Briar Swamp

Loop Pond–Bay State Quarry, 3 lakes

5.3 mi · ▲ 174 ft · 1 hr 51 min

Loop Pond–Bay State Quarry, 3 lakes is a 5.3-mile out-and-back in Briar Swamp near Pigeon Cove, MA. The route passes Bay State Quarry before reaching Loop Pond at the turnaround, 2.6 miles in. It is mostly level, with 174 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 12/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi69 – 187 ft5.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.67711, -70.63638
Nearest town Pigeon Cove, MA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Loop Pond–Bay State Quarry, 3 lakes

5.3 mi · ▲ 174 ft · 1 hr 51 min

Elevation 68–187 ft

Out & Back · Briar Swamp

Trailhead: 42.67711, -70.63638

Weather Aug 4: sunrise 5:38 AM · sunset 8:01 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  3. 0.1 miBear left, heading SW.
  4. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  5. 300 ftTurn right, heading W.
  6. 450 ftTurn left onto Old Rail Track, heading NW.
  7. 450 ftPass Bay State Quarry.
  8. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  9. 0.8 miTurn right, heading S.
  10. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  11. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Anne's Trail, heading SW.
  12. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  13. 0.1 miBear left, heading S.
  14. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Squam Path, heading SE.
  15. 350 ftTurn right onto Dinosaur, heading SE.
  16. 0.5 miTurn left, heading SE.
  17. 0.2 miSharp right, heading NE.
  18. 0.2 miBear left, heading E.
  19. 100 ftSharp right, heading E.
  20. 50 ftReach Loop Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  21. 50 ftSharp left, heading E.
  22. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  23. 0.2 miSharp left, heading W.
  24. 0.7 miTurn left onto Squam Path, heading N.
  25. 0.2 miBear right, heading NW.
  26. 0.1 miTurn right onto Anne's Trail, heading NW.
  27. 0.3 miTurn right, heading NE.
  28. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  29. 0.8 miTurn right onto Old Rail Track, heading NE.
  30. 500 ftTurn right, heading N.
  31. 400 ftTurn left, heading N.
  32. 300 ftBear left, heading NW.
  33. 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
  34. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  35. 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

78% dirt22% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 5:38 AMSunset 8:01 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~1 min). Leave by 7:39 PM for the 8:01 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:17 PM — 15 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from this trailhead