AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Harold Parker State Forest

Peggy Keck Reservation–Stearns Pond, 6 lakes

5.6 mi · ▲ 116 ft · 1 hr 55 min

Peggy Keck Reservation–Stearns Pond, 6 lakes is a 5.6-mile out-and-back in Harold Parker State Forest near Andover, MA. The route passes Peggy Keck Reservation, Delano Pond and Bear Pond before reaching Stearns Pond at the turnaround, 2.6 miles in. It is mostly level, with 116 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 40/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi112 – 184 ft7.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.61808, -71.11523
Nearest town Andover, MA
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Peggy Keck Reservation–Stearns Pond, 6 lakes

5.6 mi · ▲ 116 ft · 1 hr 55 min

Elevation 111–183 ft

Out & Back · Harold Parker State Forest

Trailhead: 42.61808, -71.11523

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

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading E.
  2. 50 ftPass Peggy Keck Reservation.
  3. 0.1 miBear right, heading SE.
  4. 50 ftPass Delano Pond.
  5. 250 ftTurn left, heading E.
  6. 250 ftTurn left, heading E.
  7. 100 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  8. 350 ftBear left, heading NE.
  9. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  10. 100 ftBear left, heading NE.
  11. 100 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  12. 350 ftTurn left onto Phillips Road, heading N.
  13. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  14. 300 ftPass Bear Pond.
  15. 0.1 miBear right onto Oak Tree Hill, heading E.
  16. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  17. 0.3 miContinue straight onto Bay Circuit Trail, heading SE.
  18. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  19. 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  20. 0.3 miBear right, heading SE.
  21. 0.3 miSharp right, heading SW.
  22. 0.2 miBear left, heading N.
  23. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  24. 100 ftTurn right, heading N.
  25. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  26. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  27. 0.1 miBear left onto Harold Parker Road, heading NE.
  28. 0.3 miTurn right onto Acorn Trail, heading SE.
  29. 150 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  30. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
  31. 300 ftPass Stearns Pond.
  32. 150 ftBear left, heading SE.
  33. 250 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  34. 100 ftTurn left, heading E.
  35. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  36. 50 ftTurn left onto Stearns Pond Road (and Blue Loop), heading E.
  37. 350 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  38. 150 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  39. 50 ftSharp left, heading NE.
  40. 50 ftReach Peggy Keck Reservation, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  41. 50 ftSharp right, heading NE.
  42. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  43. 450 ftTurn right, heading S.
  44. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  45. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  46. 100 ftTurn left, heading E.
  47. 0.1 miTurn right onto Acorn Trail, heading E.
  48. 0.2 miBear left, heading NE.
  49. 150 ftTurn left onto Harold Parker Road, heading E.
  50. 0.1 miTurn right, heading E.
  51. 0.2 miBear right, heading S.
  52. 0.1 miBear left, heading SW.
  53. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  54. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  55. 100 ftBear left, heading W.
  56. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  57. 0.2 miSharp left onto Bay Circuit Trail, heading W.
  58. 50 ftTurn right onto Healthy Heart Trail (BCT), heading W.
  59. 0.2 miSharp right onto Bay Circuit Trail, heading W.
  60. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SW.
  61. 200 ftBear right, heading SW.
  62. 0.3 miBear right, heading W.
  63. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  64. 0.5 miTurn right onto Oak Tree Hill, heading NW.
  65. 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
  66. 0.2 miTurn left onto Phillips Road, heading W.
  67. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  68. 350 ftTurn left, heading S.
  69. 150 ftBear right, heading S.
  70. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  71. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  72. 350 ftTurn left, heading W.
  73. 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
  74. 250 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  75. 250 ftBear left, heading N.
  76. 150 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/delano-pond-out-back-533f

Trail surface

61% dirt8% gravel2% other1% paved28% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:30 AMSunset 6:47 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:27 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 6:47 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:15 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Other ways to reach this destination

Hikes near Andover, Massachusetts