Bear Pond
| Vital Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Town | Chatham |
| Administered By | Town of Chatham |
| Where | Off the Chatham spur of the Cape Cod Rail Trail, to the southeast of the Chatham Municipal Airport |
| Distance | 0.75 Mile |
| Surface | Pine needles, sand, tree roots |
| Last Visited | November 2008 |
| Ratings | |
| Overall | Moderate |
| Walking | Good |
| Running | Fair |
| Biking | Poor |
| Hiking | Good |
About The Trail
A loose-knit array of trails that interconnect three glacial ponds to the southeast of the Chatham Airport, this area is almost exclusively used by local residents since the only signs alerting one to its presence are tick warning signs. The trails meander along the side of the embankment between the ponds and what is now the Chatham spur of the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Prior to the bike trail's installation, this was a dirt road used by local fishermen and mini-bikers. Bear Pond, Blue Pond and Black Pond are small glacial depressions which were at one time part of the much larger White Pond to the north, and at times of high water become connected again, but which are now slowly succumbing to overgrowth and stagnation. Watch for frogs, turtles, ducks and the other inhabitants of small ponds.
Getting There
Once in Chatham, head to George Ryder Road and park at the airport. Head down the bike path towards town. The trail heads will be on your right as you come around the first bend. You can also access the bike path from the north via Wilfred Road. There is a small dirt area to park but avoid blocking the dirt road to a local fisherman's net and gear field.
