Update:(7/19): Weather's looking good so far for next weekend..Swimming: The staff says the swimming water has been cleared of weeds. Porta-potties are available for changing. (I'm planning to simply wear my suit on the hike). Original.Info: In short - a co-event with Chiltern Mountain Club (also LGBTQ), this'll be an easy 2.5 mile hike around Pierce Lake/Lower Pond in the Breakheart Reservation north of Boston, close to routes I-95 and 1. There might be an opportunity for swimming.

More details: We’ll enter from the REAR Hemlock Road entrance in Wakefield (it’s a little quieter than the portion closer to the front entrance near route 1). The first 20% and last 30% will be on paved fire roads with the middle on paths along the shore. If the paths are muddy staying on the roads is an option. There’s a beach towards the end we *may* be able to swim at but I need to call and inquire about it. (It’s a nice place to swim but I was there once and there were a lot of floating weeds. The lifeguards said DCR doesn't always clear them.)

Optional coffee afterwards. Anything more than a drizzle will cancel. If there is a rain date I'll post it closer to the hike. Most of the route will be in the woods and shaded, but to be safe I'd bring sunscreen anyway. Same goes for bug repellent.

Reservation info (and trail map) - https://www.mass.gov/locations/breakheart-reservation. From.the rear entrance we’ll go counterclockwise around Pierce Lake.

Any questions - please message me through here.

Directions: The rear entrance shares a parking lot with the Northeast Regional Voc Tech, whose address is "100 Hemlock Rd, Wakefield, MA". (Entering "Breakheart Reservation Wakefield Entrance" works too.)

Note that there are two schools in the area. There’s an elementary school on the main road. The Voc Tech is out of sight behind it up a short road (Hemlock) to the right of the elementary school. (There is a sign for the Voc Tech at the bottom of the road.)

Pass the guard shack and you will see a large lot. The school will be on the left and the two stone pillars at the far end mark the reservation entrance. Park anywhere (it’s free) and we’ll meet to the left of the pillars.

I'll be wearing a beige Yosemite cap.

For reference, I’ve included a map roughly showing where "F", the front entrance is and "R" where the rear/Wakefield entrance is, We're meeting at "R". (If you drive in and see a visitor center, you're at "F". To get to "R", drive back out to the main road and turn right. At the traffic light, turn right again. Down a ways the road opens up. Turn right at Voc Tech sign onto Hemlock Rd.)