Chesterfield Gorge and More

We hike .7 miles each way in
the Chesterfield Gorge & on the East Branch Trail

For several years now, I have been a member of the Trustees of Reservations, a conservation and historical organization here in Massachusetts.  We primarily use this membership for visiting Crane Beach in the summer season, but the Trustees have properties all over the state including Doyle Community Park right here in Leominster.  I figured it was high time we explore  some of the many other properties they have to offer.

On this particular Sunday, we head off out west to find Chesterfield Gorge.  The hook was to "Hike the half-mile trail along the cliff tops and take in wonderful views of the gorge, the river, and the surrounding forest" according to the website.  

The property entrance was on a little backroad.  Don't blink or you'll miss the entrance.  

It will be a "nature walk" today.  The short tail leads away behind us.

The wire fence behind us keeps us away
 from the very steep walls of the gorge. 

Here's a glimpse of the gorge with the
Westfield River below.

Once we leave the "gorge" part of the property, we proceed down the East Branch Trail, which it turns out is actually a jeep road along the river.  The trail has some dips and puddles and can be used by mountain bikers in addition to hikers.  After 8 miles it connects to the Knightsville Dam, passing through the Chester State Wildlife Management Area.  We're not going that far today.

This trail sign has grown right into the tree.

Once we get down the trail a ways, I'm able to jump the rocks out to the middle of the river. 

Betsy is taking my picture from the river bank.

It's a leisurely walk back up the hill to the parking lot.  From there, we walk to the farthest end of the trail to explore other views of the river and gorge.

Looking up river, we can see this old stone wall which appears to be an abutment for a bridge which spanned the gorge at one time.  It has long since washed away, but behind us on the west side of the river there is still evidence of an old cart road depressed onto the landscape.

Next it's on to explore more nature in this part of the state.  Betsy turns on trusty Google Maps which leads us back up the steep hills to what appears to be Chesterfield Common.  I suggest to go north to head back towards Rt 2 (instead of east through Northampton & Amherst), and we are directed via the most direct route - which happens to be a dirt road.  Good thing we're in the Rav4 today.

Emerging from the forest we are heading north on a good road and decide to visit DAR State Forest on our way.  I have actually heard about this place.  It is known for it's beautiful lakeshore and comfortable campground.

It's still early October, so the colors are beautiful, but there's lots more to come.

We take the road back further into the park and find a trail up the fire tower.  While I'm busy scanning the QR code for the trail map, Betsy points 60 meters uphill and says "There it is!".

We left the park after a little while at the fire tower looking for a place go grab a bite, but it's still pretty hard to find places with all the pandemic restrictions.  Maybe we'll have better luck next time.