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Spaces Still Available in our January Guided Hikes
Join Us for a Winter Walk in the Fells!
Our January events calendar is teeming with great options for the Fells community! We have added many new guided hike events this month-- both nature hikes, history hikes, and many more new "social hikes".
Join us for an opportunity to learn about the Fells, be introduced to a new segment of the park, or to meet other like-minded hikers. Check below for more details!
IMPORTANT: Please note that space for all guided hikes is strictly limited, and pre-registration will be required for all group events in the Fells this fall (no on-site registrations will be permitted).
For more information on any event, click on the "PRE-REGISTER HERE" link provided:
Group Hike: Take a Hike in the Snow! with Tom Champoux
Join me as we explore the eastern side of the Fells, around the reservoir, and over parts of the Cross Fells Trail and the Rock Circuit Trail. The winter is a beautiful time to walk through the Fells and see the woods from a whole new perspective. We'll traverse four cities, and even stop at the marker where Melrose, Malden, and Stoneham converge.
Sunday, January 16, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Greenwood Park parking lot, 176 Pond St., Stoneham
Group Hike: LGBTQ+ Social Hike with Tommy Bellaire
Join us for a social hike in the Long Pond area of the Fells. Time will be spent focusing on socializing, learning about the history and ecology of the Fells, and discussing how queer identity intersects with the outdoors.
Sunday, January 16, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Long Pond Parking Lot, South Border Rd., Winchester
Group Hike: Women's Morning Social Hike with Karine Thate
What better way to start the day? Join a small group of women for some fresh air, exercise and conversation. We'll travel a variety of trails in the southern part of the Fells, staying west of I-93, aiming for 60-75 minutes of moderate to brisk walking.
Wednesday, January 19, 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM
South Border Rd. Parking Area, across from 132 S. Border Rd., Medford
Nature Hike: Bare Trees and Naked Shrubs at Long Pond with Boot Boutwell
[LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!]
We’ll take a walk in the woods around Long Pond learning how to ID deciduous woody plants (trees and shrubs) in winter. We’ll also take a look at a few evergreens as well. The walk will focus on plant ID as well as fun and interesting natural history.
Thursday, January 21, 9:15 AM - 11:30 AM
Long Pond Parking Lot, South Border Rd., Winchester
Group Hike: Take a Hike in the Snow! with Tom Champoux
Join me as we explore the eastern side of the Fells, around the reservoir, and over parts of the Cross Fells Trail and the Rock Circuit Trail. The winter is a beautiful time to walk through the Fells and see the woods from a whole new perspective. We'll traverse four cities, and even stop at the marker where Melrose, Malden, and Stoneham converge.
Sunday, January 23, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Greenwood Park parking lot, 176 Pond St., Stoneham
History Hike: Bellevue Pond and 19th Century Rock Quarries with Doug Heath
This tour will give a sneak preview of my second Middlesex Fells trail guide (with Alison Simcox).
Sunday, January 23, 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Bellevue Pond parking lot, South Border Rd., Medford
Guided Hike: New-to-the-Fells and/or the Outdoors Hike with Tommy Bellaire
Join us as we explore the Long Pond area of the Fells! Time will be spent explaining the geography of the Fells, wayfinding tips and tricks, and the history of the Fells.
This one-hour hike will be an easy, mostly flat walk along wide paths. My goal is to make this hike accessible to all so if this difficulty is uncomfortable please let me know and we will adjust.
Sunday, January 23, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Long Pond Parking Lot, South Border Rd., Winchester
Woman's Social Hike: Find Serenity in the Fells
About the leaders: Laurie and Eileen are long time Friends volunteers who love sharing their love of the Fells. Laurie is a veteran co-leader of Babes In The Woods and Hike 'n' Seek hikes for new parents and kids. Eileen recently joined in those hikes after having helped out in the Friends office in the past.
Come join us for an escape into the peace of the Fells for a fortifying walk with a small group of women.
Monday, January 24, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Greenwood Park parking lot, 176 Pond St., Stoneham
(across from Stone Zoo)
Group Hike: Social Hike for Women, Transgender, & Queergender People
Join Sarah for an easy/moderately paced social hike/walk leaving from Flynn Ice Rink at 300 Elm St in Medford. We will explore trails around Wright’s pond and surrounding Spot Pond area.
Tuesday, January 25, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Flynn Rink parking area, Woodland Rd. (300 Elm St. on Google), Medford
INFORMATION ON EARTHWISE AWARE EVENTS: For all Earthwise Aware events, please note that space is strictly limited, and pre-registration is required for all group events ⚠ no on-site registrations will be permitted.
Event registration can be found at the Earthwise Aware Eventbrite page:
For more information on any event, click on the "MORE INFORMATION" link provided:
Winter Forest Explorations with Earthwise Aware
Join brothers and Earthwise Aware (EwA) citizen scientists, Joe and Bill MacIndewar, for a casual walk focusing on observing and recording the incredible biodiversity of the Middlesex Fells Reservation. With these walks and through the EwA photo documentation using the iNaturalist platform, we contribute to biodiversity science while enjoying together the outdoors in this beautiful urban park.
Saturday, January 22, 2021, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Sana Access Rd (GPS location in Registration)
To ensure the safety of all group work, DCR has established new guidelines for group projects/events in the parks. We will adhere to these guidelines for the foreseeable future:
- Groups will be limited to a maximum of 15 individuals (including participants, staff, and instructors)
- Pre-registration will be required for all events (no onsite registration will be offered).
- In order to allow other interested individuals to attend our hikes, please contact us to cancel registrations as soon as possible if schedules change.
- Projects/events will not exceed 2 hours in duration
- Face masks or face coverings are recommended, and
- Participants must adhere to social distancing guidelines and attempt to remain 3 feet apart
For more information and resources regarding these guidelines, please visit the DCR’s Volunteers in the Parks page.
The Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation is dedicated to the
protection and harmonious use of the Fells; promoting awareness,
policies, and programs to honor and preserve the ecological, historical, and
recreational resources of this urban forest reservation.
