#hikethehilltowns with us!
CANCELLED!!
We will reschedule this hike to a later date, snow and freezing rain is expected!
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. Always be prepared for rocks, roots and some mud. We will hike rain or shine. Friendly dogs are welcome. Suggestion donation is $10 per person, hike is volunteer lead. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email [email protected] or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com For more hike information email: [email protected] or call/text 413-302-0312. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Meetup, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest and X. Search our hashtags #westernmasshilltownhikers #hilltownhikers and #hikethehilltowns Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
Tees, hoodies, hats, window stickers, patches and photos will be for sale at the hike, the complete free catalog of printed hiking maps will be there too. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com
Donate here:
Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers
Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Via Venmo: @hilltownhikers
Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)
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 #86-2532245
NEW! Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here: https://westernmasshilltownhikers.com/product/membership/
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Liability Waiver: As a condition of your
voluntary participation in this activity, you
acknowledge and agree to the following: this
activity involves inherent risks that can cause
property damage, injury, illness, disability,
and/or death to participants and/or others;
you assume all risk associated with this
activity; you are responsible for having the
necessary knowledge, skills, abilities,
clothing, and equipment to safely participate
in this activity; you know and will follow the
Hiker Responsibility Code described at
www.hikesafe.com;.the leader(s) of this
activity are volunteers; and you for yourself,
your heirs, executors, and administrators
release, hold harmless, and indemnify the
leader(s) and all members of this group from
any and all claims for property damage,
injury, illness, disability, and/or death -
including those caused by negligence and/or
other reasons.
