Leominster State Forest - September

The second weekend in September, we hiked the Ball Hill Trail at Leominster State Forest. It is about 30 minutes from Worcester, up I-190, with plenty of parking along Route 31 in Westminster. The location is convenient, with a picnic area by the pond, a swimming beach at Crow Hill Pond and trail maps available at the parking lot. I am glad we took a trail map, because the maps posted on the trail were outdated.

Ball Hill Trail is a bit more than 4 miles long, and begins and ends at the parking lot near the beach. It has an elevation gain of 400 feet, and some parts of the trail are fairly steep.

We found the trail poorly maintained, with ferns growing close to the sides of the trail and much of the soil washed out among the rocks in the hilly sections. We also encountered a lot of water on the trail, both in mud puddles and trickling across our path. I had encountered this problem here before during the spring, but didn’t anticipate how much water the week's rain would leave on the trail. We came out with muddy shoes and legs, and damp socks.

The trail crosses at least 6 stone walls and passes through some pretty clearings full of ferns and some interesting boulders. I wondered what the land was used for before it became part of the state forest. The coolest part of this hike was seeing toads hopping across the trail at regular intervals on some of the low parts of the trail. 

According to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Leominster State Forest covers 4,300 acres of land and there are many more trails to explore. Although there is a fee for parking in paved lots during the peak season, parking is free between after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. This makes it an especially appealing hike in the cooler fall and spring months. The forest is also open to snowmobilers and cross-country skiers in the snowy months. 

Bring water, bug spray, and a bathing suit and towel if you want to swim in the pond. The water looked a little murky, but there were people swimming and sitting on the sandy beach when we finished our hike.

Total time: 2 and a half hours

Purgatory Chasm - Labor Day Weekend

OK, so maybe choosing a location rated 4.5 stars on Yelp and Google for a Labor Day weekend hike was short-sighted. Purgatory Chasm State Reservation in Sutton, MA, comprises 3.25 miles of trails, including the .25-mile Chasm Loop Trail that runs through the chasm itself. On the Sunday before Labor Day, the Chasm Loop trail was mobbed, but the other trails were lovely.

I had happy memories of my previous trip to Purgatory Chasm, making my way through the chasm, climbing over boulders and through narrow openings. I am far from a rock-climber, but I managed to scramble over some of the larger rocks and pick my way among smaller rocks on the trail through the chasm with little difficulty. On my first trip, I finished the hike with a sense of pride and a few minor scrapes from slippery rocks and minor missteps.

Our recent trip was another story. There was plenty of parking in the lot and many family groups at the playground and pavilion around the chasm. Once we got into the chasm, though, we hit a major traffic jam. My boyfriend and I took different routes through the initial obstacles, each hoping to find a way past the herd of parents and children and leave the crowd behind. No luck.

We retraced our steps out of the chasm and took the other leg of the Chasm Loop Trail, which runs above the chasm and provides great views of the rock formations. It was much less crowded and comfortably cool as we hiked into the trees. Heading off the main trail to the colorfully-named Devil's Corn Crib and Fat Man's Misery, I was impressed by the view, especially the tree roots clinging to the rock ledge.

At the end of the chasm, we joined the Charley's Loop trail and headed back along the opposite side of the rock ledge, enjoying viewpoints including Lover's Leap and Devil's Pulpit.

Parts of the trail are steep, but the trail is relatively even. There are sections where you need to climb over rocks on the trail or use a series of stone steps to navigate a slope. There are many places where you can step off the trail to appreciate the view and catch your breath.

This hike is a great trip for individuals, adult groups or families. I loved seeing fathers encouraging their young daughters to scramble over rocks. Personally, I wouldn't advise children to climb the large rock slope in the parking lot and slide down on their butts, but many parents were helping their kids to do so. The rock formations on the Chasm Loop Trail provide varying levels of challenge. Choose your own adventure by going over, around or through the tumbled boulders.

This is a great hike in spring, summer and fall. Choose a dry day to avoid slippery rocks. Even in the summer heat, the rocks stay cool and many of the trails are shaded.

Bring water in a hands-free container if you have one, or plan to pass it off to a friend while you tackle some of the more challenging parts of the Chasm Loop Trail. Boots aren't necessary for this hike, but make sure your sneakers have good tread. Sunscreen is always recommended, but not imperative on this trip. Same for bug spray; we had no major insect problems. Pack a picnic lunch to eat at the picnic tables near the parking lot, or under the pavilion.

Total time: 1 and a half hours