The H. H. Jackson Trail at Puffer's Pond Conservation Area in Amherst, Massachusetts is a short and easy 0.6 mile one-way hike around Puffer's Pond and up the hill to Pulpit Hill Road. This hike technically starts off along the Robert Frost Trail (orange blazes) and then quickly turns into the H. H. Jackson Trail (red blazes) just a couple hundred feet off the road. The trail winds along Puffer's Pond with a couple of different areas for fishing. The trail becomes fairly narrow with rocks and roots, so watch your step while hiking along the pond.
Once you reach the western side of the pond, you can turn right (just before the parking lot) to continue following the trail uphill towards Pulpit Hill Road. Just before you reach Pulpit Hill Road, there's a small spur trail that connects this one with the Robert Frost Trail again (heading back to parking) - in the winter, this trail gives you a little overlook of Puffer's Pond, UMass Amherst, and the Holyoke Range in the background. You cannot see this during months with leaves on the trees though.
Once you reach the western side of the pond, you can turn right (just before the parking lot) to continue following the trail uphill towards Pulpit Hill Road. Just before you reach Pulpit Hill Road, there's a small spur trail that connects this one with the Robert Frost Trail again (heading back to parking) - in the winter, this trail gives you a little overlook of Puffer's Pond, UMass Amherst, and the Holyoke Range in the background. You cannot see this during months with leaves on the trees though.
