| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Harvard Forest, MA |
|
 | Trails: |
French Road Trail, Prospect Hill Road, Swamp Road, Boardwalk Loop, John Sanderson's Farm Nature Trail |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 28, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I parked at the museum at 324 North Main St. as described in the guidebook. All paved and room for over a dozen cars here. It looked like this parking is shared parking for the dormitory right there but there was plenty of room. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There's a mid-sized duck under at an awkward height on French Road, followed by some small stepovers shortly thereafter. I believe that these were toward the beginning of the trail. The boardwalk did not seem to be in terribly good shape. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. |
|
 | Bugs: |
Mosquitos were pretty bad and horrific if you stopped moving. Then again, it was prime time in the evening, just before dark. I picked a tick up on me. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
None |
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
John Sanderson's Farm Nature Trail (which goes by some nonsensical name now, I think) is not marked with red disks as the guidebook says but only with very occasional red arrows at turns in the trail. Same with the French Road Loop but with yellow/gold arrows instead. It would help if they were signed but there are maps at a kiosk in the parking lot that I recommend grabbing.
2nd post-work redline of the day after Otter River State Forest 15-20min away. I was not a big fan of these trails and would suggest removal from the guidebook except for the fact that the boardwalk through the black gum swamp was really very cool. Read the guidebook carefully before starting and/or grab a map from the kiosk which helped me find the right trails. As the guidebook says, from arrows on the left side of the parking area, go LEFT and follow a dirt road parallel to Rt 32 to begin the French Hill Trail hike. The dirt road turns to grass beyond the last dormitory. French Road Trail really follows a series of different roads/trails as the guidebook describes and they're all rather boring except for the boardwalk. Some are a bit overgrown and very muddy. Just follow the yellow/gold arrows.
The John Sanderson's Farm Nature Trail was hard to find until I realized it was the red arrows and got a map. From the arrows on the left side of the parking lot, follow the dirt road straight beyond. After 0.2mi, it turns off the main road onto another at a red arrow. The loop is definitely longer than 0.25mi. Gaia had me at 3.3mi, 250ft of gain, 1hr3min. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-29 |
|
 | Link: |
 https:// |
|
|
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. |
|
