Nite hike around the reservoirs

Bad Weather may cancel.

Headlamp or flashlight expected.

Directions: Coming from the north take Exit 35 (Winchester Highlands). To access Bear Hill come off the Exit 35 ramp and the parking lot is straight in front of you : you can t miss it.

Covid19 rules apply: Social distance and masks when needed.

We will be at an easy pace! 1~ 2 mph Bring plenty of water.

Middlesex Fells Reservation : The Middlesex Fells Reservation s 2,575 acres offer a welcome retreat for city dwellers and a suitable terrain for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, rock climbers, cross-country skiers and picnickers as well as natural and cultural history buffs. "Fells" is the Saxon word for rocky, hilly tracts of land - an apt name for this scenic area which is rich in local history. This picturesque area was once favored for timber, granite quarrying, ice industry, and water power for the many mills including one that manufactured some of the first vulcanized rubber products. The area was first explored by Governor Winthrop and his men in the winter of 1632: " ...they came to a very great pond, having in the midst an island of about one acre and very thick with trees of pine and beech and the pond had divers small rocks standing up here and there in it, which therefore called Spot Pond." (quote from Gov. Winthrop s private papers) The Botume House at 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham is the Middlesex Fells Headquarters and houses Botume House Visitor Center. Special features at the Fells include the Sheepfold meadow, Bellevue Pond, Wright’s Tower, Virginia Wood, Lawrence Woods, Spot Pond, and over 100 miles of trails. The Sheepfold is a 10-acre open field used by dog walkers and picnickers. Bellevue Pond is a seasonal pond surrounded by trails and wide fire roads, some leading up to Wright’s Tower which looks out over the Boston Basin. Virginia Wood, the site of a former mill village called "Haywardville" is now a dense hemlock enclave with an interpretive historical trail. Lawrence Woods is an area of the Fells south of South Border Road with many wide “fire roads”, views and vernal pools. Long Pond parking area offers access from Winchester to a nature trail and scenic areas.

Liability Waiver: As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described www.hikesafe.com(http://www.hikesafe.com/); the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you for yourself, your heirs, executors, and administrators release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons.