Gamlin Crystal Spring Conservation Area
Bear Hill–Massapoag Pond, 5 sights
2.7 mi · ▲ 148 ft · 58 min
Bear Hill–Massapoag Pond, 5 sights is a 2.7-mile out-and-back in Gamlin Crystal Spring Conservation Area near East Groton, MA. The route passes Massapoag Pond and Upper Massapoag Pond before reaching Bear Hill at the turnaround, 1.3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 148 ft of elevation gain. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bear Hill–Massapoag Pond, 5 sights
2.7 mi · ▲ 148 ft · 58 min
Elevation 188–343 ft
Out & Back · Gamlin Crystal Spring Conservation Area
Trailhead: Red Line Trail · 42.64107, -71.49987
Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:42 AM · sunset 8:04 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Red Line Trail, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Massapoag Pond.
- 0.3 miPass Upper Massapoag Pond.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Gamlin Esker Trail, heading S.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Red Line Trail, heading S.
- 0.1 miSharp left, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Cow Pond Brook Road, heading NE.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.1 miReach Bear Hill, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.1 miSharp right onto Red Line Trail, heading W.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Gamlin Esker Trail, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Red Line Trail, heading SW.
- 0.6 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~36 min). Leave by 7:08 PM for the 8:04 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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