Boston Chapter Andover Committee

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• Provide local accessibility of programs and activities to A.M.C. members living in the far northern suburbs of Boston - an area in which Andover is more or less centrally located.     
• Introduce the local public to the A.M.C. and its objectives, and encourage membership by example.
• Engage in cooperative programs with local conservation groups.
• Be a means by which A.M.C. members of this area may come together for social purposes.

  April 10 hike to Ipswich River Sanctuary    ( Dave Williamson photo)

Contacts:

Leader's Page - For leaders only

NOTICES
 

Hi all,

It’s December and we’re anxiously awaiting snow. I’m looking forward to some snowshoeing and X-country skiing. If you don’t have the equipment and would like to try either, equipment can be rented at REI in Reading. Winter is a great time to be outside. We have several activities planned. Check them out and join us!

I’d also like to congratulate and welcome two new CL to our Andover Committee. Lori Benedict and Richard Lombard completed our October training and will be helping with our upcoming activities. Please welcome them.

The deadline for registering for the New Year’s weekend in NH has been extended. If you are interested in hiking/snowshoeing/skiing or relaxing and celebrating New Year’s in Benton, NH, contact Maggie (see below).

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy 2012! See you next year.

Helen 978-657-9153

hpalmer.fournature@verizon.net
Andover Committee Chair

Please note, if you are receiving or wish to receive a postal copy of this newsletter, please send $5.00 for a yearly fee to: Dave Doub, 36 Hidden Rd., Andover, MA 01810. Thanks!

Friday-Sunday, Dec 30-Jan 1. Celebrate New Years in Benton, New Hampshire. Enjoy snow shoe/xc ski. Then relax, reflect, and renew by the fire. $150 includes meals, lodging (LOF) and good company L. Maggie Christopher, 603-728-5051 mchr39@gmail.com

Sat., Jan. 7. Moonlight Snowshoe or XC-ski at Vale Reservation, Andover, MA. All ages welcome. Bring headlamp/flashlight. Hot chocolate after trek. 6PM. From I-93 take exit 42, Dacomb Rd toward Andover, at 0.4 mile turn Right onto Clark Rd go to end, turn Right onto Andover St, bear Left over RR tracks, then 1st Left onto Dale St, parking area at end of dirt road. No pets. rain cancels. L Maggie Christopher ((603) 728-5051, mchr39@gmail.com), CL Lori Benedict

Sat., Jan. 14. Potash Mtn (2700 ft.), NH. 2 mi. trail, off Kancamagus Highway, open ledge views. Trailhead: Insert: N 43.99596 W 71.36955 into http://mapper.acme.com/ and select TOPO. L Dennis Crispo ((978) 858-0394, highpt@cliffhanger.com), L Sonny Martineau ((207) 490-1305, sonnymart27@yahoo.com)

Sun., Jan. 15. Hike/Snowshoe West Parish Meadow, Indian Ridge, Baker's Meadow Trails, Andover, MA. Hike/Snowshoe 3 mi. through woods, over meadow, glacial esker and around a pond. Meet at 1:30 PM in parking lot near arch across from West Parish Church. Take I-93 to Exit 43. Go NE 1.5 mi. on Rt. 133 to 2nd traffic lights. Turn hard Right, park near cemetery entrance. Heavy rain cancels. L Fred Snell ((978) 686-3647, fredsnell@gmail.com)

Sun., Jan. 22. Snowshoe/Hike Ward Reservation, Andover, MA. Enjoy afternoon snowshoe/walk in the woods. Scenic views from top of Holt Hill. Meet at 1:30pm, parking lot. I-93 Exit 41 to Route 125N. Pass intersection with Route 28, and continue about 2.5 miles to Prospect Road. Turn right, then travel 0.4 miles to the parking area.L Helen Palmer ((978) 657-9153, hpalmer.fournature@verizon.net), CL Richard Lombard (rllombard1@comcast.net)

Sat Jan. 28. Novice/intermediate (easy-to-mod pace) Saturday Afternoon X-C Ski Touring. Enjoy machine-groomed ski trails at X-C touring center within 30-90 minutes of Andover. Great Brook Farm, Carlisle OR Windblown, Jaffrey NH OR Pine Hill, New London NH OR Harris Farm, Dayton ME. Equipment Rentals Available. Trail Fees $12 - $17. Exact Location TBD by snow conditions. Registration required. L Debra Sager (978) 663-3965, debsag8@yahoo.com

Sun., Jan. 29. Rafton Reservation, Andover, MA. Meet at 10 AM for AVIS' 43rd annual snowshoe and X-C ski trek. From I-93, go E on Rt. 133 for 0.5 mi. to the first set of traffic lights, take L on Greenwood Rd. for about 1 mi., take 2nd L onto High Plain Rd.. Travel about 1 mi. (cross I-93 & I-495). Park near leaf composting area. No reg. No pets. Hike if no snow, rain cancels. L David Dargie ((978) 996-4475, david@dargie.com), L Burt Batcheller ((978) 475-3665)

Fri., Feb. 3-5. Ellis River XC Ski Trek & More, Pinkham Notch, NH. Novice-Intermediate XC ski weekend. Saturday 9-10 mile trek/easy-moderate pace along scenic Ellis River Trail at Jackson Touring Center. Sunday join AMC Naturalist on a XC ski tour at the beautiful Great Glen trails. $135-155 pp includes 2-4 person room accommodations at Joe Dodge Lodge, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, & Sunday trail pass. Registration & Payment Required by Dec 30th. L Debra Sager (978) 663-3965 7-10 PM, debsag8@yahoo.com

Sun., Feb. 12. Goldsmith Woodlands, Moonlight snowshoe / X-C ski trek, Andover, MA. Meet at 6:00 PM for family moonlight snowshoe and cross country ski trek for all ages and abilities. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. From Rte. 125, travel N on Rte. 28 (S. Main St.) for about 0.4 mi. Park in front of #491 S. Main St. at Goldsmith Reservation entrance. No pets. Hike if no snow, rain cancels. L Burt Batcheller ((978) 475-3665), L David Dargie ((978) 996-4475, david@dargie.com)

Sun., Feb. 19. Snowshoe/Hike Cleveland Farm State Forest (CFSF), Boxford/Rowley/Ipswich, MA. Wooded trails. Meet at 1:30 PM at State Forest Parking Area (Boxford). From I-95 take exit 53A (Rte. 97 east) towards Topsfield, after exiting ramp, take an immediate Left onto Rowley Rd, follow 0.4 mi to CFSF parking area. No pets. Rain/heavy snow cancels. L Helen Palmer ((978) 657-9153, hpalmer.fournature@verizon.net), CL Richard Lombard ((978) 469-9479, rllombard1@comcast.net)

Sat., Feb. 25. Hedgehog Mtn, 2532 ft., NH. Approx. 2 mi. UNH trail off Kancamagus Highway with open ledge views. Loop trail option. For trailhead REF, insert: N 43.99596 W 71.36955 into http://mapper.acme.com/ and select TOPO. L Dennis Crispo ((978) 858-0394, highpt@cliffhanger.com), L Sonny Martineau ((207) 490-1305, sonnymart27@yahoo.com)

Sun., Feb. 26. Sweetest Day on the X-country Ski Trails in Intervale NH. The 23rd Annual Chocolate Festival, ski inn to inn and enjoy free chocolate treats with Festival Pass ($20) in advance www.MWVSkiTouring.org. Stay at Benton NH Sat night with option to stay Sun night. Lodging, dinner, breakfast and lunch for trail $50. Please register by Feb 12. L Maggie Christopher ((603) 728-5051, mchr39@gmail.com)

Links to other Andover Organizations for maps, trail guides, and other information

	Andover Trails Committee	A citizens committee that works to increase the public's access to recreational trails in Andover, particularly on the Town's Conservation land
	Andover Village Improvement Society	AVIS is an Andover Land Trust protecting 1100 acres of land in it's natural state with 30 miles of trails in 26 reservations. Founded in 1894, AVIS is one of the oldest conservation organizations in the country.
	Bay Circuit Alliance	This group is working to link green space surrounding Greater Boston area with over 200 miles of trails.  An eighteen mile segment of the Bay Circuit Trail passes through Andover.
	Shawsheen River Watershed Association	S.R.W.A. focuses on preservation and cleanup of this river.  This website contains the photography of Kevin D. Talbot depicting flora and fauna of the Shawsheen River.
	Trustees of Reservations	The first private, state-wide conservation and preservation organization in the nation. Ward Reservation in Andover and Weir Hill in North Andover are Trustees of Reservation properties.