Chesterfield Gorge (Massachusetts)
| Chesterfield Gorge | |
|---|---|
Chesterfield, MA, USA | |
| Coordinates | 42°23′35″N 72°52′48″W / 42.39306°N 72.88000°W |
| Established | Original land acquired in 1929 |
| Governing body | The Trustees of Reservations |
| Website | Chesterfield Gorge |
Chesterfield Gorge is a nature reserve located in Chesterfield, Massachusetts, United States. The property is owned by The Trustees of Reservations, who have administered the property since 1929.
Chesterfield Gorge was initially carved from the metamorphic bedrock by torrents of glacial meltwater. Today, the gorge continues to be shaped by the East Branch of the Westfield River. The walls of the gorge are quite steep, more than 30 feet (9.1 m) in some places. During periods of low water, it is possible to get down to the floor of the gorge, but it is not recommended, and no trails exist from the cliff edge to the bottom. Rock climbing is prohibited. The surrounding forest features oak, pine, and hemlock, and is home to bears, bobcats, and turkeys, among many others. A half-mile trail along the cliff top offers views of the gorge, the river, and the forest. A railing runs along the length of the cliff for safety. Along the cliff ledge are fields of boulders, some of which are quite massive.
Stone abutments of a bridge that once spanned the river are all that remain of the old post road between
Chesterfield Gorge is the entrance to an extensive natural area along the Westfield River, and is designated a
There is, coincidentally, a similar natural area named Chesterfield Gorge located in Chesterfield, New Hampshire.
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