#hikethehilltowns
Keystone Arch Bridges Trail Group Hike October 22nd 10:00 am to 2:30 pm
GPS Location: 42.312190 -72.992314 Trailhead Hike Rating: Moderate 5 miles total in and back
Join us for our annual fall group hike of the historic Keystone Arch Bridge Trail in Chester
The hike will be narrated by Dave Pierce of the Friends of the Keystone Arches.
Enjoy Dave’s incredible narration as he tells of the history of the Arch’s creation, the first cluster of stone arch RR bridges built in America, located on the West Branch of the Westfield River. Construction of the 150-mile railroad was completed by 3,000 laborers in an incredible two and a half years, opening in 1841.
We will take you up close to ALL the stone bridges on the trail. The 65 and 70 foot Arches have footpaths with viewing areas, these two keystone arch bridges located on Mass Wildlife’s Walnut Hill Wildlife Management Area in Middlefield and Becket have been named National Historic Landmarks last year! The Chester Railway Station Museum will be open after the hike located at 10 Prospect Street, Chester. For more info visit: www.chesterrailwaystation.net www.keystonearches.com www.townofchester.net
Parking is at Chester Elementary School, 325 Middlefield Road, one mile from the trailhead(limited parking at the trailhead we will shuttle hikers from the school). Carpooling will start at 9:30 am please be at the parking lot by then! Hike will start at the trailhead at 10 am.
Please email [email protected] or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.
We head up the trail at 10:00 am sharp! See you all there!
Scan the QR Code with your phone to make a donation or
paypal.me/hilltownhikers
Venmo @hilltownhikers
Be prepared for water, rocks, roots and mud on the trail. Maps and bottled water will be provided. We hike rain or shine. Friendly dogs are welcome! Please Register (per carload) on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com hike is free, donations are appreciated!
Tees, hoodies, hats, window stickers, artwork, and puzzles 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 For more hike information email: [email protected] or call/text 413-302-0312. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Meetup, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest and Twitter. Search our hashtags #westernmasshilltownhikers and #hikethehilltowns
Donate here: paypal.me/hilltownhikers Venmo: @hilltownhikers or on the donate link on the website.
Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out.
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
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.
