Coles Brook Preserve in Washington
March 21 @ 11:00 am - 2:30 pm
Headwaters Trail Group Hike at Coles Brook Preserve
March 21st @ 11:00 am
Hike Rating: 1.5 mile loop. Easy to Moderate, flat ground double track with minimal incline/declines, rock steps, bridges.
Parking: Small lot on Cross Place Road, overflow along one side of Cross Place Road. Parking is limited, registration is per car, please try to carpool.
Directions:
- From the MA Pike west take the Westfield exit and head west on Route 20 to Route 8 N (from the MA Pike
- going east take Lee exit and head east on R. 20 to Rt 8 N).
- Take a right onto Route 8 north.
- Continue 9 miles and in the town of Washington and take a right on Lower Valley Road.
- After 0.9 miles you will go under a railroad bridge, then bear left onto Cross Place Road.
- Continue 0.8 miles until you see a small marked parking lot on your right.
Join us for a hike along the Headwaters Trail, the newest hiking destination in the Hilltowns. The preserve protects a variety of habitats in a relatively intact forested landscape including forest, ponds, portions of Coles Brook and shrub wetlands. It abuts additional protected areas including the 3,400-acre Middlefield State Forest. The 1.2-mile Headwaters Trail, named for the narrow stream that emerges from the spring-fed Benson Pond, features gentle slopes, a natural stone staircase and charming bridges over Coles Brook. The trail offers access to this haven for wildlife, including porcupines, beavers, moose, birds, salamanders and more. Coles Brook is a part of the Westfield River watershed of the Connecticut River and provides unique conservation opportunities based on the combination of intact forests and high-quality rivers and streams. This area offers one of the last and best opportunities for large-scale forest and aquatic system conservation in southern New England. The Nature Conservancy’s goal is to conserve the integrity of these forests and rivers both to protect the Connecticut River watershed as well as provide connectivity to other forested habitats in the Appalachians. Tom Hoffman, Hilltown Hikers Hike Leader and Washington Historical Chair will point out the historical cellar holes along the way and the colonial influences in this area.
Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack!
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GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010
Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. provides monthly, guided group tours of historical hiking destinations in various locations of Western Massachusetts. We also provide volunteer trail maintenance for trails, maintain our historic conserved properties and provide educational presentations to other civic groups, non-profit organizations, libraries and schools. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
IMPORTANT: For all activities, participants must come prepared with adequate water and food. Dress appropriately in layers for the weather, including rain gear, and wear proper hiking footwear. The hike leader has the discretion to deny people participation if they are not adequately prepared. Contact us via email or text with any questions. Most hikes are listed as “Dog Friendly” or “Dogs on Leash are welcome.” If leashing is required you must keep your dog on leash! Please do not bring a dog if it is not reliably under your control, leashed or otherwise, and be prepared to pick up after your dog.
Adults bringing minor children are fully responsible for their safety and well-being. For children under 14, please contact us to ask if it is permissible to bring them (some hikes may be difficult for them and a liability release is mandatory). Hikes leave from the trailhead at the “Leave Time.” Please ARRIVE at the trailhead prepared to hike at least 10 MINUTES earlier than the Leave Time.
