Nelson Memorial Forest Hike in Marshfield

TRIP DATE:  January 17, 2015                        

TRIP LOCATION:   Nelson Memorial Forest, Marshfield                   

MEETING TIME:  9:45            

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):  16                  

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):  3 hours

LENGTH IN MILES:   4 ½ miles           

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):   0          

DIFFICULTY:     C                             (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)

LEADER NAME(S):  Sally Delisa         

CO-LEADER NAME(S): Lorraine Rubinacci

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:  Trustees Parking Lot, Union Street

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:   no                    TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS:

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?  no       

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTER:                 Good winter trail conditions.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE:   Cold and windy.  At end of hike, 18 degrees but wind had died down.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)   Lorraine taught us about the history of the area regarding land and flora.  We measured a huge oak tree, possibly Black Oak, believed to be about 214 years old.  The group also spotted along the North River an adult Bald Eagle as it flew towards us and then turned and flew parallel thus providing view of vivid white head and tail feathers.  At the end of the hike, Lorraine was given a round of applause.