000-acre private res., 9:30 AM-2 PM.