Boulder Park

Namesake boulder for the Park

In far eastern Chester is a classic CCC site from the era of the Great Depression. Boulder Park contains remnants of a large swimming hole, changing facilities and foundations for the outhouses. Circling throughout the park are trails in a varying state of being cleared, stone steps and even an old quarry, the likely source of rock for the park's projects.

Approaching the 'caves'
The Park takes its name from a large boulder dropped by its entrance. Not sure if this is truly an ice age carried bit of debris or something from a hillside of nearby rocks that may have come from an upper ledge, possibly due to glacial plucking. Ejection of material from that ledge has formed two very small cave-like formations.

Spring and former well pump site

The Arches

The Gator Arch. Teeth shaped stone block structure

A return with the Hikers to the famed Keystone Arch Bridges (or part of) along the Middlefield River. Moseying along the old Pontoosuc Turnpike, then turning off onto a constructed trail, we finally returned again to the Turnpike. Here we turned back along the tracks finally arriving at the so-called 'Gator Arch' named for cut stones within the Arch resembling crude (alligator) teeth. Unkamit's Path (or what's left to it here) also passes through this area.

Making a steep descent to the River, we checked on the present condition of this Arch before the difficult climb back up. Farther down the tracks (and River) were three stones that have been called the boundary for three counties. More than likely they are a town line marker as maps show Hampshire, Hampden and Berkshire Counties using the River as their common boundary. Not far from here was an additional bridge but a poured concrete replace for one that had been destroyed. Rumor has it some carvings exist in the base of sections of the old bridge that still remains.

Finally making our way back to the starting point, we once again admired the double arch bridge, a standout amongst all the Arches!

Trains, Rivers and Geology.

Railroad Workers Rock

Toot toot! The trains were rolling this day as we made our way along the old (now owned by CSX) train route out of Bancroft to look at several more bridges along that route. Other sites seen were several old quarries, potholes in the Westfield River, and Railroad Workers Rock. This Rock contains the initials of the workers upon the bridges, perhaps the railway itself.

Striations in the bedrock of the brook

Before heading back to or point of origin, we descended down to a picturesque location along River. Eventually we found minor sections of the old Pontoosuc Turnpike and even one lonely blaze from Unkamit's Path. Soon reaching Coles Brook near its intersection with the Westfield, we found old bridge abutments likely from the Turnpike. Also here was a somewhat unusual geologic formation of rock that closely resembled the lumber of a wood floor complete with striations. Once again it appears geologist BK Emerson made note of this location. Also, supposedly here, Coles Brook Limestone was to be found but none of my tests indicated it. So a further search is in order!