Beautiful Day Following the Intense Rain

Somehow it is always more beautiful in the forest the sunny morning after a hard overnight rain, and today is simply glorious out there!

Yes, we needed the rain.
Yes, the streams are still low.

But the air is clear, the skies are bright, and the green is simply more intense and that is the greatest thing of all!

(Jackie image from Sibley Farm of woodpecker (red bellied is my best guess.))

TED ON THE AT

Ted was in New York last night.
Now it is one of those funny bits where you bop into NY before going right back into PA, but he is really close to getting into the Northeast once and for all!
In fact family is going to meet him this weekend at Bear Mountain in NY!
Go Ted!
tedatgwlt.blogspot.com


TOMORROW IS SIGN AT TIMBER WORK AT CASCADING WATERS

9 a.m.- 12 p.m. we will be tracing, carving, hewing, routing, painting, and otherwise making the trail signs that make Worcester's trail system work!
Come join us!
To learn more email mary@gwlt.org

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

Temperature is 62.2 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 86% and steay;
Pressure is 29.71" of Hg and steady;
The winds are stirring, but not enough to generate a reading;
The skies are clear and sunny;
The Cascades have low flow;
The Cascades Brook has low flow in both channels;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


The National Weather Service Forecast:

Sunny, with a high near 82.
West wind 6 to 10 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. 

Happy National Trails Day!

There are SIX hikes available this morning: 

Hike 1 - Douglas 1st Baptist Church, Sutton to Rte. 16, Douglas State Park
Start Time: 10:00 AM
Start Location: Route 16 trail crossing in Douglas [Near 200 Webster Street, GPS 42.056044 - 71.786750].
Directions to Start: Take Rte. 395 to exit 2. Go east on Rte. 16 for 4.3 miles to state trail parking lot on right(alternate parking on opposite side of Rt. 16 across from lot). From Rte.146 and East Douglas, take Rte. 16 west. Lot is on left, .9 miles past entrance to Wallum Lake/Douglas State Forest (Cedar St). Leave some cars there and shuttle to parking lot by church on Central Turnpike in West Sutton.
Hike Length: 6.2 miles.
Leader: Ken Baldyga; 508-757-5812

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Hike 2 - Intersection of I Capen and East Charlton Roads to Sibley Farm Conservation Area by Worcester Chapter AMC
Start Time: 12:15 PM
Start Location: Meet at Sibley Farm on Greenville St., Spencer
Shuttle Hikers to starting point. Hike back to Sibley Farm (about 3 miles). 
Hike Length: about 3 miles
Leader: Don Cunningham; e-mail: hiking@amcworcester.org

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Hike 3 - Moose Hill Dam to Sibley Farm Conservation Area
Start time: 11:00 AM
Start Location: Sibley Farm on Greenville St., Spencer
Shuttle hikers to Moose hill Dam parking area on Donnelly Cross Rd., Leicester. Hike back to Sibley Farm
Hike length: about 3.9 miles
Leader: Sandra Snow; 508-885-7787 e-mail: sandra@qss1.com

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Hike 4 - Barre Falls Dam to Route 122 Rutland
Follow the Mid-State Trail over Harding Hill, past Blood Swamp, and end back at the Route 122 trail head in Rutland.
Start Time: 9:30 AM
Start Location: MST/Rail Trail parking lot on the right, one mile north of the Rutland State Park Long Pond boat ramp on Rte 122 in Rutland. We will shuttle hikers to the first parking lot on the left after entering the Barre Falls Dam grounds on Rte. 62 in Barre.
Length: approximately 6 miles
Leader: Jeff Keay; 508-353-1174 e-mail: jkeay23@gmail.com

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Hike 5 - Princeton/Crow Hill
Start Time: 10:30 AM
Start Location: Redemption Rock on Route 140 in Princeton, just south of the Westminster town line (MapQuest, near: 271 Redemption Rock Trail North) We will shuttle to trail head and walk south, over Crow Hill Ledges and back to Redemption Rock, walk over ledge outcrops, stream crossing, stone walls and ridge-tops with views.
Leader: Marie Auger; 978-874-5629 e-mail: mandmauger@comcast.net

---

Hike 6 - Ashburnham State Forest
Join Ashburnham Conservation Trust and North County Land Trust as we hike through the Ashburnham State Forest on Mount Hunger to pick up the Midstate Trail. You will not want to miss the outstanding views of Mount Watatic and Stodge Meadow Pond. We will follow the Midstate Trail south and loop back to our starting point.
Start Time: 1:00 PM 
Start Location: Meet at the end of Kelton Road in Ashburnham
Directions to start: From the center of Ashburnham, head South on MA-12 toward Fitchburg for a 1/4 mile. Bear left onto River Styx Road. In just under 1/2 mile, take your first left onto Kelton Road. Continue up Kelton Road until you reach the end.
Length: 1-1.5 hours; beginner-moderate difficulty in some spots.
Leader: Desiree Hamelin, 978-424-7328, e-mail: dhamelin@northcountylandtrust.org

The festivities at Sibley Farm start at 2 with BBQ, music, yoga and more! Please join us!

Here at the Lodge at 9 am, it is 63.9 degrees and steady.

The humidity is 82% and steady.

The barometer is 29.74 inches of mercury and steady.

The current fire danger is MODERATE.

NWS Boston is forecasting the following: Scattered showers, mainly before 10am. Cloudy early, then gradual clearing, with a high near 71. North wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Cloudy Start

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY IS TOMORROW!!!
MIDSTATE TRAIL CELEBRATION!!!

There will be 6 hikes earlier in the day along the MidState Trail that runs from Rhode Island to New Hampshire through Worcester County (gwlt.org/midstate)

Followed by a Celebration at Sibley Farm at 2pm (131 Greenville Street, Spencer).
Congressman James P. McGovern will be coming to show his support for the MidState Trail. 
There will be Live Music, Free BBQ, Trail Information, opportunity for hikes, and a guided yoga session.

Something for everyone!

Come learn more about the 92 mile interstate trail next door!

DROUGHT

We are still in a drought, despite the wild rains last weekend.

Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 7:30 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 53.6 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 80% and steady;
Pressure is 30.00" of Hg and steady;
Skies are cloudy;
Air is still;
The Cascades have flow;
The Cascades Brook is flowing in both channels;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Partly sunny, with a high near 71. South wind 3 to 7 mph.

Clearing up

Get out and enjoy today: it's going to warm up and not rain! It is still wet and muddy on the trails (please stay on them), but otherwise a nice day in the woods!

At 7:30, it is 48.7 degrees and rising.
94% humidity and steady
The barometer is at 30.05 inches of mercury and steady under overcast skies
As mentioned yesterday, the brook and Cascades are running!
The current fire danger is (no surprise) LOW
NWS Boston forecast for today: Areas of fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 67. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

Rain, Swollen Brook, Cascades Running

These rains have been fabulous for the Cascades, which is now at a low level roar with the rains of the past three days!

The Cascades Brook is fabulously swollen and the current has a good clip to it as well!

Even the Lodge's resident wild rabbit seems pleased with the change of circumstances and has been loafing around the yard quite a bit.


I WALK THE LINE...

Last night Brian, Jillian, Paula, and Colin showed in the rain at Donker Farm, took up an eclectic collection of tools, and walked the fence line of the animal enclosure (which is longer than you might think!) There can be no public trail access across the Donker Farm without a solidly fenced animal enclosure, and figuring out where we are at is the first step in that process.

We walked the whole fence line. 
We pulled branches and vines off of the fence. 
We rehitched the wire to the posts. 
We reset several posts. 
We added three new posts. 
We cleared branches, trees, and logs (rotted) from the animal enclosure. 
We found three spots that could use the new fencing when it isn't raining quite as heavily.

In the end, only one thing matters...
Do the sheep approve?
Early indications are that they didn't seem to mind, so we will take that as a good start.

Oh, yeah, and there are no photos, because we were completely soaked!


4 DAYS TO THE MIDSTATE NATIONAL TRAILS DAY!il

Come hear live music by the Hip Swayers, take a hike!, learn more about the trail!, have some BBQ! if you dig yoga, you can try that too!

For more on the event click here: gwlt.org/midstate


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 7:30 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 46 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 97% and steady;
Pressure is 30.00" of Hg and steady;
Wind is gently moving and ranged for 0-1.0mph during the observation period;
Cloudy skies with rain falling;
The Cascades are gently roaring;
The Cascades Brook is swollen with a strong current in both channels;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW. 


National Weather Service Forecast:

Rain, mainly before 3pm.
Patchy fog before 2pm.
High near 52.
Northeast wind around 8 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 100%.
New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Rain - Tent - Jack-In-The-Pulpit - Work Project - Trailhead Conditions

What is good for the forest is not always all that good for a hiker.

Right now it is raining, as it did yesterday afternoon, as it did last night, and will continue to do so into this morning. The ground is slick as the soil is prone to mud. The trail has puddles, and despite your instincts to skirt the edges of the puddle, you need to go through the puddle or you will expand the treadway, promote erosion, and trample the vegetation. I know, that is a hard idea to internalize.

Also, the tent is up for the summer behind the Lodge at Cascading Waters!
The whole crew here was conscripted to wrestle, pull, push, hoist, tie, untie, and generally wrangle her into place!

Yesterday, up on the Asnebumskit Ridge Trail, local hiking guru Gina took this photo of a Jack in the Pulpit:

Thanks Gina!



MONDAY NIGHT TRAILWORK

We will be meeting at the trailhead at Donker Farm, on Tory Fort Lane in Worcester, and we will be working on repairing the livestock fencing. Start time is 5:30 p.m. Come and join us! For questions email colin@gwlt.org


5 DAYS TILL NATIONAL TRAILS DAY!!!

Check out the 6 MidState Trail hikes on Saturday morning!
gwlt.org/midstate

Trailhead Conditions at 7:30 a.m. at Cascading Waters (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 48.7 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 94% and steady;
Pressure is 30.06" of Hg and steady;
Cloudy skies with rain falling
Wind is moving with a registered speed of 1.0 mph;
The Cascades are flowing again!;
The Cascades Brook is flowing in both channels!;
USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Showers, mainly before 10am. The rain could be heavy at times.
Patchy fog between 8am and 2pm.
High near 50.
Northeast wind 8 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 100%.
New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Weather Shifts, & A Window For Hiking This Morning

This morning is a fantastic last window as the storm has been focused to our west. There is wind, skies are partly sunny, it isn't raining, and the forest is responding to last night's rain with greens, foliage perking up, and animal activity.

That shifts this afternoon.

At that point we are under a National Weather Service Advisory.

THERE IS A LOW PROBABILITY THAT HEAVY RAINFALL TODAY COULD CAUSE
MINOR URBAN AND POOR DRAINAGE FLOODING...ESPECIALLY FOR LOCATIONS
ALONG AND NORTH OF THE MASS PIKE...AND I-84.

Rain and thunderstorms are inbound.


MONDAY NIGHT TRAILWORK PROJECT

We are still scheduled to work on livestock fencing aat Donker Farm at 5:30 p.m. on Monday evening. For questions, updates, or to RSVP feel free to send an email to colin@gwlt.org


TED'S TREK ON THE AT

Ted has been hauling this past week and cleared through a long swath of trail as he made his way across Maryland and into Pennsylvania. To see the progress map click here! tedatgwlt@blogspot.com


VISITORS

Yesterday we had a large group of young women hiking who based their trek out of Cascading Waters. They had their maps and headed off into the forest, and most notably, returned just as cheerfully talkative and bubbling as they headed in.

It is very cool to be able to serve as a base for folks staging trips into the cascades!


NATIONAL TRAILS DAY - MIDSTATE TRAIL

6 Days Until National Trails Day!!!
More Here: gwlt.org/midstate

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

Temperature is 68.9 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 83% and steady;
Pressure is 29.91" of Hg and steady;
The wind is stirring but not registering speed;
Skies are partially cloudy;
The Cascades are still at a trickle;
The Cascades Brook is trickling in both channels;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


National Weather Forecast:

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after noon.
Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall.
Temperature rising to near 73 by 11am, then falling to around 58 during the remainder of the day.
Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable.
Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 100%.
New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

A Gorgeous Saturday Morning!

The weather is absolutely gorgeous out there this morning!

Tonight has a chance of rain, and Sunday is our rain day, possibly heavy at times. Carpe Diem! Get out there folks! This is your shot this weekend!

(We already squeezed in a tenting campout here at Cascading Waters last night before the weekend weather turns.)

MONDAY TRAIL WORK

In an intriguing twist, this Monday evening's trailwork project will be working on the livestock fenceline at Donker Farm! We will be gathering at 5:30 p.m. on Monday at the Donker Farm Trailhead. For more information email colin@gwlt.org

DONKER BOUNDLINE CREW

Yesterday we had our crack crew of Tyler, Jackie, and Jim out walking the boundline of Donker Farm, photographing the existing conditions, locating boundary markers, and making a record of where things stand for our management planning work. Thanks guys! We deeply appreciate your work!

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

Temperature is 69.4 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 80% and steady;
Pressure is 30.06" of Hg and steady;
Wind is stirring, but not registering;
Sky is clear;
Cascades are trickling;
Cascades Brook is trickling in both channels;
USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE. 


National Weather Service Forecast:

Sunny, with a high near 83. 

Southwest wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

A Beautiful Morning

Yesterday's Front line moved through, the temperature change was notable, and the winds were again impressive. The skies went dark again. And once again, the result was more or less nothing.

It is sort of crazy how we can have the storm system melt right around us, as I watched the radar and suddenly an open hole in the storm front materialized so that we would see very little in precipitation.

Yes, it rained, for a little bit. Yes, the plants perked up a bit. Yes, that was nice. But it wasn't actually much rain, and under the forest the ground never got wet as the tree leaves took all the limited rain drops. The storm did pretty much nothing for us in addressing the drought.

However...
That means another brilliantly sunny day for hiking.
The birds are chirping, the skies are clear, and the trails beckon.


TED'S AT TREK

Yesterday Ted was baking in Boiling Springs, PA, so he opted to chill out in the brook and night hike. Follow Ted at tedatgwlt.blogspot.com


DONKER FARM

Our Crack Baseline Crew will be out in force this morning at Donker Farm, taking pictures, sighting bound lines, making notes, and popping up the odd property sign where the need calls for it! Thanks to Jim, Jackie, and Tyler for the great work!  


MIDSTATE TRAIL: NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

Next Saturday, June 6th, take one of 6 morning hikes that span Massachusetts from North to South!

As Massachusetts is rolling terrain, these hikes are well suited for pretty much anyone up for a walk.

Hike descriptions here: gwlt.org/midstate

Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 7:30 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 63.0 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 79% and steady;
Pressure is 30.15" of Hg and steady;
Skies are clear;
The air is moving, but not registering a windspeed;
The Cascades are still at a trickle;
The Cascades Brook is at a trickle in both channels;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable.

Maybe Rain? Finally? Or Not?

(sign dressed from Memorial Day)

HIKING

If you are trying to squeeze out a hike, this morning is the best bet.
There is a storm system that will push through around noon and continue across the balance of the day.
There will be chances of thunder storms and rain, with possibilities of even hail and high winds.
Like yesterday, there is always the chance we will dodge all of that, but with the drought I am hoping we get that rain.
Either way, get out there early.


CONSERVATION ANNIVERSARY

Today is the Anniversary of the first portion of the Asnebumskit Ridge Trail Easement that spans Paxton and Holden's bound! 


TED'S AT TREK

While Harpers Ferry is the traditional and symbolic half-way point of the Appalachian Trail, the actual halfway point is further to the north in Pennsylvania, and yesterday Ted crossed that milestone as well!
Ted is now closer to the end than the beginning, and is ever closer to us in New England by the day!
Follow Ted's travels at tedatgwlt.blogspot.com


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 7:30 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 69.3 degrees F and steady;
Humidity 79% and steady;
Pressure is 30.00" of Hg and steady;
Wind is stirring, to still, and not registering;
Skies are hazy;
The Cascades are truly only a trickle;
The Cascades Brook has very little flow;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is LOW.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Scattered showers and thunderstorms between noon and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm.
Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain.
Increasing clouds, with a high near 84.
Southwest wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 70%.
New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Pleasant Day With Rabbit!

The resident bunny continues to spend time here in the glade around the Lodge nibbling away. Generally we see him for dusk, but he was out having breakfast at dawn today as well.

Mass. DCR Trivia for today: Wild grape leaves, if picked when they are young, are just as edible as those bought in the supermarket.

The weather is terrible for brush fires, and Leominster is still putting out a 4 day fire to our north, but otherwise the weather is fabulous for hiking, and being outside generally.


Trailhead Conditions at Cascading Waters at 7:30 a.m. (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 67.5 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 76% and steady;
Pressure is 30.03" of Hg and steady;
Wind is moving from 0mph to 1.5mph;
Skies are clear with a light morning haze;
Cascades are a trickle;
Cascades Brook in both channels is a trickle;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
Southwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Weather (w/ remote chance of T-Storm) & National Trails Day Approaching!

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY APPROACHETH!!!

National Trails Day is the 1st Sat. of June! And that is RIGHT around the corner!
This year the land trusts and conservation groups of Worcester County are focusing on the MidState Trail!
The MidState Trail runs from Rhode Island to New Hampshire, and connects to long distance trails in both states!
To hike a portion of the trail, to learn more, or to get some free food and listen to some live music come join us!

More on the Events:
gwlt.org/midstate

More on the MidState Trail:
www.midstatetrail.org



TED'S AT TREK

Ted is now in Pennsylvania and is headed northward!
That is a LONG hike from Georgia! Over 1000 miles! tedatgwlt.blogspot.com


GWLT TRIVIA

Yesterday, Memorial Day, was the Anniversary of the preservation of the Southwick Brook property in Leicester, MA off of Marshall Street!
This 4.61 acre property is on the southern shore of the southernmost Southwick Pond and is the only way for Leicesterites to reach Southwick Pond (which is IN Leicester) from Leicester! Otherwise they need to drive into Paxton to get to a pond in their own town!


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

Temperature is 66.6 degrees F and rising;
Humidity is 64% and steady;
Pressure is 30.00" of Hg and steady;
Skies are hazy;
Wind is moving, but didn't gust in the observation period;
The Cascades are reduce to a trickle;
The Cascades Brook is as well;
The USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm.
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.
Southwest wind 11 to 15 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Memorial Day! & East - West Trail

Memorial Day has been pleasant for being outside, be that at an observance, parade, gardening, or on a hike.


Ted has been eating his way across Maryland! tedatgwlt.blogspot.com


Masslive has an article on the efforts to create an East West Trail hop-scotching from park to park from Coes to Rural Cemetery and Institute Park. http://t.co/kzIQNrjlCY

(Photograph Michael D. Kane - Masslive.com)

Trailhead Conditions at 12pm at Cascading Waters (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 71.1 degrees and rising;
Humidity is 46% and steady;
Pressure is 30.09" of Hg and steady;
The air is stirring but produced no reading;
The sky is hazy;
The Cascades are at a trickle;
The Cascades Brook is also at a trickle;
The USFS Fire Danger is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Mostly sunny early, then becoming cloudy, with a high near 80.
Southwest wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

Sunny Sunday and Memorial Day Weekend

BLACK BEAR

Yesterday, Saturday the 23rd, early in the morning, we got a report from one of our regular walkers of a large black bear in the meadow high atop Cascades West.

First, this is excellent! This is the wildlife meadow is doing its job as habitat! Fantastic!

Second, now is a great time to remind folks that the signs out there are for the best interest of the wildlife and the visitors.

We really need folks who are hiking with their beloved pooch to hike on a leash. Honest, bear and dog are not like chocolate and peanut butter. Also, we need to keep dogs on the road and trails and out of the meadow. Same thought on keeping folks separated, for everyone's best interest! Thanks guys!!!

TED MAKES HARPERS FERRY

Ted made the midpoint!
Harpers Ferry is the end of the hundreds of miles of Virginia, and Ted got there yesterday morning! For more check out:
www.tedatgwlt.blogspot.com

Trailhead Conditions at 12:45 p.m. at Cascading Waters (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 76.3°F and rising;
Humidity is 30% and steady;
Pressure is 30.09" of Hg and steady;
Skies are clear and sunny;
Wind is maxing out at 7.5 mph;
Cascades are trickling;
Cascades brook is trickling in both channels;
USFS Fire Danger Rating is MODERATE.

National Weather Service Forecast:

Sunny, with a high near 79.
West wind around 15 mph.

Weather Service Advisory:

...ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER RISK TODAY... LOCAL FIRE OFFICIALS ADVISE CONDITIONS FAVOR AN ELEVATED FIRE SPREAD POTENTIAL TODAY ACROSS MUCH OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AWAY FROM THE SOUTH COAST.

Still chilly

It's beautifully sunny to start Memorial Day weekend, but still chilly. We shouldn't complain,though, as it is snowing in Caribou, ME this morning!

At 9 am, it is 47 degrees and rising. 

38% humidity and steady

The barometer is 30.15 inches of mercury and rising. 

Light wind, between 1-2 MPH in time observed. 

Fire danger for central Mass remains LOW, though it is a high danger out towards the Cape and in the Berkshires. 

NWS forecast: 

Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Deer, Drought, and a Wild Hike!

DROUGHT

So, we are now officially in a drought.

So, that tan color, that would be classified as a "moderate drought." Yellow is "abnormally dry." If this keeps up we will start to see some orange on this map as well.

All of which is to say that while it may not be California out there, conserve your water. Draw water for gardening from rain barrels, and if you don't yet have rain barrels attached to your gutters, it might be something you would want to think about. Even a small rainstorm can go a long way to filling a rain barrel.

WILDLIFE

A photo of deer walking along the powerline corridor between Cook's Brook and Donker Farm on the eastern slope of the Tatnuck Valley. Thanks Jackie!

THE EAST WEST TRAIL

Back in 1997-98 the City of Worcester Planning Office, the Regional Environmental Council, and the Greater Worcester Land Trust kicked around the idea of a trail that threaded parks together into a string from the outskirts of the City to downtown. Since then, the folks over at the Friends of Newton Hill whole heartedly adopted the idea. The students at Clark University also adopted the idea at Hadwen Arboretum. The City also installed a bridge over the Tatnuck Brook at Coes Reservoir, and worked with the Trust to preserve the lands by Columbus Park and the Knights of Columbus.

Well, now the folks at Park Spirit and the Friends of Newton Hill want to realize that sketch plan, and pull all of those pieces together into what is known as the "East West Trail."

Today they are leading a hike from Coes Reservoir to Institute Park to demonstrate the concept. The walk kicks off at 8am, and GWLT will be there to join in on the fun!

Trailhead Conditions at 7:30 a.m. at Cascading Waters (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 54.0 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 55% and steady;
Pressure is 29.68" of Hg and steady;
Skies are clear with sun;
There is no wind;
The Cascades still have a little water left;
The Cascades Brooks are down to a trickle;
USFS Fire Danger Class is MODERATE.


National Weather Service Forecast:

Isolated showers after 2pm.
Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
West wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Trailhead at Donker Farm now marked!

You can find the trailhead at Donker Farm now, as the sign is up!

Warmer today and cleared trails

While western Mass did have a frost warning overnight, it didn't quite get as cold in central Mass. We still have some warming up today to do, though!

At 7:30 am, it is 48.4 degrees and rising.
The humidity is 38% and falling.
The barometer is at 29.83 inches of mercury and steadyunder sunny skies .
There is no wind currently.

Over at KinneyWoods, Tim Johnson cleared downed oak trees that were across the Dresser Loop trail.

You should have clear walking over there now.

Clear and sunny

Midday post today under clear blue skies!
At noon, it is 61.9 degrees and steady
39% humidity and steady
The barometer is 29.65 inches of mercury and steady

We're registering between 4 and 1 mph of wind during the time observed.
The current fire danger is LOW.

Today's NWS forecast is Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Rainy, At Last!

It has been so long since we recieved any significant rainfall that the cart path billows a dust cloud when you drive up it, and that is pretty crazy rare!

Early this morning some real rain fell for a few moments, and off and on since then it has sprinkled, but not much more than that. Right now the tree leaves are dripping, but it isn't really rain.

There is a chance that later today we could see heavy rains and a thunderstorm, and that would be great. We might also see high winds with the front line moving through, and that would be a lot less great.


BOVENZI

Yesterday we had a great crew out at Bovenzi! Gordon (who took the photo of the Weasel Brook (above)), Paula, Mason, Kim, Kent, Mary and Colin went bush whacking! And it was thinck in places! We were trying to find the old trails from before the ALB cut, find the trail work done last year, and find some of the logging roads, as we try to devise a plan to resurrect the trail network there. There is also a Bancroft School Trail Crew putting in some hard work during the days. With any luck we will be back in shape by the end of June!


GREATER WORCESTER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The GWLT Trails and Property work isn't free, and there are two critical ingredients to it. There is the blood and sweat that our hearty volunteers bring to the forest, and there is the financil support that keeps us in tools, snacks, and keeps the work ably directed through Mary. Yesterday GWLT recieved notification that the Greater Worcester Community Foundation would be supporting this great work through 2015 and 2016. Thank you so very much!!!


TED ON THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

Ted is finishing up the Shenandoah National Forest and saw a bear the other day! tedatgwlt.blogspot.com


Trailhead Conditions at 7:30 a.m. at Cascading Waters (elev. 630'):

Temperature is 57.7 degrees F and steady;
Humidity is 83% and steady;
Pressure is 29.83" and steady;
Wind is moving, but not enough to register on the anemometer;
Skies are cloudy;
The Cacsades have minimal flow;
The Cascades Brook is slowing in both channels;
The USFS Fire Danger Class is still MODERATE.


The National Weather Service Forecast:

Showers before 2pm, then a slight chance of showers after 5pm.
High near 72.
Southwest wind around 9 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 80%.
New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

NWS Bulletin:

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

A FEW STRONG TO PERHAPS A MARGINALLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORM OR TWO
ARE POSSIBLE BETWEEN 4 AND 10 PM ACROSS WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND
NORTHERN CONNECTICUT. THE MAIN THREAT IS FOR VERY LOCALIZED STRONG
TO DAMAGING WIND GUSTS WITH HAIL A SECONDARY CONCERN.