Clear, Humid, and Warm

Yesterday saw 55 Clark University Outing Club Members hiking the Cascades through Cascading Waters. This was the laregst crew of folks form the Outing Club we have seen in their kick-off weekend in the many years we have been partnering with them.

We also saw a solid amount of regular hikers for a busy day here at the trailhead! Great stuff.

Today the weather is a little warm and a little humid to be considered perfect, BUT it is less warm and less humid than downtown Worcester, so, in a sense it is pretty dang close to perfect, so we are going to round that off at really nice.


TONIGHT'S WORK PROJECT

Tonight we will be meeting at the Asnebumskit Ridge Trailhead on South Road in Holden and clearing the final section of the trail. This is our third outing, and this one promises to be fairly straightforward as most of the distance has been tackled. We are meeting at the trailhead at 5:00 pm and hitting the trail a little after 5:15 pm. For more information contact Mary at mary@gwlt.org


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 8:00 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 70.3 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 85% and rising;
Pressure is 29.85" of Hg and steady;
Skies are clear;
Wind is still;
The Cascades are dry;
The Cascades Brook is dry;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
West wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

A Cool and Sunny Start & Nick's Woods Anniversary

It is a cool and sunny start to the day.
There is a nice breeze running through the forest.
The humidity is way way down.
It would be hard to ask for nicer weather.


NICK'S WOODS

Today is the Anniversary of the conservation of Nick's Woods (which is between Rt. 122A Grove Street and Brattle Street on the Worcester/Holden line.)
Nick's Woods (64.76 acres) is named after Nick Chase who donated a Conservation Restriction on most of the property, and later sold the whole property to be used for conservation.

The property has a brook that goes by four different names, depending on who you ask! We tend to use Sargent's Brook, as Emerson Brooks, a long time resident of the area, and former farmer in this part of Worcester, says that's what they called it when he was a kid. Good enough for us!
Along the banks of the brook is an old cart road, and this is the old road between Worcester and Holden from before Rte. 122A being carved out of the side of the hill.
This old cart road is fairly level and makes for a great walk or in snow a cross country skiing path.

For a map of the property click here: http://www.gwlt.org/maps/nicks-woods.pdf


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 7:00 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 61.7 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 73% and steady;
Pressure is 29.85" of Hg and steady;
Wind is stirring and peaked at 0.5 mph;
Skies are clear;
The Cascades Brook is dry;
The Cascades are not running;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 77.
West wind 7 to 9 mph.

Looking Hopeful for Nice Weather for the Week!

The weather sure is looking hopeful out there!
Sunny! Warm! and for the foreseeable future!

Here in Worcester the roads will get more congested as the Worcester Public Schools return to session and the school buses swarm the streets.
The trails should remain congestion free though!


Foraging Walk

If you are fast, this morning, at 9:30, at Thayer Pond Wildlife Management Area in Rutland, at the trailhead on Charnock Hill Road, Russ Cohen, forager par excellence, will be leading a foraging walk. Russ' foraging walks are NOT TO BE MISSED!


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 7:00 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 65.7 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 88% and steady;
Pressure is 29.77" of Hg and steady;
Skies are clear;
Wind is still;
Cascades Brook is dry;
Cascades are not running;
USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
West wind around 7 mph.

Happy 28th! On to 29!

Last night GWLT volunteers gathered on South Road at the Asnebumskit Ridge Trail Trailhead to cut their way south, up the side of the ridge through brush, and reforesting clearings. It was humid, the light was low (it is no longer peak summer light in the evenings, and we were on the eastern face of the ridge and it the lee of its shadow.)

What was great, was that this crew of 7 (Gordon, Mason, Nick, Paula, Terre, Mary, and Colin) hacking their way up the trail, was how GWLT celebrated 28 years since the Trust was incorporated by 8 hearty folks (Allen, Brian, Deborah, Dennis, Evelyn, George, Philip, and Robert).

Back in 1987 a small group of folks sat around a table and got this thing going. Last night another group of us hit the trail to keep that going, not around a table, but out on easements and lands the Trust and her partners have conserved. The Anniversary was marked by good folk, sweat, and cake, which is only right.

National Weather Service Warning for Today:

WHILE A WIDESPREAD SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK IS NOT EXPECTED...A
FEW STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE TO THE NORTHWEST
OF A BOSTON TO PROVIDENCE LINE. THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE LOCALLY
STRONG TO DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WIND GUSTS.

A.K.A. Probably not us, but not certainly not us. 

Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 9:00 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 71.8 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 87% and steady;
Pressure is 29.77" of Hg and steady;
Wind is stirring and shifting, but not registering windspeed (earlier it peaked at only 1.0 mph);
Skies are hazy;
Cascades Brook is dry;
Cascades Falls are not running;
USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
South wind around 8 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 50%.
New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Drizzly Morning

It is a grey and drizzly morning here at the Cascades.
The plant life will appreciate that. Mushrooms will pop up.
It is not, however, supposed to be any more than some intermittent showers from time to time, and as such it is actually a beautiful day to be out in the woods.
Plan a hike, and don't worry about the heat!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! (Almost)

Tomorrow will be the 28th Anniversary of the Greater Worcester Land Trust's incorporation, so get your party supplies together now! We will be clearing trail on the Asnebumskit Ridge Trail off of South Road in Holden. Come join us tomorrow evening at 5:00 pm for pizza, and at 5:30 pm we hit the trail to clear the trail. There will be cake!


Trailhead Conditions at 8:15 a.m. at Cascading Waters (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 66.2 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 93% and steady;
Pressure is 29.94" of Hg and steady;
Wind is still;
Skies are grey and it is raining;
Cascades Brook is dry;
Cascades are not running;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Scattered showers, mainly between noon and 5pm.
Cloudy, with a high near 73. Northeast wind around 7 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Muggy with Relief Coming

Well, it sure is muggy this morning.
The good news is that there is relief coming!

That relief is captured in the Weather Service Warning:

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF HEAVY RAIN AND URBAN AND POOR
DRAINAGE FLOODING WITH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TODAY...

and it doesn't end there!
Tomorrow AND Sunday already have warnings:

THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY
RAIN LEADING TO URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING SATURDAY...

AN ISOLATED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM IS ALSO POSSIBLE ON SATURDAY.

A RISK OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WITH HEAVY RAIN WILL CONTINUE
SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY. THERE IS A GREATER POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TUESDAY. 

Thanks to the whole team who dug in yesterday and stained, painted, cut, routed, drilled, bolted, and sanded boards for trail and property signs! We got an IMMENSE amount of work done yesterday, and we have one sign ready to roll for Elmer's Seat in Boylston next Thursday!


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 8:30 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 72.7 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 88% and steady;
Pressure is 29.94" of Hg and steady;
Wind is not stirring;
Skies are cloudy;
The Cascades Brook is dry;
The Cascades are not running;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.

(By the way, on the Fire Danger Map, be really really happy that you live out east right now. The western half (and especially the northern portion of that) of the country is looking pretty tough, nevermind the states presently on fire.)

 

National Weather Service Forecast:

Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11am.
Some of the storms could produce heavy rain.
Patchy fog between 9am and 10am.
High near 78.
South wind around 6 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 80%.
New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

More Humidity! Small Chance of T-Storms

Today has more humidity!
The upside is that there is a limited chance of thunderstorms later today.
If we actually had a thunderstorm that could help break the link of heat and humidity that we have right now.
Stay tuned and watch the skies!

As for the forest, well, things are beautiful out there!
It is prime growing season with the deciduous trees at full growth and various flowering plants and mushrooms cycling along the forest floor.
Head out!
Take a look!


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 8:30 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 74.1 degrees and steady;
Humidity is 90% and steady;
Pressure is 29.91" of Hg and steady;
Wind is perfectly still;
The Cascades are not running;
The Cascades Brook has no flow;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon.
Some of the storms could produce heavy rain.
Partly sunny, with a high near 88.
Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 40%.
New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

A Touch Humid! Ted's Trek is DONE!

It is a sunny day that feels more warm than it is because of the humidity.


Ted's Appalachian Trail Trek drew to a close last Thursday on Mount Katahdin!
2178 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mountain Katahdin in Maine!

Ted reported in as often as he could get a cell phone signal or find a computer to send email from, and GWLT posted the updates of our local Clark University partner as he went.
This was truly an epic effort. Well done Ted!
Ted's closing posts reflecting on the trip, and the whole trip dating back 152 days before that are all at: tedatgwlt.blogspot.com
Well Done! and thank you for bringing the Trust along with you! 


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 9:00 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 73.6 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 90% and steady;
Pressure 29.97" of Hg and steady;
Wind is still;
Sunny;
Cascades Brook is presently dry;
The Cascades are not running;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Sunny, with a high near 90. West wind around 7 mph.

Raining! At Last! Ted at the End! At Last!

It took a while but finally we got some rain again!
The brook needs the water.
The Cascades, and the wetland system above it that feeds it, needs the water.
The forest, the fields, and the gardens need the water.

When going out for a hike, please bear in mind that there is a National Weather Service Warning:

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS MAY PRODUCE LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL THIS
AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. THIS MAY CAUSE URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE
FLOODING. THERE IS ALSO A LOW PROBABILITY FOR A FEW STRONG
THUNDERSTORMS...SOME OF WHICH MAY PRODUCE LOCALLY STRONG WIND
GUSTS. THERE IS ALSO A VERY LOW CHANCE FOR A BRIEF TORNADO.

EAST SIDE TRAIL

Last evening we had a crew cut the trail from the Trinity Woods entrance to Green Hill Park down to Plantation Street. Meanwhile we had a crew on the stretch of the trail between Plantation Street and the driveway for the Sisters of Notre Dame who were busy carving their way through the enormous dead red oak tree that fell across the trail. They very nearly did it, but unlike the trail cutting crew, they weren't able to finish before dusk. Thanks to everyone!


TED'S AT TREK

Ted is now merely 36 miles left to his AT Trek!
This is the end lap.
Amusingly, he could probably blast this out in 2 days, but is pacing it.
http://tedatgwlt.blogspot.com/

The End is Nearly Here!


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 9:30 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 67.6 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 90% and steady;
Pressure is 29.74" of Hg and falling;
Grey Skies with rain falling;
The Wind is stirring and peaking at 1.0 mph;
The Cascades Brook is not flowing, though now the rocks are wet;
The Cascades are not flowing either;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon.
Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain.
High near 71. South wind around 11 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 100%.
New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Can't Complain About the Weather

Can't Complain About the Weather, unless you were counting on the sky to water your gardens.

It is pretty wonderful out there. Sunny, cool, with a breeze.
There is a small chance of showers later today, but only a small chance.


WORK PROJECT TONIGHT:

There will be a trail work project out on the East Side Trail this evening, and we will be cleaning up blow downs in addition to other trail work!
The gang will be meeting at 5pm at Trinity Ave. on the OTHER SIDE of I-290 (important as there are TWO Trinity Avenues that were severed by the highway.) There will be pizza, and we will break trail at 5:30 pm.
For more information email mary@gwlt.org or call 508-795-3838.


10:00 a.m. Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 70.2 degrees and rising;
Humidity is 70% and falling;
Pressure is 29.94" of Hg and steady;
Wind speed is 1 mph steady;
The sky is clear with sun;
The Cascades Brook is dry;
The Cascades have no flow;
USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


National Weather Service Forecast:

A slight chance of showers after 3pm.
Increasing clouds, with a high near 79.
Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Beautiful Morning - Thoughts on "History" and Glass

Yesterday, noting that the Cascades Brook no longer had flow, although there are still a few pools of water, I took the time and the opportunity to jump into the brook to deal with some "Old History."

You see, there is glass in the bottom of the brook, and it seems to be made up of three different sources.

The first, and most obvious, is current kids partying by the Cascades. It turns out that with the increased use of the Cascades for hiking and walking and viewing there has been a lot less of that (not none, but definitely much less.) We observe that with increased positive users there is a displacement of illicit activity over the years.

The second, is old abuse from the past. This is fairly evident as the older glass is substantially thicker, the exterior of the glass is scored by the scouring of sand and silt and movement. Modern glass is comparatively light bulb thick, and old glass is more like corrugated cardboard thick. It would appear that the fathers, grand fathers, and great grandfathers of the past smashed their bottles in the brook, and there they remain. I know that it has certainly been a while since 7-Up was sold in thick green glass bottles!

The third, is "fill." Nowadays we take municipal trash service for granted. They magically come to our door and take away our trash and it passes from our consciousness. It was not always so. We run across this here at the lodge. When we first occupied the lodge we would go out after a summer rain storm to harvest the glass that had been exposed and floated up to the surface. Folks used to bury what they couldn't burn when disposing of trash. If you wanted to fill in a hole or level an area, you would use your "fill." After keeping at this for years we don't see much of anything after rains. (We did exhume some intact complete glass ware over the years! One tea cup and one drinking glass which we still use!) The Cascades Brook is another mater.

You see, the course of the Cascades Brook east of the falls is a straight line with a bank on each side. This is NOT the natural path of the brook. This was dug, and the banks were built to direct the flow. In fact, south of the mini falls at Cascading Waters the brook has taken back over again and is beginning to meander on its own. But, back to those banks. Those banks are disturbed land and seem to include "fill." While there isn't a lot, there does appear to be some older glass in this material as well.

So...

With the new glass slowing down, and the brook dry, it is a perfect time to hop in and make real progress in turning the tide on the glass. 6 quart containers were filled over the coarse of yesterday afternoon. Then, due to some hikers, my attention was turned to the trail, where there was a small amount present, which led me up to the base of the falls and the southern edge of the bridge in particular. Another 2 quart containers were collected on this run. It is a lot of glass, and probably more than 8 qts. as I over-filled each container substantially, but there has been a lot of history here, and there has been past abuse.

This is one of those tasks where you settle in, keep at it, and turn the tide, and restore things to where they should be. Yesterday was another step in that process, and over the years we have done this activity from time to time when the brook is dry enough to permit it. It had been better, it is better, and it will continue to be better. Patience and persistence yield progress.


National Weather Service Bulletin:

THERE IS A MODERATE PROBABILITY FOR SCATTERED STRONG TO SEVERE
THUNDERSTORMS. IN ADDITION TO HEAVY RAIN AND LIGHTNING...THERE IS
POTENTIAL FOR LARGE HAIL AND STRONG TO DAMAGING WINDS. CANNOT
RULE OUT A POSSIBLE TORNADO. URBAN AND POOR-DRAINING FLOODING IS
ALSO A CONCERN. THREATS BEGIN THIS MORNING...AND CONTINUE INTO
THE EVENING HOURS.

Trailhead Conditions at 8:30 a.m. at Cascading Waters (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 72 degrees and steady;
Humidity is 86% and steady;
Pressure is 29.74" of Hg and steady;
Wind is stirring but not registering;
The sky is clear with sun;
The Cascades are dry;
The Cascades Brook is dry;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm.
Some storms could be severe, with hail, damaging winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.
Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 40%.
New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.