Tully Lake in Massachusetts

by  guest-paddler

A self-supported trip created by guest-paddler

Trip Overview


Similar to another report on this site, we put our canoe in at the boat launch area of Tully Lake Reservation near Athol, MA.

From this point you can go two directions - south into Tully Lake proper or north along the Tully River to Long Pond and beyond. We chose to pursue the northern route and headed up the gentle river.

It's early spring so the trees are just beginning to bud, and the marshy grasses on both sides of the river have not yet shifted from brown to green, although the first stages of this transformation are evident.

We saw several northern red-bellied cooters (turtles) along the way. Tried a little fishing with no luck. When we got to Long Pond (about an hour's paddle) we stopped on the right-hand side, dragged our canoe up into the brush, and hiked up to Spirit Falls (about 1/2 hour). Nice but lots of gnats.

After we got back in the canoe and continued to the end of Long Pond and through the narrower and marshier river at the far end. This we followed for another 1/2 hour until we reached a huge old dead pine, at which point we turned around and headed home.
The trip in total was 5 hours.

Accommodations:

Port-a-potty and parking at boat launch.

Fees:

None

Trip Details

  • Trip Duration: Day Trip
  • Sport/Activity: Kayaking, Canoeing
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Water Type: Flat/Sheltered Water

Trip Location