| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
East Head Pond, MA |
|
 | Trails: |
East Head Loop, Connector Trail, Bentley Loop |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, February 2, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked just east of the HQs on Fearing Pond Rd in a pull-off at the start of the trail. I was the only car here at 8am and 11am. The road was gated here at the south end of the pond but you could get to the HQs from the roads to the west instead. I came in from Rt 3 --> Long Pond Rd --> Aldean Rd --> Upper College Pond Rd. There was a gate near the start of Aldean Rd I believe. There were signs indicating that the roads can be icy and unsafe and aren't treated with salt or something and there was a section or two of road with a little snow and ice. There was plenty of room at the HQs. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Both trails are marked with blue markers semi-frequently and are well maintained. Bentley Loop does have many paths connecting with it though so it's important to look for the blue markers regularly to be sure you're still on it. I believe trail signs were present at significant junctions. I think there was only one blowdown the entirely hike which was a mid-sized old duck under somewhere around Negas Rd I believe. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Allowed in the state forest but they must be leashed. Good trails for dogs. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
First MA redline of the day and broke in a new tab on the spreadsheet!. I enjoyed these trails (particularly East Head Pond Loop) and the area as a whole seemed quite scenic. I completed the loops counterclockwise, starting just east of the state forest HQs, going up the east side of East Head Pond, then completing Bentley Loop counterclockwise, before coming down the west side of East Head Pond. Noticeably less snow here than north, with just a dusting here and a good deal of bare ground. With that came some sections of black ice to watch out for too though. I never put on spikes as it was far from consistent but some may want to have them with them. Make sure that when coming back down Bentley Loop, you make the correct turn and go down the OTHER side of East Head Pond Loop unlike myself who had to retrace his steps for quite a ways...
Gaia had me at 8.75mi, 250ft of gain, 3hrs, but you could probably cut this down to 7mi without my missteps! |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-02-06 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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