HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, 20 February 2019, Maudslay State Park Winter Hike
Hike Leader: Carol Anderson
5 miles, 10:00 am start from Maudslay SP parking lot, Newburyport, MA
Hikers (7): Carol, Bob Anderson, David Fay, Margie Lee, Ron Marland, Susan Sabin, and Tony Lee.
We started out on a chilly morning with just a touch of sunlight. Micro spikes provided for a safe meander through the woods, over bridges, through the rhododendron and mountain laurel stands, and back to the parking lot. By the time we finished the sky was milky white, in preparation for the next storm.
All in all, it was a lovely five mile walk through a very nice state park.
Report by Carol Anderson.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Monday, February 18, 2019
Groton Town Forest Winter Hike - February 13 , 2019
HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, 13 February 2019, Groton Town Forest winter hike
Hike Leader: Janet Miller
~4 miles, 10:00 am start from the end of Town Forest Road, Groton, MA
Hikers (3): Janet, David Fay, and Jack Mroczkowski
Two hikers, Jack and David, joined me for a beautiful hike in Groton Town Forest. We admired the glittering foliage of evergreen trees with their droplets of ice, a light but brief snowfall as we overlooked Ames Pond, and sunshine most of the time. Hiking was hard work as we walked in two to three inches of heavy, wet snow on both flat and hilly terrain, so we cut short our hike and did not visit the Dead River as planned. Nevertheless, we still hiked almost four miles
We all agreed that we were really glad to have been out enjoying the outdoors, and, later, Jack sent me a link to this article on the benefits of being outdoors:
https://www.outsideonline.com/1870381/take-two-hours-pine-forest-and-call-me-morning
Report by Janet Miller.
Wednesday, 13 February 2019, Groton Town Forest winter hike
Hike Leader: Janet Miller
~4 miles, 10:00 am start from the end of Town Forest Road, Groton, MA
Hikers (3): Janet, David Fay, and Jack Mroczkowski
Two hikers, Jack and David, joined me for a beautiful hike in Groton Town Forest. We admired the glittering foliage of evergreen trees with their droplets of ice, a light but brief snowfall as we overlooked Ames Pond, and sunshine most of the time. Hiking was hard work as we walked in two to three inches of heavy, wet snow on both flat and hilly terrain, so we cut short our hike and did not visit the Dead River as planned. Nevertheless, we still hiked almost four miles
We all agreed that we were really glad to have been out enjoying the outdoors, and, later, Jack sent me a link to this article on the benefits of being outdoors:
https://www.outsideonline.com/1870381/take-two-hours-pine-forest-and-call-me-morning
Report by Janet Miller.
Monday, February 11, 2019
Callahan State Park winter hike - February 6, 2019
HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, 6 February 2019, Callahan State Park winter hike
Hike Leaders: Margie & Tony Lee
4 miles, 10:00 am start from Edmands Road, Framingham, MA
Hikers (19): Margie, Tony, Bob Cheney, David Wean, Don Mannes , Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Joan Laxson, Judith McMichael, Marie Keutmann, Patrick Ward, Rich Taylor, Rick Carlson, Rochelle Holman, Ron Beland, Russ Keene, Susan Sabin, and Tom Amiro
In preparation for the hike, Rick Carlson helped with reconnaissance on Tuesday. Despite two warm days, there were sheets of ice and slippery conditions. The north side of the park was no better. We notified Helen and she sent a reminder to everyone to bring microspikes and, if available, hiking poles. People were well equipped except for one hiker who, relying on a backup pair, dropped a traction device near the start. He turned around to search for it and then aborted his hike after fifteen minutes.
The rest of us carried on, walking across sheer sections of ice, crossing two streams and a couple of bridges. Despite temperatures only in the high 30s, the warm sunshine was a great backdrop for a fun and social outing. It was a taste, or a tease, of spring, as we emerged from the woods into thawed and sunny areas. I could almost hear a silent but collective “ahhhhh.”
One of the hikers had a problem with the traction devices hooking together, resulting in a couple of falls, fortunately without injury. Overall, it was great to get out for two hours, and four miles, of social hiking.
Most of us went on to Oak Barrel Tavern in Sudbury for some suds and good grub, where David Wean discovered his talent for the fine art of standing an ale glass on the edge of its bottom rim. Several of us perfected the skill and impressed our waitress (‘tho most likely the tip impressed her more).
Report by Margie Lee.
Hike/lunch photos courtesy of Don Mannes.
Wednesday, 6 February 2019, Callahan State Park winter hike
Hike Leaders: Margie & Tony Lee
4 miles, 10:00 am start from Edmands Road, Framingham, MA
Hikers (19): Margie, Tony, Bob Cheney, David Wean, Don Mannes , Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Joan Laxson, Judith McMichael, Marie Keutmann, Patrick Ward, Rich Taylor, Rick Carlson, Rochelle Holman, Ron Beland, Russ Keene, Susan Sabin, and Tom Amiro
In preparation for the hike, Rick Carlson helped with reconnaissance on Tuesday. Despite two warm days, there were sheets of ice and slippery conditions. The north side of the park was no better. We notified Helen and she sent a reminder to everyone to bring microspikes and, if available, hiking poles. People were well equipped except for one hiker who, relying on a backup pair, dropped a traction device near the start. He turned around to search for it and then aborted his hike after fifteen minutes.
The rest of us carried on, walking across sheer sections of ice, crossing two streams and a couple of bridges. Despite temperatures only in the high 30s, the warm sunshine was a great backdrop for a fun and social outing. It was a taste, or a tease, of spring, as we emerged from the woods into thawed and sunny areas. I could almost hear a silent but collective “ahhhhh.”
One of the hikers had a problem with the traction devices hooking together, resulting in a couple of falls, fortunately without injury. Overall, it was great to get out for two hours, and four miles, of social hiking.
Most of us went on to Oak Barrel Tavern in Sudbury for some suds and good grub, where David Wean discovered his talent for the fine art of standing an ale glass on the edge of its bottom rim. Several of us perfected the skill and impressed our waitress (‘tho most likely the tip impressed her more).
Report by Margie Lee.
Hike/lunch photos courtesy of Don Mannes.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Chamberlin to Estabrook winter hike - January 30, 2019
HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, 30 January 2019, Chamberlin to Estabrook winter hike
Hike Leader: Ilkka Suvanto
~4 miles, 10:00 am start from ~1127 Lowell Road, Concord, MA
Hikers (8): Ilkka, David Fay, Gerry Sheetoo, Greg Stathis, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Marie Keutmann, and Roy Westerberg.
Present at lunch: Joan Laxson.
We had sunshine, 28 degree temps, and little wind on quiet forest trails. Micro-spikes and hiking poles were helpful in the fresh snow cover. The hike was about four miles, starting from Chamberlin Woods, into Estabrook Woods and back.
We visited the site of an old ski jump with a steep landing slope, just above Bateman's Pond, and then the interesting limestone quarries near old Estabrook Road. The view across Mink Pond was pretty, looking toward the big beaver lodge. The hike down to Thoreau Pond was a bit steep and we had to carefully tiptoe across a brook where, reportedly, Thoreau's father operated a saw mill to cut cedar trees for use in the family pencil business.
Heading back, one hiker slipped and fell, but no damage was done. However, almost a mile later he noticed his cell phone was missing. With another hiker he backtracked and later we heard that the lost phone was recovered.
Three of us went for lunch at Trail's End Cafe, where we were joined by Joan Laxson.
Report by Ilkka Suvanto.
Wednesday, 30 January 2019, Chamberlin to Estabrook winter hike
Hike Leader: Ilkka Suvanto
~4 miles, 10:00 am start from ~1127 Lowell Road, Concord, MA
Hikers (8): Ilkka, David Fay, Gerry Sheetoo, Greg Stathis, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Marie Keutmann, and Roy Westerberg.
Present at lunch: Joan Laxson.
We had sunshine, 28 degree temps, and little wind on quiet forest trails. Micro-spikes and hiking poles were helpful in the fresh snow cover. The hike was about four miles, starting from Chamberlin Woods, into Estabrook Woods and back.
We visited the site of an old ski jump with a steep landing slope, just above Bateman's Pond, and then the interesting limestone quarries near old Estabrook Road. The view across Mink Pond was pretty, looking toward the big beaver lodge. The hike down to Thoreau Pond was a bit steep and we had to carefully tiptoe across a brook where, reportedly, Thoreau's father operated a saw mill to cut cedar trees for use in the family pencil business.
Heading back, one hiker slipped and fell, but no damage was done. However, almost a mile later he noticed his cell phone was missing. With another hiker he backtracked and later we heard that the lost phone was recovered.
Three of us went for lunch at Trail's End Cafe, where we were joined by Joan Laxson.
Report by Ilkka Suvanto.
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