MWO Members and Friends - Blue Hill Observatory visit

[Snow Miser]

I'm bummed I can't make this one..

That's a shame Kathy. We will miss you this time.

[Brad]

I look forward to seeing you all. I will want to hike the longest trail some of you choose. However, I may need to choose the shortest hike due to other obligations. I won't know until June 1 what I can do. The suggestion to come up Skyline from Houghtons Pond/Reservation headquarters is a good one. That takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on the exact route, how many pictures you take, how long you stop to eat....
There is plenty of parking at the Red Dot trailhead south parking lot by the Trailside Museum on Route 138. The green wolcott path starts from the north parking lot and you can connect to skyline several ways from Reservation Headquarters or Houghtons pond on Hillside Street where there is plenty of parking. If you prefer, call with questions 617-696-0562

Folks, let me do introductions - Don is The Man at Blue Hill Observatory. He has joined us here on this thread to help guide us through the options and how we might want to schedule the day.

There are a couple of folks who will take some time getting there so 1PM satrt at the parking lot would work. Then there is a hike and the shortest route is XX minutes long? Then should we do lunch and then a tour? Some folks will probably get there earlier and do a longer hike.

Or would a planned start at the parking lot at noon be okay? Mark?

It would be great to do the BBQ option, but then it becomes a big deal and everyone's timing may be a bit different.

Thoughts?

- arrive at parking lot
- walk up
- lunch
- tour
- hang out together

What think ye?

[mtruman]

Folks, let me do introductions - Don is The Man at Blue Hill Observatory. He has joined us here on this thread to help guide us through the options and how we might want to schedule the day.

There are a couple of folks who will take some time getting there so 1PM satrt at the parking lot would work. Then there is a hike and the shortest route is XX minutes long? Then should we do lunch and then a tour? Some folks will probably get there earlier and do a longer hike.

Or would a planned start at the parking lot at noon be okay? Mark?

It would be great to do the BBQ option, but then it becomes a big deal and everyone's timing may be a bit different.

Thoughts?

- arrive at parking lot
- walk up
- lunch
- tour
- hang out together

What think ye?

I'm so confused

What time are we planning to gather for lunch/tour (in other words to be at the OBS) and which order do we want to do them in? The hike from the parking lot to the OBS via the Red Dot trail shouldn't take more than 1/2 hour.

My suggestion is that anyone interested in doing a longer hike meets at the Trailside Museum parking lot 2 hours before whatever the planned starting time for the rest of the group is. We will hike up and do the Skyline Trail North/South loop and meet the rest of the group at the OBS.

[Anna LeBlanc]

I'm bummed I can't make this one..

I'm really bummed to because I wanted you to meet Nigel!!!

_______________

Anna

[mrohssler]

Karen and I could probably be at the parking lot for 12 or a little after. Remember we are doing the road so we can meet whoever wants to do the road with us by than and most likely be at the Obs by 1 to meet everyone else

[Brad]

It probably makes sense to say meet at the Observatory at 1:00pm. Then those who want a longer route can do that.

[Brad]

Karen and I could probably be at the parking lot for 12 or a little after. Remember we are doing the road so we can meet whoever wants to do the road with us by than and most likely be at the Obs by 1 to meet everyone else

I assume you will be parking in the lot just north of the Trailside Museum. There looks to be a cutoff that goes from there to the road.

Here is a map http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails.../blueHills.pdf

[mrohssler]

I guess that is the plan They are sending me detailed info and map about the road

[Charlie]

i dont care what time or where i will be there when you say be there

[Anna LeBlanc]

Will anyone be doing the Red Dot Trail? We were thinking of getting there early to check out the museum and doing the Red Dot to meet everyone at the OBS for the tour at 1PM.Are we doing picnic on the summit after the tour?

_________
Anna