Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Chapter Local Walks/Hikes Committee Local Walks/Hikes for 2017 - brief descriptions

Meeting locations, driving directions, leader names, and other details have been omitted. See the current issue of AMC Outdoors (the monthly AMC members magazine) or the trip listings at http://trips.outdoors.org for this month's schedule. A partial listing of upcoming hikes is also available at the Local Walks/Hikes home page. The Photo Gallery pages have photos of some of the hiking areas.

January 2017

Sun, Jan 1. Walk off New Year's in Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. Explore Arboretum on and off path, up and down hill, with Arboretum guide, good pace with stops at interesting trees. 10.30am-noon.

Sun, Jan 1. Lynn Woods, Lynn. New Years Day Hike. Leader's Choice. 9:00am start.

Sat, Jan 7. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Gilson Hill. 9:45am-noon. Meet by flag of Dutile School, 10 Biagiotti Way, Billerica. Easy two hour hike, offered through Billerica Recreation Department and sponsored by Friends of Billerica Recreation in cooperation with the Appalachian Mountain Club, to explore Gilson Hill, with a focus on camaraderie and local history.

Sat, Jan 14. Blue Hills, Milton. Fast-paced 7-mi. hike that features 10 special "points of interest" including overlooks, streams, ponds, and cliffs, 9:30am-1:30pm.

Sat, Jan 14. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Concord River Greenway. 9:45am-noon. Easy two hour hike to explore the old B&M RR, the Concord River, Lover's Lane and proposed Yankee Doodle Bike Path.

Sun, Jan 15. Beaver Brook Assoc, Hollis, NH. 8-9mi. over varied terrain w/pond & brook views, beaver lodges, waterfowl & "French meadow", 9:30am-3:00pm.

Sun, Jan 15. River Romp, Groton. 1:00pm-3:00pm. Hike thru conservation lands along the scenic Nashua River in its winter splendor.

Mon, Jan 16. Blue Hills Ponkapoag Pond, Canton. Moderate pace 5-mi. hike/snowshoe around pond, 10:30am-2:00pm.

Sat, Jan 21. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Jones Forest. 9:45am-noon. Easy two hour hike, offered through Billerica Recreation Department and sponsored by Friends of Billerica Recreation in cooperation with the Appalachian Mountain Club, to explore Jones Forest and the Country Club, by Shawsheen River. Focus on camaraderie and local history.

Sat, Jan 21. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham. 10 mile hike w/lunch at scenic pond, 9:30am-2:00pm.

Sun, Jan 22. Beaver Brook, Hollis, NH. 1:00pm. Come out and enjoy a winter snowshoe/hike at Beaver Brook in Hollis, NH. This hike will be approximately 2 to 2.5 hours depending on trail conditions.

Sat, Jan 28. Hike Beautiful Billerica - The Fields. 9:45am-noon.vEasy two hour hike, offered through Billerica Recreation Department and sponsored by Friends of Billerica Recreation in cooperation with the Appalachian Mountain Club, to explore Narrow Gauge and B&M RR and Martina Gage conservation land. Focus on camaraderie and local history.

Sat, Jan 28. Eastern Blue Hills, Quincy. Fast-paced 7-mi. hike to remote scenic areas including Fox Hill, Sassaman Notch, Kitchamakin ledges, 9:30am-1:30pm.

Sun, Jan 29. Lincoln Woods Ramble. Lincoln Woods ramble of about 4-6 miles.

February 2017

Sat, Feb 4. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Warren Manning. 9:45am-noon. Easy two hour hike, offered through Billerica Recreation Department and sponsored by Friends of Billerica Recreation in cooperation with the Appalachian Mountain Club, through Warren Manning State Forest.

Sat, Feb 4. Annual Soupe de Poisson Hike, Blue Hills. Walk in honor of Meade Bradner, who spent many years caring for the Warner Trail. Registration Required. [Cancelled - low response]

Sun, Feb 5. Powisett Farm, Dover. Snowshoe/walk, thru meadows, 1:00-3:00pm.

Sun, Feb 5. Fresh Pond and Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Walk around Fresh Pond and wander through Mount Auburn Cemetery in scenic Cambridge, MA.

Sun, Feb 5. Pond Meadow, Braintree. Easy/moderate 4-mi. walk. 9:45am-12:00pm.

Sat, Feb 11. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Leader's Choice. Hike/snowshoe. Meet at Wedgmere RR Station (Lowell Line) 10:00am, return for 1:30pm train.

Sat, Feb 11. Blue Hills Plateau Hike, Blue Hills Reservation, Canton. Fast-paced 7-mi. hike/snowshoe on mostly moderate trails through the uplands of the west-central Blue Hills, including Great Blue Hill, Hemenway Hill, Wildcat Notch, Breakneck Ledge, Coon Hollow, 9:30am-1:30pm.

Sun, Feb 12. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Evergreens and other easily recognizable plants of winter. Slow-paced nature walk focusing on plant ID in winter and fun natural history. 9:00am-12:00pm.

Sat, Feb 18. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park. 9:45am-noon. Easy two hour hike, offered through Billerica Recreation Department and sponsored by Friends of Billerica Recreation in cooperation with the Appalachian Mountain Club, to explore Ralph Hill SVT Conservation Area and Concord River. Focus on camaraderie and local history.

Sat, Feb 18. Neponset River Greenway/Milton Hill. 5-mile walk along Neponset River to Hutchinson Field, 9:30am-12:15pm.

Sun, Feb 19. Nagog Pond & Sarah Doublet, Acton/Littleton. 9:30am-2:30pm. This 7½ mi. route wanders through a portion of Acton's Nagog Hill area, hugs the shore of Nagog Pond, loops through the hilly Sarah Doublet area in Littleton where we plan to have lunch and offer an optional excursion to Fort Pond via a short spur trail. Our return covers the remaining portion of Nagog Pond.

Sun, Feb 19. Wild Wharton, Groton. 1:00pm-3:00pm. Come see this spectacular conservation area featuring beaver ponds, eskers, varied wetlands, upland forest, and hopefully lots of interesting animal tracks in the snow.

Mon, Feb 20. Blue Hills Ponkapoag Pond, Canton. Moderate pace 5-mi. hike/snowshoe around pond, 10:30am-2:00pm.

Sat, Feb 25. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Summit Fox Hill. 9:45am-noon. Easy two hour hike, offered through Billerica Recreation Department and sponsored by Friends of Billerica Recreation in cooperation with the Appalachian Mountain Club, to explore Fox Hill. Focus on camaraderie and local history.

Sat, Feb 25. Blue Hills Plateau Hike, Blue Hills Reservation, Canton. Fast-paced 7-mi. hike/snowshoe on mostly moderate trails through the uplands of the west-central Blue Hills, including Great Blue Hill, Hemenway Hill, Wildcat Notch, Breakneck Ledge, Coon Hollow, 9:30am-2:00pm.

Sun, Feb 26. Broadmoor Mass Audubon walk, Natick. 10:30am-12:30pm. Join us for a walk in this convenient (Natick on Route 16), yet expansive wildlife retreat, along the Charles River. Moderate pace, easy trails with some gentle hills and rocks.

March 2017

Sat, Mar 4. Middlesex Fells, Malden. 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.

Fri, Mar 10. Beacon Hill, North End, Downtown Boston. 5-mi walk including historic streets, secret alleyways, and visits to Boston Public Market and a hidden bread bakery, with possible bar/restaurant option at end of walk. 6:30-9:15pm.

Sat, Mar 11. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Two Brothers Rocks. 9:45am-12:30pm. Easy 2½ hour hike starts at 9:45am. Great Meadows, Concord River, and Governor Dudley Park. Focus on camaraderie and local history.

Sat, Mar 11. World's End Reservation, Hingham. 5 mile hike/snowshoe, 9:00am-noon.

Sat, Mar 18. Hike Beautiful Billerica - Rangeway Forest. 9:45am-12:30pm. Easy 2½ hour hike, offered through Billerica Recreation Department and sponsored by Friends of Billerica Recreation in cooperation with the Appalachian Mountain Club, to explore connectivity with Chelmsford Russel Mill Town Forest and a historic segment of the Middlesex Turnpike. Focus on camaraderie and local history.

Sat, Mar 18. Squantum Coastal Walk. Unusual 9-mile walk with spectacular views along sandbar across Boston Harbor, trails along Neponset River, and more, 9:30am-2:15pm.

Sun, Mar 19. Vivid Vistas, Groton. 1:00pm-3:00pm. Traverse the two highest points in Groton, both with open views. In between bagging 500 footers, see wild wetlands, beaver ponds, upland forests, and open meadows.

Sun, Mar 19. Hike North Pack Monadnock, Greenfield, NH. A rugged, scenic loop of 6.5mi. via Ted's & Carolyn's trails. 9:30am-2:30pm.

Sat, Mar 25. Belmont and Audubon Conservation Lands, Belmont. Slow-paced nature walk through Belmont conservation land fields and forests over to Habitat Audubon Sanctuary where we'll talk about one of the sweetest signs of spring - maple sugaring. The walk will focus on plant ID and fun natural history. 9:00am-12:00noon.

Sat, Mar 25. Walden Woods, Wright Forest, Concord. Thoreau interpretive path, forest, marshes, vernal pool (frog chorus), Walden Pond upper loop. 10:00am-1:30pm.

Sun, Mar 26. Potter's Farm Conservation Area, West Boxford. 1:00-3:00pm. Potter's Farm Conservation Area. Easy terrain, moderate pace, about 2 hours.

April 2017

Sun, Apr 2. Castle Island, South Boston. Fast-paced seven-mile scenic walk along ocean to Castle Island, 10:00am-1:30pm.

Fri, Apr 7. Historic Streets of Charlestown. Moderate 5-mi walk including water views, old homes, and new parts of the Harborwalk. 6:30-9:00pm.

Sat, Apr 8. Horn Pond and Mt. Towanda, Woburn. Difficult, steep 5-mile hike including water views, a "mountain" with sweeping vistas, an abandoned mountaintop reservoir, and an abandoned ski area, 11:30am-2:15pm.

Sun, Apr 9. Lynn Woods, Lynn. 5 miles, Leader's Choice. 9:00am-1:00pm.

Wed, Apr 12. Blue Hills Hike, Milton. Blue Hills - 5 mile brisk-paced hike along yellow triangle trail with rolling hills, 10:30am-1:30pm.

Sat, Apr 15. West Quincy Quarries & Granite Railway. 5.5-mile.walk to Granite Railway & quarries, some rock scrambling and steep sections, 10:30am-2:30pm.

Sun, Apr 16. Fresh Pond and Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Walk around Fresh Pond and wander through Mount Auburn Cemetery in scenic Cambridge, MA.

Mon, Apr 17. Half-Marathon Walk, Minuteman Nat'l Park, Lexington. Brisk 13-mile walk on Battle Road Trail to Fiske Hill in Lexington, then out to Meriam's Corner and beyond in Concord, and back. 9:30am-3:30pm.

Sat, Apr 22. Blue Hills Skyline Trail, Quincy. 6.5-mile hike rocky terrain with a number of steep hills with views, Moderate-rated hike, not for beginners. 10:00am-3:00pm.

Sun, Apr 23. Mine Falls Park, Nashua, NH. 6-mile easy walk along Nashua River, canal with 1886 gatehouse, spectacular waterfall in 325-acre park, from 9:45am-2:00pm.

Sun, Apr 23. Historic Middlesex Canal, North Billerica. Level 5-mi. walk along historic canal N to Chelmsford, 1:30-4:00pm.

Sun, Apr 23. Acton Arboretum, Acton. Slow-paced nature walk in search of a variety of early spring wild flowers and other signs of spring.

Sun, Apr 23. Snake Hills, Groton. 1:00pm start. Snake Hills, Groton. We will traverse a large protected area that includes wetlands, upland forest, some hills, a rare true bog, and a surprise in the woods.

Sun, Apr 23. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. Mod.-strenuous approx. 5-mi. hike, hills/rough terrain, 9:00am-2:00pm.

Sat, Apr 29. Broadmoor Mass Audubon walk, Natick. 9:30am-11:30am. Join us for a walk in this convenient (Natick on Route 16), yet expansive wildlife retreat, along the Charles River. Moderate pace, easy trails with some gentle hills and rocks.

Sat, Apr 29. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. Fast-paced, challenging 6-mile hike with lots of views, 9:30am-1:00pm.

Sun, Apr 30. Emerald Necklace, Boston. We will walk about 6 miles at a moderate pace with stops to enjoy major sights but we should be done by 1:00pm.

May 2017

Wed, May 3. World's End Reservation, Hingham. 5 mile walk, 10:30am-1:30pm.

Sat, May 6. Blue Hills Bird Walk, Milton. Beginner's bird walk 3 miles through the Fowl Meadow and along the Neponset River. Learn to bird. See both common and rare bird species at the height of spring migration in the best birding area in the Blue Hills Reservation. Bring your binoculars and a bird book if you have one. Joint with Friends of the Blue Hills.

Sat, May 6. Parks & Greenways, Quincy. 7-mile walk w/beach, woods, salt marshes, historic sites, 10:00am-2:30pm.

Sun, May 7. Hale Reservation, Westwood. Easy walk, mostly woods, across a dam & thru a meadow, 1:00-3:00pm.

Fri, May 12. Beacon Hill/North End/Downtown Boston. Leisurely 5-mi walk including historic streets, secret alleyways, and a visit to the Boston Public Market. 6:30-9:15pm.

Sat, May 13. Arlington's Great Meadows, Lexington. Slow-paced nature walk in search of a variety of spring wild flowers and other cool plants. The walk will focus on plant ID and natural history. 9:00am-12:00pm.

Sat, May 13. Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. Scenic, moderate 5-mi. walk w/many stops to view plants & trees in bloom. 10:15am-1:45pm.

Sun, May 14. Lynn Woods, Lynn. Leader's Choice. 9am-1pm.

Fri, May 19. Horn Pond and Rag Rock/Mount Mianomo, Woburn. Moderate 5-mile hike including water views and a sunset from the top of a "mountain" with sweeping vistas, 6:30pm-9:00pm.

Sat, May 20. Blue Hills Bird Walk, Milton. 7:30am-10:30am. Bird Walk for 3 miles through the Fowl Meadow and along the Neponset River. Learn to bird by spotting, listening for, and identifying migrant and nesting species in the best birding area in the Blue Hills Reservation. Bring your binoculars and a bird book if you have one. Joint with Friends of the Blue Hills.

Sat, May 20. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham. 10 mile hike w/lunch at scenic pond, 9:30am-2:00pm.

Sat, May 20. Parks & Greenways, Belmont. 6-mi. mostly wooded hike incl. Beaver Brook Reservation, 10:00am-1:30pm.

Sun, May 21. Cox, Walker, and beyond, Groton. 1:00pm start. We will hike thru the Cox and Walker conservation parcels and beyond, including historic Williams Barn, and possibly bag a 500 footer. Along the way we'll see a number of beaver ponds, upland forest, and maybe some open vistas.

Sat, May 27. Blue Hills Wildflower Hike, Quincy. 10:00am-3:00pm. 7-mile hike in the eastern section of the Blue Hills Reservation viewing wildflowers and climbing scenic hills, some steep. Joint with Friends of the Blue Hills.

Sat, May 27. Warner Trail, Cumberland, RI. 9am-4pm. 10-mi. mod. hike from Wampum Corner, Wrentham to Diamond Hill. 73rd season.

Sat, May 27. Hough's Neck, Quincy. Unusual, fast-paced 9-mile hike mostly along proposed Sea to Summit Greenway, including salt marshes, a long path along a dike, hidden ocean beaches, and a former Boston Harbor island, all with spectacular views, 9:30pm-1:30pm.

Sun, May 28. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Sheepfold Pkg. lot. Mod to stren. 7 mi. hike over many hills & rough terrain. 9am-2pm.

Sun, May 28. Horse Hill Nature Preserve, Merrimac, NH. A 6 mi. forest hike over two prominent hills on well maintained trails Some ledges and steep ascents. 9:30am-2:00pm.

Mon, May 29. Blue Hills, Ponkapoag Pond. 4 mi. mod.-paced hike, 10:30am-1:30pm.

June 2017

Sat, June 3. Celebrate National Trails Day With a Hike in Georgetown-Rowley State Forest. Meet at 1:00pm. We'll explore this state forest that's over 1,100 acres. There will be great views from the new bridge that spans a beaver dam and the Mill River. We'll hike along woodland forest trails exploring signs of spring.

Sat, June 3. Neponset River Greenway/Mattapan Sq/Milton Hill. 7.5-mile walk along Neponset River to Mattapan Square on newly opened stretch of Neponset Greenway then to Hutchinson Field in Milton, 9:30am-2:00pm.

Sun, June 4. Northeast Groton. 1:00pm start. Explore a large protected area across the Groton/Tyngsboro line. There will be varied ecology from beaver ponds to meadows to upland forest. Additional interests include a physics demonstartion and an old quarry.

Sun, June 4. Lynn Woods, Lynn. 5 miles, Leader's Choice. 9:00am-1:00pm.

Fri, June 9. Castle Island, South Boston. Leisurely 4-mi. sunset walk along harbor, 6:45-8:45pm.

Sat, June 10. Lynn Woods, Lynn. Moderate 6-mi. hike including Burrill Hill, Mount Gilead, and the "other" Walden Pond with great views throughout, 9:30am-12:30pm.

Sun, June 11. Greenwood Park, Middlesex Fells, Stoneham. Easy 2 hr. walk in Middlesex Fells. Meet at 2pm at Greenwood Park (across from Stone Zoo).

Sat, June 17. Warner Trail, Sharon. 9am-5pm. 10-mi. mod. hike from Moose Hill in Sharon to High Rock in Foxboro.

Sat, June 17. Newton Aqueducts walk. 9:30am-2:00pm. 8 miles, generally smooth and flat terrain, with one steep section at Hemlock Gorge.

Sat, June 17. Walk with Thoreau along the Middlesex Canal, Billerica. Join a guided walk to explore extant portions of the Historic Middlesex Canal, reading passages from Henry David Thoreau describing the towpath, from the 'Billerica Falls to Middlesex Village' in his 'A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers'. It is a three hour easy walk, 9:45am-1:00pm.

Sat, June 17. Boston's Back Bay Fens. View museums and cultural institution; explore the Rose Garden and Victory Gardens. From 10:00am-2:00pm. - cancelled, injured Leader

Sun, June 18. Wollaston Beach, Quincy. Fast-paced 7-mi walk along Wollaston Beach, Marina Bay, 9:00am-noon.

Sun, June 18. Massabesic Audubon Center, NH. 6 mi. easy wander along wooded trails and lake shore, 10am-3:00pm.

Sat, June 24. Blue Hills, Milton. Moderate and very scenic 7-mi. hike that features 10 special "points of interest" including overlooks, streams, ponds, and cliffs, 9:30am-2:15pm.

July 2017

Sat, July 1. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Easy walk in open woods. 10:00am-2:00pm. Meet at Wedgmere Station (Lowell line).

Sat, July 1. Blue Hills Skyline Trail, Quincy. 6.5-mile hike rocky terrain with a number of steep hills with views, moderate-rated hike, not for beginners. 10:00am-3:00pm, mainly on Skyline Trail, lunch on Nahanton Hill with great view.

Tues, July 4. Worlds End Reservation. Scenic 5-mi. walk, 8:30-11:30am.

Thurs, July 6. East Boston Greenway/Piers Park/Harborwalk/Marine Arts Sculpture Park. 2 hour walk, some history, good harbor views. Option for harborside picnic table dinner at KO Australian bistro ~8:00pm. Meet at 6:00pm at Blue Line Airport T stop (Bremen Street side), parking available, approx. 268 Bremen Street on GPS. Same afternoon cell: 857-600-8295. L Joel Snider.

Fri, July 7. Quincy Quarries Sunset Hike. Unusual 4-mile hike from open hilltop above Boston to historic quarries including multiple spectacular views, 6:30pm-8:45pm. Some steep sections.

Sat, July 8. Middlesex Fells Multi-Pond Hike, Medford. Moderate 8-mile hike to 7 separate ponds as well as ledges with scenic views, 9:30am-2:00pm.

Sun, July 9. Joe English Reservation, Amherst, NH. A 7 mile quiet, hilly wander 9:30am-3:30pm through varied woodlands on well maintained trails.

Fri, July 14. Historic Streets of Charlestown. Moderate 5-mi walk including water views, new parts of the Harborwalk, and old homes. 6:30-9:00pm.

Sat, July 15. Middlesex Fells, Malden. 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.

Sun, July 16. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Sheepfold pkg. lot. Mod to stren. 7 mi. hike over many hills & rough terrain. 9am-2pm.

Fri, July 21. Harborwalk and North End, Boston. Leisurely 4-mile walk along waterfront of downtown Boston and through hidden streets and alleyways of North End, including stops at Italian food shops, 6:30-9:00pm.

Sat, July 22. Noanet Woodlands, Dover. Approx. 7mi. hike with ponds and views. 9am-1pm.

Sat, July 29. Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. 4 mile walk among 5000 kinds of trees & shrubs, 10:00am-12:30pm.

August 2017

Sat, Aug 5. Blue Hills, Ponkapoag Pond. 4 mi. beat-the-heat hike, 7:00am-9:00am.

Sat, Aug 5. Pope John Paul 2 Park to Squantum Point Park Dorchester/Quincy. 7-mile walk from Pope John Paul II Park, along Boston Harborwalk, across bridge to Quincy Riverwalk to Squantum Point Park and back, 9:30am-12:45pm.

Sun, Aug 6. Beaver Brook Assoc., Hollis, NH. 8-9mi. over varied terrain w/pond & brook views, beaver lodges, waterfowl & "French meadow", 9:30am-3:00pm. Minor rock scramble & mystery cave home to a common animal.

Fri, Aug 11. Thompson Island Sandbar Sunset Walk. Unusual 4-mile walk with spectacular views along sandbar at low tide to the southern edge of one of the Boston Harbor Islands, 6:45pm-8:45pm.

Sat, Aug 12. Houghs Neck, Quincy. Unusual, fast-paced 9-mile peninsula hike mostly along proposed Sea to Summit Greenway, including salt marshes, a long path along a dike, hidden ocean beaches, and a former Boston Harbor island, all with spectacular views, 9:45pm-2:15pm.

Sat, Aug 19. West Quincy Quarries & Granite Railway. 5.5-mile walk to Granite Railway & quarries, some rock scrambling, bushwhacking and steep sections, 10:30am-2:30pm.

Sun, Aug 20. Blue Hills, Milton. 9am-Noon. Join us when the Boston and Southeast MA Chapters team up for a Skyline Loop hike. Moderate pace, on steep hills and rocky trails. Not for beginners. Visit the Blue Hill Meteorological Observatory.

Sat, Aug 26. Blue Hills, Milton. Challenging 6-mi. hike on steep, scenic trails to Great Blue, Hemenway and Hancock ledges, and more, 9:30am-1:30pm.

Wed, Aug 30. Audubon Habitat Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, Belmont. 5:30-7:15pm. End your day with a lovely nature walk right in Belmont, MA, brought to you by the AMC Boston Chapter Conservation and Local Walks/Hikes Committees. The walk will focus on plant identification and fun and interesting natural history.

September 2017

Fri, Sept 1. Historic Streets of Boston. Moderate 5-mi walk along some of the most charming streets in Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and the South End, with possible stop at Eataly, 6:30pm-9:15pm.

Sat, Sept 2. Blue Hills Skyline Trail, Quincy. 6.5-mile hike rocky terrain with a number of steep hills with views, Moderate-rated hike, not for beginners. 10:00am-3:00pm, mainly on Skyline Trail, lunch on Nahanton Hill with great view.

Mon, Sept 4. Lynn Woods, Lynn. 5 miles, Leader's Choice. 9:00am-1:00pm.

Mon, Sept 4. World's End Reservation, Hingham. 5 mile walk, 8:30am-11:30am.

Sat, Sept 9. Nahant hike. Moderate-paced 7-mi. hike including spectacular views from trails, cliffs, and beaches in one of the most scenic towns in the Boston area, 9:45am-2:00pm.

Fri, Sept 15. Historic Streets of Charlestown. Moderate 5-mi walk including scenic water views, new parts of the Harborwalk, and historic old homes and row houses. - cancelled, rain

Sat, Sept 16. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham. 10 mile hike w/lunch at scenic pond, 9:30am-2:00pm.

Sun, Sept 17. Bedford, Burlington, Lexington Municipal Lands. Very hilly 6-mi. wander through various conservation & municipal lands. 9:45am-2:30pm.

Sun, Sept 17. Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery & North Bridge, Concord. See wild flowers and perhaps also other wild creatures, authors' graves, and other Concord wonders on slow-paced, 5 mile ramble.

Wed, Sept 20. Blue Hills Hike, Milton. Blue Hills - 5 mile brisk-paced hike along yellow triangle trail with rolling hills, 10:30am-1:30pm. [cancelled]

Sat, Sept 23. Wildcat Conservation Area, Boxford. Kids and dogs are welcome. Meet at 1:00pm. It will be about 2 hours, easy terrain, moderate pace.

Sat, Sept 23. 4th Annual Duxbury Beach Walk. 10:00am-2:00pm. This year we will extend the walk to the end of Duxbury Beach and have lunch at the Gurnet Point Lighthouse.

Sat, Sept 23. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. Fast-paced, very challenging 6-mile hike with steep scrambles and lots of views, 9:30am-1:30pm.

Sun, Sept 24. Powisset Farm to Noanet Woodlands and back, Dover. 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Easy loop walk from Powisset Farm (Trustees of Reservations) to Hale Reservation to Noanet Woodlands and back. Level walking.

Sun, Sept 24. Gamlin Crystal Spring, Groton. 1:00pm-3:00pm. Explore this large and pretty area of various conservation lands, including a number of beaver ponds, meadows, and upland forest.

Wed, Sept 27. Walden Pond/Lincoln Woods. Meeting at 10:30am at Walden Pond Reservation Visitor Center. Distance is 4 miles or 3 hours.

Sat, Sept 30. Blue Hills, Ponkapoag Pond. 4 mi. mod.-paced hike, 10:30am-1:30pm.

October 2017

Sun, Oct 1. Burrage Pond, Hanson. 5-mile hike, 10:00am-12:15pm on abandoned cranberry bog, sandy trails featuring open water and marshland.

Sat, Oct 7. JFK/UMass to Rowes Wharf walk. 9:00am-2:30pm. Join us for a moderate-paced 10 mile walk, with stops at points of interest along the way.

Sun, Oct 8. Stony Brook South, Lincoln. 2 hr. hike through woods and along a chain of ponds and streams.

Mon, Oct 9. Blue Hills, Ponkapoag Pond. 5 mi. moderate hike around pond including campsite, duck pool, and bog boardwalk, 9:30am-12:30pm.

Sat, Oct 14. Blue Hills Skyline Trail, Quincy. [Cancelled due to expected rain] 6.5-mile hike rocky terrain with a number of steep hills with views. Moderate-rated hike, not for beginners. 10:00am-3:00pm, mainly on Skyline Trail, lunch on Nahanton Hill with great view.

Sun, Oct 15. Middlesex Canal, Billerica. Joint with the Middlesex Canal Association. Meet at 1:30pm at the Middlesex Canal Museum and Visitor Center in the Faulkner Mill in North Billerica. The walk will be over 3-4 miles of generally level wooded terrain and streets, for 2-3 hours, rain or shine. The route follows the canal for a round trip of approximately 3 miles south of the Concord River. Sites to be visited include: two guard locks; an anchor stone and the 'peninsula' at the opposite ends of the floating bridge that once carried the towpath across the Concord; the 1825 iron bolt pond-level reference; the "deep cut"; a smallpox memorial marker; and stretches of canal some of which are still watered.

Sat, Oct 21. Wollaston Beach, Quincy. Fast-paced 7-mi walk along Wollaston Beach, Marina Bay, Squantum, 9:00am-noon.

Sat, Oct 21. Lincoln Conservation Land, Lincoln. Fast paced, very scenic 8-mile foliage hike to lesser-known areas, including Chapman Pasture, Pigeon Hill, Browning Fields, and Beaver Pond, 9:45am-2:00pm.

Sun, Oct 22. Flat Rock Audubon, Fitchburg, MA. Mod/easy 6 mile hilly ramble through varied woodlands and by four reservoirs. 9:30am-3:00pm.

Sun, Oct 22. Groton Hills, Groton. 1:00pm-3:00pm. This walk has it all, including deep woods, open fields, beaver ponds, and even bagging a 500 footer with good views. About 2 hours, moderate pace.

Sat, Oct 28. Stony Brook South, Lincoln. 2 hr. hike through woods and along a chain of ponds and streams. Starts 10:00am.

Sat, Oct 28. Noanet Woodlands, Dover. Approx. 7mi. hike with ponds and views. 9:30am-1:30pm.

Sun, Oct 29. Gowing's Swamp, Concord, MA. 1:00-4:00pm. This walk is co-sponsored by the AMC Boston Chapter Conservation and Local Walks and Hikes Committees. Celebrate the bicentennial year of Henry David Thoreau's birth with naturalist Boot Boutwell and a walk on the trails of Gowing's Swamp, Concord, MA. Gowing's Swamp, named by Thoreau for its landowner in the mid-1850s, is an 8.9-area acidic wetland complex located in a protected, glaciated hollow on the eastern side of a glacial kame known as Revolutionary Ridge. The walk will focus on plant ID and fun and interesting natural history.

November 2017

Fri, Nov 3. Beacon Hill/North End, Boston. Leisurely 5-mi walk including historic streets, secret alleyways, and a visit to two bakeries and an Italian food shop. 6:30-9:15pm.

Sat, Nov 4. Castle Island, South Boston. Fast-paced seven-mile scenic walk along ocean to Castle Island, 10:00am-1:30pm.

Sat, Nov 4. Blue Hills Skyline Trail, Quincy. 6.5-mile hike rocky terrain with a number of steep hills with views. Moderate-rated hike, not for beginners. 10:00am-3:00pm, mainly on Skyline Trail, lunch on Nahanton Hill with great view.

Sat, Nov 4. Minute Man National Park, Concord. Autumn on the Battle Road. Share some revolutionary tales along the Battle Road in the Minute Man Park. Walk 7 brisk miles from the Visitor's Center to the North Bridge.

Sun, Nov 5. Andres Art Institute Sculpture Garden, Brookline, NH. Explore trails through 140-acre hilltop international sculpture garden - largest in NE, w/views, constantly changing exhibits and interesting finds. Note, some steep sections & rough terrain. 9:45am-2:00pm.

Sat, Nov 11. Warner Trail Fall Hike, Wrentham. 9am-4pm. 10-mi. mod. hike from Wampum Corner to Crocker Pond.

Sat, Nov 11. Coastal Walk and Historic Streets of Marblehead, MA. Fast-paced and somewhat hilly 6-mile hike to an island at low tide as well as beaches, waterfront parks, narrow lanes with old homes, and public alleyways, with spectacular views throughout, 9:45am-2:00pm.

Fri, Nov 17. Historic Streets of Cambridge. Leisurely 4-mi. walk along historic streets around Harvard and Porter Squares, Avon Hill, and Huron Village , 6:45-9:15pm.

Sat, Nov 18. Glacial Features Walks, Sudbury. 9:30am-11:30am. Join glaciologist/geophysicist Bruce Porter for a walk through Gray Reservation/Haynes Meadow Reservation/Water District protection zone to explore the many features formed by the glacier that blanketed New England 10,000 yrs. ago. Kettles pit the plane and kame terraces rise abruptly to create beautiful vistas of the wetlands below. Be able to identify eskers, erratics, kames, and more on your next hike. Flat with one steep 50 foot section.

Sat, Nov 18. Rock Meadow Conservation Lands, Belmont. Slow-paced nature walk through Belmont conservation land fields and forests to talk about nature in autumn. The walk will focus on plant ID and fun natural history. 9:30am-12:30pm.

Sat, Nov 18. Parks & Greenways, Quincy. 7-mile walk w/beach, woods, salt marshes, historic sites, 10:00am-2:30pm.

Thurs, Nov 23. Holiday Hike - Lynn Woods, Lynn. 5 miles, Leader's Choice. 9:00am-1:00pm.

Fri, Nov 24. Annual Ayer/Groton Hills walk. 10:00am-3:00pm. Get far away from shopping malls on Black Friday and join the longest continually running hike in the AMC. We'll explore the natural areas between the Nashua River and the Snake Hills. Exact route determined on the fly. Some bushwhacking possible. Around 7 mi., 5 hours.

Sat, Nov 25. Blue Hills, Ponkapoag Pond. 4 mi. mod.-paced hike, 10:30am-1:30pm.

Sat, Nov 25. Boston's South End - New York Streets Neighborhood and other developing areas. 10:00am-1:30pm. Meet at Broadway T station (Red Line) and return from Back Bay T station (Orange line).

Sun, Nov 26. Middlesex Fells, Malden. Hike to cliff-top, waterfall and pond views, from 10am-2:30pm. Meet on Washington Street side of Oak Grove T station.

Sun, Nov 26. Blue Hills, Milton. Challenging 5-mi. hike on steep, scenic trails to Great Blue, Hemenway and Hancock ledges, 9:30am-12:45pm.

December 2017

Sat, Dec 2. Cutler Park Reservation, Needham. 10am-Noon. Join us for walk in this local gem, conveniently located directly off of Route 128.

Sat, Dec 2. West Quincy Quarries & Granite Railway. 5.5-mile walk to Granite Railway & quarries, some rock scrambling, bushwhacking and steep sections, 10:30am-2:30pm.

Sat, Dec 2. Let's Hike Georgetown-Rowley State Forest. Meet at 1:00pm. We'll explore the southern section of this state forest that's over 1,100 acres. There will be great views from the new bridge that spans a beaver dam and the Mill River. The hike will take us along woodland trails while enjoying the autumn season.

Sun, Dec 3. Fresh Pond and Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Walk around Fresh Pond and wander through Mount Auburn Cemetery in scenic Cambridge, MA.

Sat, Dec 9. Caryl Park, Noanet Woodlands, Hale Reservation, Dover/Westwood. 9:45am-2:00pm. Fast-paced 8-mi. hike through three interconnected areas, including ponds, streams, hills with views. [Cancelled due to snow forecast]

Sun, Dec 10. Groton Town Forest. 1:00pm-3:00pm. Explore the varied topography and habitats of this scenic woodland, including eskers, kettle holes, dry upland, marsh, the dead river, and more. About 2 hours, moderate pace.

Sun, Dec 10. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. 10:00am-12:30pm. Moderate pace, mostly level trails along Saugus River, marshes, 2 large ponds and 1 rocky hill with view of Boston.

Sat, Dec 16. Admire holiday decorations on Beacon Hill and Back Bay, Boston. 10:00am-noon. Meet indoors on street level at Government Center T station (Blue Line); return Park Street T station (Green Line).

Sun, Dec 17. Habitat Audubon Sanctuary, Belmont - Celebrate the Solstice Walk. Slow-paced nature walk through forests and fields and around pond focusing on plant ID of bare trees, naked shrubs and winter weeds as the natural world prepares for winter. We’ll also talk about fun and interesting natural history of the plants we see. 1:00pm-4:00pm.

Fri, Dec 22. Holiday Lights Walk, Boston. Moderate 5-mi walk to view holiday lights in Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and (if time) the South End, with a quick dinner at Eataly, 6:30pm-9:15pm.

Sat, Dec 23. Neponset River Greenway/Mattapan Sq/Milton Hill. [cancelled due to icy conditions] 7.5-mile walk along Neponset River to Mattapan Square on newly opened stretch of Neponset Greenway then to Hutchinson Field in Milton, 9:30am-2:00pm.

Mon, Dec 25. Blue Hills Ponkapoag Pond, Canton. Moderate pace 4-mi. hike/snowshoe around pond, 10:00am-12:15pm. [cancelled - snow]

Mon, Dec 25. Foss Farm, Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge, Greenough Land, Carlisle. Easy approx. 4-5 mi. wander through a good birding area with river and pond views, pine forest and red maple swamp. Snowshoe if sufficient snow cover.

Sat, Dec 30. Neponset River Greenway/Mattapan Sq/Milton Hill. 7.5-mile walk along Neponset River to Mattapan Square on newly opened stretch of Neponset Greenway then to Hutchinson Field in Milton 9:30am-2:00pm.