Out and About: Purgatory Chasm

My Nana (who my children call Nana-Dear) told me about Purgatory Chasm in Sutton MA months ago, and we finally made it there this past weekend.  She was right…it was amazing and we all loved it!  A trail through the beautiful New England woods with huge boulders to scramble over, caves to explore, and tunnels to climb through…yup, the kids were in heaven! It turned out to be one of those perfect family days…the weather was perfect, cool and crisp and so very much “fall in New England”, the big kids had a blast and Emma was perfectly content in her hiking carrier. Such a great memory. 

We are hoping to squeeze in one more trip before the good winter ends, and if not, are looking forward to many more trips in the spring and summer!  If you are local this is a must-see to put on the top of your list.  It’s very easy to find and the entrance is free. 

Obviously the chasm itself has been around for a very long time, and it’s been a park since the 1919.  It was so much fun to think that I was brought here as a child when I was too young to remember, and that my parents had been brought here with their parents, and perhaps even more generations of my dear family came and explored these rocky trails making their own memories together.  You can be sure that if you visit us we’ll be making a trip here if the weather permits! 

 

This huge rock is called “Sliding Rock” and is worn quite smooth from decades of children sliding down it.  Not completely smooth though…Becca actually wore a hole in the seat of her leggings right through to her skin…!  Thank goodness for the skirt she was wearing!