Wendell State Forest

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

0 mi692 – 1,158 ft · steepest grade: 24%6.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.54996, -72.45282
Nearest town Grounts Corner, MA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

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

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
  2. 50 ftPass Wendell State Forest Beach.
  3. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  4. 50 ftBear left, heading NE.
  5. 50 ftPass Ruggles Pond.
  6. 100 ftTurn left, heading N.
  7. 500 ftPass Wendell State Forest Beach.
  8. 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
  9. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  10. 0.1 miTurn left onto NET/M&M Trail (white), heading NE.
  11. 0.6 miPass Lynn's Falls.
  12. 50 ftTurn right onto Lynn's Falls Trail, heading NE.
  13. 0.2 miBear right onto NET/M&M Trail (white), heading N.
  14. 0.5 miTurn right, heading N.
  15. 0.3 miTurn left onto Moose Trax Trail, heading S.
  16. 0.4 miTurn left onto Damon Camp Road, heading E.
  17. 0.3 miTurn right, heading N.
  18. 0.2 miReach Whales Head, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  19. 0.5 miTurn right onto Moose Trax Trail, heading SW.
  20. 0.4 miTurn right onto NET/M&M Trail (white), heading N.
  21. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
  22. 0.1 miTurn left onto Jerusalem Road, heading N.
  23. 0.5 miBear left onto Lynn's Falls Trail, heading W.
  24. 0.2 miTurn left onto NET/M&M Trail (white), heading SE.
  25. 0.6 miTurn right, heading SE.
  26. 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
  27. 50 ftBear left, heading SE.
  28. 500 ftTurn right, heading S.
  29. 150 ftBear right, heading S.
  30. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  31. 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

55% dirt45% unspecified

Weather

Heavy rainTemperature 75°F66°
Precip92%Wind8 mphUV5Humidity76%
Rained 2″ 4 days ago
Hourly temperatureRain chance
80°65° 12 AM: 6% rain1 AM: 13% rain2 AM: 16% rain3 AM: 55% rain4 AM: 72% rain5 AM: 92% rain6 AM: 84% rain7 AM: 89% rain8 AM: 90% rain9 AM: 77% rain10 AM: 56% rain11 AM: 40% rain12 PM: 28% rain1 PM: 43% rain2 PM: 42% rain3 PM: 38% rain4 PM: 68% rain5 PM: 48% rain6 PM: 7% rain7 PM: 1% rain
Sunrise 5:45 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PMSunset 8:09 PM
Tue 78°63°
Wed 77°64°
Thu 90°63° 60%
Fri 91°66° 38%
Sat 89°66° 37%
Sun 92°66°

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.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

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