Frost Pocket Loop

Welcome Welcome to Myles Standish State Forest in Southeastern Massachusetts. This is a place born of fire and ice, shaped by the human hand. The area’s landscape was formed over 10,000 years ago when the glaciers of our last ice age retreated, dropping

Tour Information
Tour Map
Tour Stops
Comments

Frost Pocket Loop

Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360, United States

Created By: MA Department of Conservation & Recreation

Tour Information

About the Trail

This guide offers a brief and engaging self-guided walk along the Frost Pocket Loop. This trail brings you through the stark and beautiful Pine Barrens habitat and its unique geological and natural features. Download or print a park trail map if you choose to hike any of the other park’s trails at https://www.mass.gov/locations/myles-standish-state-forest.

This hiking trail is about 1.6 miles long and is mostly flat. There are a few small hills and it is quite sunny. Hiking time is usually about 60 minutes. Enjoy yourself, but please remember…

· Observe all posted rules and regulations.

· Please stay on designated trails.

· Pets must be on leash at all times.

· Carry in, carry out all trash.

· Leave only footprints take only pictures.

· No motorized vehicles allowed on trails.


Tour Map

Loading Tour

 

What You'll See on the Tour

The Frost Pocket Loop directions: The Frost Pocket Loop starts from Parking Lot 2 (P2). To begin, cross Upper College Pond Road and walk to your right, east-ward down Three Cornered Pond fire road (dirt road). At the Frost Pocket Loop sign,... Read more
Along Three-Cornered Pond Road From Parking Lot 2, cross Upper College Pond Road to where the trail begins by walking down the dirt road, Three Cornered Pond Road. Crossing into the Pine Barrens: The Pine Barrens of southeastern Massachuset... Read more
Follow the trail down into the frost pocket. Please stay on the trail as the ecosystem is very delicate. Hardly Barren: Notice the lack of grass along the trail. Pine Barrens are usually too dry and acidic for much grass to grow. Heaths, li... Read more
Born of Ice: The depressions you are walking through are known as frost pockets. Made when huge chunks of ice were left behind at the end of the ice age, frost pockets can be much cooler at the bottom than at the rim since cool air is often... Read more
Deer Habitat: White-tailed deer often take refuge at the bottom of frost pockets to seek shade and cover under the scrub oak and cool off in the heat of the day. In the summer, fawns will often be seen in the evening accompanied by their mo... Read more
A Shady Spot: At the top of the ridge, notice the scrub oak understory has given way to a blanket of pine needles. This is the largest white pine grove in this part of the forest. When white pines reach a certain height and density, their s... Read more
Birds and Butterflies of the Barrens: There are many species of uncommon song birds and butterflies in the Pine Barrens. Eastern towhees and pine warblers are active during the day and whip-poor-wills who fly at night are just a few of the ... Read more
At the end of the walking path, turn left onto Priscilla Road (dirt fire road). Along Priscilla Road: As you walk along Pricilla Road look to your right at an area that had a controlled burn a few years ago. Also called a prescribed burn, t... Read more
Turn left onto the paved bike path and head south, back towards Parking Lot 2. Wild Indigo and Witch’s Brooms: Along the edge of the bike trail, during the summer, you will see a low plant about three feet high with teardrop shaped seedpo... Read more
Red Pine Removal: You will see a number of pine trees that have died as you cross the road, as well as some newly cleared areas. These trees were southern Red Pine and were planted here beginning in the 1930s and ending in the 1950s. As of ... Read more
The bike path will bring you back to Parking Lot 2 after it crossed Upper College Pond Road. The Pine Barrens is a rare and beautiful habitat, with many rare species that are under serious threat. Many birds, insects and plants have adapted... Read more
12
This brings us to the end of the trail at Parking Lot 2. We hope you enjoyed this self-guided tour. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) oversees over 450,000 acres of state parks, forests, beaches, bike trails, parkways, wat... Read more

 

Leave a Comment

 

 

Download the App

Download the PocketSights Tour Guide mobile app to take this self-guided tour on your GPS-enabled mobile device.

iOS Tour Guide Android Tour Guide

 

 

Updates and Corrections

Please send change requests to changerequest@pocketsights.com.