The Groton Conservation Trust is organizing a third Groton Traverse for the middle of October. To accommodate potential COVID-19 concerns and allow for more schedule flexibility, there will be an organized group traverse on Sunday 10/17 at 10 AM at the Prescott School, or folks are free to guide themselves on Saturday or Sunday. The course will be marked on Friday, October 15. Registration is required.
A GPS route will be shared with registrants Friday evening. The route is a new one that will start in Groton center and roam around in the southeast corner of town. The route will end at Ted Lapres and Connie Keeran’s house at 123 Farmers Row, within a short walk of the center of town. The route is about 11 miles and there are a few opportunities to shorten it. We will go by several favorite locations including the top of the Bates-Blackman parcels (with views west), the Forest Bells, Mass Audubon’s Rocky Hill, the rail trail, and views west from Farmer’s Row. Please take photos and share them with us if you can.
PARKING: There is room for cars in the village and more limited space on the road at Ted’s. Please be respectful of the neighbors if you park at either end.
NAVIGATION: The traverse can be completed in either direction. If you do it in reverse, the directional arrows will be backward but hopefully clear. The map is close but not perfect. When walking, follow the yellow arrows. Having the Groton Trails map or some other mapping app available will help if you get misplaced. There are about two miles of walking on pavement and sidewalks. Please use caution and walk facing on-coming traffic. The roads aren’t too bad but there is a crossing of Rte. 119 at CVS that requires care.
HIKING WITH DOGS: Leashed dogs are welcomed on the Traverse but not on Mass Audubon land. We have set up a doggie by-pass that will shorten the route a bit and keep your dog on the straight-and-narrow.
WHAT TO BRING: We advise that you bring a pack with extra clothes, food, water, sunscreen, and bug repellent. We won’t be stashing water this year so please bring plenty.