Walks & Talks

Bakers Pond lies on the Brewster-Orleans boundary line with some of its shoreline protected by each town. From several vantage points along the trail, the pond glistens through the trees while cart paths and foot trails wind through this 90-acre assemblage of BCT and Town-owned conservation lands. A peaceful valley with a vernal pool precedes a 120-foot climb up Huckleberry Hill. The mixed forest has some white pine, mockemut, sassafras, and a grove of American beech. In the autumn, the carpet of knee-high huckleberry shrubs warms the trail with a wine-red glow.

Take Rt. 6A east to just after the Orleans town line, turn right on to Bakers Pond Road and travel 0.6 miles. The parking lot for Bakers Pond Conservation area is on the right. Color coded trails start at the parking lot; the Yellow Trailhead is at the right end of the lot and Orleans Blue Trailhead at the left.

About our leader: Phil Kyle has dedicated his life to the study and public education of the natural world, especially birds. He has led programs at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and Cape Cod National Seashore, among many others. He is a past president of the Cape Cod Bird Club and author of a weekly column about birds for the Cape Cod Times. Phil, a long-time high school science teacher and passionate naturalist, is happiest outdoors introducing others to the natural world.

This area is a collection of lands purchased over time to protect the town’s water supply. Originally planned for development, the properties now preserve a record of early transit routes including cart paths and crisscrossing foot trails. The red trail winds through a hilly pitch pine and oak forest with a huckleberry understory and a scattering of beech trees. The blue trail cuts through an even-aged pine barren. Much of the blue trail follows what had been cleared for a road, providing for a flat and level walk. An overlook of Cahoon Pond is located at the southernmost portion of the trail.

Park in the lot on the north side of Route 137, or along the south side of Freemans Way.

About our leader: Phil Kyle has dedicated his life to the study and public education of the natural world, especially birds. He has led programs at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and Cape Cod National Seashore, among many others. He is a past president of the Cape Cod Bird Club and author of a weekly column about birds for the Cape Cod Times. Phil, a long-time high school science teacher and passionate naturalist, is happiest outdoors introducing others to the natural world.

The barrier beach of Crosby Landing is a dynamic collection of ecosystems, with fluctuating bird populations, sand formations, and seasonal habitats, including salt marsh, brackish marsh, dune and outer beach habitats. This walk will reveal a snapshot of what is happening here in the early fall.

Park in the parking lot at Crosby Landing.

About our leader: Phil Kyle has dedicated his life to the study and public education of the natural world, especially birds. He has led programs at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and Cape Cod National Seashore, among many others. He is a past president of the Cape Cod Bird Club and author of a weekly column about birds for the Cape Cod Times. Phil, a long-time high school science teacher and passionate naturalist, is happiest outdoors introducing others to the natural world.