Belmont conservation land and Audubon Habitat Sanctuary early spring hike - March 25, 2026

 HIKE REPORT

 

Wednesday, 25 March 2026, Belmont conservation land and Audubon Habitat Sanctuary early spring hike

Hike Leader:  Peggy Gelin

~4 miles, 10:00 am start from Belmont, MA

Hikers (14):  Peggy, Ann Northup, Annemarie Altman, Bill Widnall, Gail Spatz, Harry Spatz, Janet Miller, Judy Perrin, Karen Brody, Kristina Leclaire, Marie Keutmann, Mike Hanauer, Phyllis Evan, and Zach Woods

We attempted to meet at the Lone Tree Hill parking lot, but, because of the presence of a giant cherry-picker that was cutting down a tree near the lot, a couple of cars had to park across and up the street at the Rock Meadow lot.  The presence of snowdrops, a first sign of spring, was noted near the parking lot.

 

The hike consisted of three loops.  First, we hiked around the Belmont Lone Tree Hill conservation land behind McLean Hospital.  The trail wove through woods and fields and reached height of land at a rusty old, abandoned water tower.

 

We then crossed Concord Avenue onto Mass Audubon land with its well-maintained trails.  We walked down to their Education Center to see the goats and avail ourselves of their plumbing facilities.  Continuing on this second loop, we stopped to enjoy the view at Turtle Pond.  We didn't see any turtles, but did see three deer shortly afterwards.  Completing the Mass Audubon loop, we crossed Concord Avenue back to the Lone Tree Hill conservation area and descended its Pine Allee back down to the parking lot – this completed the second loop.  There we were met by one of our hikers who took the road rather than the trail.  He was as fast as the rest of us were, even though his route was longer!

At this point, we had hiked about three miles, and seven hikers couldn't resist the lure of their automobiles and called it a day.  The remaining seven of us continued across Mill Street to the Belmont Rock Meadow conservation area where we made our third and final loop.

 

The weather was pleasant - in the 40s and mostly sunny.  Thanks to Annemarie for sweeping and for wearing a white parka that was easy to spot through the woods.

Report by Peggy Gelin.

Flints Pond Trail winter hike - March 18, 2026

 HIKE REPORT

 

Wednesday, 18 March 2026, Flints Pond Trail winter hike

Hike Leader:  Betsy Harper

~3.9 miles, 10:00 am start from Lincoln, MA

 

Hikers (15):  Betsy, Aiko Pinkoski, Alan Cantor, Aliza Edwards, Ann Northup, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Judy Perrin, Karen Hall, Marie Keutmann, Mark Friedman, Peggy Gelin, Richard Vignoni, Susan Sabin, and Zach Woods.

 

Fifteen of us gathered to hike the four miles surrounding Flint’s Pond in Lincoln.  The trail was mostly dry and ice-free – fantastic early spring hiking before mud season sets in.  We were blessed by sunshine, warming us beyond the 30 degree weather.

 

Ten of us gathered afterwards for lunch at the DeCordova café.

 

Report by Betsy Harper.

XC Skiing at Great Brook Ski Touring Center - February 25, 2026

 XC SKI REPORT

Wednesday, 25 February 2026, XC Skiing at Great Brook Ski Touring Center

XC Ski Leaders:  Melissa Norton & Barbara Jacobs

10:00 am start from Carlisle, MA

XC Skiers (11):  Barbara, Melissa, Annemarie Altman, Greg Stathis, Judy Perrin, Lynell Stromberg, Margie Lee, Susan Broome, Zach Woods, and first-timers Ken Rosenstein and Laura Miller. 

Snowshoer (1):  Kristina Leclaire. 

Present at lunch:  Ted Nyder.

The announced activity for February 25th had been a hike in the Annursnac Hill area of Concord.  On Monday morning, when Mother Nature started delivering snow, the proposed activity changed to snowshoeing.  However, on Monday evening when the snow on the ground started being measured in feet instead of inches, the activity was changed to xc skiing at Great Brook Touring Center in Carlisle where participants could glide along groomed trails.

  

Snow continued to be in the air as Wednesday Wheelers encountered bad road conditions getting to Carlisle.  Those who made the trip were rewarded with groomed trails, topped with a fresh coating of light snow.  All participants agreed that the conditions for xc skiing were perfect.  The group stayed together, skiing a trail that circumnavigates the park.  The winter beauty of the woods, the perfect conditions of the trails, and the camaraderie of the group made for a memorable day.

 

Post-ski lunch was at Concord Market, on Lowell Road in Concord.

Fairhaven Bay and Cliffs winter hike - February 11, 2026

 SNOWSHOE/HIKE REPORT

 

Wednesday, 11 February 2026, Fairhaven Bay and Cliffs winter hike

Hike Leader:  Jack Mroczkowski

~3.5 miles, 10:00 am start from Concord, MA

 

Hikers (10):  Jack, Betsy Harper, Judy Perrin, Kristina Leclaire, Lynell Stromberg, Marie Keutmann, Richard Vignoni, Steve Hoffenberg, Susan Sabin, and Zach Woods. 

 

The first challenge of the day was what footgear to use - snowshoes or microspikes?  The group was roughly split 50:50 on the two traction choices.  Richard offered to lead the group on his snowshoes for the first half of the course, with the goal of making it easier for those using microspikes.

 

After we reached the Fairhaven Bay overlook, the going got tougher for the microspikers, so we decided to skip Fairhaven Hill and, instead, just trek back on a path at the foot of the cliffs.  A large hawk was observed near the trail on the way back

 

Several of us went to Verrill Farm for post-hike lunch and shared some interesting adventure stories.

 

Report by Jack Mroczkowski.

XC Ski at Leo J. Martin Ski Track - February 4, 2026

 XC SKI REPORT

 

Wednesday, 4 February 2026, XC Ski at Leo J. Martin Ski Track – a short lesson followed by a tour of the LJM trails

Tour Leader:  Wes DeNering

12:00 pm start from Weston, MA

 

XC Skiers (10):  Wes, Alan Cantor, Judy Perrin, Kristina Leclaire, Lynell Stromberg, Marie Keutmann, Richard Vignoni, Zach Woods, and first-timers David Klingsberg and Judy Willett.

 

It was great to see some old friends that I haven't seen in years, and to meet some new people.  I haven't done WW on a bike in a few years, so I'm not surprised that I don't know many of the regulars.

 

We started with a quick meeting in the cafe, and, once all had arrived, we headed out to the manmade snow section.  Conditions were about as good as I've ever seen at the Leo J. Martin Ski Track and Golf Course - 35F, a slight to moderate wind, and a bluebird day.

 

We skied down and up the first small but slightly steep hill for about 0.1 miles.  It became immediately clear that the ability of the skiers was very diverse, which made it difficult to lead a WW bike-type tour.  We mostly stayed together, waiting for the slower skiers to catch up, with some dropping out as we went along, and I giving a loose lesson for the first 45 minutes.

 

We skied some of the harder terrain on the manmade side of the road, crossed over to the section directly across the road where there is a nice long, gradual hill.  We then crossed another road and skied what I think is the nicest part of the course - it is more wooded and is right next to the river which it crosses on a foot bridge.  At this point, we split apart again, with most heading back.  Just Lynell and I continued, and when Lynell was ready to call it we headed back to the clubhouse.

 

If we were to do this again, perhaps human arrows could work - we'd just have to have a very clear route in mind with lots of human arrows.  I'm not sure a Ride with GPS track would be possible, but I may experiment with it.  Those of us that love xc skiing are loving this winter!

 

Report by Wes DeNering.

October Farm Riverfront and Brewster’s Woods winter snowshoe/hike - January 28, 2026

 SNOWSHOE/HIKE REPORT

 

Wednesday, 28 January 2026, October Farm Riverfront and Brewster’s Woods winter snowshoe/hike

Hike Leader:  Janet Miller

2 miles, 10:00 am start from Concord, MA  

 

Hikers (9):   Janet, Betty Salzburg, Jack Mroczkowski, Judy Perrin, Lynell Stomberg, Marie Keutmann, Phyllis Evans, Susan Sabin, and Zach Woods.

 

Nine bold WWs gathered to hike through the deep, fresh, powdery snow on a very chilly but sunny day.  All but three came with snowshoes, but, luckily, there were enough snowshoers to break trail in places where it had not previously been traveled.  We started on the well-traveled main trail towards the Concord River, then turned off to climb Dakins Hill.  The view of the Concord River from the top was spectacular!

 

After descending the hill we set out to circumnavigate Holden Hill on unbroken snow.  This was definitely hard work and we switched the lead to take turns in breaking trail.  Thanks for all the help!  After we returned to the start of the loop we hiked along the river until we reached the main trail leading back to the parking area, where four people chose to head back to their cars.

The rest of us continued along the river until we reached a blue-blazed trail.  It took us past a tall, bald cypress tree, with its “knees” making little bumps in the snow.  It is a mystery as to why it is there, as it is well out of its normal range.  It may have been planted by William Brewster who owned this land in the nineteenth century, but nobody knows for sure.  From there, we headed back to the parking area.  We only covered about two miles, but it was slow work and it took us the best part of two hours.

We all met up again in the Concord Market, for post-hike lunch and conversation.

Report by Janet Miller.

Lincoln & Concord - "Remembering Thoreau" winter hike - January 21, 2026

 HIKE REPORT

 

Wednesday, 21 January 2026, Lincoln & Concord - "Remembering Thoreau" winter hike

Hike Leaders:  Margie Lee & Tony Lee

~4 miles, 10:00 am start from Lincoln, MA.  

 

Hikers (12):  Margie, Tony, Betsy Harper, Betty Salzburg, Greg Stathis, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Marie Keutmann, Phyllis Evans, Renee Rees, Richard Vignoni, and Susan Sabin.

 

In anticipation of "Henry David Thoreau," Ken Burns' upcoming three-hour documentary, we hiked (sauntered if you were to ask Thoreau) to the Walden Pond visitors center.  The park ranger on duty, Kyle, shared a lot of interesting information about Thoreau and the Transcendentalists and accompanied us to the replica of Henry David Thoreau's cabin, where he lived for two years, two months, and two days, overlooking Walden Pond and writing what was to be "Walden."

We crossed Route 126 and stopped at the site of the cabin, continued part way around Walden Pond, crossed the railroad tracks, and returned to The Food Project via Adams Woods trails.  The day was cold, but sunny, and we moved along well, except for a somewhat extended visit to the replica of the cabin.

There was a lot of food for thought and our conversations continued over lunch at Verrill Farm.

Report by Margie Lee.