HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, March 16, 2016, Rattlesnake Ramble
Hike Leader: Winslow Green
~3 hours, 10:00 am start from Lime Kiln trailhead, Rte 117, Bolton, MA
Hikers (22): Winslow, Adena Schutzberg, Andy Lewis, Barbara Jacobs, Betty Hoffman, Dick Harter, Dick Lawrence, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, John Springfield, Mike Hanauer, Nancy Smith, Patrick Ward, Rini Kester, Richard Fortier, Roy Westerberg, Sander Nydick, Susan Sabin, Terry Gleason, Tom Allen, Tom Clark, and Winnie Parker.
Present at lunch (4): Jacque Smith, Jerry Green, Kathy Halmi, and Richard Vignoni.
Twenty two hikers gathered at the Lime Kiln trailhead in Bolton on an overcast, but pleasant, late winter morning for the last scheduled hike of the season. We visited the lime kiln where lime was made from the limestone obtained from nearby quarries. The Whitcomb house, built in 1711, is still standing nearby and has been continuously inhabited for 305 years. We stopped to see the quarries and then passed west of Rattlesnake Hill, and made our way to Old Sugar Road and saw the Whitcomb Tavern built in 1700, Bolton’s oldest house. We returned through beautiful fields where horses are pastured, through the woods, and back to our starting place.
After the hike we all went to Slater's for pizza and beer. I thank all for their presence, for their kind Happy 80th Birthday wishes, and for the two cakes that we all shared. I was pleased that Jerry Green and Mike Hanauer were able to attend. They are the only Wednesday Wheelers still active who were present in 1999 when I joined the group - back then the Wheelers were a much smaller group and not yet connected with the CRW. Being 80 is not so bad when one has such good company.
Report by Winslow Green.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Monday, March 14, 2016
Flint's Pond Ramble Hike/Farm to Farm to Bogs - March 9, 2016
HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, March 9, 2016, Flint's Pond Ramble
Hike Leader: Janet Miller
~5.5 miles, 10:00 am start from Walden Pond State Reservation
Hikers (13): Janet, Alan Fierce, Ann Northup, Chuck McWilliams, Elsa Lawrence, Everett Briggs, John Springfield, Margie Lee, Mike Hanauer, Nancy Smith, Patrick Ward, Tom Lawrence, and Tony Lee.
Although this was billed as a winter hike, the warm temperatures made it feel most definitely spring-like. Thirteen people, including myself, gathered in the Walden Pond State Reservation parking lot. Everett Briggs arrived on his bicycle, which may have validated our hike as a CRW event, and Sander Nydick confirmed that by wearing a CRW shirt. We all enjoyed good conversation as we hiked up Pine Hill and around Flint’s Pond to the de Cordova Museum gift shop, where most of us took advantage of their restrooms and some enjoyed browsing in the shop.
We then walked briefly on Sandy Pond Road (although the pond’s name was changed, the road’s was not . . . . . ) before re-entering the woods and finding trails that led us back to the start. Our total distance was about five and a half miles. I appreciated the many comments at the end of the walk, congratulating me on choosing a nice, hike as well as not losing my way!
Report by Janet Miller.
RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, March 9, 2016, Farm to Farm to Bogs
Ride Leader: Doug Hobkirk
30 miles, 10:00 am start from Verrill Farm, Concord, MA
Riders (18): Doug, Bob Wadsworth, Butch Pemstein, Chris Stix, Harriet Fell, Jack Mroczkowski, Jim Cant, John Allen, Mike Byrne, Pat Brennan, Richard Vignoni, Robyn Maislin, Roy Westerberg, Selig Saltzman, Steve Page, Tom Allen, and first-timers Amy Waltch and Hugh Folsom.
Present at lunch: Helen Greitzer.
What a splendid day! How can it still be winter? It even confused the Concord Highway Department - they had a sweeper cleaning up the pavement on Monument Street.
By seemingly unanimous agreement, eighteen riders set off on the 30-mile ride option. We regrouped several times, usually selecting an appropriate spot. My average speed (moving) was slightly under 14 mph, but several riders took advantage of my encouragement to ride on ahead and wait at a particular spot. I was impressed by the group's fitness - it didn't seem much different than in-season.
We had a great stop at Great Brook, and a bad stop at the end of Curve Street (should have been on Curve, not on the edge of Rte 225). There was one incident with cars: four cars passed as we were about to turn left onto Minot in Acton. I didn't signal because I didn't want to confuse the car drivers, but a fifth car (who'd moved into the left, oncoming lane) swung through us when I started the turn. The kid honked, I cursed. Bad choices by me, and embarrassment that I didn't see the fifth car, despite the traffic.
Maybe we would have ridden faster if we'd known the hikers were going to go to Verrill Farm and jump in front of us in the deli line. It was sweet to see the others, and, of course, our Helen. Thanks to all for coming, and special thanks to Butch for sweeping.
Report by Doug Hobkirk.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016, Flint's Pond Ramble
Hike Leader: Janet Miller
~5.5 miles, 10:00 am start from Walden Pond State Reservation
Hikers (13): Janet, Alan Fierce, Ann Northup, Chuck McWilliams, Elsa Lawrence, Everett Briggs, John Springfield, Margie Lee, Mike Hanauer, Nancy Smith, Patrick Ward, Tom Lawrence, and Tony Lee.
Although this was billed as a winter hike, the warm temperatures made it feel most definitely spring-like. Thirteen people, including myself, gathered in the Walden Pond State Reservation parking lot. Everett Briggs arrived on his bicycle, which may have validated our hike as a CRW event, and Sander Nydick confirmed that by wearing a CRW shirt. We all enjoyed good conversation as we hiked up Pine Hill and around Flint’s Pond to the de Cordova Museum gift shop, where most of us took advantage of their restrooms and some enjoyed browsing in the shop.
We then walked briefly on Sandy Pond Road (although the pond’s name was changed, the road’s was not . . . . . ) before re-entering the woods and finding trails that led us back to the start. Our total distance was about five and a half miles. I appreciated the many comments at the end of the walk, congratulating me on choosing a nice, hike as well as not losing my way!
Report by Janet Miller.
RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, March 9, 2016, Farm to Farm to Bogs
Ride Leader: Doug Hobkirk
30 miles, 10:00 am start from Verrill Farm, Concord, MA
Riders (18): Doug, Bob Wadsworth, Butch Pemstein, Chris Stix, Harriet Fell, Jack Mroczkowski, Jim Cant, John Allen, Mike Byrne, Pat Brennan, Richard Vignoni, Robyn Maislin, Roy Westerberg, Selig Saltzman, Steve Page, Tom Allen, and first-timers Amy Waltch and Hugh Folsom.
Present at lunch: Helen Greitzer.
What a splendid day! How can it still be winter? It even confused the Concord Highway Department - they had a sweeper cleaning up the pavement on Monument Street.
By seemingly unanimous agreement, eighteen riders set off on the 30-mile ride option. We regrouped several times, usually selecting an appropriate spot. My average speed (moving) was slightly under 14 mph, but several riders took advantage of my encouragement to ride on ahead and wait at a particular spot. I was impressed by the group's fitness - it didn't seem much different than in-season.
We had a great stop at Great Brook, and a bad stop at the end of Curve Street (should have been on Curve, not on the edge of Rte 225). There was one incident with cars: four cars passed as we were about to turn left onto Minot in Acton. I didn't signal because I didn't want to confuse the car drivers, but a fifth car (who'd moved into the left, oncoming lane) swung through us when I started the turn. The kid honked, I cursed. Bad choices by me, and embarrassment that I didn't see the fifth car, despite the traffic.
Maybe we would have ridden faster if we'd known the hikers were going to go to Verrill Farm and jump in front of us in the deli line. It was sweet to see the others, and, of course, our Helen. Thanks to all for coming, and special thanks to Butch for sweeping.
Report by Doug Hobkirk.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Estabrook Woods hike - March 3, 2016
HIKE REPORT
Thursday, March 3, 2016, Estabrook Woods hike
Hike Leader: Jack Mroczkowski
~7 mi, 10:00 am carpool from Trail’s End Café, Concord, MA
Hikers (3): Jack, Allan Fierce, and Andy Lewis.
All participants reported first at the meeting point which was the Trail’s End Café. With just one car driving to the hike start, we took the last limited parking spot near the entrance to the woods! In the woods, we came across a notice reminding the public that all the Estabrook land is really private, but that some owners have generously conceded access to the public on designated trails.
We moved along at a brisk pace. After two miles, we hiked a short distance on Estabrook Road in Carlisle before entering the Carr reservation trail off Bellows Road. Shortly after that, we came across a remote dwelling deep in the woods which looked like a homesteader's cabin. We wondered if it was still inhabited(?). From there the trail soon took us to Two Rod Road (a trail) which formed the return part of our loop. In total, we covered almost seven miles, some of which were on some delightful patches of tall old growth pine.
Lunch was taken at the Trail’s End Café where a table had been reserved for us.
Report by Jack Mroczkowski.
Thursday, March 3, 2016, Estabrook Woods hike
Hike Leader: Jack Mroczkowski
~7 mi, 10:00 am carpool from Trail’s End Café, Concord, MA
Hikers (3): Jack, Allan Fierce, and Andy Lewis.
All participants reported first at the meeting point which was the Trail’s End Café. With just one car driving to the hike start, we took the last limited parking spot near the entrance to the woods! In the woods, we came across a notice reminding the public that all the Estabrook land is really private, but that some owners have generously conceded access to the public on designated trails.
We moved along at a brisk pace. After two miles, we hiked a short distance on Estabrook Road in Carlisle before entering the Carr reservation trail off Bellows Road. Shortly after that, we came across a remote dwelling deep in the woods which looked like a homesteader's cabin. We wondered if it was still inhabited(?). From there the trail soon took us to Two Rod Road (a trail) which formed the return part of our loop. In total, we covered almost seven miles, some of which were on some delightful patches of tall old growth pine.
Lunch was taken at the Trail’s End Café where a table had been reserved for us.
Report by Jack Mroczkowski.
Monday, February 22, 2016
Greenways & Hamlen Woods winter hike - February 17, 2016
HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, February 17, 2016, Greenways & Hamlen Woods winter hike
Wednesday, February 17, 2016, Greenways & Hamlen Woods winter hike
Hike Leaders: Tony & Margie Lee
~5.7 mi, 10:00 am start from Greenways, Wayland, MA
Hikers (14): Margie, Tony, Adena Schutzberg, Bob Anderson, Bob Cheney, Carol Anderson, Chuck McWilliams, David Wean, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Maurice King, Roy Westerberg, and Winnie Parker.
Present at lunch (3): Don Mannes, Helen Greitzer, and Susan Sabin.
Bright sunshine and blue skies brought out fourteen hikers. Traction devices helped many of us negotiate the parking area at Greenways. We hiked north and then west, along the border of Sandy Burr golf course, where Tony gave an overview of the 12th hole on the course. We passed two fenced-in areas of new plantings to attract butterflies and bees. We then headed south alongside the Sudbury River, stopping at the Paine family pet cemetery where we viewed grave markers for their many dogs and Simmy, their pet monkey.
~5.7 mi, 10:00 am start from Greenways, Wayland, MA
Hikers (14): Margie, Tony, Adena Schutzberg, Bob Anderson, Bob Cheney, Carol Anderson, Chuck McWilliams, David Wean, Ilkka Suvanto, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, Maurice King, Roy Westerberg, and Winnie Parker.
Present at lunch (3): Don Mannes, Helen Greitzer, and Susan Sabin.
Bright sunshine and blue skies brought out fourteen hikers. Traction devices helped many of us negotiate the parking area at Greenways. We hiked north and then west, along the border of Sandy Burr golf course, where Tony gave an overview of the 12th hole on the course. We passed two fenced-in areas of new plantings to attract butterflies and bees. We then headed south alongside the Sudbury River, stopping at the Paine family pet cemetery where we viewed grave markers for their many dogs and Simmy, their pet monkey.
Departing Greenways, we hiked out the drive, crossed Old Connecticut Path, walked up Herland Way, turned onto the aqueduct, crossed Rte 27, and headed up Woodridge Road to an entry to Hamlen Woods. We eventually reached a northerly outlook over agricultural fields. Passing a water tower, we hiked down to Old Connecticut Path and across to the aqueduct, which took us back to our cars.
We covered approximately 5.7 miles in about two and a half hours, following which we were joined by Helen, Susan, and Don at The Chat for lunch.
Report by Margie Lee.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Hiking on Mt. Wachusett - February 10, 2016
HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, February 10, 2016, Hiking on Mt. Wachusett
Hike Leader: John Nilsson
~ 5 miles, 10:00 am start from Visitor Center, Princeton, MA
Hikers (6): John, Chuck McWilliams, Clyde Kessel, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, and Winslow Green.
Skiers present at lunch: Ilkka Suvanto and Joan Laxson.
We started from the Visitor Center in excellent winter hiking conditions – very light flurries, with a few inches of new snow on the packed base. Temperature was in the mid twenties. We all were using traction devices (like MICROspikes) as there was plenty of ice under the packed snow. The trails had been traveled, so there was no breaking trail or need for snowshoes. Perfect!
At the summit there was a lot of bare ground and we did have a fine view from the tower. A hiking watch as found and later turned in to the Visitor Center. The top of the lift was busy with skiers, including some kids (no school?). The descent was uneventful, though some care was needed on the steeper sections. We paused at the fantastic, world-famous Balance Rock, for a photo opportunity, before starting the final stretch.
At the ski lodge, downhill skiers Ilkka and Joan joined us for lunch. We also had visits from Bill Lane and Bob Apsler.
The return from the ski lodge up to the visitor center is an easy leg – even for hikers burdened with their beer and lunch.
Report by John Nilsson.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016, Hiking on Mt. Wachusett
Hike Leader: John Nilsson
~ 5 miles, 10:00 am start from Visitor Center, Princeton, MA
Hikers (6): John, Chuck McWilliams, Clyde Kessel, Jack Mroczkowski, Janet Miller, and Winslow Green.
Skiers present at lunch: Ilkka Suvanto and Joan Laxson.
We started from the Visitor Center in excellent winter hiking conditions – very light flurries, with a few inches of new snow on the packed base. Temperature was in the mid twenties. We all were using traction devices (like MICROspikes) as there was plenty of ice under the packed snow. The trails had been traveled, so there was no breaking trail or need for snowshoes. Perfect!
At the summit there was a lot of bare ground and we did have a fine view from the tower. A hiking watch as found and later turned in to the Visitor Center. The top of the lift was busy with skiers, including some kids (no school?). The descent was uneventful, though some care was needed on the steeper sections. We paused at the fantastic, world-famous Balance Rock, for a photo opportunity, before starting the final stretch.
At the ski lodge, downhill skiers Ilkka and Joan joined us for lunch. We also had visits from Bill Lane and Bob Apsler.
The return from the ski lodge up to the visitor center is an easy leg – even for hikers burdened with their beer and lunch.
Report by John Nilsson.
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Weston Conservation Area winter hike/Spin to Stow Ride - February 4, 2016
HIKE REPORT
Thursday, February 4, 2016, Weston Conservation Area winter hike
Hike Leaders: Tony & Margie Lee
~ 5 miles,10:00 am start from Burchard Park, Weston, MA
Hikers (11): Tony, Margie, Adena Schutzberg, Bob Anderson, Carol Anderson, Judith McMichael, Kim Wach, Marie Keutmann, Roy Westerberg, Sander Nydick, and first-timer Bob Cheney.
Present at lunch: Helen Greitzer.
Eleven intrepid hikers showed up for Thursday’s hike in the Weston Conservation Area, starting at Burchard Park. Many of us experienced a little drizzle on our drive to the hike, but it was dry by the time we started. We headed east from the parking lot, through woodlands and alongside a hockey pond (no ice left). As we hiked along the stream, we noticed several mallards in two groupings. We crossed Concord Road and continued west along carriage roads and hiking trails (which we noted are also used for mountain biking). We crossed a stream via a rock path, but on our return upstream, a new and improved wooden bridge simplified the crossing.
The hike was about five miles and took us two hours. We enjoyed conversing and continued our social time at lunch at Dumpling Daughter in Weston center.
Report by Margie Lee.
RIDE REPORTS
Thursday, February 4, 2016, Spin to Stow
Ride Leaders: Ken Hablow & Jack Donohue
47 & 23 miles, 10:00 am start from Burchard Park, Weston, MA
Long Ride Report
Riders (9): Ken, Barry Nelson, Bernie Flynn, Bob Wolf, Curt Dudley-Marling, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Rick Lawrence, and Russ Keene.
Gotta love New England weather! I am writing this in the middle of a February snow storm (on Friday) just realizing how lucky we were on Thursday, with 47 miles of filtered sun all day, the temperature at about 55 degrees, and as the day progressed the roads dried out.
All riders left as one group. Our resident sweep, Barry, volunteered once again. We stopped at Haskell Field in Sudbury, just before the split, to re-group and sort out who was going on which ride. Since the nine of us on the long ride were very compatible, we did not need a sweep, but we did use an occasional arrow.
We got back to the parking lot at 2:00 pm and most of us enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Dumpling Daughter in Weston center. After lunch we said goodbye to Barry who is off to Florida then California for the rest of the month.
Report by Ken Hablow.
Short Ride Report
Riders (4): Jack, Larry Kernan, Selig Saltzman, and Wing Chow
Limbo Rider (1): Harriet Fell.
I figured we could just hang with the long riders until the split, which in retrospect was a bad idea. We got mixed in, with Selig at the back and Wing at the front. Since no one was arrowing or sweeping, I had to drop back to make sure that Selig didn't miss any turns. Meanwhile, Wing was at the front and I had no idea if he knew where he was going so I had to make sure I was near him when the split happened. I basically needed to be in two places at once. Shortly before the split, we stopped. At this point I announced that the short riders should hang back and let the long riders go. Harriet, who had pledged allegiance to the short riders, somehow started off with the long riders and was never seen again.
A good time was had by all and the weather was fantastic. Selig made haste, post ride, to Dumpling Daughter, where he was joined by the hikers and Helen.
Report by Jack Donohue.
Thursday, February 4, 2016, Weston Conservation Area winter hike
Hike Leaders: Tony & Margie Lee
~ 5 miles,10:00 am start from Burchard Park, Weston, MA
Hikers (11): Tony, Margie, Adena Schutzberg, Bob Anderson, Carol Anderson, Judith McMichael, Kim Wach, Marie Keutmann, Roy Westerberg, Sander Nydick, and first-timer Bob Cheney.
Present at lunch: Helen Greitzer.
Eleven intrepid hikers showed up for Thursday’s hike in the Weston Conservation Area, starting at Burchard Park. Many of us experienced a little drizzle on our drive to the hike, but it was dry by the time we started. We headed east from the parking lot, through woodlands and alongside a hockey pond (no ice left). As we hiked along the stream, we noticed several mallards in two groupings. We crossed Concord Road and continued west along carriage roads and hiking trails (which we noted are also used for mountain biking). We crossed a stream via a rock path, but on our return upstream, a new and improved wooden bridge simplified the crossing.
The hike was about five miles and took us two hours. We enjoyed conversing and continued our social time at lunch at Dumpling Daughter in Weston center.
Report by Margie Lee.
RIDE REPORTS
Thursday, February 4, 2016, Spin to Stow
Ride Leaders: Ken Hablow & Jack Donohue
47 & 23 miles, 10:00 am start from Burchard Park, Weston, MA
Long Ride Report
Riders (9): Ken, Barry Nelson, Bernie Flynn, Bob Wolf, Curt Dudley-Marling, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Rick Lawrence, and Russ Keene.
Gotta love New England weather! I am writing this in the middle of a February snow storm (on Friday) just realizing how lucky we were on Thursday, with 47 miles of filtered sun all day, the temperature at about 55 degrees, and as the day progressed the roads dried out.
All riders left as one group. Our resident sweep, Barry, volunteered once again. We stopped at Haskell Field in Sudbury, just before the split, to re-group and sort out who was going on which ride. Since the nine of us on the long ride were very compatible, we did not need a sweep, but we did use an occasional arrow.
We got back to the parking lot at 2:00 pm and most of us enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Dumpling Daughter in Weston center. After lunch we said goodbye to Barry who is off to Florida then California for the rest of the month.
Report by Ken Hablow.
Short Ride Report
Riders (4): Jack, Larry Kernan, Selig Saltzman, and Wing Chow
Limbo Rider (1): Harriet Fell.
I figured we could just hang with the long riders until the split, which in retrospect was a bad idea. We got mixed in, with Selig at the back and Wing at the front. Since no one was arrowing or sweeping, I had to drop back to make sure that Selig didn't miss any turns. Meanwhile, Wing was at the front and I had no idea if he knew where he was going so I had to make sure I was near him when the split happened. I basically needed to be in two places at once. Shortly before the split, we stopped. At this point I announced that the short riders should hang back and let the long riders go. Harriet, who had pledged allegiance to the short riders, somehow started off with the long riders and was never seen again.
A good time was had by all and the weather was fantastic. Selig made haste, post ride, to Dumpling Daughter, where he was joined by the hikers and Helen.
Report by Jack Donohue.
Friday, February 5, 2016
Walden Pond Winter Hike/Keyes to Delaney Ride - January 27, 2016
HIKE REPORT
Wednesday, January 27, 2016, Walden Pond winter hike
Hike Leader: Judith McMichael
10:00 am start from The Food Project parking lot, Lincoln, MA
Hikers (17): Judith, Adena Schutzberg, Ann Northup, Anne Fortier, Chuck McWilliams, David Sachs, Ilkka Suvanto, Margie Lee, Marie Keutmann, Maurice King, Mike Hanauer, Patrick Ward, Romaine Randall, Roy Westerberg, Sander Nydick, Susan Sabin, and Tony Lee.
Present at lunch: Helen Greitzer.
Our group of seventeen set off at 10:06 am, entering the Walden Pond State Reservation from Hemlock Path, just opposite Baker Bridge Road. This access point gave us the advantage of free parking at The Food Project and the novelty of a little-used trailhead. We made our way first to Heywood’s Meadow, at the SE corner of the Reservation. The Meadow was dammed by beavers in 2010 and is now a beautiful pond that contains four beaver lodges, though we are not sure if they are all active. We made our way clockwise around the Pond, including all the uphill options, and stopped to take in the lovely view from the NNE side. The group very courteously listened to me describe the Pond as a kettle hole, formed 12,000 years ago when the North America ice sheet was retreating northward. We continued around the Pond, spending time on the Esker Trail, Emerson’s Cliff Trail (enjoying another wonderful view from Emerson’s Cliff), then returned to our cars via Heywood’s Meadow Path and Hemlock Path, finishing up around 12:20pm.
Including some planned and unplanned steps, we completed around 5.3 miles. The temperature averaged a balmy 42 degrees and sun dominated, with just a few scattered clouds. We had to contend with a bit of ice, but a fine time was had by all. Nine of us continued on to a wonderful lunch at Trail’s End Café in Concord, joining the many cyclists who chose riding the wet, salty, and sandy roads over hiking in the woods. Thank you to all who participated on my first ever WW hike, as hike leader, and to Helen for her ongoing coordination of WW hikes and rides.
If you want to learn more about how the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) responded when the beavers first took up residence in Heywood’s Meadow, and about the formation of the Pond 12,000 years ago, you can read a paper (attached) which I wrote in 2010.
Report by Judith McMichael.
Bikers
Wednesday, January 27, 2016, Walden Pond winter hike
Hike Leader: Judith McMichael
10:00 am start from The Food Project parking lot, Lincoln, MA
Hikers (17): Judith, Adena Schutzberg, Ann Northup, Anne Fortier, Chuck McWilliams, David Sachs, Ilkka Suvanto, Margie Lee, Marie Keutmann, Maurice King, Mike Hanauer, Patrick Ward, Romaine Randall, Roy Westerberg, Sander Nydick, Susan Sabin, and Tony Lee.
Present at lunch: Helen Greitzer.
Our group of seventeen set off at 10:06 am, entering the Walden Pond State Reservation from Hemlock Path, just opposite Baker Bridge Road. This access point gave us the advantage of free parking at The Food Project and the novelty of a little-used trailhead. We made our way first to Heywood’s Meadow, at the SE corner of the Reservation. The Meadow was dammed by beavers in 2010 and is now a beautiful pond that contains four beaver lodges, though we are not sure if they are all active. We made our way clockwise around the Pond, including all the uphill options, and stopped to take in the lovely view from the NNE side. The group very courteously listened to me describe the Pond as a kettle hole, formed 12,000 years ago when the North America ice sheet was retreating northward. We continued around the Pond, spending time on the Esker Trail, Emerson’s Cliff Trail (enjoying another wonderful view from Emerson’s Cliff), then returned to our cars via Heywood’s Meadow Path and Hemlock Path, finishing up around 12:20pm.
Including some planned and unplanned steps, we completed around 5.3 miles. The temperature averaged a balmy 42 degrees and sun dominated, with just a few scattered clouds. We had to contend with a bit of ice, but a fine time was had by all. Nine of us continued on to a wonderful lunch at Trail’s End Café in Concord, joining the many cyclists who chose riding the wet, salty, and sandy roads over hiking in the woods. Thank you to all who participated on my first ever WW hike, as hike leader, and to Helen for her ongoing coordination of WW hikes and rides.
If you want to learn more about how the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) responded when the beavers first took up residence in Heywood’s Meadow, and about the formation of the Pond 12,000 years ago, you can read a paper (attached) which I wrote in 2010.
Report by Judith McMichael.
RIDE REPORT
Wednesday, January 27, 2016,
Ride Leader: Ken Hablow
10:00 am start from The Food Project parking lot, Lincoln, MA
Riders (xx): Ken, Barbara Martin, Barry Nelson, Bernie Flynn, Dom Jorge, Francie Sparks, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Jack Donohue, Kaz Zelny, Larry Kernan, Lindy King, Marc Baskin, Rich Taylor, Rick Lawrence, Richard Vignoni, Robyn Maislin, Selig Saltzman, Tom Allen, and Wing Chow.
This was an unexpectedly large group for a rather chilly day. Bernie was cold at the start and took off with Dom and Larry never to be seen again. Since they were a group of three, there was no reason for them to stop. Jack volunteered to lead a small slow group. As the rest of us got spread out, we stopped several times to re-group. After two stops Jack’s group caught up with us, so we all stayed together and made several more stops.
The day was mostly cloudy. Unfortunately the temperature went down several degrees, instead of up as forecast. This meant that some of us (the leader included) got chilled, as we had dressed for the predicted increasing temperatures.
As we came back into Concord, I stopped about a mile from the finish to be sure everyone was still with us. Someone told me that Marc Baskin was on the side of the road with a flat tire, and I rode back a couple of miles to assist him. He had hit a pothole coming down the hill on Sudbury Road. We finally got a new tube in place and inflated - this took two CO2 cartridges and some manual labor with a hand pump. Ironically, just as we finished, a town truck came along and patched the pothole. It was late enough when we finished that we decided there probably would not be many people back at Trail’s End. So we turned around, stopped at Verrill Farm for some soup, then split and rode home. Marc was nice enough to buy me lunch.
Thanks to Barry for sweeping and keeping the group intact. Despite the dropping temperatures, it was a very pleasant day.
Report by Ken Hablow.
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