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.