WLBH, West Street Triangle, March 20, 2018

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 03-20-2018               

TRIP LOCATION:    Blue Hills Reservation – West Street

MEETING TIME:     10 am   

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):    19

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):    1 hour 30 mins

LENGTH IN MILES:     1.97 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 20 feet

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

LEADER NAME(S):     Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain, Len Ulbright

CO-LEADER NAME(S):   

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    West st. parking lot

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:        No TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?      No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

This was the last hike of the series, a short half hike followed by an end of series luncheon at the Hillside pub.  At the luncheon Bob Jabaily was presented with his white-lining patch (he completed all the trails during this single season).  Also, a prize created by Cathy was awarded to Pam Johnson as wearing the best St. Paddys day outfit. Nichole joined us for the last hike bravely showing she had not been put off by her fall earlier in the season.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Sunny, low 30’s.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

WLBH March 12, 2018, Green Dot Trail

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 03-12-2018               

TRIP LOCATION:    Blue Hills Reservation – Shea Ice Rink

MEETING TIME:     10 am   

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):    6

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):    3 hours 15 mins

LENGTH IN MILES:     5.26 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 70 feet

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

LEADER NAME(S):     Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain

CO-LEADER NAME(S):   

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    Shea Memorial Rink, Quincy

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:        No TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?      No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

On Sunday night we moved the hike from Tuesday to Monday due to the Nor'easter arriving later in the day.  Most people could not make the new day but appreciated us not simply cancelling the hike. We hiked the green dot trail that is accessible from Shea Ice Rink.  

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Sunny turning cloudy, low 30’s.

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

WLBH, Hancock Hill, February 20, 2018

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 02-20-2018               

TRIP LOCATION:    Blue Hills Reservation –Hancock Hill

MEETING TIME:     10 am   

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):    22

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):    3 hours 15 mins

LENGTH IN MILES:     3.8 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 339 feet

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

LEADER NAME(S):     Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain, Pat Achorn, Len Ulbright

CO-LEADER NAME(S):   

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    Unquity Rd, parking pull-off

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:        No                 TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?      No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

We hiked to the top of Hancock hill, then headed over to Hemenway Hill via Breakneck and Hill path where we had lunch on the rocks looking out to Great Blue.  After lunch we came down Hemenway to the green dot trail and then over to the Jefferies path where we descended to our cars.  

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Clear, Sunny, dry, 60oF!

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

WLBH, Little Blue Hill, February 13, 2018

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 02-13-2018               

TRIP LOCATION:    Blue Hills Reservation – Little Blue Hill

MEETING TIME:     10 am   

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):    18

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):    3 hours 11 mins

LENGTH IN MILES:     4.8 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 270 feet

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

LEADER NAME(S):     Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain, Pat Achorn

CO-LEADER NAME(S):   

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    RT 138 Park N Ride in Canton

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:        No                 TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?      No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

A lovely hike in Little Blue Hill on a cloudless sky.  The trails were ice-free, and the ground was starting to soften after the freeze of prior weeks.  We partook in a long lunch on a grassy bank at the end of Royal Street, enjoying the feel of the sun on our backs.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Sunny, dry, mid 20’s

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

WLBH, Ponkapoag Pond, Feb 6, 2018

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 2-6-2018 

TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills 

MEETING TIME: 10:00 am 

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 26

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 2 hrs 20 mins

LENGTH IN MILES: 3.45 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 150 feet

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

LEADER NAME(S): Cathy MacCurtain, Paul Brookes, Pat Achorn

CO-LEADER NAME(S): N/A

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Parking at the end of the RT93 exit 3 ramp

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: No TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

We hiked trails in the northern part of Ponkapog pond including the boardwalk that goes over the floating vegetation bog on the pond. The boardwalk was frozen and stunningly beautiful. The group took many pictures which were shared:

WLBH Unquity Rd, January 30, 2018

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 1-30-2018               

TRIP LOCATION:    Blue Hills   

MEETING TIME:     10:00 am   

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):    6

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):    3 hrs  27 mins

LENGTH IN MILES:     5.47 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):     418 feet

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

LEADER NAME(S):     Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain, Len Ulbright

CO-LEADER NAME(S):    N/A

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:    Spotted cars at intersection 1217 across from the field and at the northern end of Unquity Rd.

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?:        Yes                 TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: 10 mins

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?      No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

5 inches of fresh snow, enough to hide the rocks but not cover them which made for slow going, still it was no problem, we all had a good time and enjoyed hiking in virgin snow.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Overcast, mid 20’s    

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

WLBH Unquity Rd, January 23, 2018

AMC SEM POST-HIKE TRIP REPORT

TRIP DATE:         January 23, 2018

TRIP LOCATION:    Blue Hills Reservation   

WAS TRIP CANCELLED: Yes

MEETING TIME:  

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS)  

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET):    

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

LEADER NAME(S)Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain, Pat Achorn

CO-LEADER NAME(S):

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:RT Unquity Road

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

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?      No

IF YES TO ABOVE, DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE:

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.) This hike was cancelled because of the prediction of heavy rains with heavy winds.

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

Email to: hikingchair@amcsem.org and Cc hikingvicechair@amcsem.org

WLBH Jan 16, 2016 Chickatawbut

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 1-16-2018

TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills

MEETING TIME: 10:00 am

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 15

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 3 hrs 20 mins

LENGTH IN MILES: 4.09 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 353 feet

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

LEADER NAME(S): Cathy MacCurtain, Paul Brookes, Len Ulbright

CO-LEADER NAME(S): N/A

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Parking lot at corner of RT28 and Chickatawbut Rd

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: No TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

All the trails were clear of snow and we did not hike with microspikes as most of the trail was dry ground.  There were, however, occasional patches of ice that we would call out to the group.  Ken Cohen slipped on one patch and fell hard on his left shoulder, he did not hit his head and there were no other injuries. I offered to walk him out, but he wanted to continue the hike.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: cloudy, dry, clear, low 30’s

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

WLBH Jan 9, 2018 Field Path

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 1-9-2018

TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills

MEETING TIME: 10:00 am

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 21

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 3 hrs 18 mins

LENGTH IN MILES: 3.99 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 295 feet

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

LEADER NAME(S): Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain, Pat Achorn, Len Ulbright, Dexter Robinson

CO-LEADER NAME(S): N/A

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Street parking at end of Royal St.

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: No TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

About 12” of lovely soft snow. Some of the group used snow-shoes and rotated through who was breaking snow (caterpillar). The day was beautiful, sunny, not too cold and everyone had a good time. This section of the reservation is less travelled and more isolated which made for nice snow. Our lunch stop was at a frozen pond off a private road.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Sunny, dry, clear, low 30’s

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

WLBH, Great Cedar Swamp, Jan 2, 2018

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE: 1-2-2018

TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills

MEETING TIME: 10:00 am

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 18

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 3 hrs mins

LENGTH IN MILES: 5.4 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 317 feet

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

LEADER NAME(S): Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain, Len Ulbright, Dexter Robinson

CO-LEADER NAME(S): N/A

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: RT 28 pull-offs

CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: No TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? No

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

Hiked around Great Cedar Swamp. We planned to not stop for lunch due to concern for people getting cold when not walking. Instead we let the group know to graze snacks as we hiked the trail. This worked well, helped folks stay warm and a couple of people mentioned that they would prefer this approach even when not as cold.

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Sunny, 15oF with no wind

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.

WLBH Dec 26, 2017 Tucker Hill

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report
TRIP DATE: 12-26- 2017
TRIP LOCATION: Blue Hills
MEETING TIME: 10:00 am
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS): 25
TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS): 3 hrs 36 mins
LENGTH IN MILES: 5.4 miles
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): 300 feet
DIFFICULTY: C (A=very strenuous; B=strenuous; C=average; D=easy)
LEADER NAME(S): Paul Brookes, Cathy MacCurtain, Len Ulbright, Peggy Qvicklund
CO-LEADER NAME(S): N/A
TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION: Houghtons Pond
CAR SPOTTING REQUIRED?: No TIME REQUIRED TO SPOT CARS: N/A
WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST? No
BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:
Hiked Houghton’s Pond to the pebble stone conglomerate on old RT28, then started ascent to
the top of Tucker Hill where we had lunch. Returned via Athol Path. Some patches icy and
covered with 1in of fluffy snow. Most of group chose to wear microspikes. Everyone seemed
to be enjoying themselves and having a good time.
WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: Sunny, mid 20’s, mid-teens with Windchill
OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)
IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other

Introduction to Hiking Series #2 - Braintree Pass 10-7-17

AMC SEM Post-Hike Trip Report

TRIP DATE:     10/7/2017      

                        

TRIP LOCATION:         Blue Hills (Braintree Pass Path)  

MEETING TIME:         8:15am   

       

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING LEADERS):         14     

  

TOTAL HIKING TIME (IN HOURS):    2 3/4

LENGTH IN MILES:     5.9 miles

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN (IN FEET): insignificant

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

LEADER NAME(S): Pat Achorn, Wendy Fox and Cathy MacCurtain     

   

CO-LEADER NAME(S):   

        

TRAILHEAD PARKING LOCATION & DESCRIPTION:

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

WAS TRIP WITHIN WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST?    

    

BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC TRAILS HIKED AND TRAIL CONDITIONS ENCOUNTERED:

Dry, leaf litter, blow down trees over the trail in 4-5 places, branch debris

WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HIKE: warm, overcast, humid, intermittent sun

OTHER COMMENTS (problems, views, terrain, etc.)

IMPORTANT: Contact Hike Committee Chair ASAP with any medical emergencies or other serious incidents.