Harold Parker State Forest

Bradford Pond–Salem Pond, 4 lakes

5.2 mi · ▲ 138 ft · 1 hr 48 min

Bradford Pond–Salem Pond, 4 lakes is a 5.2-mile out-and-back in Harold Parker State Forest near North Reading, MA. The route passes Frye Pond, Harold Parker State Forest Beach, Harold Parker State Forest Beach and 2 more. It is mostly level, with 138 ft of elevation gain. It scores 53/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi92 – 207 ft6.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Lorraine Road 42.60592, -71.09202
Nearest town North Reading, MA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Bradford Pond–Salem Pond, 4 lakes

5.2 mi · ▲ 138 ft · 1 hr 48 min

Elevation 91–207 ft

Out & Back · Harold Parker State Forest

Trailhead: Lorraine Road · 42.60592, -71.09202

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 6:47 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Lorraine Road, heading E.
  2. 50 ftPass Frye Pond.
  3. 50 ftPass Harold Parker State Forest Beach.
  4. 0.5 miPass Harold Parker State Forest Beach.
  5. 350 ftBear right, heading N.
  6. 0.1 miBear left, heading NE.
  7. 0.1 miTurn right onto Root Ball, heading NE.
  8. 250 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  9. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  10. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  11. 0.5 miPass Salem Pond.
  12. 250 ftContinue straight onto Bradford Pond Road, heading E.
  13. 250 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  14. 50 ftBear right onto Yellow Diamond Trail, heading SE.
  15. 0.7 miTurn right, heading S.
  16. 400 ftTurn left onto Bradford Pond Road, heading S.
  17. 500 ftPass Bradford Pond.
  18. 0.2 miBear right, heading SE.
  19. 0.1 miReach Bradford Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  20. 0.5 miTurn right, heading N.
  21. 400 ftTurn left onto Yellow Diamond Trail, heading NW.
  22. 0.7 miBear left, heading W.
  23. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  24. 50 ftContinue straight onto Bradford Pond Road, heading NW.
  25. 0.5 miTurn left onto Root Ball, heading W.
  26. 500 ftTurn left, heading W.
  27. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  28. 350 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  29. 500 ftBear right, heading SW.
  30. 0.1 miBear left, heading N.
  31. 0.4 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

49% dirt16% other35% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:30 AMSunset 6:47 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.6 mi in (~66 min). Leave by 5:21 PM for the 6:47 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:07 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Lorraine Road Trailhead