Greetings Wachusett Greenways friends,
Best wishes to each of you for 2023. We are continuing with rail trail clearing during the ‘warm’ days right now. Please join us this Saturday, December 31, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for removing sticks and leaves. Sign up on our website or phone Colleen at 508-479-2123.
Want to help Wachusett Greenway anytime you’re out walking on the Mass Central Rail Trail? Please pick up sticks and fling them a good distance from the trail out of sight. Thanks for helping to keep the trail nice and the ditches and trail shoulders clear.
The DCR is offering some good Saturday hikes in January and February near the Wachusett reservoir. Check these out:
DCR First Day Hike on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023! The hike will start at 11:00 at Gate 22, GPS address 167 Temple Street (Route 140) West Boylston. This is also the entrance to MassWildlife’s offices. The hike will be about 2 miles round trip. Kathryn Parent says, “I hope you are able to join the tradition and celebrate the New Year by getting outside! There are other First Day Hike opportunities across the state” –https://www.mass.gov/doc/first-day-hikes-2023-statewide-flyer/download
The DCR winter hiking series will continue for January and February on Saturdays from 11:00 am-1:00 pm, as long as the trail and parking lots are safe. They will take advantage of the winter landscape and take trails that get overgrown in the summer, changing to different routes each week. It is recommended to bring your own ice cleats, DCR has a limited supply to borrow during the program.
Saturdays, January 7, 14, 21, 28, 11:00-1:00
WACHUSETT RESERVOIR HIKE GATE 22
Explore the trails between South Bay and Horseshoe Cove on different trails and shoreline areas each week. Easy to moderate hike will be approximately 2.5 miles. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy hiking shoes. Meet at Gate 22, GPS address 167 Temple Street (Route 140)West Boylston.
Saturdays, February 4, 11, 25, 11:00-1:00
WACHUSETT RESERVOIR HIKE GATE 8
Get to know the trails of Sawyer Bluff! The guided winter hiking series will continue every Saturday in February meeting at Gate 8, and exploring different trails and shoreline areas of the Narrows, Lord Cove, and Hastings Cove. Easy to moderate hike will be approximately 3 miles. Meet at Gate 8, the intersection of Cross Street and Route 70, Boylston.
Saturday, February 18, 11:00-1:00
CABIN FEVER SNOWSHOE HIKE
Join Watershed Rangers on a family-friendly hike. Bring your own snowshoes if there is snow. Meet at Gate 8, the intersection of Cross Street and Route 70, Boylston.
To check on the hike status, please call (or email ) for a recorded message on trail conditions, cancellations, or modifications. 774-261-1809
Program highlights from January – March are posted online:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/wachusett-watershed-events/download
Kathryn Parent
Program Coordinator, Wachusett/Sudbury Section
MA DCR Division of Water Supply Protection
180 Beaman Street, West Boylston, MA 01583
Office: 774-261-1809
www.mass.gov/dcr/wachusetteducation
Upcoming Events