Whales Head–Lynn's Falls, 5 beaches
5.7 mi · ▲ 1,010 ft · 2 hr 24 min
Whales Head–Lynn's Falls, 5 beaches is a 5.7-mile out-and-back in Wendell State Forest near Grounts Corner, MA. The route passes Wendell State Forest Beach, Ruggles Pond, Wendell State Forest Beach and Lynn's Falls before reaching Whales Head at the turnaround, 2.9 miles in. It climbs 1,010 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade. It scores 68/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Whales Head–Lynn's Falls, 5 beaches
5.7 mi · ▲ 1,010 ft · 2 hr 24 min
Elevation 691–1,158 ft
Out & Back · Wendell State Forest
Trailhead: 42.54996, -72.45282
Weather Aug 4: Heavy rain, high 75°F / low 66° · precip 92% · wind 8 mph · sunrise 5:45 AM · sunset 8:09 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 50 ftPass Wendell State Forest Beach.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 50 ftPass Ruggles Pond.
- 100 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 500 ftPass Wendell State Forest Beach.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto NET/M&M Trail (white), heading NE.
- 0.6 miPass Lynn's Falls.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Lynn's Falls Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear right onto NET/M&M Trail (white), heading N.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Moose Trax Trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Damon Camp Road, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading N.
- 0.2 miReach Whales Head, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Moose Trax Trail, heading SW.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto NET/M&M Trail (white), heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Jerusalem Road, heading N.
- 0.5 miBear left onto Lynn's Falls Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto NET/M&M Trail (white), heading SE.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SE.
- 500 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 150 ftBear right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 400 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 1.4 mi in (~41 min). Leave by 7:08 PM for the 8:09 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from this trailhead
- Lynn's Falls–Ruggles Pond, 3 beaches 2 mi · ▲ 401 ft
- Wickett Pond–Ruggles Pond, 4 lakes 3.2 mi · ▲ 142 ft
- Wendell State Forest Beach & Upham Road 3.8 mi · ▲ 193 ft
- Ruggles Pond–Wendell State Forest Beach, 3 beaches 4.4 mi · ▲ 277 ft
- Humphry Preserve–Ruggles Pond, 4 beaches 6.6 mi · ▲ 391 ft
- Dry Hill & Wendell State Forest Beach via Upham Road 7.6 mi · ▲ 561 ft
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