Author: GMCadminWOO

group photo of 7 people during winter hike on Midstate Trail in 2026

Activities for April 2026

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Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section
345 Rawson Street, Leicester, MA 
Activities for April 2026

Dear Friends:

Please join us for the following GMC activities for April 2026:

Game Night will be held on Wednesday, April 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the home of Pat and Stuart Howe, 33 Pine Acres Road, Spencer, MA. Pat and Stuart have many types of games, but if you have a favorite please bring it. You may also bring sweet or savory snacks to share. RSVP via text or call Pat on her cell phone at 508-868-5949, or email her at phowe@wpi.edu. The speed limit on their road is 10 mph. Please be mindful when crossing the two small bridges.

Saturday, April 11. An exciting paddle on the Sevenmile River. A narrow winding stream, more challenging. For more information and to register for the trip call Leader David Miller at (508) 853-8964 or email him at sentierdeau@gmail.com.

 Saturday, April 18. Earth Day, Clean-Up and BBQ. The Greater Worcester Land Trust is hosting their annual Earth-Day Clean-Up on Saturday, April 18 at Cascades East (265 Olean St.) in Worcester from 8 AM to 12 PM. We will be working on removing the metal and glass left behind from previous uses. Join in on the fun of restoring the land to its former glory. Following the clean-up, there will be a BBQ at the Caretaker’s Lodge at Cascading Waters (135 Olean St.). RSVP is not necessary, but is helpful. Please email olivia@gwlt.org and indicate the number of people attending. All gloves and tools are provided.

Saturday, April 25. Ware River Day Trip from Barre to Gilbertville, passing historic King Philip’s camp, and stopping for lunch at the historic Wheelwright Mill. For more information and to register for the trip call Leader David Miller at (508) 853-8964 or email him at sentierdeau@gmail.com.

Saturday, April 25. Camp Clean Up,  9:30 AM to noon. Please join us for our Green Mountain Club camp clean up at 345 Rawson Street in Leicester.  We will rake leaves and clean up the grounds as well as the camp lodge. Please bring rakes, shovels, chain saws, clippers and work gloves. Coffee and donuts will be served, as well as lunch. For more information, please call or text Ram at 508-210-6965, or email him at shivratri@gmail.com.

The Green Mountain Club, 

Worcester Section, Inc.
Ram Moennsad
508-210-6965

February 2026 – SCHEDULE CHANGES

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We have two schedule changes for our February calendar.

HIKE on Saturday, February 14 at 9:30 has been changed to the Mass Central Rail Trail, starting at the River Street Parking lot in Holden. We will meet at 9:30 am at the River Street parking lot, located at 124 River Street in Holden. This will be an in and out hike of 3-4 miles over fairly level terrain. Micro spikes are recommended for the hike, which may be slippery at times. Dogs are not allowed on the Holden section of the trail. Please contact Margos Stone at mstone12242@gmail.com or 508-826-6842 for more information or to register for the hike. Note: the hike was changed from the Blueberry Hill Loop in West Boylston due to parking concerns with the deep snow.

    Game night is CANCELLED for Wednesday, February 11. The access road is too icy right now. Stay tuned for other dates! 

    Green Mountain Club
    Worcester Section

    Poutwater pond snowshoe hike January 2026

    Activities for February 2026

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    Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section
    345 Rawson Street, Leicester, MA
    Activities for February 2026

    Dear Members and Friends:

    Please join us for the following GMC activities for February 2026:

    Saturday, February 7 at 9:00 AM. Greater Worcester Land Trust Board Led hike at Kinney Woods, Dawson Road, Holden, MA. We will meet at 9:00 AM at Kinney Woods trail head, which is a moderate loop hike of 2-3 miles. Park at the end of Dawson Road, which is off Olean Street in Worcester. Snow shoes are needed for this hike because of the deep snow. If you have snow shoes, please bring them. Otherwise, snow shoes are available for loan. Bring snacks and water. Contact Mike Peckar at fog@fognet.com or call 508-835-2959 to register.

    Game Night will be held on Wednesday, February 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the home of Pat and Stuart Howe, 33 Pine Acres Road, Spencer, MA . Pat and Stuart have many types of games, but if you have a favorite please bring it. You may also bring sweet or savory snacks to share. RSVP via text or call Pat on her cell phone at 508-868-5949, or email her at phowe@wpi.edu. The speed limit on their road is 10 mph. Please be mindful when crossing the two small bridges. 

    Saturday, February 14 at 9:30 AM.  Hike the Blueberry Hill Loop in West Boylston. Rated easy. Parking is located near 355 Goodale Street in West Boylston. Keep your eye out for the property sign at the entrance of the parking lot. For driving directions use Google Maps for Blueberry Hill, GWLT, 355 Goodale Street in West Boylston, MA.  Features: Trail in wooded area with old quarry and healthy wetlands in the NW corner. Snow shoes or micro spikes  will be needed for the hike due to deep snow. This is a Greater Worcester Land Trust property. For questions, or to register for the hike, contact Margos Stone at mstone12242@gmail.com or 508-826-6842.

    Saturday, February 28 at 9:30 AM.  Hike or snow shoe on the Mass Central Rail Trail. We will meet at 9:30 AM in the parking lot located at the corner of Mill Street and Route 31 in Holden, which is about 2.5 miles from Holden center.  From the parking lot on Route 31 we will hike east and back (approximately 4 miles) on the Mass  Central Rail Trail. This is a moderate hike due to hilly sections, but the trail has been redone and is easy to walk on. Snow shoes, micro spikes, or crampons will be helpful for the hike. Please register for the hike with Margos Stone at mstone12242@gmail.com, or call or text  him at  508-826-6842. Directions:  from Holden Center take Route 31 north for 2.5 miles to the parking lot on the corner of Mill Street and 31 North. 

    We hope to see you there.

    Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section
    Ram Moennsad, President GMC Worcester Section
    345 Rawson St., Leicester, MA
    508-210-6965
    shivratri@gmail.com

    Activities for January 2026

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    Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section
    345 Rawson Street, Leicester, MA
    Activities for January 2026

    Dear Members and Friends:

    Please join us for the following GMC activities for January 2026:

    Game Night will be held on Wednesday, January 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the home of Pat and Stuart Howe, 33 Pine Acres Road, Spencer, MA . Pat and Stuart have many types of games, but if you have a favorite please bring it. You may also bring sweet or savory snacks to share. RSVP via text or call Pat on her cell phone at 508-868-5949, or email her at phowe@wpi.edu. The speed limit on their road is 10 mph. Please be mindful when crossing the two small bridges. 

    Saturday, January 17 at 9:00 AM. – Greater Worcester Land Trust Board led hike at  Blueberry Hill Loop in West Boylston. Rated easy. Parking is located near 355 Goodale Street in West Boylston. Keep your eye out for the property sign at the entrance of the parking lot. For driving directions use Google Maps for Blueberry Hill, GWLT, 355 Goodale Street in West Boylston, MA.  Features: Trail in wooded area with old quarry and healthy wetlands in the NW corner. Microspikes may be helpful in the snow.

    Saturday, January 31 at 9:30 AM. Poutwater Pond, Hike or Snowshoe. Explore this designated national landmark: a pristine kettle pond where folks rarely venture in winter. This  3 mile round trip hike will ascend 300 feet in elevation through the north Sterling woods, traverse DCR open fields, and terminate at the pond’s bog walk. Snowshoes are available for loan. Nordic skiers are welcome. Bring snacks and water. Dogs are not allowed on DCR property. Contact Mike Peckar at fog@fognet.com or call  508-835-2959 to register. Park at Maypother Baseball Fields, 309 Princeton Road, Sterling, MA (corner of Holden Road and Route 62).

    We hope to see you there.

    Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section
    Ram Moennsad, President GMC Worcester Section
    345 Rawson St., Leicester, MA
    508-210-6965
    shivratri@gmail.com

    GMC volunteers at camp cleanup and potluck picnic on October 11, 2025
    GMC volunteers at camp cleanup and potluck picnic on October 11, 2025

    Activities for December 2025

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    Green Mountain Club
    Worcester Section
    Activities for December 2025

    Dear Members and Friends:

    Please join us for the following GMC activities for December 2025 and January 1, 2026.

    Saturday, December 13. Hike the Bay Circuit Trail Sudbury Reservoir Section. The Sudbury and Foss Reservoirs are the emergency backup drinking water source for over 3 million residents of eastern Massachusetts. There is a nice parking spot at the trailhead; spaces for about 5 cars or so. This puts you right on the reservoir. The Bay Circuit Trail runs along the carriage road and there is a more rustic trail option right down by the water. Plenty of birds along the way, woodpeckers, ducks, heron. The hike is about 2.25 miles one way for a round trip of about 4.5 miles. We will hike out along the carriage road and back along the water’s edge. For more information or to register for the hike contact David Miller at 508-853-8964 or sentierdeau@gmail.com.

    Sunday, December 21 at 3:30 pm. Winter Solstice Hike and Campfire at Sibley Farm with Greater Worcester Land Trust. The hike will be a Beaver Meadow Loop, about 2 miles round trip. Following the hike there will be a campfire with hot cocoa and hot dogs. Bring warm footwear, a headlamp, and layer up for standing around. Meet at Sibley Farm at 131 Greenwood Street in Spencer, MA 01562. Let Mike Peckar know that you’re coming at fog@fognet.com so there will be enough food.

    Thursday, New Year’s Day, Pot Luck Luncheon at the Camp Lodge, 345 Rawson Street in Leicester. We will meet at noon at the lodge. Bring a dish to share. We will have a fire in the wood stove, hot cocoa, coffee and cider. Welcome in the New Year at the camp lodge with members and friends!

    Contact Ram at 508-210-6965 or shivratri@gmail.com for more information or Margos at mstone12242@gmail.com or 508-826-6842. Reservations are not required, but are appreciated for planning purposes.

    Please consider making a year end gift to the Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section, if you have not made one this year. Your gift will help the club to maintain our camp in Leicester, as well as to enable us to provide hiking, other outdoor activities and trail work both on the Long Trail in Vermont and on trails in Massachusetts such as the MidState Trail. The Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section, is a 501 (C) (3) not for profit public charity and depends on membership income and gifts to operate. 

    All gifts to the club are tax deductible. Please make your check payable to the Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section, and mail it to Margos Stone, Treasurer, at 1A Kensington Heights in Worcester, MA 01602. You may also make a donation on our website. Thank you.

    Best wishes for the holidays and the New Year,

    Ram Moennsad, President GMC Worcester Section
    345 Rawson St., Leicester, MA
    508-210-6965
    shivratri@gmail.com

    GMC volunteers at camp cleanup and potluck picnic on October 11, 2025
    GMC volunteers at camp cleanup and potluck picnic on October 11, 2025

    Activities for November 2025

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    Green Mountain Club
    Worcester Section
    Activities for November 2025

    Dear Members and Friends:

    Please join us for the following GMC activities for November 2025.

    Saturday, November 22. GMC, Worcester Section, Annual Meeting.  Please come at 12:00 noon. The meeting will be held at the GMC camp lodge located at 345 Rawson St. in Leicester, MA.  Lunch will be served at 12:30 PM, followed by the business meeting at 1:30. We will elect officers for the coming year, and hear committee reports. After the business meeting Mike Peckar will  speak about the history of the GMC, Worcester Section, and the Stratton, Vermont section of the Long Trail, which the Worcester Section maintains. 

    Please call, text, or email Margos Stone at 508-826-6842 or mstone12242@gmail.com to let us know who will be coming to the lunch and meeting and whether you have any food allergies. Reservations are appreciated, but not required to attend the meeting. We hope that you can join us for the meeting and luncheon.

    Saturday, November 8. Mountain Bike Ride. Lake Dennison Recreation Area. Off Route 202 in Winchendon, MA. We will meet at 

    9:30 AM in the large parking lot at Lake Dennison Recreation Area State Park. The bike ride will be 6-8 miles over gravel roads and trails. The ride will be easy to moderate difficulty. For more information, call Gary Brigham at 508-471-7867 or Margos Stone at 508-826-6842. For driving directions, google Lake Dennison Recreation Area, Baldwinville State Road, Winchendon, MA. If you have trouble finding the large parking area, call Margos at 508-826-6842.

    Saturday, November 15. AMC Ware River Trip

    This run is about 6.7 miles along the road and about 8.25 river miles. We will expect to get back to the Holden area about 5:00 PM. 

    There is a blind left turn just after the put in, followed by a straight channel with a six inch drop through a broken dam, which is run left of center. The first part of the river has numerous fallen trees, requiring a moderate degree of maneuvering skill. After that, there are few obstacles, although there are some beaver dams in the stretch before the take out. Depending on water levels, there may be strong currents to contend with. Lunch is on the river left at the dam by the ruins of the old Wheelwright Mill, or on the river right, just before the dam. (History of Hardwick, by Emily Bancroft, says that the Wheelwright Mill was a paper mill employing 250 people at its height, and that it was still open in 1949.) The Wheelwright Dam removal is now complete, and this will be our first opportunity to see how the river is changed. King Phillip’s Camp and Burleigh Brook are on the river left just before the old railroad bridge.

    Participants are asked to bring their lunch, rain gear, and a change of clothes in a waterproof container. Everyone will be expected to wear a pfd (life vest). Participants are required to sign the Appalachian Mountain Club’s “Waiver of Liability” before beginning participation in any AMC activities. You do not have to be an AMC member to participate.

    We will meet at David’s home at 25 Birchwood Drive in Holden at 8:45 AM and at the put-in at about 9:30. Contact Leader David Miller to sign up for this outing at 508-856-8964 or at sentierdeau@gmail.com.

    We hope that you can join us for these activities.

    Happy trails,

    Ram Moennsad, President GMC, Worcester Section
    345 Rawson St., Leicester, MA
    508-210-6965
    shivratri@gmail.com

    GMC volunteers at camp cleanup and potluck picnic on October 11, 2025
    GMC volunteers at camp cleanup and potluck picnic on October 11, 2025

    Annual Meeting – November 22, 2025

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    Green Mountain Club
    Worcester Section
    Annual Meeting

    Dear GMC Members and Friends:

    The GMC, Worcester Section’s Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, November 22 at Noon at the GMC camp, located at 345 Rawson Street in Leicester, MA. Please save the date.

    Lunch will be served at 12:30 pm.  We will have a business meeting and election of officers for the coming year. The speaker will be announced.  For more information, call or text Ram Moennsad at 508-210-6965 or email him at shivratri@gmail.com.

    We hope that you can join us. 

    Best regards,

    The Green Mountain Club
    Worcester Section, Inc.

    Activities for October 2025

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    Green Mountain Club
    Worcester Section
    Activities for October 2025

    Dear Members and Friends:

    Please join us for the following GMC outings for October 2025.

    Saturday, October 11. GMC Camp Cleanup. 345 Rawson Street in Leicester, MA. We will meet at 9:30 AM to noon. Bring rakes, shovels, loppers, clippers, hand saws, chain saws and cleaning supplies. We will clean up the grounds and the lodge. Coffee, tea, and donuts will be served. Lunch will be served after the clean up. For more information, call or text Ram Moennsad at 508-210-6965 or email him at shivratri@gmail.com.

    Horseshoe Tournament, October 11, at 1:30 pm. Please join us for the Horseshoe Tournament after lunch. We will play for the horseshoe championship for this year. All are welcome to play. This is a fund raiser for the GMC, Worcester Section.

    Friday, October 17 to Sunday, October 19. Waterbury Reservoir Camp/ Paddle.
    Please join us for two days & nights of paddling, remote camping, and hiking at the Waterbury Reservoir, Waterbury, VT.  We can meet at the boat ramp or you can meet at the leader’s house in Spencer, MA the morning of Friday, October 17th and drive to the boat launch on 2792 Little River Road  at the Waterbury Dam Access Point (For GPS: Waterbury Reservoir Boat Launch).  We have reserved site #27 for up to 12 guests for Friday and Saturday nights.  The campsite is flat with many trees good for tents and hammocks. Please bring your own food, cooking supplies and camping gear.  We will pack up and drive home on Sunday late morning, October 19th.  We may stop for ice cream or apple cider and cider donuts.

     To find the Waterbury Dam Access: 

    1. Locate: the intersection of US Route 2 and Little River Road near Waterbury, VT.
    2. Travel north: on Little River Road from that intersection.
    3. The Waterbury Dam Access will be found about 3.5 miles up Little River Road.

    About the Reservoir:  https://www.friendsofwaterburyres.org/about-waterbury-reservoir
    We only have a few spots left in the group campsite.  If there is enough interest, we may be able to secure an additional campsite.  Please register with Pat Howe phowe@wpi.edu or 508-868-5949 by Friday, October 10th.  Cost of camping depends on the number of participants, but will be approximately $15 per person.

    Saturday and Sunday, October 18-19. Long Trail Fall Work Party, Stratton, Vermont. Please join us for trail work on the Long Trail in Stratton, Vermont. We will meet at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 18 at the home of Steve and Terry Nordborg, 44 Pike Hollow Road in Stratton, Vermont. Steve Nordborg’s cell phone number is 774-633-0099 if you have trouble finding the house. Carpooling is available from Paxton, MA on Saturday morning with Steve Crowe. For more information about the weekend or car pooling , call Steve Crowe at 508-450-1091, or email him at Steve@sunshinelandscapingco.com. You may also contact Mike Peckar for more information at 508-209-1833 or email him at fog@fognet.com. For driving directions, use google maps for 44 Pike Hollow Road, Stratton, Vermont. 

    Saturday, October 25. Gates Pond Reservoir Loop Trail, 99 Taylor Road, Berlin, MA. Please join us for a 2.5 mile loop hike around Gates Reservoir. We will meet at 9:30 AM for this scenic loop hike. Please contact Margos Stone at 508-826-6842 or email him at mstone12242@gmail.com. For driving directions, use google maps for 99 Taylor Road, Berlin, MA.

    We hope that you can join us for some of these outings.

    Happy trails,

    Ram Moennsad, President GMC, Worcester Section
    345 Rawson St., Leicester, MA
    508-210-6965
    shivratri@gmail.com

    Activities for September 2025

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    Green Mountain Club
    Worcester Section
    Activities for September 2025

    Dear Members and Friends:

    Please join us for the following GMC outings for September 2025.

    Thursday evenings. Potluck Picnic, Horseshoes and Corn Hole at the GMC camp. Please join us for horseshoes and corn hole at the GMC camp each Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring a potluck dish to share with others. You may also just come for a swim or to relax. The camp address is 345 Rawson Street in Leicester. 

    Saturday, September 6. A strenuous Tully River paddle over lots of beaver dams in a scenic valley with a short hike to Spirit Falls thrown in. Contact leader David Miller at (508) 853-8964 or sentierdeau@gmail.com for meeting time and place.

    Saturday, September 6. Parson’s Cider Mill Hike, 9:00 AM.We will meet at Arthur F, Sullivan Middle School, 140 Apricot Street in Worcester. Registration is appreciated, but not required. You can register for the hike at the Greater Worcester Land Trust web site. The hike will be led by Mike Peckar, a board member. This is a moderate linear hike.

    Saturday and Sunday,September 20-21. Quaboag Canoe Camping Trip. Saturday we will paddle from the southern tip of Quaboag Pond (by the Quacumquasit Pond outlet) across the Pond and up the river to a campsite about a mile upstream from Quaboag Pond.  The distance from the put in to the campsite is about 2.8 miles.  Arriving at the campsite around noon, we will set up camp and have lunch.  After lunch, we will engage in camp life and activities.  There also will be time to explore area trails and time to paddle upstream and back for those who wish to do it. Sunday, after a leisurely breakfast, we will paddle down to Quaboag Pond and pass through the culvert or portage over the road into the Pond.  Thence we paddle across the Pond and down the Quaboag River to White’s Landing for a total of 4.5 miles.

    Participants are asked to bring their rain gear, and a change of clothes in a waterproof container in case of a capsize. Also, please bring your camping equipment, your lunch, dinner, breakfast and lunch. To ask questions or to register for this trip, contact trip leader David Miller 508-853-8964  or sentierdeau@gmail.com 

    Saturday, September 20. Mountain Bike Ride on the Mass Central Rail Trail. Meet at 9:30 AM at the Thomas Street parking lot, 155-159  Thomas Street in West Boylston, MA. This is an 8-10 mile ride over moderate terrain. Call or text leader Gary Brigham at 508-471-7867 for more information or to register for the ride. For driving directions Google Thomas Street Parking Mass Central Rail Trail and click on directions. Biking roads will be easy to moderate difficulty. Bring water and snacks. This is a beautiful ride that you will not forget.

    Saturday, September 27. Mountain Bike Ride on the Norwottuck Rail Trail. We will meet at 9:30 AM at the parking lot on Warren Wright Road in Belchertown. This is a 10 plus mile ride over easy to moderate biking roads. Call or text leader Gary Brigham at 508-471-7867 for more information or to register for the ride. Bring water and snacks. For driving directions google Norwottuck Rail Trail Belchertown parking, which is on Warren Wright Road. This is a beautiful ride that you will not forget.

    Invasive Weeds:  Before launching your boat at the Green Mountain Club camp, please wash your boat or make sure that it is clean of invasive weeds. We do not want invasive weeds from other ponds, lakes, or streams going into the Cedar Meadow Lake. Our lake is currently being treated for invasive weeds. Thank you for your cooperation. 

    We hope that you can join us for some of these outings.

    Happy trails,

    Ram Moennsad, President GMC, Worcester Section
    345 Rawson St., Leicester, MA
    508-210-6965
    shivratri@gmail.com

    Activities for August 2025

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    Green Mountain Club
    Worcester Section
    Activities for August 2025

    Dear Members and Friends:

    Please join us for the following GMC outings for August.

    Thursday, August 7, 14, 21 and 28. Potluck Picnic, Horseshoes and Corn Hole at the GMC camp. Please join us for horseshoes and corn hole at the GMC camp each Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring a potluck dish to share with others. You may also just come for a swim or to relax. The camp address is 345 Rawson Street in Leicester.  Note the day & time change!

    Saturday, August 9. Cascades East Hike. Join us for a 1 to 1.5 hour moderate loop hike in Worcester at the Cascades East. We will meet at 9:00 AM at Cascading Waters, 135 Olean Street in Worcester. This is a Greater Worcester Land Trust board-led hike by Mike Peckar. Registration is appreciated but not required for the hike. You may register for the hike at the Greater Worcester Land Trust website. For driving directions use Google maps for 135 Olean Street in Worcester, MA.

    Saturday, August 16. Mountain Bike Ride at the Ware River Watershed in Rutland. We will meet at 9:30 AM in the parking lot on Route 122 in Rutland. From the junction of Route 122 and Route 122A in Rutland (just before Long Lake), the parking area is about 1/2 mile on the right. The parking area is also the trailhead to the Mass Central Rail Trail and the Mid State Trail. From the parking area we will ride northwest on dirt and gravel roads in the Ware River Watershed about 8-10 miles round trip over moderate terrain. Please call or text Margos Stone at 508-826-6842 or email him at mstone12242@gmail.com for more information. Bring water, snacks, bug repellent and a rain coat.

    Saturday, August 23. Mountain Bike Ride at the Brimfield Rail Trail. Meet at 10:00 AM at the Brimfield parking lot, 120 Sturbridge Road, Brimfield, MA. Directions: From the intersection of Route 148 and Route 20 in Sturbridge, take Route 20 west for 3.7 miles- the parking lot is on the left. This is an easy 10 mile round trip, flat with some small hills. The trail consists of double track, dirt and closed paved roads. The scenery is beautiful; forest, marshland, fields and river land. The Brimfield trail connects with the lake Slog pass, Trolly trail and the Grand Trunk trail. If you have questions, contact Brian Peppin at 508-494-1013 or email him at pepinbs@msn.com.

    Invasive Weeds: Before launching your boat at the Green Mountain Club camp, please wash your boat or make sure that it is clean of invasive weeds. We do not want invasive weeds from other ponds, lakes, or streams going into the Cedar Meadow Lake. Our lake is currently being treated for invasive weeds. Thank you for your cooperation. 

    We hope that you can join us for some of these activities.

    Happy trails,

    Ram Moennsad, President GMC, Worcester Section
    345 Rawson St., Leicester, MA
    508-210-6965
    shivratri@gmail.com