Clearing the trail

An article in Sunday's Globe (On winter’s path, beginning to see their way clear) surprised me -- I hadn't thought the trail was clear enough for skating, only for walkers and adventurous cyclists. But yesterday brought warm rain and now the trail is wide open for anyone who doesn't mind the chilly breeze.

What's it like?

Looking up and down the trail from Bow Street in Lexington today, I saw a surprising amount of pavement. Plenty of snow and ice, too. With a chance of snow forecast for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, I don't expect to see much pavement on the trail for a while.

This week: 0 miles. This year: 0 miles.

That Wasn't There Yesterday

New fencing on the east side of Woburn Street

New landscaping at Hancock Avenue

Possibly the Last Ring Post Posting

Even after hundreds of trips up and down the trail, a previously unseen relic of railroad days catches my eye. Yesterday I spotted a ring post lurking in the trees and brush. It's on the inbound side along the horse farm in Lexington, nearly opposite the boardwalk entrance to Parker Meadow.

Another Ring Post

Landscapers have opened up the end of Hancock Avenue at the trail, removing trees, brush, and a rusty old barrier made of rails.

Hancock Avenue today

Hancock Avenue one year ago.

Shining Lights

I hardly ever see bicycle lights along the trail on account of only being out on fair days. By chance I saw both a headlight and a taillight this morning, both as I neared Mill Street. Even in full daylight, the new LED lamps are a great aid to being seen. I had no trouble picking out the dwindling red taillight when the rider was 200 yards ahead of me. The best bicycle lamp of my childhood -- powered by Raleigh's front-hub generator -- was dim and fragile by comparison.

Today: 4.5 miles. This year: 166.9 miles.

A Snake on the Trail

Near Arlington's Great Meadows

Today: 13 miles. This year: 97.2 miles.

Brush Fire in Arlington's Great Meadows

There was a widespread brush fire in Arlington's Great Meadows on Friday, burning a large portion of the open area and threatening nearby houses. The Friends of Arlington's Great Meadows have a map of the burn (pdf). The taste of soot was still in the air today as my wife and I walked along the Minuteman Trail west of Fottler Avenue and then onto a short loop of the Great Meadows Trail (pdf).

View from Glacier Knoll

Brush and leaves burned to the edge of the trail