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Highlight Hiker Blog
Twinings Pond, Meadow Bog (Part II) & Christian Property, Orleans MA
August 25, 2020
The day started out like all the others: with me deciding I’d rather go exploring in the woods than on the beach. For as compatible as my spouse and I are, we differ greatly in where we find our zen. Luckily, Cape Cod offers a little from column A and a little from column B to make us both quite content. However, I didn’t attack the trails until after lunch as I also had to do some grocery shopping and other odd errands.
The heat and humidity had ebbed off after a day and half of rain, so when I strapped on the Oboz, I was prepared for cooler temperatures, less intense sunshine, and more miles. I headed back over to Quanset Road and parked at Twinings Pond. I was really looking forward to this trail after everything I’d read about it, and I wasn’t disappointed. In case you’re curious, my favorite OCT trails on this trip were Whites Lane and Mill Pond Valley. My overall favorite is Bakers Pond, but that is yet to come! Stay tuned, fellow explorers!
Twinings Pond, like most of the OCT trails in late August, had views that were overgrown and could use some tending so that visitors may enjoy them as intended. It’s been my observation that if you give visitors their views, they won’t kill delicate foliage to seek out the views themselves by going off trail. Better to trim than to trample, in my opinion. But… that’s just my opinion. ANYWAY! =ahem= The trail here was lovely. The more common trail on the northern side was double width, and the southern side was true single track. There were some short bursts of hills to climb, and long views down woods-road paths with a few rest stops (benches) to enjoy along the way. Twinings Pond is pristine and beautiful when it glistens under the Nauset sun.
There are two parking areas at Twinings Ponds. If the front door parking spots are filled, drive down the road a piece and check out the back door parking. You can always park at Meadow Bog and road walk to the trail head… they really are that close.
Speaking of Meadow Bog!!! I found the trail head for the portion I missed on August 22, and as it turns out I did not road walk long enough on Davis Road to find it. My nervousness prevented me from exploring. But I’m a rule follower by nature, so if you tell me not to disturb the residents, the residents will not be disturbed. This little spit of trail was better than the first. It was more woodsy than pond-view-y and I actually enjoyed the change of scenery. Loaded with pine and sprinkled with raindrops from a small cloudburst of rain that morning, Meadow Bog Part II albeit short, is worth finding.
I had planned to spend more time on the trails than I actually did, so while I was in the Quanset region, I decided to locate the Christian Property. Meh. It was boring. Short. No welcome kiosk. Houses butt right up against the side of the park boundary and pesky biting insects. I took a few pictures, but with the dense overgrowth, there wasn’t much to see. Apparently the OCT is trying to acquire more acreage near the Christian Property to expand it, which would be a welcome addition.
Twinings Pond
Parking is on the side of the road and will fit three to four cars immediately next to the trail head. However, there is plenty more roadside parking available a short distance away.
The welcome kiosk at Twinings Pond.
Welcome kiosk.
Map of the Three Ponds area.
Please note "Clean up after your pet"...
... as a rule follower, this bothers the... CRAP... out of me. hahahah. No, but really... someone likes giving dog owners a bad reputation.
The route on the northern side is well traveled and wide with hard pack beneath your feet.
I adore these long views down the trail. I never get tired of it.
It was a gorgeous sunny, but cool afternoon. I only sweat through one layer! hahaha.
You'll see these signs occasionally on the OCT trails.
Rest stop! This was a genuine rest stop... there was no view. Just a place to sit and breathe.
Pines dapple the Quanset region.
The trails dead end frequently here onto private roads. I liked this sign particularly on one such road.
That's the trail head across from the street from the turtle sign.
A look down the road.
This is a good example of the forestry surrounding Twinings Pond.
Twinings Pond in the afternoon sun.
Pines at Twinings Pond.
I loved this little peek a boo view of the pond, but other travelers did not and they forged their own way to the water through the shrubs.
Twinings Pond.
Memorial bench at Twinings Pond.
Memorial bench at Twinings Pond.
View from the bench.
Twinings Pond.
Twinings Pond views are never dull, that's for sure!
Twinings Pond is very serene. I was surprised I didn't see any wildlife here, though. No birds, no frogs, no turtles, no rabbits... nothing.
I think this is swamp milkseed, but I'm not 100% certain.
Twinings Pond. Just lovely.
I'm not quite sure what this plant is, but it was all over the place, so it must be quite common to the area.
Random "No Campfires" signage.
I loved this view. The weird broken bench, the slender trail, the long view into the woods.... with a pond view to the right. Loads of eye candy!
Twinings Pond looking north this time.
There are several spur trails that lead to private roads here.
Looking back at the trail head.
Everywhere you walk is a new viewpoint of Twinings Pond.
Another spur trail, another road.
This is road, however, leads to the "backdoor" parking area for Twinings Pond.
Back on the trail, headed back to the main trail on the northern side of Twinings Pond.
The north end wanders through forest and offers no pond views, but look at that! Who wouldn't want to see that???
Last look at Twinings Pond from the road.
This is Sarah's Pond, on the opposite side of the road. This is Twinings Pond twin. (I'm so sorry. That was a terrible joke.)
Meadow Bog, Part II
Meadow Bog on the northern end, between Quanset Road and Davis Road. Parking barely fits one car. Barely. I may or may not have scratched my passenger door trying to squeeze in here.
Welcome kiosk at Meadow Bog.
Single track trail for this short but enjoyable distance.
Rain droplets showing off.
Christian Property
The parking area at Christian Property is bigger than the trail! I kid, I kid.
You have to be vigilant to find the entrance leading to Christian Property. It's a quiet little woods road that is easily passed.
Dense forest. There was supposed to be some kind of bog view here....?
This was an observation platform, but there was absolutely nothing to observe but plant growth.
The park boundary is clear cut on the residential side.
But the three within the park are tall and strong.
It has it's charm, but the mosquitoes kind of took the charm out of it!