HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, Walden Pond, another late winter hike
Hike Leaders: Janet Miller & Marie Keutmann
~4.5 miles, 10:00 am start from Lincoln, MA
Hikers (17): Janet, Marie, Aiko Pinkoski, Ann Northup, Annmarie Altman, Barbara Pike, Debra Mello, Harry Spatz, Jack Mroczkowski, Mike Hanauer, Phyllis Evan, Susan Broome, Susan Sabin, and first-timers Ellen Harvey, Gail Spatz, Joyce Bailey, and Karen Brody.
Thanks to the generosity of the Lincoln Food Project, who gave us permission to park on their property, seventeen people gathered on a beautiful sunny day to explore Heywood Meadow, Walden Pond, and some Lincoln conservation land. We started out by heading to the end of Baker Bridge Road before crossing over Rte 126 and entering the woods on a trail to Heywood Meadow. There is lots of beaver activity, with freshly cut trees and older signs of beaver activity, at Heywood Meadow. We then walked along the meadow before turning off on a trail that took us to Walden Pond, where we took a slight detour to stop at the site of Thoreau’s cabin before continuing around the pond to the Visitor Center.
From there we climbed Pine Hill, descended part way down the other side, and continued on a trail that took us past the Thoreau Center before descending to Rte 126 and then to our cars. The total distance was about 4.5 miles. This was a repeat of the hike that was inspired by Judith McMichael and which I co-led with her.
Some of us gathered at Verrill Farm for post-hike lunch in their very cosy greenhouse.
Report by Janet Miller.