| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Sandy Neck Barrier Beach, MA |
|
 | Trails: |
Marsh Trail, Trail 5, Trail 4, Trail 2, Trail 1 |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, February 8, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Free hiker parking just before the gatehouse is signed. The guidebook seems to imply you should park at the beach parking lot if its full but that a seasonal charge is applied. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow/Ice - Small Patches |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The guidebook says that mileage is posted at all intersections but I didn't see this. The trail 1, 2, etc. junctions are usually signed though, at least from the beach side. Not so sure about Horse Trail and from the Marsh Trail side. I don't recall any blowdowns. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs are allowed on hiking trails year round but must be leashed and are only allowed on the beach between September 15th and May 15th. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
First hike of the day! I hiked all the way down Marsh Trail to Trail 5, hiked down that to the beach, then turned right to do an OAB to Beach Point. The guidebook's description is a bit vague here: it sounds like you take Trail 5 to the beach, then turn right to walk to Beach Point but there was no view of the lighthouse here (you could see it at one point but I certainly don't think this was the view it meant). The only other way to get to it was to continue past a private property sign on what's shown on Gaia as Trail 6 which I wasn't about to do (and the guidebook does mention the lighthouse is now in private property so it seems unlikely this is the trail they meant for you to get there). There are other trails shown on Gaia heading that direction, but they either didn't seem to exist or are other driveways to houses so walking along the beach to Beach Point seemed to be the best you can do. Maybe at low tide, you can cross a channel to get closer to it??
Anyway, I walked back to Trail 5 and began the long hike back along the beach, doing OABs along Trail 4 and Trail 2, and Trail 1. I didn't redline Horse Trail as its not mentioned with a distance. From Trail 1, I dropped my stuff in my car and hiked an OAB along the beach to it along the various paths just to be sure I got everything :) This was another beautiful and very unique hike that reminded me of Crane Beach. The first few miles along Marsh Trail are very sand dune-ish while the last few miles are full of (jack pine??) trees which I absolutely love! Some cool views from little hills where you get to look out on an ocean of them (and the actual ocean lol!).
There was virtually no snow to be seen and trails were mostly dry. Gaia had me at 18.9mi, 22ft of gain, 6hr51min. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-02-09 |
|
 | 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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