Barnstable Short Walks on Cape Cod

Eagle Pond

Topo Map

Our little topo map gives you an idea of this charming walk in the Eagle Pond
and Little River sanctuaries in Cotuit, led by Farley Lewis..  You park in either
the small lot on Putnam Avenue or on Old Post Road (T02P08).  Starting from
the latter, the walk goes north to circle Eagle Pond, crossing Little River and
Little River Road (T02P09), to reach the north shore of the pond (T02P10-12).

Then you work your way south, staying west of Cordwood Road, which is
now developed.  Crossing Old Post Road, you come to a splendid sight
of Cotuit Bay (T02P13).  Reverse to circle a swamp (T02P14-16), then north
to the south shore of Eagle Pond (T02P17-19).  Retrace the route south
to (T02P19) and the starting point.  About 3 miles.


Spruce Pond

Topo Map

One of the favorite short walks of the Appalachian Mountain Club has been led by
Harry Dombrosk, Al Johnson, Janet Kaiser, Farley Lewis, and Heidi Moss.  We
also include it in our Walk the Length of Cape Cod, together with Sketch Map.
Each person has a different route through the area, therefore the waypoints on
the topo map are merely schematic -- meaning you have to plan your own route.

The start is almost always from the firehouse on Meetinghouse Way (Route 149),
just north of exit 5 from the Mid-Cape Highway.  Park at the road west of the
triangle, north of the church, and walk north to the firehouse and around to the rear.
At the northeast corner of the rear parking lot is a trail with a billboard (001).  This is
one entrance to the John Jenkins conservation area, but it is often called "Deacon's
Farm" after the 17th century church deacon who owned it.

At the fork, if you turn right, you are headed to (009), and the cemetery.  You could
then walk to Spruce Pond via Pine St., Parker Road, and the trail to the east around
Sandy Hill Pond and Spruce Pond.  You used to be able to cirle Spruce Pond, but
the trail is overgrown. If you continued east, you would be walking that leg of "Walk
the Length of Cape Cod", in reverse, back to exit 6 and the parking area there.

You can reverse to (005), circle around the cranberry bogs to (004) and (003) and
return by Church St. or Pine St.  More recently, though, hike leaders have been
taking the scenic route through the conservation lands from (001).  It is impossible
to describe, but the trail is continuous after the fork, to (002).  At (003) on Parker
Rd. is another entrance to the John Jenkins area, marked by a billboard.  

From there, you can return, or continue to Spruce Pond, and come back on Pine St.
Carry a compass to assure your party that you are working your way to the east, and
will eventually come out to the paved road.  Your total distance may be from 4 to 6
miles.