Cascades are Running!

The snow pack has melted with rain and warm temperatures to jump start the Cascades Brook! The Cascades are Running, not roaring, but running.

It is 100% mud season out there, so wear boots on the trails or don't expect to use those shoes for a while!

9:00 a.m. conditions:

Cascades Running;
Rain is falling;
Wind is stirring but not registering a speed;
Temperature is 33.4°F and steady;
Humidity is 98% and steady;
Pressure is 29.23" of Hg and steady;
USFS Fire Danger is LOW/NONE.

Chilly and dry

While we have had mostly sunny weather, there's been just enough rain here and there to keep the fire danger LOW (we do check, and know that the sign hasn't changed in months!). Not having a rainy fall thus far, though, means that we do not have a Cascade so much as a pile of rocks. It's lovely to walk through the woods in the fall; just don't expect a waterfall right now!

At 9 am, it is 51.5 degrees and rising. (That's a ten degree rise since dawn.)
The humidity is at 94% and steady (thus, the fire danger continues LOW).
The barometer is at 29.32 inches of mercury and steady, under clear blue skies.

Yesterday traditionally was celebrated as the feast of Michaelmas, recognized as when you'd really want to buckle down and get ready for the winter. We've seen our birch and beech trees start to turn yellow; most of our maples haven't done much more than start their color change yet. The squirrels and chipmunks have picked up their tempo. The woodland aster is well in bloom and starting to fade. Our apple tree has been busy for weeks (green very tart apples).
Enjoy the fall!

Feels like fall

"Fall morning," they were saying on the playground at school this morning. Just a bit chilly, 'though we hear it will warm up over the course of the day.

At nine am, it is 64 degrees and rising.
The humidity is 84.5 percent and falling.
The barometer is steady at 29.15 inches of mercury under clear blue skies.
The fire danger, due to all the rain this weekend, remains LOW.

It looks from the forecast as though this is going to be it for clear days this week, so if you haven't been out on the trails, it's a good day for it. There is some water in the brook--not a lot, but it's flowing.
And the woodland aster is in bloom; those are the little white daisy (or star, thus the name) shaped flowers you'll see all over the Cascades.

Reason eight to love Worcester

The Cascades! 




Thanks, T&G! We agree!

Pleasant Day

Were it not for the hydraulic forwarder clanking noisily in its endless task to move every rock back and forth next door on Olean Circle, I would say that it is a very pleasant morning. Certainly as you move just a smidge west on the trail from Olean Street, above the aforementioned racket, it gets much more so!

8:26 a.m. Conditions at the Lodge:

Temperature is 68.2 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 92% and steady (which seems a bit high, so we will recheck that instrument);
Barometric pressure is 29.18" of Hg and steady;
No recorded precipitation;
No recorded wind;
Haze, yet no clouds;
The Brook is dry and there is no reading there;
The USFS Fire Danger Class remains, as ever, LOW.

Enjoy this wonderful summer day! Get yourself outside!

The Rains of Yesterday

Yesterday's long stretch of rains have taken a dry brook bed up to 3.36" of flow with both channels running.

The strong rains continue to keep the Fire Danger suppressed at LOW, where it has been pegged for weeks now.

The line of White pine, Red cedar, and White cedar that were planted on the south bound line by an awesome volunteer two weeks ago seem to have taken to their new home.

These trees bear a little reflection.

The construction site to our south has been very active with earth moving, rock moving, clanking of metal construction equipment, blowing dust, and the cutting of trees. It is easier by far than the summers of constant jack hammering of the hydro-axe on the bedrock, so things are improving. But the cutting of the trees was hard.

We looked out over the open site and had determined to plant new trees on our side of the line in the spots we hadn't yet gotten to. But we assumed the site had been as cleared as it could be. We were wrong.

On the day we went out to plant they were moving the mountain of hammered rock into one long dike along the bound line. While a little odd at first I came to like the addition. If they leave it as is there is no chance for future encroachment, the rocks will provide shelter for snakes, chipmunks, rabbits, groundhogs, skunks, etc. and it is so long and so high that they probably all could live there together. That is when the chainsaw started.

While they had cut the site open back towards the line, they had apparently not cut every tree down on their side of the line, and everything would yield to the new rock dike. In one brief moment the reason for planting was made as forcefully as possible. If there would be any wild life left, it would be on the Cascading Waters side of the line. The volunteer was convicted and planted more and faster than I could have imagined, at times only feet from the clanging construction machines.

And so it is.

The new trees are bathed in sunlight, ready to take their place as habitat, as screening, as windrow, as the future generation of forest filling in the forest floor previously canopied by trees now gone.

Temperature is 70.0°F and steady;
Humidity is 80% and steady;
Pressure is 29.18" of Hg and steady;
Skies are blue;
Winds up to 12 mph;
Brook flowing at 3.36";
Fire Danger is LOW;
Yesterday saw much rain!

A beautiful day out there!

Rushing brook

We've got a lot of water heading downstream today! While the tropical storm over the weekend pushed our brook depth gauge out of shape, we're guessing that we've got about six inches of depth in the brook this morning. The secondary channel is open, and it's running fast, as are the Cascades. Come take a look!
At 8:30 am, it is 57 degrees and steady.

97% humidity and steady under the dripping trees (no rain right this minute)

The barometer is 29.00 inches of mercury and falling under cloudy skies.

Thunder overnight

The storms overnight mean that we once again have a very full brook and fast-running Cascades. The brook is surging to about four inches right now. 

There's no rain expected today, but it is very humid here under the trees. Right now it is about 96% humidity and steady. 

At 8:30, it is 68.5 degrees and rising. 

The barometer is at 29.35 inches of mercury and steady under clear skies. 

Should you be free this morning, it is work project morning here at the Lodge. You're welcome anytime from now til noon to rout signs, shape timber, or (today) move our things down to the Canal District for stART on the Street. 

You can find us on Green Street (just down the hill from the office) on Sunday during the festival. 

Lots of water!

The Cascades are a dull roar in the background this morning. We got nearly two inches of rain last night, bringing the brook up to almost ten inches!

Another lovely one!

Another lovely day here, 'though a bit chillier than yesterday.
At nine am, it is 54.5 degrees and rising.
The humidity is 50%.
The barometer is at 29.23 inches of mercury and rising under clear blue skies.
The fire danger (from HIGH yesterday) is now MODERATE.
Light wind of about 3 mph

Weather changing!

Skies darkening, barometer falling, 27 mph gusts, leaves blowing backwards....

Weather is inbound!

Cool, yet wonderful weather

Hikers moving through here at Cascading Waters this morning.

Amazing weather!

Introduced a hiker to just how extensive the Cascades are with a map. The joy was awesome to behold.

Conditions at the Lodge at Cascading Waters as of 10:00 a.m.:

~ temperature is 49.8°F and rising;
~ humidity is 42% and falling;
~ barometric pressure is 29.18"Hg and steady;
~ wind is moving and gusting to 20.5 mph;
~ Cascades Brook is flowing at 1.44" with both channels open;
~ the sun is out with blue skies and fair weather clouds;
~ there is flow over the Cascades;
~ USFS Fire Danger is MEDIUM.

More rain, More growth

Summer is arriving like a freight train over this past few days. Each day sees more rain, more leaves, and more height on every plant. Plants that were distressed have buds, and trees that looked dormant are in bloom. The ferns and moss are in their glory.

Today, as the skies eventually lighten and begin to clear, it will be a wonderful chance to hike into the woods and see them coming alive.

Conditions at the Lodge at 9:50 a.m.:

~ temperature is 59.4°F and steady;
~ humidity is 89% and steady;
~ barometric pressure is 28.88"Hg and steady;
~ the air is still;
~ 0.45" of rain reached the forest floor since yesterday morning;
~ the Cascades Brook is flowing at 2.16" of depth, and both channels are flowing;
~ the Cascades are flowing;
~ the USFS fire Danger is LOW.

Rainforest Days

Days of on and off rain have the forest practically bursting forth with growth! Today promises more rain and warmth so things will just get more lush and more full.

Conditions at the Lodge at 9:45 a.m.:

~ temperature is 62.2°F and steady;
~ humidity is 87% and steady;
~ barometric pressure is 29.03"Hg and steady;
~ Cascades brook is running at a depth of 1.92" and the flow is fast and both channels are running;
~ 0.15" of rain reached the forest floor since yesterday;
~ skies are grey;
~ there is gentle flow of wind gusting to 17.5mph;
~ the Cascades are running;
~ the USFS Fire Danger is low.

A Perfect Day

Sunshine, blue skies, warmth, and MOOSE!

Last week GWLT posted a Facebook picture of moose scat from up on Asnebumskit Ridge. Last night the moose was out on Rte. 122 Pleasant Street Paxton by the Howe's farm stand! Our visitor is in the neighborhood!

8:40 a.m. conditions at the Lodge:

~ temperature is 59.9°F and rising;
~ humidity is 89% and falling;
~ barometric pressure is 29.18"Hg and steady;
~ skies are blue;
~ 0.25" of rain fell to the forest floor since yesterday;
~ Cascades Brook is running at 2.4" of depth and not channels are running;
~ the wind is still;
~ USFS Fire Danger is LOW.

Moose scat:

And then the rains came...

How wonderful it was to go to sleep last night to the sound of falling rain on the roof!
The greening of the world continues in high gear with water to fuel it.
Enjoy spring!

The conditions at the Lodge at 9:16 a.m. were as follows:

~ temperature of 60.6 degree F and steady;
~ humidity of 89% and steady;
~ barometric pressure of 29.21"Hg and steady;
~ the Cascades Brook was running at 2.16" depth;
~ both channels of the Cascades Brook were running;
~ skies are overcast with occasional sprinkling;
~ the anemometer was not reading any movement of the air;
~ since yesterday morning 0.55" of rainfall fell to the forest floor (note that the rain gauge is under the canopy);
~ the USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW!

Rain coming at long last

After what feels like weeks without rain, this morning saw the first band of showers. The trees leafed out enough where the forest floor is still dry, but the openings received a thin layer of moisture.

The ground has become so dry that the cart path to the Lodge is a dust cloud after driving along it and you sit in the car for a minute or two to let it settle before getting out.

Sterling and Princeton both saw brush fires yesterday, and the Princeton one was quite a large one.

But, rain is coming

9:15am conditions at the Lodge:

~ temperature is 63.5°F and rising;
~ humidity is 80% and falling;
~ pressure is 29.41"Hg and steady;
~ skies are grey but fairly bright;
~ the Cascades are quite modest with flow;
~ Cascades brook is flowing at 1.2";
~ the USFS Fire Danger is MEDIUM.

Sun, Wind, Fire?

There hasn't been substantial rainfall in a while now, and the forecast doesn't offer relief, so we are automatically in a place where brush fires have been an issue. Today adds to that complication with steady winds.

Lucky for us the groundwater table is still in a good place after all we received this winter, and despite the dry, the trees have been leafing out nicely. In the past day it has become difficult to see either Olean Street or Cataract Street clearly, and that will only improve! Green is the dominant color again.

Conditions at the Lodge at 8:30 a.m.:

~ temperature is 48.6°F and rising;
~ humidity is 61% and falling;
~ barometric pressure is 29.71"Hg and steady;
~ sun is in clear blue skies;
~ wind is in motion and peaking at 5.0mph;
~ Cascades have modest flow;
~ USFS Fire Danger is HIGH.

A beautiful day to be outside, and not burning.

Springtime

Still lovely!
At nine am, it is 56.8 degrees and rising.
The humidity is 55% and falling.
The barometer is at 29.47 inches of mercury and steady.
The brook is at 1.64 inches.
The fore danger is now HIGH.
We had a great series of clean-ups this weekend--you're going to notice a difference in Cascades East!--and our thanks go out to all who helped!

Earth Day clean-up day!

It's Earth Day clean-up day here in the city of Worcester, and we hope you'll either come down to Cascades East (that's Olean Street, on the Holden line) or find a clean-up near you on the REC's map to pitch in on!

At nine am, it is 50.5 degrees and rising.
We have 53% humidity and falling.
The barometer is 29.62 is inches of mercury and steady.
We have clear blue skies here today.
The fire danger remains MODERATE.

Happy clean-ups!

Happy Arbor Day!

Happy Arbor Day!
It's lovely out today, and the trees are just getting their leaves out.
At 8:30, it is 47.3 degrees and rising.
We're seeing 48% humidity and falling.
The barometer is at 29.53 inches of mercury and steady under clear blue skies.
The brook is running at 1.92 inches.

Tomorrow brings the citywide Earth Day clean-ups. If you head over to the Regional Environmental Council's website, they have handy map posted of where you'll find a place you can pitch in. The Greater Worcester Land Trust is running clean-ups at three properties: two we could particularly use a hand on are Broadmeadow Brook (off of Kirkland Street) and Cascades East (off Olean Street). Clean-ups start at 8:30 and go until the DPW truck comes or 1 pm, whichever comes first.And if you're working on a GWLT property, please join us here at the Lodge for a cookout afterward!

Sunny and Warm

9:30 a.m. conditions at the Lodge:

~ temperature is 52.7°F and rising;
~ humidity is 74% and falling;
~ barometric pressure is 29.21" and steady;
~ full sun and high altitude clouds;
~ some wind movement but no reading;
~ Cascades have low flow over them;
~ Cascades Brook is at 1.8" and both channels are flowing;
~ no real precipitation amounts overnight;
~ USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE;
~ Bloodwort still in bloom but beginning to fade a little.

An absolutely beautiful day out there!

Cloudy, Threatening Rain

9:00 a.m. conditions at the Lodge:

~ Temperature is 37.6°F and steady;
~ Humidity is 80% and steady;
~ Barometric pressure is 29.65"Hg and steady;
~ Wind is constantly stirring and pops up to 11.5 mph occasionally;
~ Cascades Brook is running at 1.67";
~ There is light flow over the Cascades;
~ Overcast and misting in spots off and on;
~ USFS Fire Danger is HIGH.

It has been dry for a while and there is constant wind and that is enough to keep the fire danger up despite the cold and humidity.

The real showers are supposed to come this afternoon, so hiking this morning should be the best time.

The Bloodwort is still in bloom!

BTW: Saturday is Earth Day Cleanups in Worcester and GWLT will have three locations.

High Fire Danger, but real nice outside

7:00 a.m. conditions at the Lodge:

~ Temperature is 34.9°F and steady;
~ Humidity is 67% and steady;
~ Barometric pressure is 29.88"Hg and steady;
~ Light breeze is stirring and is supposed to increase;
~ Cascades are flowing;
~ Sun is out;
~ Cascades Brook is running at 2.16";
~ USFS Fire Danger is HIGH.

The native Bloodwort is still in bloom.

Be thoughtful out there.

Blue Sky Sunday

Blue skies and sunshine fill this Sunday morning!

Lodge conditions at 7:25 a.m.:

~ temperature is 34.5°F and rising;
~ humidity is 49% and steady;
~ barometric pressure is 29.65"Hg and rising;
~ Cascades are running;
~ Cascades Brook has 2.64" of flow with both channels open;
~ wind is stirring and is supposed to increase;
~ USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE;
~ Cloudless blue skies;
~ Native Bloodwort in full bloom.

Fantastic day for a hike!

Overnight rains

Last night the 30mph wind gusts eventually gave way to heavy rains, but not a thunderstorm. Enough fell to replenish the Cascades a little and bring the rushing sound up several levels. The grass is greener, the buds swell on the trees, and the Bloodwort that bloomed midway through this week are more distinct with their white flowers contrasted against the wet forest floor.

Conditions at the Lodge at 7:20 a.m.:

~ temperature is 46.4° and falling;
~ humidity is 80% and steady;
~ barometric pressure is 29.00" of Hg and steady;
~ sky is overcast but lightening;
~ over 0.5" of rain fell last night;
~ Cascades are flowing;
~ Cascades Brook is flowing at 2.64";
~ the wind is alternating between a steady 2.5 mph and still;
~ USFS Fire Danger is LOW as of the moment, BUT, if the clearing and winds predicted for this afternoon pan out it may rise quickly.

Storm front

Repeated 30mph wind gusts sustained for a bit as the strong storm system moves in.

All over the peepers have been chirping tonight.

Summer weather is perhaps making a comeback.

Overcast yet Warm

Conditions at the Lodge at 8:40 a.m. :

~ Temperature is 60.3° F and rising;
~ Humidity is 89% and steady;
~ Barometric pressure is 29.21" Hg and steady;
~ Sky is overcast;
~ Overnight humidity and temperature shift left wet surfaces on rocks this morning;
~ Wind peaking at 16.5 mph,
~ Cascades Brook is running at 1.34" of flow;
~ USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE.

Chance of Thunderstorms!!! Tonight!

Babbling Cascades Brook

When things get crazy there is nothing quite like listening to the sound of a babbling brook, and this evening really seems to call for that.

5:45 p.m. conditions at the Lodge:

~ temperature is 58.3° F and falling;
~ humidity is 36% and steady;
~ barometric pressure is 29.5" Hg and steady;
~Steady breeze from 4.5 - 6.0 mph;
~Blue skies;
~Modest flow over the Cascades;
~Both Cascade Brook channels are running;
~Cascades Brook is running at 2.64";
~USFS Fire Danger is LOW.

Great Day!

Lodge conditions at 6:46pm;

Temperature is 49.8 and falling;
Humidity is 47% and steady;
Pressure is 29.09" Hg and steady;
No wind;
Overcast;
Cascades are flowing even more with the rain;
Cascades Brook is flowing in both channels and at a depth of 3.6";
USFS Fire Danger is LOW;
The last couple of days gave us over 0.7" of rain!

I hope you had a chance to get out and enjoy the day!

Overnight Rains really get spring in motion

Another night with rain showers and the bonus of getting the day mostly dry and warm. Overnight the bulbs burst; the grass darkened into green; the buds swelled; and even the coniferous pines, cedars, and spruces shifted to a brighter green. And all of that is with cloudy skies. Wait till the sun breaks through!

Conditions at 7:50 a.m. the Lodge:

~ temperature is 46.6°F and steady;
~ humidity is 81% and steady;
~ barometric pressure is 29.15" Hg and steady;
~ the air is stirring, but not registering a speed;
~ the Cascades are running with moderate flow, but the rushing noise is strong;
~ Skies are overcast, but not dark;
~ USFS Fire Danger is LOW.

And then the rains came!

Around 4:30 a.m. the sky flashed with silent lightning, about ten minutes later the sky burst forth with rains, sorely needed spring rains. Enough fell in the bands of rain to soak the soil.

7:00 a.m. conditions at the Lodge:

~ temperature is 46.8°F and steady;
~ humidity is 81% and steady;
~ the barometric pressure is 29.15" Hg and falling;
~ The Cascades continue to have moderate flow;
~ The air is perfectly still;
~ Skies are cloudy;
~ USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE.

The sunny and dry was nice for a bit but was getting out of hand. Spring rains are what we needed.

More humid, thankfully!

Lodge conditions 7:50 a.m.:

~ temperature is 44.1°F and rising;
~ humidity is 83% (!!!) and falling;
~ barometric pressure is 29.21" of Hg and steady;
~ the Cascades Brook is flowing at 2.64";
~ the air is generally still, with light movement;
~ the sky is hazy but clear, and the sun is out;
~ the USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE.

The snows of winter are very nearly gone. There are small pockets left on north slopes and in the shelter of shaded depressions. And this lays bare some 4-5 months of litter/trash/dumping/yard waste.
This annual ritual is almost as disheartening as the crocuses, buds, blades of grass, and Cascades are exhilarating, but thankfully not quite.
As Americans, we have a deeply dysfunctional relationship with the trash we own and the waste that we produce. There is an arrogant ignorance to our disregard for our neighbors and our wilds.
Beyond the smokers using our world as their butt can, and the simple "letting go" of wrappers and cups there is a more puzzling relationship neighbors have with one another.
Neighbors, who know each other by name, who see each other regularly, will take their leaves, grass clippings, and branches and either stockpile them against their neighbor's property in an ugly wall, or even place it on their neighbor's land. Pizza boxes, plywood, dead plants and their tiny Styrofoam beads, and plastic bags are regularly tossed over the line. And these are people who know each other and live with one another. Polite conversations moderate but do not mitigate the practice. If you must be so vigilant with your neighbor, imagine the situation where only the chipmunk and the finch can speak for the conservation land?
Such is spring.
New life and new chances spring forth, and we get another chance to try again to re-right our world, and hope that just as the crocus is undeterred by the injustice and bursts forth in beauty, so we too might approach this season in the same hope and expectation for newness of heart.

Continued Elevated Fire Danger

Our dry spell remains. The wind will pickup during the day with gusts to 30-35 mph. This will continue our fire danger, though it is and will be slightly more humid today.

8:00 a.m. conditions at the Lodge:

~ temperature is 34.7°F and rising;
~ humidity is 52% and steady;
~ barometric pressure is 29.47" Hug and steady;
~ light variable breeze up to 4.0 mph;
~ slightly overcast skies with haze;
~ USFS Fire Danger is HIGH.

All in all a warm weekend day well suited to being out and about.

RED FLAG WARNING: Sun and Wind

The state has issued a RED FLAG Critical Fire Danger for today.

8:10 a.m. conditions at the Lodge:

~ temperature of 31.1°F and steady;
~ humidity of 42% and steady;
~ barometric pressure of 29.35" Hg and rising;
~ steady wind peaking at 19.0 mph;
~ blue skies and sun;
~ Cascades brook is flowing in both channels;
~ the brook is flowing at 3.36";
~ Fire Danger is VERY HIGH.

Crow Hill had a brush fire yesterday afternoon as well.

Apparently no rain?

For much of the week the prediction for today involved rain, and then, suddenly, it didn't.

Conditions at the Lodge at 7:10 a.m.:

~ the temperature is 36°F and steady (yesterday was 26!);
~ the humidity is 58% and steady;
~ the barometric pressure is 29.12" Hg and falling;
~ the air is stirring with  breezes peaking at 11.5 mph;
~ Cascades Brook, both stream channels are running and the depth is at 4.6";
~ the sky is overcast;
~ USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE.

Today promises to be warmer than yesterday, but without direct sun we will have to see.

Warmth, Activity, & HIGH Fire Danger

Exciting times this morning!
Crocuses are up and the sun is out!
There is a crew routing and hewing, and drilling, and painting, and....
But yesterday's winds carried off what moisture there was so the fire danger remains HIGH.

9:40 a.m. conditions at the Lodge:

~ temperature is 36.7°F and rising;
~ humidity is 42% and steady (thank you falls for the moisture!);
~ barometric pressure is 29.47" Hg and steady;
~ sun is OUT!;
~ light breezes up to 3.5 mph;
~ fire danger is HIGH.

Get out there! It is beautiful!

HIGH Fire Danger!

7am conditions:

27.3° temperature steady;
46% humidity steady;
29.18" Hg steady;
12mph peak;
Cloudless, sun, blue skies;
USFS Fire Danger HIGH!

Brrrr...

Back to the cold weather for a bit!
At nine am, it is 32.2 degrees and rising.
We have 51% humidity
The barometer is 29.09 Hg and steady under clear skies.
We have about 5 mph of wind.
The Cascades are running, and the secondary channel of the brook is flowing.

Happy April!

The Cascades are running, the bulbs are coming up, the birds are singing in the morning now: we may have spring here!
The brook is leaping to as high as 6 inches this morning, and the Cascades are pouring down the hill (if you haven't seen them in action, this is a good chance!). The rain really made a difference overnight!
At 8 am, it is 41.9 degrees and rising.
Humidity is 88% and steady.
The barometer is at 28.85 Hg and steady under clearing skies.
We are currently not measuring any wind.

Not too shabby!

3 p.m. conditions at Cascading Waters:

~ temperature is 56.8° F and steady;
~ humidity is 32% and steady;
~ barometric pressure is 29.21" Hg and steady;
~ cloudy but only partially so we still have a hazy sun;
~ wind topping out at 15 mph;
~ USFS Fire Danger Class of MODERATE;
~ Rain is coming, but for now it is blustery but pleasant!;
~ Cascades are running;
~ Decent traffic at the trailhead.

Get out before you won't want to!

(Since the original post we have had 33.5 mph gusts!)

What a Day!

Sun, more sun, warmish, and a gentle breeze set of a beautiful day when the Cascades are running.

The trail head has been busy!

Current conditions at 1:30 p.m.:

~ temperature of 55°F and steady;
~ humidity of 30% and steady;
~ barometric pressure is 29.26" Hg and steady;
~ Sunny, clear blue skies;
~ 13.5 mph peak gust with steady 3 mpg as background;
~ Cascades are running;
~ USFS Fire Danger Class is MODERATE.

Sunny morning and warm!

9:30 a.m. Cascading Waters conditions:

~ temperature is 46.4° and rising;
~ humidity is 53% and falling;
~ barometric pressure is 29.26"Hg and steady;
~ skies are partly cloudy with sun;
~ Cascades are flowing;
~ Cascades Brook is flowing at 3" and both stream channels are running;
~ light breezes, but no reading;
~ USFS Fire Danger Class is MODERATE.

In short a beautiful morning!

Cascades Flowing, Sunny, & Warm!

The Cascades are flowing!
Moderate flow with a nice sound in the woods.

The ground is clearing but snow remains on north slopes, in depressions, and any place with a shadow. Mud season will be upon us!

The weather conditions as of 8:40 a.m.:

~ temperature is 39.2°F and rising;
~ barometric pressure is 29.15" Hg and steady;
~ humidity is 76% and falling;
~ occasional light breeze;
~ hazy, broken high altitude clouds with sun.

All in all an amazing day to be outside!

Flood Watch!

A Flood Watch for Central Worcester County:

* THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING

* UP TO AN INCH OF RAINFALL COMBINED WITH SNOW MELT MAY CAUSE A FEW SMALL STREAMS TO GO INTO MINOR FLOOD THIS EVENING ACROSS PORTIONS OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

* ANY FLOODING OF SMALL STREAMS IS EXPECTED TO BE MINOR. POOR DRAINAGE STREET FLOODING IS LIKELY THIS EVENING ESPECIALLY WHERE SNOW IS BLOCKING CATCH BASINS. THIS COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE EVENING RUSH HOUR.

The Cascades are running!

While there is still plenty of snow on the hill, the Cascades are running!

Melting

It is a melting world out there today! After about 20 inches of snow over the weekend, we're back down to patches with clear spots now. The trails are now a combination of mud and packed ice, so be careful out there.

At nine am, it is 40.5 degrees and steady.
The humidity is 98%; there is no rain falling currently.
The barometer is 29.23 inches of mercury and steady under overcast skies.
The brook is running, as you might imagine; we're measuring 4 4/10 inches down by the Olean Street bridge.The Cascades, however, still remain snow covered; it's all running under the snow.

Yesterday, we got some work done out on the Meadow Ridge Trail, to clarify the trail route as it crosses Silver Spring Road and heads into the relocation. It looks as though there's been plenty of traffic on the trails. Enjoy the warm-ish weather!

A melting day

The snow is softening up and the stream is running: a melting day! And just ahead of more snow?

At nine am, it is 38.5 degrees and rising.
87% humidity (warm enough for water to be in the air!)
The barometer is 29.5 inches of mercury and steady under a blue sky with some clouds.

Overnight, the snow froze up a bit, so the trails are a bit crunchy for now. The Cascades remain snow covered, but they are running underneath.

Snowy morning

The very last batch of snow we got overnight was "sticky" snow, so the woods this morning are a winter wonderland, as the snow has outlined all of the trees.

I see that at least one hiker has been through already on the Cascades Trail up from Olean. Do know that though the top is a pristine coating of white, that wet glop that fell through most of yesterday is still underneath. Be sure your footwear is up for several inches of water!

At nine am, it is 35 degrees and rising.
84% humidity and falling
The barometer is 29.26 inches of mercury and rising under clear blue skies.
Very bright and sunny. All that snow is falling off of branches this morning: watch your head!

Blustery

We only got a dusting of snow overnight here at the Lodge, but it is quite windy.
At nine am, it is 20.1 degrees and steady.
53% humidity and falling.
The barometer is at 28.61 inches of mercury and falling under overcast skies.
We have a fairly steady 10 mph of wind, gusting to 20 mph.

Clear and sunny today!

At nine am, it is 38 degrees and rising.
The humidity is 72% and falling.
We have steady wind of between 20 and 13 mph.
The barometer is 29.18 inches of mercury and steady under clear blue skies.
The forecast has us down for a thawing day today, so we expect the snowpack here to shrink even more. More coming in tonight, though, we hear!

More Sunshine in the Cascades!

8:20 am weather notes:
30.0°F and rising;
70% humidity and steady;
29.06" Hg pressure and steady;
3.0 mph breeze occasional;
Bright sunshine;
Blue skies;
The Cascades Brook is submerged in snow;
The USFS Fire Danger is NONE;
The parking area is OPEN.

The melt and sun have been subsiding the snow depths but boots are key and gaiters are recommended.

More sunshine

8:25 am weather conditions:
32.9°F and rising;
64% humidity and falling;
29.06"Hg pressure and steady;
Light occasional breeze, no reading;
USFS Fire Danger is NONE;
Bright sunshine and blue skies;
Parking area is OPEN;
Trails require boots and gaiters or snow shoes despite the melting.

The following day

7:24am,
8.6°F and steady;
50% humidity and steady;
The pressure has risen so high so fast that the digital counter freaked out and only shows arrows up and "HH.HH";
The fire danger is NONE;
The stream is buried;
And we have occasional stirring of breeze but nothing recordable.

Blue skies and a beautiful sunrise.

Parking area is open.

Bring gaiters, & snowshoes.

WE ARE OPEN!

Thanks to more than one generous neighbor (you guys are great!), we now have a CLEARED parking area. You can park on the left as you turn into the driveway.
PLEASE be thoughtful in your parking so we can get as many people in as possible.

We've already had more than one hiker come through on the Cascades Trail. This is a light fluffy snow, so it is fun snowshoeing, but it takes some energy to cut a new path.

Enjoy the trails and send photos, if you would!

Happy hiking!

The snow has ended

The clean up is starting.

The end of the Cascades Trail at Olean.

Cascading Waters sign on Olean Street

Yes, the fire danger DOES remain NONE.

Here's the same shot from yesterday from Olean up the Cascades Brook to the Lodge. Now with snowpiles of about three feet at the street.

Cooks' Pond at Cascades Brook

And the trail from Olean to Cataract is broken. After that, you're on your own! We have not YET gotten the parking area open, but we are working on it! If you're within walking distance, come by. We will post as soon as the parking area is open.

Snow log 1030.02092013 (10:30 Saturday morning)

The skies are lightening!
It is currently 21.2 degrees and RISING!
The humidity is 72% and steady.
The pressure is 29.23 and RISING!
We might be getting through this!
Wind is constantly at least 6-8 mph with gusts of 20 mph.
Now measuring 16 inches of snow here at the Lodge

A few photos from Saturday morning

Here's a few photos (from inside!) from Saturday morning.

This is looking east from the Lodge down towards Olean Street. It's hard to get the scale here, so let me say this: there is a canoe to the right in this photo, and the stone wall under the trees is about two feet high.

This is the teacup magnolia. You can see from the trunk the drifting we've had, even here under the cliff.

About 15 inches of snow

Measuring several spots in the yard, we've had about 15 inches of snow. There is a bit of drifting under and around trees, but we don't have any place that's more than two feet.

Storm log 830.02092013 (Saturday morning, 8:30)

It remains 17.2 degrees and steady.
83% humidity and steady
The barometer is 29.18 Hg and steady
Wind is ranging between 2 and 5 mph

Snow totals coming up! We currently have about 15 inches. There is some drifting, but nowhere is it deeper than close to 2 feet.

Snow log 730.02092013 (7:30 Saturday morning)

We'll get someone out with a ruler shortly, but there has been a lot of drifting, so accurate measures are going to be hard. The official Worcester measurement according to NWS is 27.5 inches; it looks as though we have less than that here.
Still steadily snowing.
Currently, it is 17.6 degrees and steady.
85% humidity and steady.
The barometer is 29.15 and steady (good news!).
Wind is between 4 and 6 mph.
Note that MEMA has announced this morning that the statewide travel ban continues. We just had a plow go up and down Olean, keeping the road to the water treatment plant open.

Stormlog 2230.020813

32 mph max wind speed;
29.12" Hg pressure and falling;
17.6°F and steady;
90% humidity and steady;
Over 6" of snow.

Stormlog 2130.020813

Max wind 15.5 mph,
Temperature is 19.2°F and steady;
Humidity is 90% and steady;
Pressure is 29.15" Hg and falling;
Snow depth is 5.5".

(About ten minutes later we had gusts of up to 42 mph.)

Storm log 2030.02082013 (or Friday night, 8:30)

Peak wind of 28 mph
Pressure is at 29.21 Hg and falling still
Temperature is 20.1 degrees and steady
Humidity is 86% and rising (which is saying something when it's snow!)
As for snow: 3 and 1/4 to 3 1/2, as it's drifting. That means accumulation is picking up. We've picked up nearly an inch in the last hour.

Storm log 1930.02082013

Update after dark here:
Top wind of 36.5 mph (and remember, we're at the bottom of the hill. That's huge for here.)
Temperature 20.3 and steady
Humidity 81% and steady
Pressure is 29.26 Hg and falling
As for snow, we now are up to 2 and 5/8ths inches.

Stormlog 1830.020813

Temperature is 21°F and steady;
Humidity is 80% and steady;
Pressure is 29.29" Hg and falling;
Wind gusting to 27.5 mph;
Snow depth is 2"; and
Fire Danger is Wicked None!

Storm Log 1730.02082013 (or 5:30 Friday night)

The barometer is now down to 29.32 inches and is still falling.
We now have 1 and 3/4 inches, but it's now blowing around so much that depth is going to be increasingly sketchy to measure.
The temperature is 21.4 degrees and steady.
The humidity is up to 78%.
As the sun goes down, the wind has dropped a bit, as we're now looking at wind between 8-14 mph.

Stormlog 1630.020813

1.25" +/- of snow;
17 mph max gusts;
22.1°F and steady;
77% humidity and steady;
29.38" Hg pressure and falling;
USFS fire danger is none.

Funny, but not much new depth this past hour.

Stormlog 1530.020813

22.5°F and steady;
76% humidity and steady;
29.41" of Hg pressure and falling;
Wind gusting to 15.5mph.
1.25" of snow.
Fire danger is NONE.

Still have hikers passing through!

Stormlog 1430.020813

Wind occasional up to 8.0 mph;
Temperature at 23.2°F and steady;
Humidity at 74% and steady;
Pressure at 29.50" Hg and falling;
Forest fire danger is NONE;
Snow depth is 1 1/16".

Yes, we had a request for Fire Danger.

Cascades Brook, 1:30 Friday afternoon

Storm log 1330.02082013 (or 1:30 Friday afternoon)

Still coming down! We now have 3/4 inch of snow!
It is now 24.3 degrees and steady.
Humidity is now 73% and steady
The barometer is 29.53 inches of mercury and still falling.
The wind has picked up a bit; we've seen a top speed of 34 mph in the last hour, and while it is still sometimes dropping to 3 mph, it's much higher for much longer: right now I'm seeing 22 mph (and remember, the Lodge is protected by a cliff on one side).
We've seen some hikers go through over the course of the afternoon, and it's now looking as though that's the only way to travel, as Governor Patrick has signed an executive order to get all traffic off the roads as of 4 pm.

Storm log 1230.02082013 (or 12:30 Friday afternoon)

We've gained a quarter inch! Now up to 1/2 inch of snow and still falling rapidly.
It is now 25.7 degrees Fahrenheit and falling.
The humidity remains at 71% and steady.
The barometer is down to 29.59 inches of mercury and still falling.
And we've now got some wind! Ranging up to 12 mph and down to 3 mph, fairly constant.

Storm log 1130.02082013 (or 11:30 am Friday)

It's building up! We're now measuring 1/4 inch of snow here at the Lodge.
It's now up to 27.9 degrees and steady.
71% humidity and steady
The barometer is now at 29.62 inches of mercury and is continuing to fall.
Still measuring no wind

Storm log 1040.02082013 (or 10:40 am Friday)

We've just gone out to measure accumulation, after about an hour of snow. We now have 1/16 of an inch. It's a very light snow, falling fast.
It is 27.1 degrees Fahrenheit and steady.
It's 70% humidity and steady
The barometer reads 29.68 inches of mercury and falling.
Currently registering no wind.
The Cascades Brook has frozen up around our measuring stick, but it's flowing under the ice at about 3 inches.

Cascades Brook, 10 am, Friday

Storm Log 0931.020813

The first flakes are falling!
25.5°F and steady;
70% humidity and steady;
29.71"pressure and steady;
Wind between 3-6mph.

The day before

I'm just back in from refilling all of our birdfeeders, as people aren't the only ones getting ready for the incoming blizzard! It is very cold out; we've just hit 20 degrees now.
The humidity is 49%.
The barometer is at 29.91 and rising still.
Clear blue skies.
The falls right now are frozen, 'though there is still water flowing under the ice.

And should you wish to get a bit of woodwork in before the snows, we have our stalwart group of volunteers outside right now, working on signs. They'll be here til noon (and we have the coffee on), so do come by for a bit if you can!

The Cascades are ROARING!

The Cascades are in full flood, roaring down over the top of the hill! If you haven't seen them really going, it's worth the trip!
At 8:30 am, it is 55 degrees and steady. We have 95% humidity, though it is not currently raining.
The barometer is at 28.85 inches of mercury and falling, so more rain is coming.

A light dusting

Just enough to coat the trails this morning. Here's the partly frozen Cascades, with water running through the snow-covered ice.

View from before the bridge:

It looks as if we've already had one four-legged hiker and a two-legged hiker equipped with Yak Traks out there this morning. Fine hiking, though very, very cold these next few days!

Didn't get the calendar you wanted for Christmas/Hannukah/New Year's?
Don't get out on the Trust's lands as often as you might wish?
An elegant solution for you then!
A 12 Month Wall Calendar of GWLT lands starting in February 2013!

Buy online and pick it up free at the Trust office in Kelley Sq. or the Lodge at Cascading Waters,
Or talk to us and we can work to ship it wherever you desire!

They become available January 15th (+/-)