AMC’s Bay Circuit Trail (BCT) Volunteer Program continues to work on projects along the 230+ mile multi-use trail, that traverses through 37 cities and towns, linking together parks, open spaces, and communities.
Pilot Year of Teen Trail Crews on the Bay Circuit Trail!
The volunteers trail program grows every year, and one of those new branches on the volunteer trails tree was the pilot program for Bay Circuit Trail (BCT) teen crews.
Read more here.
REI grant to support Mill River project
Great news for hikers who enjoy the trails in Georgetown-Rowley State Forest, particularly the section known as the Mill River Crossing. A grant from Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) in Boston will fund a bridge, steps on a steep, eroded adjacent slope, and an 8-car designated parking area at the trailhead.
Walking Tour featured in Boston Globe
Writer Brion O’Connor penned a wonderful piece in the Boston Globe on the history of the Massachusetts Walking Tour, which is now in its sixth year. See how it began and how it’s evolved.
Sign up for 1-Day BCT Traverse of Andover on June 7
As our Andover weather nears perfection, are your legs itching for a one-day 16-mile traverse of the Bay Circuit? Surprise yourself with the variety of the landscapes, the quality of the trail, and the beauty of our community. Part Vermont, part New Hampshire, essential Massachusetts, the Bay Circuit Trail is our close-to-home Appalachian Trail.
Please come along for a steady and deliberately paced hike, starting in Harold Parker State Forest and ending at the Merrimack River. We will get an early start to take advantage of the cooler morning air and end by mid-afternoon. The leader will help coordinate car logistic of this self-supported hike, but you will need to be prepared for a 3 mile per hour pace and carry all the water and food that you will require. Not a race, the plan is for the group to stay together and enjoy each other’s company as much as the trail.
If you would like to participate send an email to shgolden@comcast.net to get more information on our route and logistics. We need to keep the group to a manageable size and if we are surprised by a large turnout will schedule a repeat later this summer.
Dates set for MA Walking Tour hikes and concerts
Organizers of the 6th annual Massachusetts Walking Tour have announced dates for this year’s hikes and concerts. The two-week celebration kicks off on June 16 with a 6 p.m. concert at the Jamaica Plain Boathouse featuring local artists Patrick Coman, Juliet Olivier and Heron Russell. The first hike in the series is June 17 and will cover a section of the Emerald Necklace from Jamaica Plain to Cambridge.
For complete details on these events and others, visit the Massachusetts Walking Tour homepage.
Sections of BCT in Rowley impassable
Sections of BCT in Rowley impassable
Sections of the Bay Circuit Trail through the Georgetown Rowley State Forest in Rowley, including Mill River Crossing, are wet and may be impassable due to seasonal flooding. Hikers are encouraged to take the alternate route outlined in the Map 2 description.
Join AMC Teen Trail Crew on the BCT this summer
Bay Circuit Trail Base Camp Teen Trail Crew
July 19, 2015 – July 24, 2015 (Sun – Fri)
Join this exciting new AMC Teen Trail Crew for its pilot year on the Bay Circuit Trail! The Bay Circuit Trail (BCT) is a 230+mile front country recreational resource that arcs around greater Boston from Newburyport on the North Shore to Kingston Bay in the south. Due to its urban/suburban location, the BCT provides close-to-home recreation and connects a multitude of diverse public and private lands and trail networks.
Participants 15-17 years of age will spend one week on a BCT section north of Boston, camping at Harold Parker State Forest in Andover and doing volunteer trail work on one or several nearby conservation properties. This crew is ideal for beginners who like being outdoors and are interested in hiking and trail work, but who have limited prior experience in hiking, camping or trail work.
The program begins on Sunday afternoon with an orientation, camp setup, and dinner. Each weekday, the crew will drive and/or hike to a reconstruction or maintenance project on the BCT. Work may involve clearing brush to better define the trail, creating drainages to help with erosion problems, installing structures like bog bridges or information kiosks, updating signage or trail markers, and other crucial stewardship tasks. Please remember that while we work within the abilities and comfort of the group, the nature of hiking and the work is strenuous, and we will be out rain or shine.
To supplement the volunteers’ hands-on experience, local conservation professionals and experts will visit to shed light on local history, ecology, and land management.
The crew will finish working on Friday in time to clean up before pickup Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Participants receive a letter confirming completion of 40 community service hours.
Camp Life: The crew is based at a public campground within Harold Parker State Forest. The large group site has picnic tables, a fire ring, swimming access, and ample tenting space. Surrounding woods provide distance from other campers. There are no electric or water hookups. A shared bathroom has running water and hot showers.
All participants share responsibilities for meal preparation and cleanup. After an early breakfast, we pack trail lunches and head out to the work site, returning in the late afternoon before dinner. As time allows, evenings include swimming, showering, games, campfires and general relaxing and enjoying being out in the woods!
Contribution
$255.00 (AMC Members)
$280.00 (non-members)
Take a video tour of the BCT
Did you know that film makers and husband and wife team Dan and Marilyn Brielmann from e-awakening have been documenting their hike of the entire Bay Circuit Trail? They’ve logged many miles and have 18 videos of the trail and the people, events and places surrounding the trail.
Check out the entire video series.
2015 AMC BCT Work Schedule updates
Get out, give back, get dirty…and get to know the Bay Circuit Trail with Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)!
Why volunteer?
Ever wonder what goes into maintaining a trail? Looking for a way to give something back to the local trails you already use? Perhaps you are looking for a way to enjoy the outdoors, learn new skills, and meet like-minded people? Interested in exploring natural “gems” of the greater Boston area? Our introductory trail work events offer the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of trail maintenance or building from skilled AMC Trail Crew leaders in partnership with local BCT partners without leaving Boston’s backyard.
- NEW IN 2015! BASE CAMP TEEN TRAIL CREW
AMC’s traditional summer teen trail crew model comes to the Bay Circuit Trail for one pilot overnight week: Sunday, July 19-Friday, July 24, 2015, based at Harold Parker State Forest. This program is ideal for teens age 15-17 who like being outdoors and are interested in hiking and trail work, but who have limited prior experience in hiking, camping or trail work. Visit the program post for more details and registration information.
Free, open-registration work parties will take place between April and November at various eastern-Massachusetts locations along the trail. Consider coming out for an AMC event close to your home, or use this as a reason to get to know new natural places.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Contact AMC for more information and to sign up for an event. Directions and details provided in advance of event to registered participants.
When & Where?
Saturdays and certain Sundays–locations and details will be posted beginning in early 2015.
•April 18 (National Volunteer Week) Bridgewater
•June 6 & 7* (National Trails Day 2-day event!) Ipswich (special times: Sat 12pm-4pm, Sun 10am-3pm)
•July 25 Acton (wait list)
•Sept 26-27* Medfield (National Public Lands Day 2-day event!)
•October 17 Sharon
•November 7
What should I expect?
A typical work party starts at 9am and runs until about 4pm. Participants bring their own lunch, water, snacks, long pants (no matter how hot it is!), sturdy hiking boots, and other clothing appropriate for the weather (projects run rain or shine!). The AMC Trail Crew Leaders will provide all personal protective equipment, trail tools, instruction and supervision.
No experience is required to participate, but we encourage beginners and experienced trail volunteers alike. Programs are suitable for individuals, small groups and families with children 12 years and older.
*For 2-day weekend programs, overnight accommodations are not provided, but AMC will provide details for independent camping options if available.
- CUSTOM TRAIL CREW PROGRAMS
Trail work projects are a fantastic way for groups to promote team-building, give back to the community, and have a great time outdoors. If you are in a group of six people or more interested in learning and doing trail work close to Boston, contact AMC BCT Volunteer Programs Supervisor Beth Gula to find out about scheduling a custom trail work event.
Full links:
Weekend Work Party event postings