Gliding at Great Brook Farm State Park

Between weather events this wintery week, I took advantage of a sunny Wednesday and went to Carlisle, MA to explore Great Brook Farm State Park. Snow conditions were a bit icy, but I was able to cross country ski three to four miles of the 10 mile groomed trail system.

Normally I post about wheelchair accessible opportunities. Alas, this park does not shine for wheelchair access during winter months. Many of the wide ski trails through woods and fields would make for some easy walking and easy hiking in warmer months. Most of the trails are moderate in terrain. Flatter fields and forests near the park entrance have potential for reasonable wheelchair access come summer. More to be revealed after the snow melts!

For those who are ambulatory, the cross country ski concession - Great Brook Ski Touring Center - is selling trail passes outside to skiers with their own equipment, but the building and ski rentals are closed due to the pandemic. There are a few portapotties alongside the concession building, but none that are ADA accessible, a situation that needs a remedy. The parking lot has long had an issue with mud in winter months so be aware - a sunny day in the 20s will present a muddy entry to the ski area. It was also icy due to flooding and refreezing at the lower corner of the parking lot where it meets the start of the ski trails, which made for some careful stepping.

Aside from the initial site flaws, the relatively gentle terrain was the nicest I've been on for groomed Nordic skiing. Nature takes over as you glide through the tall pines, past wetlands and over bridged brooks, and around fields. There is enough down hill to make it fun, but not so much as to prove tiring or tricky to travel the uphills. Grades tend to be relatively short and sweet on the two-mile Pine Point Loop. Trails loop in interconnecting fashion with numbered intersections corresponding well to the trail map. I downloaded the parks' winter trail map to my phone and found it a handy guide. You can also get a paper map on site of just the ski trails. 

Mid-week, with 50 cars in the parking lot, I found I could ski alone comfortably along the trails. I encountered quite a few skiers, but spaced out at 5-10 minute intervals. The intricate trail system can accommodate a lot of skiers. There is a set of groomed ski tracks on each side for travel in each direction and a wide skating lane in between. I saw the most people closest to the concession. Social distancing was easy to maintain. At times stepping into the side tracks was necessary, since I prefer to do classic skiing in the skating lane.

After completing my ski, back at the concession, I found out that blind skiers with sighted guides have been seen on occasion here and deaf skiers are fairly common each season. Not too many wheelchair users show up, but sometimes someone will come with their own sitski. Wheelchair accessible bathroom access requires driving to a nearby spot in the park, which can be opened by request.

Great Brook Farm State Park does not make snow, so winter skiing is an ephemeral activity there, making it all the more special. The concession does a fantastic job grooming the trails and offers night skiing along the one-mile illuminated Lantern Loop on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. While you can only ski on the ski trails, other trails are open for hiking and snowshoeing during the winter. 

The park features a working dairy farm and has 20 miles of trails on 1000 acres. Trail users include bikers and horseback riders during the warmer months. There is also a car-top boat launch for paddling Meadow Pond. The icing on the cake for many summer visitors will be the opportunity to buy ice cream made on site, right at the dairy barn!

Great Brook Farm State Park is located at 165 North Road in Carlisle, northwest of Boston and just north of Concord. The Ski Touring Center can be found at 1018 Lowell Street. Ski passes are $13 for adults, $10 for seniors 65 and older, $8 for kids ages 7-14, and free for kids 6 and under. Daily parking fees ($3) are charged April 1 through November.

DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) advocates for people to stay close to home during the pandemic and visit parks within walking distance or a short drive. If you plan to venture further afield, as well as on any outing, please protect yourself and others. In addition to following safe practices outlined by the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health, please be sure to follow these additional guidelines for safe visiting:

• Minimize outdoor recreational time to limit potential exposure to COVID-19;
• Stay within solitary or small groups, and avoid gatherings of ten or more people;
• Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals;
• Administer healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds;
• Participate in only non-contact recreational activities;
• Leave a park or area should large gatherings begin to build; and,
• Stay home if ill, over 70, and/or part of a vulnerable population