NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Purgatory Chasm State Reservation, MA
Trails
Trails: Old Purgatory Trail, Spring Path, Chasm Loop Trail, Charley's Loop, Little Purgatory, Forest Road Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Saturday, November 19, 2022
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: According to https://www.mass.gov/locations/purgatory-chasm-state-reservation, the daily parking fee is $5 or $20 per car, depending on whether it has Massachusetts plates or not, but this is charged only May 14 through October 30, so we didn't have to pay. The large parking lot at the visitor center was essentially empty when we arrived at 10:30am, and half full when we left at 2:30pm. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: At the end of Little Purgatory, there is a small round chamber inside the rock that is accessible by a very easy rock hop. No other water crossings.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: Allowed, but should stay leashed to avoid accidents on the cliffs. 
Bugs
Bugs: None. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: My favorite easy hiking within an hour of Boston! The trail map at https://www.mass.gov/locations/purgatory-chasm-state-reservation is useful. The "scrambling" on the short descent into the chasm is easy in comparison to that on many White Mountain trails, even those that are not Terrifying 25 trails or electives, say, but it may surprise inexperienced hikers, and in any case rubber-soled shoes are recommended. Make sure to see not only the chasm, but also the spectacular uprooted tree in the upper part of the loop at the end of the Little Purgatory trail. The rocks inside "Fat Man's Misery" are slippery, and the entry at one end is on the edge of a cliff.

The Chasm Loop Trail was open today, but it is closed in winter or whenever the rocks are wet from rain, snow, or ice. In contrast with my experience last year, they do answer the phone, so you can call (508) 234-3733 to find out whether it is open. The other trails in the reservation are always open (during daylight hours).  
Name
Name: mathbp 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2022-11-20 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved