AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

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
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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 Sep 20: sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 6:53 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/lynns-falls-wendell-state-forest-beach-out-back-5-beaches-8-km-e600

Trail surface

55% dirt45% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:36 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~46 min). Leave by 5:47 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

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Hikes near Grounts Corner, Massachusetts