Bradford Pond–Salem Pond, 5 lakes
5.2 mi · ▲ 244 ft · 1 hr 51 min
Bradford Pond–Salem Pond, 5 lakes is a 5.2-mile out-and-back in Harold Parker State Forest near Boxford Station, MA. The route passes Berry Pond, Harold Parker State Forest Beach, Salem Pond and Bradford Pond. It is mostly level, with 244 ft of elevation gain. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bradford Pond–Salem Pond, 5 lakes
5.2 mi · ▲ 244 ft · 1 hr 51 min
Elevation 119–207 ft
Out & Back · Harold Parker State Forest
Trailhead: 42.62020, -71.08749
Weather Aug 4: Clear, high 84°F / low 62° · precip 0% · wind 7 mph · sunrise 5:39 AM · sunset 8:04 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Berry Pond.
- 50 ftPass Harold Parker State Forest Beach.
- 150 ftSharp right, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Bay Circuit Trail, heading S.
- 250 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 0.3 miSharp right, heading E.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Harold Parker Road, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Bradford Pond Road, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn right onto Yellow Diamond Trail, heading SE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Bradford Pond Road, heading SE.
- 150 ftPass Salem Pond.
- 300 ftContinue straight onto Yellow Diamond Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading E.
- 400 ftTurn left onto Bradford Pond Road, heading SE.
- 0.1 miPass Bradford Pond.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading SW.
- 0.1 miReach Bradford Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 400 ftTurn left onto Yellow Diamond Trail, heading NE.
- 0.7 miContinue straight onto Bradford Pond Road, heading NW.
- 200 ftBear right onto Yellow Diamond Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Bradford Pond Road, heading N.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Harold Parker Road, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 100 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Bay Circuit Trail, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Healthy Heart Trail (BCT), heading N.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Bay Circuit Trail, heading N.
- 500 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 200 ftBear right, heading W.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading N.
- 150 ftSharp left, heading NW.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.5 mi in (~67 min). Leave by 6:37 PM for the 8:04 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Frye Pond–Berry Pond, 3 lakes 3.1 mi · ▲ 55 ft
- Brackett Pond–Berry Pond, 6 lakes 3.1 mi · ▲ 84 ft
- Salem Pond–Berry Pond, 4 lakes 3.5 mi · ▲ 31 ft
- Berry Pond–Harold Parker State Forest Beach, 4 sights 3.7 mi · ▲ 0 ft
- Field Pond–Brackett Pond, 9 lakes 4.1 mi · ▲ 80 ft
- Sudden Pond–Berry Pond, 3 lakes 4.2 mi · ▲ 60 ft
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