Registration is still open for the Weston Forest & Trail Association Cross-Weston Walk on Sunday October 30. So far, 18 intrepid hikers have signed up without apparently being aware that I am going to be making up our route as I go along. Oh fine, I am actually pretty confident of the route though bear in mind you are on the bleeding edge of a First Annual hike.

Here’s the marketing and then I’ll get into the disclaimers and details.

On Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 11 am, join Weston Forest & Trail Association and the Weston Owl for a border-to-border walk through Weston Conservation lands north to south from Lincoln to Wellesley. No passports are required.

The route will be mostly on trails with one short link on sidewalks along Wellesley Street from Spellman Museum at Regis College to Norumbega Reservoir, just south of the Mass Pike. The walk will start at Ogilvie Town Forest where it borders Lincoln, walk down through Jericho Forest, cross Route 20 into WFTA land, then Nolte Town Forest, through Highland Forest, cross Route 30, then follow the sidewalk to Norumbega Reservoir (no dogs), Hubbard Forest and then cross Glen Road into Carisbrooke Reservation in Wellesley. Did you follow all that? Do you actually have a WFTA map? Why not?

The walk will leave at 11 am from the trail head near 49 Stonehedge Road in Lincoln (where cars can be left), have a midway snack stop in Nolte Town Forest (near Highland), and then continue with an expected arrival at Carisbrooke around 3:30 pm. Note that there will also be an intermediate stop at Spellman Stamp Museum at Regis College where we will beg the use of bathroom facilities and get a quick glimpse of all the wonders that are in stamp collecting. Note that hikers who do not want to attempt the full hike will be able to use Spellman (241 Wellesley Street) as a handy Uber pick-up point. Or flag down passing cars. You choose.

Please make sure you are in proper shape for this walk which will be challenging in distance (expected to be around 8.5 miles) and have several hills as well. No dogs are allowed on this hike — we will be on MWRA property at Norumbega Reservoir where dogs are prohibited. I swear someone is going to bring a dog. Bets?

Walkers will make their own arrangements or carpools for drop-off at the beginning (49 Stonehedge Road in Lincoln) and pickup (end of the route — cars can be left at the Gail Road/Burt baseball field or up to six cars at the home of Nancy Bates at 266 Glen Road). Hikers who have signed up by noon on October 27 will get the list of walkers and be able to make their carpool negotiations. WFTA is not responsible for transportation.

Light refreshments will be available at Glen Road in celebration of the arrival of all hikers (we really hope, anyway).

Please register for the walk using this form. Again, if you would like to find a carpool, WFTA will provide a list of all attendees to each registrant, including the contact info submitted on the form, during the week before the walk.

Again, please make sure you are in shape for the walk and are prepared with water, lunch, and snacks for the route. The weather so far looks good — sunny and low 60s — but please keep an eye on it. There may be mud. There may be ticks. There may be wildlife and owls and hawks and beautiful leaves and a view of Weston you have never had.

WFTA suggest downloading the app “AllTrails” to follow along our route. You can also use the town’s GIS map on your phone.

No dogs will be allowed, not even WFTA K9 ranger Katie Puppy.

Please contact walk leader Kristin Barbieri at krisbrazil@gmail.com with any questions.