What we’re about
This is a hiking group for people who, like me, take life at a slow and steady pace. I love the outdoors, travel and hiking. Like the tortoise, I keep a steady pace and always get there in the end. Hikes will be mostly medium-length ( 2 - 6 miles) with elevation gains of under 1500 feet and a pace of book time +50%. Older people who have slowed down, younger folks who are just starting out, people who are overweight and want to get moving, people who are recovering from an injury, people who occasionally like to stop and take pictures or smell the roses...anyone who wants to take things at a slower pace. Hikes and other events take place all year round and in various locations!
The Nichewaug Tract is one of three properties managed by the Trustees of Reservations located near the East Branch of the Swift River in Petersham, MA. This 3 mile loop hike winds through a beautiful stretch of forest, hugging the Swift River for a portion of the trail, and includes an overlook with a fabulous view and the site of an old (dismantled) bridge over the river.
Total distance: 3 miles
Elevation gain: 450 feet
AMC book time: 2 hours
Tortoise time: 3 hours
Pace: slow to moderate, with occasional stops to rest, chat, snack, and enjoy the view.
Terrain: This is not an easy hike. Parts of the trail are rocky and narrow, and it has a few ups and downs, including a somewhat steep climb near the end of the hike.
A screen shot of the trail map is included in the photos (below).
Sunset: 6:29 pm.
This hike is cross-posted on one other Meetup Group. As a result, there are more people attending than shown here.
Clothing and Gear
Please wear and/or bring:
- Multiple layers of moisture-wicking clothing. No cotton, no jeans.
- Hiking boots or other sturdy shoes. No sneakers, no sandals.
- At least 1 liter (32 ounces) of water or sports drink per person.
- Insect repellant. Please note that ticks are plentiful and active in New England, and they can infect you with very serious and nasty illnesses, including Lyme Disease.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
- Lunch and/or high energy snacks.
- Trekking poles if you use them.
Hiking Etiquette
We start together, we stay together, we end together. We will hike at the pace of the slowest hiker, and we will be patient with everyone.
If you need to separate from the group for any reason or return to the parking lot early, please let the organizer know.
If you speed ahead and leave the group behind, you are on your own.
No guests, no dogs.
How to find us
There is a decent sized parking lot located at 123 Nichewaug Road, Petersham, MA. The GPS coordinates are (42.460033, -72.182205).
The trailhead is at the edge of the parking lot.
I drive a Red Mazda 6.
Please arrive 15 minutes early. I start my hikes on time, with or without you.
Optional Lunch after the hike
I am planning to stop for lunch at the Petersham Country Store after the hike if anyone is interested in joining me. It is a very short drive from the trailhead to the store. The address is 2 North Main Street, Petersham.
More info: Petersham Country Store
Disclaimer
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
- the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and
- you 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.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Rick’s Ramble: West Boylston Rail TrailMass Central Rail Trail Parking Lot, West Boylston, MA
A fairly easy 6-mile out-and-back hike along the Mass Central Rail Trail starting in West Boylston. Some gradual elevation change. We will walk three miles from the large parking lot off Thomas Street to the trail head at River Street and return the same way. We will stop along the way for lunch or snacks.
Total distance: 6 miles round trip
Total elevation gain: 200 feet.
Tortoise time: 3.0 hours
Pace: slow to moderate, with occasional stops to rest, chat, snack, and enjoy the view.Terrain: Mostly a packed dirt rail trail as wide as a road running besides the Quinapoxet River.
We may take a very short side excursion to see the old Springdale textile mill site with self guiding signs along a trail.
Sunset: 6:36 pm
[ Special thanks to Dave and Katie for the hike description ].
Clothing and Gear
Please wear and/or bring:
- Multiple layers of moisture-wicking clothing. No cotton, no jeans.
- Hiking boots or other sturdy shoes. No sneakers, no sandals.
- Trekking poles if you use them.
- Insect repellant. Please note that ticks are plentiful and active in New England, and they can infect you with very serious and nasty illnesses, including Lyme Disease.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
- At least 1 liter (32 ounces) of water or sports drink per person.
- Lunch and/or high energy snacks.
Hiking Etiquette
We start together, we stay together, we end together. We will hike at the pace of the slowest hiker, and we will be patient with everyone.
If you need to separate from the group for any reason or return to the parking lot early, please let the organizer know.
If you speed ahead and leave the group behind, you are on your own.
No guests, no dogs.
How to find us
Meet at the Mass Central Rail Trail parking lot at 155-199 Thomas Street in West Boylston. GPS coordinates are (42.3878050, -71.7940537).
The trailhead is at the edge of the parking lot.
I drive a Red Mazda 6.
Please arrive 15 minutes early. I start my hikes on time, with or without you.
Disclaimer
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
- the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and
- you 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.
- Rick’s Ramble: Swift River Reservation/Nichewaug Tract, 3 miles, moderateSwift River Reservation , Petersham, MA
The Nichewaug Tract is one of three properties managed by the Trustees of Reservations located near the East Branch of the Swift River in Petersham, MA. This 3 mile loop hike winds through a beautiful stretch of forest, hugging the Swift River for a portion of the trail, and includes an overlook with a fabulous view and the site of an old (dismantled) bridge over the river.
Total distance: 3 miles
Elevation gain: 450 feet
AMC book time: 2 hours
Tortoise time: 3 hours
Pace: slow to moderate, with occasional stops to rest, chat, snack, and enjoy the view.Terrain: This is not an easy hike. Parts of the trail are rocky and narrow, and it has a few ups and downs, including a somewhat steep climb near the end of the hike.
A screen shot of the trail map is included in the photos (below).
Sunset: 6:29 pm.
This hike is cross-posted on one other Meetup Group. As a result, there are more people attending than shown here.
Clothing and Gear
Please wear and/or bring:
- Multiple layers of moisture-wicking clothing. No cotton, no jeans.
- Hiking boots or other sturdy shoes. No sneakers, no sandals.
- At least 1 liter (32 ounces) of water or sports drink per person.
- Insect repellant. Please note that ticks are plentiful and active in New England, and they can infect you with very serious and nasty illnesses, including Lyme Disease.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
- Lunch and/or high energy snacks.
- Trekking poles if you use them.
Hiking Etiquette
We start together, we stay together, we end together. We will hike at the pace of the slowest hiker, and we will be patient with everyone.
If you need to separate from the group for any reason or return to the parking lot early, please let the organizer know.
If you speed ahead and leave the group behind, you are on your own.
No guests, no dogs.
How to find us
There is a decent sized parking lot located at 123 Nichewaug Road, Petersham, MA. The GPS coordinates are (42.460033, -72.182205).
The trailhead is at the edge of the parking lot.
I drive a Red Mazda 6.
Please arrive 15 minutes early. I start my hikes on time, with or without you.
Optional Lunch after the hike
I am planning to stop for lunch at the Petersham Country Store after the hike if anyone is interested in joining me. It is a very short drive from the trailhead to the store. The address is 2 North Main Street, Petersham.
More info: Petersham Country Store
Disclaimer
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
- the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and
- you 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.
