Falmouth Town Forest - Long Pond Trail, MA

Overview
This is a forested walk around Long Pond, a drinking water reservoir for Falmouth.


Hike
From the parking just off Gifford Street, walk right on the closed Pumping Station Road. In about a tenth of a mile, a single-track trail leaves the road to the right and heads over toward the lake where it eventually picks up a two-track again. Follow the trail counterclockwise around the lake, staying in the forest with few pond views. At every intersection, turn left, all the way around until you pass the pumping station. The best views of the lake are near the causeway between Long Pond and Grews Pond. After the pumping station, pick up Pumping Station Road, and follow it back to the parking lot.Long Pond is a kettle hole left by the glaciation that greatly impacted the local geography. It has been the water supply for Falmouth since about 1898. The pond itself is off limits to the public. A sign reminds visitors there is no swimming, fishing, or boating in the pond. The pond is within conservation land owned by the town of Falmouth. A sign at the beginning of the trail indicating a possible closure around the pumping station can be ignored.

During your hike, you may encounter hickory, birch, beech, and hornbeam. Rhododendron will provide spring color. Swimming is available at Grews Pond in Goodwill Park.

2022-08-16 GrangerGuy