It was sunny, about 75 degrees, with a light breeze, a perfect day for a hike.  McLeod Pond is relatively undiscovered and uncrowded  because it is not in any guidebooks that I know of, and it does not have any descriptions in the Massachusetts state websites.  Fortunately Bruce found a description of it and a very helpful map at a site called www.franklinsites.com, a site well worth visiting for useful hiking information.
     We parked near the gate on South Catamount Hill Road and started out at 12:17 PM.  Our expedition consisted of Bruce, Carol, Dickens and Fenster.    The trail was in good condition and we saw an interesting fern that seemed to grow fronds around in a circle.  We arrived at the monument and flag, in the middle of nowhere, where a flag was flown over a US schoolhouse for the first time in the early 1800's. We had lunch here.  Beyond this area were beaver ponds and swamps where a group of young people and 2 dogs were exploring. 
     We then met a man and a woman about 45 years old who went along with us on a side trail heading east to the pond.   The woman had been here as a youngster and recognized the forest of high trees leading up to the lake.
     McLeod Pond is gorgeous.  It is a large body of sparkling blue water, with green forested hills all around.  It contains rocky islands with high pine trees, and it had many areas with flowering waterlillies.  The lake water was clear and we could see quite a few small fish swimming there.
     Exploring the lake shore we saw many pretty boulders, some flowering cottony plants, and a small bridge.  We dogs had a refreshing dip in the water, and we shared a snack of potato sticks with Bruce. We left the lake at 2:15 PM and started down the easterly trail to complete the loop.  We passed a garter snake and a large cellar hole.  We were back out at the car at 2:45 PM.
     Everyone had a wonderful time.  This is a place we will want to visit again.