DIRECTIONS

From Springfield, take RT 20 west through Westfield and Woronoco to Huntington, then:



MOLTENBREY MARKET [MOLT]: Here, the West Branch Westfield River has small falls (rapids) with some deep spots. PHOTO1 The site of an old mill PHOTO2, this swimming hole has lot's of ancient debris in the water (old beams, large cut stones) PHOTO3 so be careful. Unofficial spot, bathing suits unknown. LAT, LON Lat=42.24184, Lon=-72.87135 (Source: Measured) (Accuracy : Exact) To get here: From Huntington, take RT 112 north about 0.8 miles then look for Moltenbrey's Market. Park in an unpaved lot across from the market. Follow the path at the north end of the fence to river. Very Confident. Verified. Updated 03/05/08. Link to Google Map.



GARDNER STATE PARK [GARD]: Has a roped off swimming area in the East Branch of the Westfield River (a narrow lake at this point) with a beach and lifeguard. Bathing suits required. Pretty spot but can be a noisy (family) crowd. Fee, picnic tables, toilets. LAT, LON Lat=42.27083, Lon=-72.86636(Source: DeLorme) (Accuracy: exact) . To get there: in Huntington, go north 2.5 miles on RT 112 (past "Moltenbrey Market" hole) to C. M. Gardner State Park. Pretty Confident. Not verified. Updated 11/01/2002. Link to Google Map



KNIGHTVILLE DAM [KNIG]: Pools in the Westfield river with beaches and rock ledges. Is in an Army Corps of Engineers nature preserve. There is no fee or facilities. From the parking area there is a fire road that follows the river upstream for 8 miles. This is a popular trail for joggers and mountain bikers. As for bathing suits: Pool by parking lot - customary; pool at .5 miles - optional; pool at .8 miles - optional ; pool at 2 miles - customary (opposite campground) ; gorge at 3.5 miles - optional. The first to arrive often sets the suit precedent. The gorge is over .25 mile long with many access points down steep banks. There are supposed to be more places beyond this point. LAT, LON Lat=42.29011, Lon=-72.86144(Source: DeLorme) (Accuracy: Exact) Link to Google Map



To get here: from Huntington, go north on RT 112 (past Gardner State Park., see above), go over river bridge then 1 mile past the bridge on the right see a US Army Corps of Engineers sign. Turn right here and follow paved road; turn right on dirt road, go over small concrete bridge and continue on until this road ends in a parking lot. This is a flood control dam that seldom has water behind it. However, when in use, the road from this direction will be under water. In this case, proceed 5 miles further on RT 112 to a second entrance. The dirt road will be on your left this time. There is a popular pool right near the parking lot but more isolated ones a bit upstream with sandy beaches. Very Confident. Verified by another. Updated 11/01/2002.



GOLDMINE BROOK POTHOLES [GOLD]: Goldmine Brook is a cascading stream with several good potholes for soaking. Also called "Heavenly Hideaway". It is in the Chester State Forest. This is a very small, but intriguing place. We almost gave up looking for the actual swimming area as it was in the heat of summer and the water was all but gone. Hiking well upstream, we did find a private little pool. Interestingly, we found a piece of paper near the hole that had the hand written directions from this web page PHOTO1 No fee or facilities. Bathing suits optional. PHOTO2 Very Confident. Verified. Updated 03/04/2008. LAT, LON Lat=42.24776, Lon=-72.9245 (Source: Measured (Accuracy: Exact Link to Google Map



To get there: From Huntington, continue west on RT 20 to about 1 mile west of the Huntington-Chester county line. Here there is a dirt parking area just east of a bridge which has a mile marker 39.160. Carefully cross RT 20 at a point about halfway between the power pole and the bridge. A barely visible rock stairway goes up the bank about 50 feet east of the bridge (climb up the bank here even if you don't see this trail). This leads to a wider trail, sometimes steep, along the stream. Go PAST the falls on the right to where a rock wall (ledge) goes out over a pool. Here there are several soaking spots. THESE POTHOLES HAVE PROTECTIVE LIPS BUT BE VERY CAREFUL - THEY ARE ABOVE A FALLS AND THE DANGER IS GETTING WASHED OVER THE FALLS.



THE ARCHES [ARCH]: This is a fascinating place with an equally unique swimming hole PHOTO1. It took me quite a while to find it, but it was well worth the effort. A stone arch bridge crosses the West Branch of the Westfield River with a sandy beach and swimming places below. The swimming area is actually quite large as it encompasses the area under two bridges. Be careful when a train passes overhead, as it may dislodge rocks from above. No fee or facilities. Bathing suits customary. Very Confident. Verified. Updated 03/04/2008. LAT, LON Lat=42.30974, Lon=-73.0035 (Source: Measured (Accuracy: Exact) Link to Google Map



To get there: From Huntington, continue west on RT 20, past Goldmine Brook Potholes (see above) to Chester. In Chester, turn north (right) on Middlefield Rd., going along the river. At about 2.5 miles, where this road bends right and goes uphill, turn left into a dirt parking area for the Keystone Arch Bridges Trail. Park here and follow the Keystone Arch Bridges (KAB) trail PHOTO2 along the river. Follow the KAB PHOTO3 trail to the girder deck bridge. PHOTO4 At this point, you will exit the woods and be on the rocky, railroad bed; follow the railroad tracks to the right. BE VERY CAREFUL, THERE IS FREQUENT TRAIN TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. You will know that you are on the correct path when you see the maroon, metal railroad sub-station labeled Middlefield MP128.6 Elev 770' PHOTO5 About 0.25 miles past this metal structure, just before the the track crosses the river, you will see a somewhat un-obvious trail to the right. Follow this trail and look down the steep embankment to the left. The swimming area is here. Hike down the steep hill and enjoy a very private and, when the sun is just right, dazzling swimming hole. PHOTO6 PHOTO7 There are reports of other swimming areas along the KAB trail and they are described here ;these have not been verified. To get to the first hole, continue along the KAB trail until you reach the second bridge at approximately a mile into the hike. Go to the left where the trail meets the old railroad bed in a T intersection. Go to the far side of the bridge and there is a small trail on the right that cuts along the ravine and then drops down. It is a difficult scramble down to a large, flat rock, but well worth it. Currently there is a rope to aid in descending and ascending here. There is a small waterfall on the upstream end of the pool, which is fairly large and deep, and a sandy bank across from the flat rock. Another hole is at the third bridge, about half a mile from the second bridge. There is a small trail to the left immediately after crossing this bridge. This pool is easier to reach, though the trail is rather steep. CHESTER POOL [CHES]: Very near the center of the town of Chester. Very small pool in the Westfield River- wide, and long. Secluded spot, rarely if ever used, very near the railroad tracks. Altogether forgettable. PHOTO1 Updated 03/05/08. LAT, LON Lat=42.28471, Lon=-72.98148 (Source: Measured) (Accuracy: Exact) Link to Google Map To get there: From RT 20, turn onto Main St in Chester. Take the first and only left turn after going over the Westfield River bridge. At end of road, you will be on access road for railroad tracks- turn left and go about 200 yards. There is a steep trail that goes down about 10 feet to the river.

