Deer Jump Reservation

Merrimack River Viewpoint–Bay Circuit Trail, 3 sights

4.3 mi · ▲ 302 ft · 1 hr 35 min

Merrimack River Viewpoint–Bay Circuit Trail, 3 sights is a 4.3-mile out-and-back in Deer Jump Reservation near Marsh Corner, MA. The route reaches Merrimack River Viewpoint at the turnaround, 2.2 miles in. It climbs 302 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi46 – 141 ft · steepest grade: 22%5.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.68918, -71.21979
Nearest town Marsh Corner, MA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Merrimack River Viewpoint–Bay Circuit Trail, 3 sights

4.3 mi · ▲ 302 ft · 1 hr 35 min

Elevation 46–140 ft

Out & Back · Deer Jump Reservation

Trailhead: 42.68918, -71.21979

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:40 AM · sunset 8:03 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  3. 150 ftTurn right onto Fern Forest Path to River, heading NW.
  4. 150 ftSharp left, heading SE.
  5. 350 ftSharp right, heading SE.
  6. 250 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  7. 100 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  8. 300 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  9. 50 ftBear left onto Merrimack River Trail, heading SW.
  10. 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
  11. 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
  12. 1.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  13. 0.2 miTurn left onto Bay Circuit Trail, heading SW.
  14. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  15. 0.4 miTurn right, heading S.
  16. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  17. 50 ftReach Merrimack River Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  18. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  19. 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
  20. 0.3 miTurn right, heading W.
  21. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  22. 0.2 miTurn right onto Merrimack River Trail, heading N.
  23. 1.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  24. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  25. 150 ftBear right, heading N.
  26. 100 ftTurn right, heading N.
  27. 300 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  28. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  29. 300 ftSharp left, heading N.
  30. 350 ftSharp right onto Fern Forest Path to River, heading N.
  31. 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
  32. 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
  33. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

85% dirt3% paved12% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:40 AMSunset 8:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.9 mi in (~50 min). Leave by 6:53 PM for the 8:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:10 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

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