Bears on the Rocks at Purgatory Chasm in Sutton, Mass.
Saturday, September 30th, 11am - Meet at Purgatory Chasm in Sutton, Mass. just south of Mass Pike exit 10a, off Mass. Rt.146
Parking is free, we can meet in front of the Ranger Station, BooBoo!!! (For those in the Springfield, Mass. / Hartford, Ct. area, if you want to come to my house at 9am and carpool, I can probably fit 5 in my vehicle).
I figured we’d do a short trail walk first to warm-up, then do the chasm, then maybe try one of the other trails. Stopping for lunch along the way, around 1pm. The main road isn’t far, we can leave the park and grab sandwiches somewhere (someone say sammiches??)
I figured we would leave the park by 3/3:30pm, and those that would like can come on back to our house in Springfield, Mass. by exit 6 to relax, have a shower and go in the Hot Tub. We’re at 79 Ingersoll Grove, Springfield, Mass. 01109
Around 6pm we’ll just keep it casual and order some pizzas.
Others are welcome to join us at the house if you just want to do the hot tub. Feel free to BYOB. And please bring a towel.
Not sure if there are any ‘events’ going on in downtown Springfield that night, but we are only about 10 minutes from downtown.
We have 5 spare bedrooms (full size beds, 4 full, 1 queen futon) if some would like to stay over. Just RSVP to Charlie & Gary, as it’ll be first come first served! Could be 5 couples or 10 singles.
Sunday morning, we can have brunch in Northampton, Mass. at Union Station. It’s one of the best brunches, and unique settings. It’s about 20 minutes north of our house, off exit 19 on I-91. Take I-91 North to Exit 18. Turn left on Route 5. Proceed 3/4 mile. Union Station is on the right.
Brunch is $16.95 a person, here’s the menu. Served 10am-2pm, but I am aiming to get there for 11am, for those trucking on to see “The Women” in Boston at 3pm, or to Lake Compounce Amusement Park, with the Ursamen, (Sunday, 5-10pm, Bristol, Ct.)
What to bring:
- For Purgatory Chasm; wear sturdy shoes to protect your ankles, hiking boots, etc.
- Depends on weather, but I’d really encourage long pants.
- Long sleeve shirt, close fitting to avoid snags.
- I’d also recommend some kind of gloves. I plan to just get some cheap Ocean State Job Lot gardening ones that have suede palms.
- Some of the rocks looked mossy, so plan accordingly.
- Perhaps bug repellent.
- I don’t plan to wear sunglasses or carry a cellphone. They can only fall or get lost. We’ll be low enough on the trail that high sun won’t be an issue. But feel free to bring ‘em and keep in the car.
EXPECT TO SCALE & CLIMB ON ROCKS! There is a ‘path’ at the bottom where you can duck/limbo under the rocks and travel through, but I’d rate this trail as something more exciting than your average hiking trail, but not so challenging you’d be repelling and needing spikes or crampons. But you will probably need to utilize all 4 limbs.
Hot Tub: Please bring your own towel, if you plan to shower or use the hot tub. Suits are not necessary (better for water quality) but it’s ok if you want to wear one. Just please rinse & wring it out so it’s not sudsy. We have a fair amount of privacy on the deck where the tub is, but not in the driveway or backyard. The tub is kept at 103/104, if it’s too hot: GET OUT OF THE WATER. Allow others some time to use it too, there is room for up to 8 people in the tub.
Contact info:
Charlie beartunes@aol.com
my cell: 413-896-7257
our house: 413-747-5451
Hope to see you!
-Charlie & Gary
Hosted by Charlie:
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Hosted by Gary
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September 10th, 2006 at 10:52 am
For those a bit nervous about Purgatory Chasm, don’t be! I’ve hiked it every year for the past few and while it looks spectacular it’s not that hard, indeed usually there’s a few crowds of six year olds on the trail. As long as you’re wearing non-slippery shoes, and take it slow, most anyone able to take a walk in the woods should be fine.
Getting to Purgatory Chasm State Park is easy; MA 146 is the highway that runs between Worcester & Providence. The park is about an hour from Boston, 15 minutes south of Worcester, less then a half hour north from Providence. There are signs for the park on MA 146, it has plenty of parking, a ranger building, picnic area, etc. Oh, just don’t speed on 146, there are often speed-traps.
Once we meet up, limber up, it’s about a half hour hike through the chasm itself. At points the sides of the chasm rise up 50′, and get within 30′ apart. One of the mysteries of the chasm is it doesn’t connect watersheds, so except for a swampy puddle area at the very end it is usually quite dry.
At the far end of the chasm are a nice bit of lightly hilly eastern deciduous forest, which will be in early fall glory as we head through it. The trails in the state forest are level, wide, and well-marked. If you know where to go off-trail (& we do) there is a nearby stream with nice pools & waterfalls, making an amazing contrast to the nearby chasm.
Heading back there are trails alongside the chasm where one can walk out on points and watch hikers 50′ below working their own way down through it. Nothing too hard, indeed it’s only about 20 minute walk back up from the end of the chasm to the parking lot & facilities.
I gotta hand it to Charlie, this is a great location for a fall hike, it’ll be a wonderful way to meet guys, and then later in the day the hot tub sounds super. They’re both amazing hosts, I encourage everyone to show up for this.
Oh, and I disagree with Charlie, this is a fantastic day for photographers! Just make sure your camera is in a well padded fanny pack so it doesn’t hinder you and you’ll be fine. The photos of scenery, and you, in this amazing chasm, will be well worth the effort!
October 9th, 2006 at 8:24 pm
I think u should all have an event at Foxwoods or Moghegan sun..
Purgatory was a great time..
thanks