Appalachian Mountain Club Boston Chapter Local Walks/Hikes Committee Recent Local Walks/Hikes (2013) - brief descriptions

Meeting locations, driving directions, leader names, and other details have been omitted. See the current issue of AMC Outdoors (the monthly AMC members magazine) or the trip listings at http://trips.outdoors.org for this month's schedule. A partial listing of upcoming hikes is also available at the Local Walks/Hikes home page. The Photo Gallery pages have photos of some of the hiking areas.

January 2013

Tues, Jan 1. Lynn Woods, Lynn. 5 miles, L's Choice. 9:00am-1:00pm. Dress for the elements. Staibilicer/Yak Track suggested for ice/snow.

Tues, Jan 1. New Year's Day Downtown hike. Meet at Starbucks on corner of Charles and Beacon, opposite Boston Common. 10:30am-noon. We'll see what's left of the ice sculptures and step it out over Beacon Hill, through the North End and along the waterfront, never far from a subway stop.

Sat, Jan 5. Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. Brisk guided walk on & off path but stopping to look at trees 10:00am-12:30pm.

Sat, Jan 5. Noanet Woodlands, Dover. 5-mi. brisk, hilly snowshoe hike through woods w/ponds and streams, 10:00am-1:30pm.

Sun, Jan 6. Blue Hills, Canton. Cross-country ski 6 miles, or hike up to 8 miles if no snow, across golf course, down trails, and around Ponkapoag Pond in the Blue Hills Reservation, 10am-3pm. Joint with Friends of the Blue Hills.

Sun, Jan 6. Wellesley Triple Treat, Wellesley. 11am-2/3pm. Meet Wellesley Town Hall 525 Washington St. near int. Rts. 16/135. Come in from the cold to the steamy tropical room at the Wellesley College greenhouse, or perhaps the desert room if you prefer dry heat. There are more than a half dozen other rooms in this wonderful facility - easily the finest greenhouse in the Boston area. We next enjoy a 2+ mile walk through the campus and around Lake Waban - boots are recommended for snow, ice or mud, as we're likely to experience at least one of those. Bring your lunch for our rest stop at the handsome campus center, followed by an optional visit to the school's excellent (and free) Davis Art Museum.

Sat, Jan 12. Neponset River Greenway/Milton Hill. Five-mile walk along Neponset River to Hutchinson Field, 9:30am-12:30pm.

Sun, Jan 13. Sandy Pond, Lincoln. Moderate snowshoe/hike around pond. 10:00am-2:00pm.

Sat, Jan 19. Hale Reservation, Westwood/Dover. Mod. 5-mi. snowshoe/hike including ponds, cabins, lodges, 9:30am-1:00pm.

Sun, Jan 20. Habitat Audubon Sanctuary, Belmont. Slow paced nature walk through forest/field, focusing on plant ID/fun natural history. 9:30am-12:30pm.

Sun, Jan 20. Joe English Reservation, Amherst, NH. A 7mi quiet, hilly wander 9:30am-3:30pm through varied woodlands on well maintained trails.

Mon, Jan 21. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Walk or moderate cross-country ski depending on conditions. Meet at Wedgmere RR Sta. at 10am.

Sat, Jan 26. Blue Hills, Quincy, MA. Snowshoe 6 miles in the Eastern section of the Blue Hills Reservation over moderate terrain, or hike 7 miles in hilly areas if no snow, 10am-3pm. Joint with Friends of the Blue Hills.

Sat, Jan 26. Middlesex Fells, Medford. 6 mi. hike, rocky terrain. 9:30am.

Sun, Jan 27. Snowshoe/Hike, Sudbury, MA. Explore trails around the Wayside Inn and Memorial Forest Reservation. Enjoy hot cider at the historic Wayside Inn pub afterwards.

February 2013

Sat, Feb 2. Middlesex Fells, Winchester, MA. Sheepfold Pkg. lot. Mod to stren. 7 mi. Hike over many hills & rough terrain. 9am-2pm.

Sun, Feb 3. Pond Meadow, Braintree, MA. Easy/moderate 4-mi. walk/snowshoe. 9:45am-12pm.

Sun, Feb 3. Marblehead Light and Castle Rock, Marblehead, MA. Approx. 4-mi. walk from Deveraux Beach to Castle Rock & Marblehead Light w/optional hot chocolate after, 12:30-3:30pm.

Sat, Feb 9. Middlesex Fells, Winchester, MA. Walk or moderate cross-country ski depending on conditions. - CANCELED due to snow.

Sun, Feb 10. Middlesex Fells, Winchester, MA. Slow paced nature walk focusing on plant ID & fun natural history. - CANCELED due to snow.

Sun, Feb 10. Blue Hills, Milton, MA. Moderate 5-6 mile snowshoe/hike. 10:00am-2:30pm. Snowshoes/traction devices required as conditions warrant.

Sat, Feb 16. Blue Hills Skyline Trail, Quincy. 6.5-mi. loop hike with a number of steep hills, 10am-3pm, mainly on Skyline Trail, lunch on Nahanton Hill.

Sun, Feb 17. Blue Hills, Quincy, MA. Snowshoe 6 miles in the Chickatawbut section, the most remote area of the Blue Hills Reservation. Will hike 7 miles in hilly areas if no snow, 10 am-3 pm. - canceled due to expected high winds and 6 inches of snow

Sun, Feb 24. Contemporary Waterfront, Boston, MA. 10am-1/2pm. Walk 5-6 miles along the Waterfront, North End, North Station, Downtown. See some unique plaques (Boston-India ice trade, the man with wings who jumped off the church steeple) at Old North Church, also some early crocuses, and later exceptional cast-iron fire-escapes on one of Boston's smallest streets. Possible extension to Fish Pier. Museum optional on return.

Sun, Feb 24. Minute Man National Park, Lexington, MA. 1-4pm - Walk/snowshoe. Meet at Fiske Hill in Lexington off Rte 2A.

March 2013

Sat, Mar 2. Blue Hills, Milton, MA. 5-mile snowshoe or hike, 11:00am.

Sat, Mar 2. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham. Brisk 8 mi. hike w/lunch at scenic pond, 9:30am.

Sun, Mar 3. Purgatory Falls, Milford, NH. 6-mi. lollypop route along picturesque stream past waterfalls, cascades, along ledges & hilly forest terrain, 9:30am-3:30pm.

Sun, Mar 3. Blue Hills Hike, Milton, MA. Seven-mile hike in the Houghton section of the Blue Hills Reservation on a variety of trails with several views and lunch on Buck Hill, 10am-3:30pm. Joint with Friends of the Blue Hills.

Sun, Mar 3. Groton Conservation Land, Groton, MA. 1:00pm. Conservation area with varied terrain. The hike will feature wetlands, upland forest, eskers, an old quarry, a physics demonstration, and signs of beaver activity.

Sat, Mar 9. West Quincy Quarries & Granite Railway, Quincy. 5.5-mi.walk to Granite Railway & quarries, some rock scrambling and steep sections, 10:30am-2:30pm.

Sat, Mar 9. Middlesex Fells, Medford. Slow-paced nature walk in search of early flowering plants and other signs of approaching spring. The walk will focus on plant ID and fun and interesting natural history. 9:30am-12:30pm.

Sun, Mar 10. Kendall Square + MIT: Campus, Galleries and Sculpture. 10am-1pm. 4-mile urban ramble exploring these areas, with several brief indoor stops.  Moderate paced-walk with often interesting architecture and many outdoor sculptures.

Sun, Mar 10. Mt. Wachusett, Princeton MA [CANCELED DUE TO INJURY]. Moderate-to-strenuous 7-mile hike. 10:00am-3:00pm.

Sat, Mar 16. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Hike/snowshoe; 10am. Return for 1:30pm train.

Sat, Mar 16. Northern Lynn Woods, Lynn. Challenging 6-mi. snowshoe/hike through rugged terrain, 9:30am-1:00pm.

Sun, Mar 17. Wayside Inn to Sudbury Valley Memorial Forest. Approximately 4 miles on back roads and trails, 1:00-4:00pm.

Sun, Mar 17. Blue Hills, Milton. Moderate-to-strenuous hike including Skyline Trail, 10:00am-2:30pm.

Sat, Mar 23. Chestnut Hill: Equinox hike in Hammond Woods, Newton. 10am-1pm. 4-mile hike in surprising, geographically varied area.

Sun, Mar 24. Warner Trail, Sharon. Trail clearing, from 12-4:30pm.

Sun, Mar 24. Mt. Watatic, Ashburnham. Moderate-to-strenuous 5-mile hike to open summit with good views.

Sun, Mar 24. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. Mod to stren. approx. 5-mi hike over many hills & rough terrain, 9:00am-2:00pm.

Sun, Mar 24. Walden Pond/Sudbury River. Hike on less-traveled paths. 6 miles. Meet at 10:30am.

Sat, Mar 30. Blue Hills, Milton. 6-mi. hike. Bring water/lunch/boots/traction devices. Meet 10am.

Sat, Mar 30. Walden Woods, Wright Forest, Concord, MA. Easy hike. Thoreau interpretive path, forest, marshes, vernal pool (frog chorus). 10:00am-1:30pm.

Sun, Mar 31. Caryl Park, Dover. Fast-paced hike, 10am, 5 mi.

Sun, Mar 31. Lake Waban, Wellesley. Meet 2:30pm to view Wellesley College greenhouses. Hike 3-5:45pm to Lake Waban and beyond.

April 2013

Sat, Apr 6. Castle Island, South Boston. Fast-paced seven-mile scenic walk along ocean to Castle Island, 10:00am-1:30pm.

Sat, Apr 6. Delaney Wildlife Mgt. Area, Stow, MA. Meet at 10am, finish by mid-afternoon. 6-7 miles. Two small stream crossings.

Sun, Apr 7. Mine Falls Park, Nashua, NH. 6-mile easy walk along Nashua River, canal with 1886 gatehouse, spectacular waterfall in 325-acre park, from 9:45am-2pm.

Sun, Apr 7. Warner Trail, Cumberland, RI. 9am-4pm. 10-mi. mod. hike from Wampum Corner, Wrentham to Diamond Hill. 69th season.

Sun, Apr 7. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Sheepfold Pkg. lot. Mod to stren. 7 mi. Hike over many hills & rough terrain. 9am-2pm.

Sat, Apr 13. Middlesex Fells, Malden. 5mi. hike to cliff-top views including waterfall, 10:00am-2:15pm.

Sat, Apr 13. Weld Woods, West Roxbury. Easy 3-mile walk in former estate with woods and ponds, 1pm.

Sat, Apr 13. Neponset River Greenway. Five-mile walk in largely new parkland, 1:00pm-3:30pm.

Sun, Apr 14. Minute Man Trail, Historic Concord/Lincoln. Leader's Choice, approx. 8mi. hike, 1:00-4:00pm.

Sun, Apr 14. Maudslay SP, Newburyport. 10:00am to 2:00pm, moderate pace.

Sun, Apr 14. Warner Trail, Wrentham. 9am-4pm. 10-mi. mod. hike from Wampum Corner to Crocker Pond.

Sun, Apr 14. Mt. Misery, Farrar Pond, and adj. conservation areas, Lincoln, MA. 9 mi. [70+ temp may lessen distance.]

Sun, April 14. Throne Hill, Groton, MA. 1:00pm. Early spring walk thru pretty conservation area featuring varied upland terrain and some wetlands.

Mon, Apr 15. Half-Marathon Walk, Minute Man National Park, Lexington. Brisk 13-mile walk on Battle Road Trail to Fiske Hill in Lexington, Meriam's Corner in Concord, and back. 9:30am-3:30pm.

Mon, Apr 15. Boston Marathon Hike. 18th annual hike, eight miles via Arboretum, Allandale and Hancock Woods, Hammond Pond Park to Heartbreak Hill, 9:00am-12:30pm. Watch race on trolley back into town or hike back via Marathon route.

Wed, Apr 17. Castle Island, South Boston. Leisurely 3-mi. walk along harbor, 6:15-8:00pm.

Sat, Apr 20. Blue Hills Hike, Milton. Mod. stren. 8-mi. hike on Skyline & other trails w/some steep hills, 9:30am.

Sat, Apr 20. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. Five-mile moderate hike, 9:30am.

Sun, Apr 21. Blue Hills, Milton. 7-mile hike on a variety of trails in the Blue Hill Section of the Blue Hills Reservation. Some steep trails, including the Skyline Trail with views, 10 am-3:30 pm. Joint with Friends of the Blue Hills.

Sun, Apr 21. Spring Comes to Beacon Hill and Back Bay. From 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Admire seasonal plantings; several hilly streets.

Sun, Apr 21. Minute Man National Park, Concord, MA. Spring on the Battle Road. Share some revolutionary tales along the Battle Road in the Minute Man Park from 9:30am to noon. Walk 7 brisk miles from the Visitor's Center to the North Bridge.

Sat, Apr 27. Parks & Greenways, Quincy, MA. 7-mi. walk w/beach, woods, salt marshes, historic sites, 10:00am-2:30pm.

Sat, Apr 27. Middlesex Fells, Medford, MA. Six-mile moderate hike on rocky terrain, 9:30am.

Sun, Apr 28. Caryl Park, Dover. Fast-paced hike, 10am, 5 mi.

Sun, Apr 28. Warner Trail, Foxboro. 9am-4pm. 10-mi. mod. hike from Moose Hill in Sharon to High Rock in Foxboro.

Sun, Apr 28. Lincoln/Concord hike to Sudbury River, Adams and Fairhaven Woods, Walden Pond, Pine Hill. 10 mi. [70+ temp. may lessen distance.] Meet at 10:00am in Lincoln RR commuter pkg. lot.

Sun, Apr 28. Acton Arboretum, Acton. Slow-paced nature walk in search of a variety of early spring wild flowers and other signs of spring. The walk will focus on plant ID and natural history. 9:30am to 12:00noon.

May 2013

Sat, May 4. Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, Sudbury. Bird walk to look for migrating woodland and water birds, 8-10am. http://www.farnwr.org/maps2.html.

Sat, May 4. Neponset River Greenway/Milton Hill. 6-mile walk along Neponset River to Hutchinson Field, 12:30pm-3:00pm.

Sat, May 4. Blue Hills Reservation, Milton. Moderate to strenuous 7 mile hike on Skyline and other trails w/some steep hills. Although the pace will be moderate, this hike will be a workout. 9:30am-2:00pm.

Sun, May 5. Historic Middlesex Canal, Wilmington. Three-mile leisurely walk along a scenic section of historic canal to Patch's Pond, 1:30pm. See oxbow, grooves in rocks from tow lines, and stone aqueduct. Joint trip with Middlesex Canal Association. For more info, see http://www.middlesexcanal.org.

Sunday, May 5. Snake Hills, Groton. 1:00pm. Large conservation area with wetlands, hills 150 feet above, a glacially carved chasm, a historic site, and the Forest Bells.

Sun, May 5. Lilac Walk in Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. 10am - noon Lilac Walk in Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. Guided walk on and off the trail, through the lilacs and up and over Bussey Hill.

Sun, May 5. Emerald Necklace, Boston. 6mi. moderate pace w/stops. 9:30am-12:30pm.

Sat, May 11. Blue Hills Bird Walk, Milton. Beginner's bird walk 3 miles through Fowl Meadow, 7-10:30 am. Learn to bird. See both common and rare bird species at the height of spring migration in the best birding area in the Blue Hills Reservation. Bring your binoculars and a bird book if you have one. Joint with Friends of the Blue Hills.

Sat, May 11. Wellesley Wander. 5-6-mile circuit with Wellesley College greenhouses and campus, Lake Waban, Charles River, brooks and aqueducts. 11:00am.

Sat, May 11. Warner Trail, Sharon. 15-mi. mod. hike from Edge Hill Rd. in Sharon to High Rock in Foxboro. 9am-5pm.

Sat, May 11. Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. Scenic, mod. 5-mi. walk w/many stops to view plants & trees in bloom. 10:30am-1:30pm.

Sat, May 11. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Slow-paced nature walk through woods to Long Pond focusing on spring wildflowers, plant ID, and fun natural history. 12:30pm-3:30pm.

Sun, May 12. Bedford/Burlington/Lexington Woodlands. Very hilly 6-mi. wander through various conservation & municipal lands. 9:45am-2:30pm.

Sun, May 12. Blue Hills, Ponkapoag Pond. 4 mi. mod.-paced hike, 10:30am-1:30pm.

Tues, May 14. Great Streets of Cambridge. Leisurely 4-mi. walk along historic streets around Harvard and Porter Squares and Huron Village , 6:45-8:45pm.

Wed, May 15. Blue Hills, Milton. 6pm-8pm. Meet at the main Houghtons Pond parking lot.

Sat, May 18. Boston's South End Old and New: New Route. From 10:00am-2:00pm. Explore social history, architecture, filled land & parks.

Sat, May 18. Blue Hills Skyline Trail, Quincy. 6.5-mile. loop hike rocky terrain with a number of steep hills with views, 10am-3pm, mainly on Skyline Trail, lunch on Nahanton Hill with great view.

Sat, May 18. Middlesex Fells, Winchester. Easy 2 hr. walk in Middlesex Fells. Meet at 8:30am at Wedgmere Railroad Station.

Sun, May 19. Wayside Inn and Ladyslipper Walk, Sudbury. Approximately 4 miles on back roads and trails, 1:00-4:00pm.

Sun, May 19. Breakheart Reservation, Saugus. 9:30am-2:30pm. Moderate-to-strenuous hike over the Ridge Trail and Eagle Rock.

Sun, May 19. Hale Reservation, Powisett Farm, Westwood. Easy walk, mostly woods, across dam & thru meadow, 1-3pm.

Sun, May 19. Blue Hills Reservation, Milton. Moderate to strenuous 7 mile hike on Skyline and other trails w/some steep hills.

Wed, May 22. Prospect Hill Park, Waltham. 6:30-8:30pm. Moderately paced sunset hike on trails and roads with views.

Sat, May 25. Blue Hills Wildflower Hike, Quincy. 7-mile hike in the eastern section of the Blue Hills Reservation viewing wildflowers and climbing scenic hills, some steep, including the new trail along the restored Blue Hill Reservoir. 10am-3:30pm. - CANCELED DUE TO RAIN FORECAST AND POOR CONDITIONS

Sat, May 25. West Quincy Quarries & Granite Railway. 5.5-mile.walk to Granite Railway & quarries, some rock scrambling and steep sections, 10:30am-2:30pm. - CANCELED DUE TO RAIN FORECAST AND POOR CONDITIONS

Sun, May 26. Leominster State Forest, Leominster, MA. 6 mi. scenic hike Redemption Rock to Crow Hill cliffs/back. Carpool-Lincoln. 9:30am-4pm.

Sun, May 26. Blue Hills Reservation, Milton. Moderate to strenuous 7 mile hike on Skyline and other trails w/some steep hills.

Mon, May 27. West Quincy Quarries & Cunningham Park, Milton. 6-mile hike (with some steep sections) to quarries, granite railway, and wooded park, 10:00am-1:30pm.

June 2013

Sat, June 1. Blue Hills Bird Walk, Milton. Bird Walk 3 miles through Fowl Meadow, 8-11:30 am. Learn to bird by listening for and identifying late migrant and nesting species in the best birding area in the Blue Hills Reservation. Bring your binoculars and a bird book if you have one. Joint with Friends of the Blue Hills.

Sat, June 1. Ponkapoag Pond, Canton. 4½ mi. We will hike for about three hours.

Sat, June 1. Cambridge Parks & Greenways. 6-mi. hike featuring Fresh Pond, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Charles River Greenway & Harvard, 9:30am-12:30pm.

Sun, June 2. Charles River's Edge: Cambridge-Charlestown-Boston. Approx. 5-6mi. walk via North Point Park, new North Bank Bridge, USS Constitution, and Charles River Dam. Meet at 10:00am at the gazebo at Cambridgeside Galleria Mall fountain.

Sun, Jun 2. Waban to Chestnut Hill, Newton Parks and Conservation Lands. 9:30am to 12:30pm. 6-mi hike featuring Aqueduct, Cold Spring Park, Webster Conservation Area, Hammond Pond Reservation and Houghton Garden.

Sat, June 8. Blue Hills Hike, Milton. Mod. stren. 8mi. hike on lesser used trails with some steep hills, 9:30am.

Sat, June 8. Wompatuck State Park, Hingham. 8 mile. hike w/lunch at scenic pond, 9:30am.

Sun, June 9. Horn Pond Conservation Land, Woburn. Slow-paced nature walk looking for late spring wildflowers. Focus on plant ID and fun natural history. 12:30pm - 3:30pm.

Sun, June 9. Gamlin Crystal Spring, Groton, MA. 1:00pm. Explore this large and pretty area of various conservation lands, including a number of beaver ponds, meadows, and upland forest. About 2 hours, maybe some bushwhacking.

Sun, June 9. Blue Hills Reservation, Quincy. Moderate to strenuous 5-6 mile hike on Skyline and other trails w/some steep hills. Although the pace will be moderate, this hike will be a workout. Not for beginners. 10:00am-2:00pm.

Wed, Jun 12. Blue Hills, Milton. 6pm-8pm. Bring raincoat/water. Meet at Houghton's Pond pkg. lot.

Sat, June 15. Explore Boston's Back Bay Fens, Rose Garden, and Riverway. From 10:00am - 1:30pm.

Sat, June 15. Northern Lynn Woods, Lynn. Challenging 6-mi. hike through rugged terrain, 9:30am-1:00pm.

Sat, June 15. Lincoln Conservation Land, Flint's Pond, Lincoln. Easy/moderate 5-mile walk around Flint's Pond through scenic fields and meadows near DeCordova Museum, 10:00am-1:30pm.

Sun, June 16. Churches of the Back Bay, Boston. 10:00am to 12:00pm. Guided/narrated walk covering the richness of the church history of Victorian Era Boston.

Sun, June 16. Massabesic Audubon Center, Auburn, NH. 6 mi. easy wander along wooded trails and lake shore, 10am-3:00pm.

Sun, June 16. Wollaston Beach, Quincy, MA. Fast-paced 7-mi walk along Wollaston Beach, Marina Bay, Squantum, 9:00am-noon.

More to come...