Activities for January & February 2024

Dear GMC Members and Friends,
Attached please find a copy of our GMC newsletter for January and February 2024. We hope that you can join us for some of these hikes and other activities (these are also on our Google calendar).You do not need to be a member to participate. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns about the club. I can be reached by email at shivratri@gmail.com, or by phone at 508-210-6965.

We wish you and your family the very best of health and happiness in the New Year by staying active through walking, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Happy hiking,
Ram Moennsad, President
GMC, Worcester Section

Green Mountain Club
Worcester Section Newsletter
January and February 2024

Saturday, January 13. 9:00 AM. Join the Greater Worcester Land Trust for a hike at Cascades West, 50 Boynton Parkway, Paxton, MA. This moderate loop hike will be led by Mike Peckar, who is a board member of the Greater Worcester Land Trust and a director of the Green Mountain Club. For directions to Cascades West, use google maps: 50 Boynton Parkway, Paxton, MA. Parking will be at Boynton Park. For more information, you may go to the Greater Worcester Land Trust website and look up board led hikes; or you may email Mike at fog@fognet.com or call him at 508-209-1833.

Join us for Game Night on the third Thursday evening of January (1/18), and February (2/15) from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at the home of Pat and Stuart Howe, 33 Pine Acres Road, Spencer, MA 01562. Pat and Stuart have many types of games, but if you have a favorite and want to bring it, please do. RSVP via text or call Pat on her cell phone (508-868-5949), or email Pat at phowe@wpi.edu. The speed limit on their dirt road is 10 mph. Please be mindful when crossing the two small bridges. 

Saturday, January 20. Hike the Asnebumskit Trails in north Holden. These trails extend from where the Asnebumskit Brook crosses Mill Street in north Holden to the Princeton Road by scenic Maple Spring Pond. The hike follows a loop of about five miles on mostly gently inclined terrain, much of which follows a rail trail. The hike takes about three hours to complete. Participants will meet at the Unitarian Universalist Church parking lot at 140 Shore Drive in Worcester at 10:30 on Saturday morning, January 20, and drive to the trailhead. Participants are asked to bring their lunch, water bottle, warm clothes, and rain gear in case of a shower. Micro spikes  will be helpful for snow or icy trail conditions. Those riding with David Miller are requested to wear masks in the car. To join the outing or for more information, contact David Miller at 508-853-8964 or sentierdeau@gmail.com.

Saturday, February 10. Buffumville Lake South Loop Trail.
AllTrails describes this area as follows: “Explore this loop trail near Charlton, Massachusetts. Generally considered a moderately challenging route….This is a very popular area for birding, hiking and paddle sports, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas.” Participants will meet at the Unitarian Universalist Church parking lot at 140 Shore Drive in Worcester at 10:30 on Saturday morning, February 10, and drive to the Buffumville Lake boat launch for parking at 11:00. We will proceed counterclockwise around the lake completing the South loop (about 4 miles) and looking for a scenic lookout by the lake shore, where we will pause for lunch. We will return to the church parking lot in late afternoon. Participants are asked to bring their lunch, water bottle, warm clothes, and rain gear in case of a shower. Micro spikes will be helpful for snow or icy conditions. Those riding with David Miller will be requested to wear masks in the car. To register for this outing or for more information, contact David Miller at 508-853-8964 or sentierdeau@gmail.com.

Saturday, February 24. Join us to hike the Beaver Brook Association Conservation Land in Hollis, New Hampshire. The Beaver Brook Association manages over 2,200 acres of land protecting habitat for wildlife and providing an extensive trail system through beautiful forest and wetlands. Our hike will begin at the Wildlife Pond Trailhead and follow the Wildlife Pond Trail around Wildlife Pond. From Wildlife Pond Trail we will connect with the Hatfield and Hidden Pond Trails, and then onto the Rocky Ridge Trail. The Jeff Smith that follows along the Rocky Pond Brook will lead us back to the parking area. Expect to hike up to 6 miles over relatively level terrain, except for the Rocky Ridge Trail, which requires scrambling over rocks and boulders with some elevation gain. Please contact Margos Stone at mstone12242@gmail.com or 508-826-6842 for more information or to register for the hike. You may also contact Richard Lombard at rllombard2@gmail.com or 978-394-9619 for more information or to register for the hike. Carpooling will be offered from Worcester, MA for those interested.  We will meet at the Lorden Oil Company, 21 Ash Street in Hollis, New Hampshire on Saturday, February 24 at 10:00 AM and drive to the trailhead. For directions to the meet up, use google maps: 21 Ash Street, Hollis, NH. Participants are asked to bring their lunch, water bottle, warm clothes and rain gear in case of a shower. Weather and trail conditions could change at any time so pack a pair of micro spikes for traction on snow, ice or equivalent terrain.  

President’s Day Potluck Luncheon at the Lodge

Please join us for a potluck luncheon on Monday, January 1, 2024 at the camp lodge, located at 345 Rawson Street in Leicester. Bring a dish to share: a main dish or desert. Plan to arrive at noon. Lunch will be served at 12:30. We will provide coffee, tea, apple cider, other beverages and treats.


Start the New Year right by dining and socializing with other hikers who share your love for the outdoors. A warm wood fire will be provided. We will have a local hike after the luncheon for those interested.

Reservations are not required but are appreciated by responding to this email.
We hope to see you there!

Activities for May & June 2023

Dear GMC Members and Friends:

Please join us for these hikes and other activities in May and June. You do not have to be a member to participate. You can find the details on our Google Calendar.

Wednesday evenings, starting May 31 – Hump Day Evening Horseshoes and Cornhole at our camp.

Saturday, May 13 – GMC Worcester Section Camp Clean Up (with donuts! Leicester, MA)

Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21 – Paddle on the Deerfield and Connecticut Rivers with overnight camping on an island.

Friday, May 26 – Mountain Bike Ride at Dennison Lake State Park (Winchendon, MA)

Saturday, May 27 – Buffumville Lake Hike (Charlton, MA) 

Friday, June 9 – Hike at the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (Wales, MA)

Saturday, June 10 – Mountain Bike Ride at West Hill Dam (Uxbridge, MA)

Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18 – Ipswich River Overnight Paddle (Ipswich, MA)

Saturday, June 17 – GMC’s 113th Annual Meeting (Craftsbury, VT)

Saturday, June 24 – Presentation: From Drovers to Trailblazers – the story of the creation of the Wapack Trail. (New Ipswich, NH)

Saturday, July 1 – Hike Wachusett Mountain on Echo Lake Loop Trail (Princeton, MA)

Saturday, March 25 Paddle the Sevenmile River (Spencer, MA)

Saturday, April 1 Hike the Buffumville Lake North Loop Trail

Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23 The Worcester Section Spring Work Party on Stratton Mountain section of the Long Trail (VT)

Saturday, April 29 The Contoocook River (Southern, NH)

If you have any questions about the Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section, or any of the activities, please
feel free to contact us.

Activities for March & April 2023

Dear GMC Members and Friends:

Please join us for these hikes and other activities in January and February. You do not have to be a member to participate. You can find the details on our Google Calendar.

Game Night will be held on March 15 and April 19 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the home of Pat and Stuart Howe, Spencer, MA.

Saturday, March 18 at 9:30 AM. Hike the new trails in Barre, MA

Saturday, March 25 Paddle the Sevenmile River (Spencer, MA)

Saturday, April 1 Hike the Buffumville Lake North Loop Trail

Saturday and Sunday, April 22-23 The Worcester Section Spring Work Party on Stratton Mountain section of the Long Trail (VT)

Saturday, April 29 The Contoocook River (Southern, NH)

We hope to see you on these outings and activities. If you have any
questions about the Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section, please
feel free to contact us.

Activities for January & February 2023

Dear GMC Members and Friends:

Please join us for these hikes and other activities in January and February. You do not have to be a member to participate. You can find the details on our Google Calendar.

Game Night will be held on Thursday, January 19 and on February 16 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the home of Pat and Stuart Howe, Spencer, MA

Saturday, January 7th – Blueberry Hill Sunset Hike (West Boylston)

Saturday, January 14 – Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary (Princeton)

Saturday, February 11Poutwater Pond Hike or Snowshoe (Sterling)

Saturday, February 18 at 9:30 am. Hike, Snowshoe or Cross Country Ski (Petersham)

Happy New Year and Happy Hiking in 2023 to Everyone!!

Activities for November & December 2022

winners of fall horseshoe tournnament holding horseshoes
Pat Howe of Spencer (right) was the winner of the 2022 GMC Worcester Section Camp Horseshoe Tournament. Neim Moennsad (left) was the runner up.

Dear Members and Friends

Please join us to enjoy these hikes and other activities in November and December. You do not have to be a member to participate. You can find the details on our Google Calendar.

Saturday, November 19, 2022. Hike God’s Acre and Tetasset Ridge in Worcester.

Saturday, November 26, 2022. Hike Tully Mountain in Orange, MA.

Saturday, December 3. 2022. Paddle the Assabet River from Northboro to Hudson.

Saturday, December 17, 2022. Hike Kettle Brook in Worcester.

Saturday, December 31, 2022. Hike the Midstate Trail from Sibley Farm in Spencer to Route 9 in Spencer.

Happy New Year and Happy Hiking in 2023 to Everyone!!

Ram Moennsad, President
GMC, Worcester Section

Annual Meeting & Ham Dinner

Saturday October 29, 2022 at the GMC lodge from 4 to 7:30pm

Please join us for the Green Mountain Club, Worcester Section – Annual Meeting. It will be held next Saturday, October 29, 2022 at the GMC lodge, 345 Rawson Street in Leicester. If you have not signed up for the meeting yet, you can sign up by calling 508-826-6842.

There will be a social hour from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. We will have a baked ham and bean dinner starting at 5:00 pm. Our business meeting will follow the dinner at 6:00 pm. Our guest speaker Glenn Colburn is a Board Member of the Opacum Land Trust and GMC member. He will speak about the properties and on going work of the Opacum Land Trust, located in Sturbridge, MA.

The cost for the dinner is $10.00 which can be paid at the door. We hope that you are able to join us at the dinner and meeting.

Best regards,

Ram Moennsad, President
Margos Stone, Treasurer
Green Mountain Club
Worcester Section
Tel. 508..826..6842

In Memoriam

The Green Mountain Club mourns the passing of Kimball “Kim”
Simpson, who died peacefully at home in Westborough, MA on
December 15, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. Kim was a long
time member of the Worcester Section. The full story of Kim is
presented in the Spring 2022 edition of the Long Trail News on page

Kim will be long remembered for his work to permanently protect
the Long Trail corridor. He served also as Chairman of the Midstate
Trail in Massachusetts (which runs the entire length of the state from
north to south) and worked tirelessly to protect and maintain that
trail as well. He is remembered in addition to his leadership for his
kind and generous spirit. We thank Kim and his wife Kate for their
decades of service to the Green Mountain Club.

Annual Meeting & Lunch

GMC, Worcester Section, Annual Meeting at the camp, 345 Rawson Street in Leicester. 

  • Social Hour from 11:00 to noon.  
  • Baked Ham and Bean Picnic Dinner at noon.   A vegetarian dinner will also be offered.  The cost is $10.00 per person for the dinner and can be paid at the door. The cost for children under 12 is $5.00. Please indicate if you would like a ham or vegetarian meal. The maximum cost per family with children is $25.
  • Business Meeting at 1:00 pm
  • Guest Speaker to be announced. 

To register for the meeting and picnic, please mail the attached reservation form to Margos Stone, Treasurer, 1A Kensington Heights, Worcester, MA 01602, or email him at mstone12242@charter.net. Make your check payable to the GMC, Worcester Section. A vegetarian dinner will also be offered. The cost is $10.00 per person for the dinner and can be paid at the door. The cost for children under 12 is $5.00. Please indicate if you would like a ham or vegetarian meal. The maximum cost per family with children is $25.

Hump Day Fun!

We have started a new activity at the GMC Camp in Leicester called Hump Day Evening Horseshoes and Cornhole. If you are interested in playing horseshoes in the new pits, and/or playing Cornhole, please come to the camp on Wednesday evenings. We will be playing from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Please bring food to share for a cookout. Whether you are a beginner or a long-time player, come join in and have some fun. If enough folks are interested, we can organize a tournament later in the year. Our camp is located at 345 Rawson Street in Leicester.

See News or the Google calendar for our latest activities.