Wednesday, 1 February 2017, Walden Pond winter hike
Hike Leader: Judith McMichael
5 miles, 10:00 am start from The Food Project parking lot, Lincoln, MA
Hikers (11): Judith, Chuck McWilliams, Clyde Kessel, David Kobes, Greg Stathis, Janet Miller, Maurice King, Mike Hanauer, Robyn Maislin, Roy Westerberg, and Tom Allen.
Present at lunch: Francoise Bourdan.
Everyone was in great spirits for this winter hike, due to the lovely weather and the beautiful, fresh snow covering the brown winter ground. We started our hike into Walden Pond State Reservation on Hemlock Path. We visited the beaver pond at Heywood’s Meadow and counted seven beaver lodges! We also saw numerous turkey and rabbit tracks in the fresh snow. Despite the very low level of Walden Pond, due to several years of drought, one Wheeler thought he glimpsed Bill Widnall doing a swim in the pond whilst dodging the surface ice.
We enjoyed a nice break at the new Visitor Center, where a very knowledgable ranger provided interesting facts about the pencil business of Henry Thoreau’s family, as well as details about the beavers at Heywood’s Meadow. The sun came out and we continued on to a very dry Goose Pond - at the eastern edge of the Reservation. The group climbed Pine Hill and made our way around the new fencing at the top to enjoy an unobstructed view of Mt. Wachusett. From there, Janet Miller led us back to the parking lot on a very pleasant, alternative route. We passed by The Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods, a center for research and education focusing on Thoreau’s writings and philosophy on society and the environment. Thank you Janet.
Seven of us made our way to the busy Trail’s End Cafe for lunch and were joined there by Clyde’s wife, Francoise. A fine time was had by all.
Report by Judith McMichael.
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