CANCELLED East Branch Trail to Bakers Dam Chesterfield

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED we will be rescheduling this event due to the snow and ice expected!

#hikethehilltowns with us!

East Branch Trail to Bakers Dam
March 23rd @ 10:00 am
Parking at the Chesterfield Gorge.  22 River Road, Chesterfield, MA  01084
Hike Rating:  Moderate (due to length), approximately six miles in to the Dam and back, with an option of a shorter turn around point.

Join us for a six-mile hike to the Baker Dam and Saw Mill Remains starting at the Chesterfield Gorge.  Built in 1848 by Lemuel Baker, a saw mill was erected here at mile marker three on the East Branch Trail in Chesterfield.  The mill used an undershot waterwheel to produce its power.  A dam was located here but it no longer exists due to raging flood waters on the East Branch of the Westfield River however metal pins can still be seen on the rocks at the waters edge.  After 21 years of use both the dam and mill were destroyed by flood waters in 1869 and were never rebuilt. We will hike along the wild and scenic East Branch trail along the river with rolling terrain into the Gilbert Bliss State Forest, passing an old quarry site and continuing on to the old mill site.

Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs allowed. Suggestion donation is $10, event is volunteer lead.  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 hiking poles!

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For more hike information email: westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312.   Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Meetup, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Threads and Twitter (X).  Tees, hoodies, hats, patches and photos will be for sale at the event.  Our free catalog of printed hiking maps will be there too.  See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. 

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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 recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts.  We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249