Peppers Mill Pond via Gate WR3

Peppers Mill Pond via Gate WR3 at Quabbin Reservoir in Ware, Massachusetts is an easy 0.6-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the banks of Peppers Mill Pond and features beautiful views of the pond.

This trail begins at the gate labeled "WR3"; however, this trail is almost never maintained by the DCR as previous attempts to visit Peppers Mill Pond during warmer months were quickly thwarted due to massive overgrowth and thorns. During the winter, reaching Peppers Mill Pond from this gate is much easier since all of the overgrowth is dead and generally buried by snow.

The trail itself is skinny and follows yellow blazes. Animals seem to maintain the trail more than the DCR, so hiking slow and finding the next yellow blaze is helpful along this hike.

Not far into the trail, hikers will reach the western half of Peppers Mill Pond and the trail follows the banks of the pond for a short while before abruptly ending. Even during the winter, the trail (while still blazed yellow) is not maintained enough to continue a casual hike along and around Peppers Mill Pond. This recording ends approximately 300 feet after hiking along the shore due to the trail being uncomfortably passable.

The trail does technically make its easy to the eastern half of Peppers Mill Pond, but this trail data will not bring hikers through the full trail. In the future, maybe the DCR will maintain this trail to make Peppers Mill Pond more accessible to the public.

View
There's no real vista along this trail, but the view of Peppers Mill Pond is a peaceful and beautiful setting, especially since people rarely hike this trail.

Blaze Color
This trail follows yellow blazes.

Pets
Dogs are not allowed on any trails at Quabbin.

Parking
Hikers can find parking at the eastern-most entrance to Quabbin where Route 9 meets Ware Enfield Road. The parking lot is large enough to fit about 8 vehicles or so.