Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Chapter Local Walks/Hikes Committee Local Walks/Hikes for 2020 - 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 2020

Wed, Jan 1. Holiday Hike - Lynn Woods, Lynn. 5 miles, Leader's Choice. 9:00am-1:00pm.

Sat, Jan 4. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham. 9.5 mile fast-paced hike w/lunch at scenic pond, 9:30am-2:00pm.

Sun, Jan 5. Cambridge Parks & Greenways. Approx. 6-7 mi. hike featuring Alewife wetlands, Fresh Pond, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Charles River Greenway, Hell's Half Acre to Harvard, 10:30am-2:00pm (estimate). Easy return by T.

Fri, Jan 10. Historic Streets of Boston. Leisurely 5-mi walk through some of the city’s most charming areas, including Beacon Hill and other neighborhoods. 6:30-9:15pm.

Sat, Jan 11. Blue Hills, Canton. Fast-paced 7-mile scenic hike to lesser-traveled parts of the Central Blue Hills, including Old Route 128, Hawk Hill, Boyce Hill, and Hillside Pond, 9:45am-2:00pm.

Sat, Jan 11. Reservoir Ramble in the Fells. On the warmest day in a while we will explore the North and Middle Reservoir areas in the Middlesex Fells using a mix of market and unmarked trails. Moderate, fast pace.

Sat, Jan 18. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham. 9.5 mile hike w/lunch at scenic pond, 9:30am-2:00pm.

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

Sat, Jan 25. Horn Pond, Woburn. Challenging 5-mile hike including deep woods, water views, and a "mountain" with sweeping vistas, 11:45am-2:45pm.

Sun, Jan 26. The General Field and Surrenden Farms, Groton. 1:00pm-3:00pm. Come see this unusual conservation area with large open-field habitat and great views to the south and west. We'll also duck into woods for a bit and stroll along the beautiful Nashua River with conservation land on both sides. Moderate pace.

Sun, Jan 26. Horse Hill Nature Preserve, Merrimac, NH. A moderate 5 mi. forest loop hike at a comfortable pace on well maintained trails through scenic woodlands. Pond views, beaver lodges and dams.and historic sites. 9:30am-2:00pm.

February 2020

Sat, Feb 1. Belmont Lone Tree Hill and Habitat. 10:00am-12:30pm. Meet at Lone Tree Hill parking lot at 251 Mill Street, Belmont.

Sun, Feb 2. Pond Meadow, Braintree/Weymouth. Easy 4-mi. walk/snowshoe. 9:45am-12:00pm.

Sat, Feb 8. Lincoln/Concord Conservation Lands. Moderate-paced 6-mi. hike to Beaver Dam Brook, Heywood's Meadow, and Walden Pond, including possible alpaca sightings and a stop at a hidden farm store.

Sun, Feb 9. Webb Memorial State Park & Great Hill Park, North Weymouth. 9:30am-12:00pm. Moderate pace 5 mile scenic walk with views of Grape Island, Slate Island, Quincy Bay, Fore River, Hingham Back River, Boston's Harbor and skyline.

Sat, Feb 15. 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, Feb 16. The Esker Trail, Groton. 1:00pm-3:00pm. Experience the views from both above and below this winding esker, and see glacial geology first hand. We will also hike past picturesque wetlands and thru scenic woods. Moderate pace.

Mon, Feb 17. Blue Hills Ponkapoag Pond, Canton. Moderate pace 5-mi. hike/snowshoe around pond, 10:30am-2:00pm.

Sat, Feb 22. Hale Reservation, Westwood. Fast-paced 8-mi. hike including ponds, cabins, lodges, 9:45am-2:15pm.

Sat, Feb 29. Blue Hills, Milton. 9:30am-noon. Brisk-paced 5.5 mile hike along yellow triangle trail with rolling hills and a loop around Houghton' s Pond.

March 2020

Sun, Mar 1. Grassy Pond and Nagog Hill Hike, Acton. 9:20am-2:00pm. Join us for a 4.8 mile hike in the Grassy Pond and Nagog Hill Conservation areas located in Acton. This will be a comfortably-pace hike that follows two scenic woodland loops on well marked trails. We will hike 2.0 miles in Grassy Pond and move to the adjacent Nagog Hill and hike an additional 2.8 miles.

Sat, Mar 7. Western/Southern Middlesex Fells and Brooks Estate, Medford. 9:45am-2:15pm. Fast-paced, scenic 8-mi. hike to remote parts of the Western and Southern Fells, the Brooks Estate, and Brooks Pond.

Sat, Mar 14. World's End Reservation, Hingham. 5 mile hike/snowshoe, 9:00am-noon.

Sun, Mar 15. 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. About 2 hours, moderate pace.

Sun, Mar 15. Explore the Lawrence Woods, Medford. 2:00pm-4:00pm. We will roam over most of this less visited part of the Middlesex Fells, including the butterfly garden, the abandoned Nike missile site and the Mustang trail.

Sat, Mar 21. Walden Pond, Concord. [cancelled (COVID-19)] 11:00am-2:00pm. Moderate pace 5 mile walk, across grassy meadows and through hemlock forest, to scenic Walden Pond. Visit a cove, once inhabited by Henry Thoreau. Enjoy sit-down break, on the shore of Walden. Bring water and snacks. Walk followed by dinner/social hour at China Ruby Restaurant, in nearby Maynard, at around 2:00pm. Meet 11:00am, at Lincoln Train Station commuter parking lot.

Sun, Mar 22. Middlesex Canal, Billerica. [cancelled (COVID-19)] 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. With the emergency declaration that groups of 25 or more are prohibited, it's looking more and more like we will have to postpone the Middlesex Canal Spring Walk. My inclination right now is to provide on the MCA website the necessary guidance (maps, etc.) to anyone who wants to explore this section of the canal as we would have done as a group. Even if the declaration hadn't come, the fact that we would likely draw people from various communities - even if adequate social distance was maintained - seems contrary to the wisdom of doing all that we can to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.http://middlesexcanal.org

April 2020

Sat, Apr 4. Castle Island, South Boston. [cancelled (COVID-19)] 10:00am-1:30pm. Fast paced, 7 mile scenic walk along boulevard to Castle Island.

Sun, Apr 12. J Harry Rich State Forest, Groton. [cancelled (COVID-19)] 1:00pm-3:00pm. Join us on this relatively flat stroll along an oxbow of the Nashua River, now popular with wildlife. We will also pass thru typical New England woods, along the active channel of the Nashua River, and hike along a section of the Nashua River Rail Trail.

Sun, Apr 12. Blue Hills Ponkapoag Pond, Canton. [cancelled (COVID-19)] 10:30am-1:30pm. Moderate pace 5 mile hike around pond.

Sat, Apr 18. Crane Beach, Ipswich. [cancelled (COVID-19)] 11:00am-2:00pm. Moderate pace 5 mile walk, across scenic sand dunes, and along the ocean beach. Beautiful desert landscapes, include pitch pine forest, views of Essex Bay, and sea birds. Walk followed by dinner/social hour at Woodman's Seafood Restaurant, in nearby Essex, at around 2:00pm.

May 2020

Sat, May 2. Maudslay State Park, Newburyport. [cancelled (COVID-19)] 11:00am-2:00pm. Moderate pace 5 mile walk, on former estate carriage roads, with scenic views across the Merrimack River. Trail wanders through open grass meadows, then enters primeval stands of white pine. Stroll over stone built bridges, visit rhododendron and azalea gardens. Walk followed by dinner/social hour at Starboard Galley Restaurant, on the Newburyport boardwalk, at around 2:00pm.

Sun, May 17. Rocky Hill Sanctuary, Groton. [cancelled (COVID-19)] 1:00pm-3:00pm. This is a great area for a hike, with a beautiful point on Long Pond, beaver marshes, a heron rookery, and the Forest Bells. About 2 hours, moderate pace. No Dogs. Bring snacks and water. Meet at the Rocky Hill Sanctuary parking area on Cardinal Lane in Groton, 42.5809N 71.5311W. L Olin Lathrop.

June 2020

Sun, June 14. Groton Woods and Duck Pond, Groton. [cancelled (COVID-19)] 1:00pm-3:00pm. We'll hike thru a large conserved area featuring, woods, streams, wetlands, and the beautiful Duck Pond. About 2 hours, moderate pace. Bring snacks and water. Meet at the trailhead on Paugus Trail in Groton, 42.5882N 71.5085W. L Olin Lathrop.

August 2020

Sun, Aug 16. Lynn Woods, Lynn. Multi Trail: Leaders Choice. 6 mi. MODERATE. More detailed information about the meeting location, start time etc will be provided once participants are confirmed on the hike. L Nelson Caraballo; CL Liza Wyn.

September 2020

Thurs, Sept 3. Beginner Weekday Morning Hike in Blue Hills. Join us for a beginner, relaxed pace hike in the Blue Hills to start your day. We will hike the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be 1 or 2 climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. Plan to start at in the morning and end around noon. We will hike approximately 4+ miles. 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, the latter if you use them. After you register, the hike leader will send you detailed information on meeting location, time and planned trails. L Cindy Crosby.

Sun, Sept 6. Explore the Burlington Landlocked Forest. Sunday Mid-Afternoon come explore this interesting and varied patch of forest and fields between Rt 3 and the Lexington border following a loop route. Moderate pace. Two hours. No dogs, please. Covid-19 protocols observed. http://www.landlockedforest.com. Cell phone day of hike 617-571-3740. Start time and meeting location will be sent after you register. L Thurman Smith.

Tues, Sept 15. Beginner Weekday Morning Hike in Blue Hills. Join us for a beginner, relaxed pace hike in the Blue Hills to start your day. We will hike the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be 1 or 2 climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. Plan to start at in the morning and end around noon. We will hike approximately 4+ miles. L Cindy Crosby.

Tues, Sept 22. Beginner Weekday Morning Hike in Blue Hills. Join us for a beginner, relaxed pace hike in the Blue Hills to start your day. We will hike the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be 1 or 2 climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. Plan to start at in the morning and end around noon. We will hike approximately 4+ miles. L Cindy Crosby.

Tues, Sept 29. Beginner Weekday Morning Hike in Blue Hills. Join us for a beginner, relaxed pace hike in the Blue Hills to start your day. We will hike the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be 1 or 2 climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. Plan to start at in the morning and end around noon. We will hike approximately 4+ miles. L Cindy Crosby.

October 2020

Tues, Oct 6. Beginner Weekday Morning Hike in Blue Hills. Join us for a beginner, relaxed pace hike in the Blue Hills to start your day. We will hike the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be 1 or 2 climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. Plan to start at in the morning and end around noon. We will hike approximately 4+ miles. L Cindy Crosby.

Tues, Oct 13. Beginner Weekday Morning Hike in Blue Hills. Join us for a beginner, relaxed pace hike in the Blue Hills to start your day. We will hike the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be 1 or 2 climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. Plan to start at in the morning and end around noon. We will hike approximately 4+ miles. L Cindy Crosby.

Sat, Oct 17. Explore Mary Cummings Park - Afternoon Walk, Woburn. We will cover most of the trails in this varied area of woods, fields and marshes that is a collection of several conservation areas. About 4 miles, moderate pace. No dogs, please. L's cell phone 617-571-3740. Meeting location and time will be emailed to confirmed participants. L Thurman Smith.

Tues, Oct 20. Beginner Weekday Morning Hike in Blue Hills. Join us for a beginner, relaxed pace hike in the Blue Hills to start your day. We will hike the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be 1 or 2 climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. Plan to start at in the morning and end around noon. We will hike approximately 4+ miles. L Cindy Crosby.

Tues, Oct 27. Beginner Weekday Morning Hike in Blue Hills. Join us for a beginner, relaxed pace hike in the Blue Hills to start your day. We will hike the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be 1 or 2 climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. Plan to start at in the morning and end around noon. We will hike approximately 4+ miles. L Cindy Crosby.

November 2020

Sun, Nov 1. Morning Walk - Lynn Woods, Lynn. 5 mile hike. Leaders Choice. After you register, the hike leader will send you detailed information on meeting location and time. L Nelson Caraballo.

Thurs, Nov 5. Weekday Morning Hike to Walden Pond and Art Ramble. 9:30am-12:30pm. Join us on a relaxed pace hike to explore the 2020 Art Ramble and Walden Pond. Plan to start at 9:30am and hike approximately 4+ miles. This is a great way to brush up on a little Thoreau history, view an outdoor art display, and meet new people all while exploring a local outdoor venue close to Boston. L Cindy Crosby

Sat, Nov 7. Glacial Features Walks, Sudbury. Join glaciologist/geophysicist Bruce Porter for a morning walk in Sudbury 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. Bring water. L Bruce Porter

Tues, Nov 10. Beginner Weekday Morning Hike in Blue Hills. 9:30am-12:30pm. Join us for a beginner, relaxed pace hike in the Blue Hills to start your day. We will hike the rolling hills and simply enjoy being in nature with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There may be 1 or 2 climbs up some steep, rocky hills, at a slow side of moderate pace, to catch some scenic views. Plan to start at 9:30am and hike approximately 4+ miles. 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. Hiking boots/trail runners needed. L Cindy Crosby

Sat, Nov 14. Harold Parker State Forest - Morning Walk. 10:30am-12:30pm. Join us for a Fall hike in the peaceful, scenic woodlands of the Harold Parker State Forest. This will be a moderately paced, 4 mile hike on well marked trails. We can expect to encounter considerable ground level foliage, which may result in wet conditions, depending on the recent weather. The trails will have some gentle inclines but are generally flat. Meeting location will be emailed to confirmed participants. Adult: $5 member / $5 non-member ($5 MA state park fee is charged through November.) L Judith Watson, CL Robin Doyle

Sun, Nov 15. Warner Trail Fall Hike. 9:00am-1:00pm. Approx. 7 mile moderate hike. This is a loop hike, instead of our usual point-to-point hike. Wrentham State Forest. Highlights include Minihaha Falls, the Pinnacles, and Tilting Rock. Bring water and snacks/lunch. Please bring blaze orange or florescent clothing to wear; some items will be available to lend. Heavy rain cancels. Phone Laura if uncertain. No dogs. Location details will be emailed to confirmed participants. L Laura Cerier

December 2020

Sun, Dec 20. Warner Trail Hike #2. 9:00am-12:00pm. Get outside for some outdoor quite, calm, and peace! Approx. 5.5 mile moderate hike. This is loop hike #2, a different hike than the previous one. Wrentham State Forest. Bring water and a snack. Please also bring blaze orange or florescent clothing to wear; some items will be available to lend. (No hunting on Sunday but better safe than sorry!) Heavy rain cancels; phone Laura if uncertain. No dogs. L Laura Cerier; CL Jim Goyea.

Sat, Dec 26. Holiday Hike - Lynn Woods, Lynn. A walk in the woods. 5-6 miles. Leaders choice. Dress for weather. Bring water, light lunch, trail snacks. Everyone bring a MASK or a Mask will be provided for you. Cancel if rain. L Nelson Caraballo.