Quabbin Hike, Belchertown, MA

After checking to see whether the viewing tower had reopened (it has not), we headed down one of the trails that snakes down the hillside.

In the aftermath of severe weather, we found massive trees downed, jagged trunks and limbs, dripping sap from a severed pine, and twig litter all over the path.

The trail had no spectacular view, save for the top of the hill. It wound through beautiful old forest, was lined with soft mosses, and offered glimpses of that gorgeous pink Quabbin rock. We ended up at a road and decided to turn around, as two juice boxes would barely get us through the climb back up.

Quabbin Reservoir (DCR site)

Quabbin Fishing Area (my post)

Quabbin Viewing Tower (my post)

Winsor Dam (my post)

Fishing Area 1, Quabbin, Pelham, MA

I headed North on 202 and clocked 4.5 miles from Townmart in Belchertown to the Fishing Area Sign.

After turning onto a gravel road, I drove (erratically) two or three more miles. I wasn't sure what I was looking for - all of the pull-offs had large NO PARKING signs. When I finally pulled into the parking area, I was stunned by a wide open, glittering vista. Tidy boats line the shore, and the distinctive dip of the Winsor Dam is barely visible across the water. A tower peeps over the left hand hill.

I paid a $4 parking fee and was directed to the trail head, behind the porta potty, on the far left when facing the reservoir.

We hiked several miles on a beautiful trail along the edge of the Quabbin, peeking out at half a dozen lookout spots. At each of these points, the pinky-orange granite of the mountains could be seen extending from ground cover to bare rock, to lake floor. The lookout nearest to the parking area became our snack and play spot. I nursed the baby while the boys jumped around like mountain goats on the jagged rocks. The water deepened very gradually, so I wasn't worried about their safety.

The kids found two varieties of caterpillar and more than a few insects along the way. They had the opportunity to play on a small beach where my oldest was fascinated by the waves "rolling in." When we returned to our starting point by the boat launch, they spent some time heaving rocks into the water while I stalked an amazing butterfly, who seemed to be begging me to photograph him. My son had identified one of the caterpillars as a swallowtail, and he said that this was a swallowtail as well. We looked it up later to confirm his information (he seemed a little miffed, but he is only 4); he was correct. It's an Anise Swallowtail butterfly.

We loved this walk so much that we're going back later this week with my husband. And going back in a week or two to rent a boat for $5! $5!!

Quabbin Fishing Areas

Winsor Dam (my post)

Quabbin Hike (my post)

Quabbin Viewing Tower (my post)

Viewing Tower, Quabbin, Ware, MA

Update: Tower was still closed on July 4, 2009.

Original Post:

On our recent visit we learned that the tower is closed for renovations, with an expected re-opening date of June 30, 2009. The views pictured above are from the base of the lookout tower.

The vista from the top is of some of the many Quabbin islands - hilltops that have become hummocks on the water. It's often misty, and always very beautiful. Think Avalon.

A large parking lot is surrounded by a circular drive. Picnic spots are dotted along the edge, where scenery is the most lovely.

The walkway leading to the tower is short, and paved, so you could potentially take your stroller. There are also a number of trails leading from this spot. Several years ago we walked around the area quite a bit and found the paths difficult to navigate - if memory serves, we had a barely toddling little guy who couldn't keep his footing on the roots and rocks. We are looking forward to exploring this area again, this time with our baby in a backpack.

Quabbin (DCR site)

Winsor Dam (my post)

Quabbin Hike (my post)

Quabbin Fishing Area (my post)

Winsor Dam and Visitor Center, Quabbin, Belchertown, MA

The Quabbin has many entrances and points of interest. The visitor center is located off Rt. 9 in Belchertown, close to Ware. A State Police Station is also there. The Winsor Dam is a half mile across and offers a spectacular view. It is perfect for strollers, wagons, bikes, etc., since it is paved. One side of the path drops away dramatically in a long steep hill of grass, on the other, soft and otherworldly hillocks rise up from the calm waters of the reservoir.
The visitor center is not a museum but it does have many interesting historical documents, pictures of the valley throughout history, and some animal themed displays like some stuffed birds.
The dam is very buggy, especially with gnats, most of the summer. It has two stone walls which children naturally gravitate toward, and which toddlers cannot really be trusted to navigate alone. The wind can be strong - once my stroller was knocked over with baby, infant seat, diaper bag, etc. It's also quite bright out there, with the water reflecting the sun back and no shade whatsoever. You may continue your hike after you reach the other side, a wide path leads over a bridge, with a view of a waterfall - an overflow outlet for the dam. Once, we continued down the brook for some way on a dirt path accessible by a flight of steps off the side of the main road.
Restrooms in the visitor center are adequate. Parking is free and copious; no shade.

The Quabbin

Garlic Festival, Orange MA

Fall in New England is a particularly wonderful time. Orange is a hilly and wooded town north of the Quabbin. This festival offers music on a large stage with seating on a hill, a smaller stage near the food area, vendors with wares from honey to hula hoops, foods (which do not come cheap, and lines can be long), and other entertainments. There is plenty of free space for children to run. The festival ground is a field which gets mowed for the event, so the "grass" is a prickly and uneven specimen.

It will cost you more than a few bucks to get in, and surely you'll purchase food, drink or garlic while you are there. Not free.

Parking is free and out on a field identical to the fairground. Watch yourself if muddy.

Restrooms are porta potties. Couldn't tell you how they were as I do not go in those.



Garlic Festival