| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Lake Dennison, MA |
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 | Trails: |
Wilder-McKenzie Nature Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked on the Otter River side at what's shown on Gaia as Beaman Pond Campground. There's a place to pay here but it said you didn't have to pay at the time. Interestingly, it didn't give rates for non-MA plates but based upon rates for MA plates, it looks like it would be pretty pricey. I was the only car at the large paved lot here with room for dozens but the lot at Lake Dennison (also paved and room for dozens of cars) had many there. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
I don't think there were any. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The trail was a bit overgrown and not very well defined at times. A small cluster of blowdowns that's a little difficult to get through just a few minutes into the trail. A couple of mid-sized widowmakers just beyond. The bridge 15-20min in is sinking into the water but is still usable. Small blowdown with branches dangling down into the trail that you've got to finagle your way through just after. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs are allowed in the state park and campground but must be on a 6ft or shorter leash. |
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 | Bugs: |
Mosquitos were out but could have been worse |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
The trail is blaze in white and with some blue plastic as well. I think the blazing was pretty frequent though perhaps inconsistent.
Another little post-work hike. Gaia and the directions in the guidebook are both a little confusing. If starting on the Otter River State Park side, you need to drive in to the main parking area, then walk NE on the north side of Beaman Pond to the campground and look for campsite 56 which is where the trail begins. Gaia shows the trail as starting on Rt 202 and paralleling the access road but I didn't see any evidence of the trail. I also didn't look carefully though but either way it wouldn't be needed for redlining. Follow the sloppy blaze on the trees at the start as there's no obvious footpath to start. I think the trail is pretty lightly used given some blowdowns, repairs needed (see trail maintenance section), and the fact that it's a bit overgrown and not very well defined. That being said, I wouldn't say it was hard to follow. It goes through some very different forests/areas, some of which were quite beautiful so the trail isn't irredeemable by any means. I followed the road on the way back thus making the loop described in the guidebook. Note that the road on Gaia is shown as New Boston Rd rather than Dennison Rd. Gaia had me at 3mi, 100ft of gain, 1hr5min. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-29 |
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 | 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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