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)

Holland Glen, M-M Trail, Belchertown, MA

Update: Our recent visit here found the trail well used, the parking area full. The top two photos are from May 24, 2009. We went up to a fairly large waterfall area with a pool underneath. A campfire area and large picnic rock overlook the small waterway.

This gorgeous walk follows the path of a babbling brook as it flows through a serene wooded landscape.

From the M-M trail guide:
Mass. Rte. 9, Holland Glen, to Mount Lincoln (5.0 miles)
An interesting walk over ridge tops and beside dancing streamlets on footpaths and old town roads long since abandoned, bordered on the West Hill area by sturdy pioneer stone walls with old cellar holes which mark the site of an old agrarian community, all now in mixed forest. Holland Glen is a steep-sided ravine with a crystal dashing stream, shaded by a mature hemlock stand, forever preserved by the Belchertown Historical Society.

Cold Spring School Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA

Just across a field from the Cold Springs School Playground, this conservation area is very convenient if you'd like to blend a little nature with a little climbing. During the summer the back of this field is covered in beautiful wildflowers.

Reed Conservation Area, Belchertown, MA

This mostly low lying and marshy area is home to a lot of wildlife and interesting ponds and vegetation. The trails were wide and the hike was pretty. Two picnic tables in great condition are set out by the pond pictured above.

From the Belchertown Conservation Commission:

Reed Property Conservation Area
This 93-acre parcel, located on Gold St., is Belchertown’s was purchased on May 7, 2002. The main goal for this land acquisition was to protect the Jabish Brook, to maintain the water quality and wildlife habitat capacity of this brook. This property is adjacent to Knights Pond, which are the headwaters for the Jabish Brook.
This property already contains an extensive network of trails throughout the entire parcel that can be utilized for hiking, skiing and other passive recreation activities. A 2-acre pond is located on Lot #10.00, easily accessible by car, which is located within the area the Conservation Commission wants to develop into a picnic and fishing area. The Reed property provides the Town and the surrounding community with a conservation area, which has handicapped accessibility, the first in the area. This property is contiguous with other open space areas and will provide a greenway, connecting lands owned by Springfield Water District and the Cadwell Memorial Forest, located in Pelham, which is owned by the University of Massachusetts and is home to Mt. Lincoln.

Piper Farm, Belchertown, MA

This short walk is right off 202 near the Belchertown schools, so it's good if you are heading to the playground after, as we did. Otherwise, I think I'll pick a different spot.

There was plenty of interesting-looking rusty trash, plenty of bittersweet vines- which actually looked haunting and amazing because the leaves aren't yet out, plenty of old stone walls.

A short loop was probably a half mile or so.

No restrooms, free parking.