Kilburn Pond 
 in Pisgah State Park

Chesterfield, New Hampshire 03443

In Pisgah State Park, Southwest Corner of NH, near Connecticut River 

Location: Junction of Kilburn Road and Route 63
    3.8 miles south of Chesterfield Center on NH Rte.63 on the left
    3.1 miles north of Hinsdale Center on NH Rte. 63 on the right
Rating:  Easy walk through the woods to forest pond and trails
Minimum:  1 hour, no resting.
Maximum:  hours and hours of linked trails throughout Pisgah State Park 

Note:  I hiked for 2.5 hours taking pictures, eating lunch overlooking the pond and using the Leaf-Snap app on my cell phone camera--cell coverage was available at different points. 

Children:  Might be good for kids who enjoy strolling and being in the woods. Landscape is gentle rather than dramatic. Lots of woodsy things to point out. 

Last hiked:  9/9/14

Map site: Kilburn Pond Map 

The idea for where to go in the maze of possibilities came from Joe Adamowicz's book Hiking the Mondanock Region   published by New England Cartographics.
The trailhead is on Kilburn Road (dirt) with parking available. The path begins as a dirt road and then becomes more trail like as you move further along. It connects with the Kilburn Loop, a 5 mile loop that  continues to the right. This is the first sight of Kilburn Pond.

You can explore the pond, its reflections and granite outcroppings on the many short paths that lead down to it.

  Hiking books about NH
At the junction, turn to the left keeping the pond on your right.  Walk about 10 minutes until you reach a path that veers off to the right towards the pond and leaves the main road.  Follow this path as it winds around the lake, with small side trails to explore.  You will arrive at a granite overlook where you can enjoy a view of the pond.  This side of the lake is higher and so reaching the water is more difficult than when the pond was first sighted.  You can turn around at any time to return to the parking lot or continue on the many interlinking trails that run through Pisgah State Park.

Kilburn Pond reflections (©wsstern)

The Quarry Via Mountain Park

Mountain Park Road, Holyoke, MA  01040

Difficulty:  Easy with lots to see
Hike Time:     
      Minimum:  1 hour

      Maximum:  As long or as short as you wish--the trail links up with all the Mt. Tom trails  (Mt. Tom Map & Info) as well as the 3 mile Whiting Street Reservoir circuit.( Whiting St. Reservoir)
       Good for kids but adult supervision for 'safe exploring.'
       
Parking:  There are no fees associated with this entrance for hiking. However, this is the entry road to Mountain Park (an outdoor concert venue)  as well as and the Whiting Street Reservoir, a jogger's delight.
       Mt. Park itself, has a long, interesting history (Mt. Park)  including, an amusement park, a ski area (Sking at Mt.Tom), and summer water park. It is currently a fenced in outdoor concert venue. My advice:  avoid this entrance when a summer concert is planned!  

This is a fun, easy and exciting hike, round trip of about 1 hour if you don't stop. But you'll want to stop. Also, this route hooks up with all the other Mount Tom routes as well as the 3 mile Whiting Street Reservoir circuit, so you could hike for hours--depending on what you want to do. But plan for 2 hours and if it's a nice day, bring a picnic. Lots to see and great for kids.

Park at the end of Mt. Park Road, about a mile off Rte. 5.  You'll know when you've reached the end--gates will stop you.  Walk up the left hand road  for a hundred yards or so (following the fence) until you get to a large iron gate which is the beginning of the Holyoke Reservoir property.  Instead of going forward past the Whiting Street Reservoir gates to follow. the road, take a sharp right turn onto a foot trail that follows the fence. Continue along the fence trail for about a quarter of a mile following it as it curves softly to the left away from the fence and down to where the foot path joins the dirt road around the reservoir. Bear to the right on the road. You'll see the reservoir at this point. (Quite beautiful) and follow it several hundred yard until the road begins to curve clearly to the left.  At this same point you will see another path/trail going up the embankment to the right.  Take the short trail up the embankment.  You will emerge at a paved road and an electrical substation. Bear left and continue down the road.  You will pass the old ski and water park area on your left, and tall wall of granite on your right.  Go to the end of the road (about 10 minutes) to a gate and a very wide open, flat gravely area. Go through the gate and approach the end of the flat gravel area.  It is here that you will see the entrance to the enormous quarry--an almost moonscape shock upon first site. (Holyoke Quarry)

There is also a sign that points to a hikers trail--The Bray Loop Trail.  It by passes the quarry and enters the other Mt. Tom trails.