In My Footsteps: Purgatory Chasm

            One of the most incredible spots I have visited thus far is also one of the most dangerous.  It is located in the town of Sutton, Massachusetts tucked in the picturesque Blackstone River Valley.  It was designated a state park in 1919.  The basics are that Purgatory Chasm is a naturally formed, quarter-mile long granite gorge.  The walls on either side of the chasm rise as high as seventy-feet.

            It does not take very long to see how imposing Purgatory Chasm is.  The wooden sign pointing to the beginning is within sight of the opening.  The scattered boulders around the entrance make it seem virtually impassible, and at some points I thought it was.  There are warnings as soon as you begin your journey.  I highly recommend only attempting this during nearly perfect weather.  Even the slightest inclement weather would make hiking through the chasm a dangerous nightmare.

            There are some safe patches where you will walk the bare ground, but those are offset by large boulders that must be traversed as well.  Most of the dangerous work has been done, there are blue lines marking the safest route to take along the floor of the chasm.  One thing to watch for are the stream of chipmunks darting across the chasm floor, it became a game for me to see just how many of them I caught sight of.  There are spots along the chasm route that have unique names to them.  They include: His Majesty’s Cave, Lovers Leap, Devil’s Pulpit, and Devil’s Corn Crib.

            Though hiking the cliffs of the chasm is discouraged there is nothing stopping someone from trying.  I witnessed several people doing just that.  Seeing them make it safely to the top of the sloping rocks I decided to find my own place to try the same.  Since I am writing this I obviously succeeded.  The climb was not overly difficult, especially since I chose an easier path to the top.  I wanted to see the chasm from above but not kill myself attempting it.  For those of you wishing to see it from above but not willing to risk life and limb fear not, I shot a video of my time there and I am including a link to it.

            An incredible natural spot, Purgatory Chasm is somewhere that everyone should visit.  In addition to the gorge there are two miles of hiking trails around the gorge as well.  There is also a playground near the visitor’s center for kids who might not be able to safely navigate the chasm.  Of course the chasm itself is the main attraction as it should be.  Use care and caution when crossing the quarter-mile granite chasm, but also take the time to enjoy the natural beauty as well.  This is a true gem in the Blackstone River Valley.  Have fun and happy traveling!

   

Purgatory Chasm:  198 Purgatory Rd., Sutton, Massachusetts

            Take I-495 to Exit 13B for I-95, take Exit 4 to get on I-295.  Take Exit 9B for Rt. 146, take Exit 6 for Purgatory Rd.  Keep left at fork for Purgatory Chasm, destination will be on right.

Mass.gov/DCR - Purgatory Chasm

In My Footsteps - Purgatory Chasm (My YouTube Video)

The entrance

Lovers Leap

How the chasm looks from the inside.

People I saw rock climbing before I tried it myself.

Looking down from above.

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In My Footsteps: Trip 68: Sutton, Mass.

In My Footsteps

Christopher Setterlund

Trip 68:  Sutton, Massachusetts

August 18, 2010

            I did not know much about the Blackstone River Valley before my recent trip there.  Now it has become one of my favorite spots I have seen thus far.  The scenic beauty is something that I was not prepared for and it blew me away.  Sutton was very special because of its amazing natural wonder known as Purgatory Chasm which I will delve into later.

The beauty of the Blackstone River Valley

            Though there are many historic sites and some amazing farms to see I feel that as hard as I may try to paint a picture there is no substitute for being there.  Sutton, and all of the towns I visited in the Blackstone River Valley, fall into the category of ‘you have to be there.’  However I will still try my best to detail what a wonderful time I had out there.

            As much as there are historic sites and natural beauties to see in Sutton there are a few other spots that are feasts for your stomach as well as your eyes.  Keown Orchards is a gigantic farm known mostly for its apples but not exclusively.  The 175 acre farm was purchased by Arthur and Alice Keown in 1924 and you can watch the apples get brought in from the fields; not to mention the rows and rows of trees.  The sheer size of the orchard is amazing, teeming with apples, nectarines, apricots, peaches, and more.  The farm stand is open from July through Christmas Eve.  Keown Orchards is definitely a place to stop and pick up fruits and veggies that are as fresh as can be.

            Another delicious stop is Eaton Farm Confectioners.  They make their own homemade chocolates and candies and it absolutely lived up to the hype for me.  The story of the business goes back to 1892 when Ira M. Chute took forty-one dollars he had saved and opened his own candy store called Chute’s Candies.  The store and recipes were passed down from Mr. Chute to his son and eventually to Lynwood Eaton who purchased the store in 1974 and moved it to the Eaton Farm.  I was in awe of the chocolates I saw.  Their most well known creation is the Peanut Butter Lust Bar which includes peanut butter, chocolate chips, cashews, marshmallows and rice crisps.  It is all coated in gourmet chocolate and is as delicious as it sounds.  They are open year round and also sell their tremendous items at their website which is in my ‘reference’ section below.  Eaton Farm Confectioners is a must stop destination in Sutton.

Purgatory Chasm

            In keeping with the farm theme there is also Waters Farm on Waters Road.  This spot was closed when I arrived, closer to sunset.  That did not spoil my time there as the setting sun gave some of the old buildings a beautiful orange and yellow hue that seemed more magical when combined with near total silence around me.  Waters Farm’s origin dates all the way back to 1757 and the historic homestead built by Stephen Waters which overlooks Lake Manchaug.  The farm’s 120 acres of protected watershed land was donated to the town by Dorothea Waters Moran in 1974. 

            So many of these places that I visited in Sutton had an added bonus, that being the drive to them.  The Blackstone River Valley is an amazing area and I found myself losing the road at times as I gazed upon the rolling hills of green that would stretch out behind buildings and homes along my route.

            The final place I visited in Sutton was a one of a kind.  Purgatory Chasm State Park was hyped up to me by my friend Keisha who lives twenty minutes north of Sutton in Worcester.  After seeing and experiencing it for myself I will say that it exceeded my expectations.  Basically Purgatory Chasm is believed to be the result of the sudden release of dammed glacial water at the end of the last Ice Age approximately 14,000 years ago.  It is a quarter mile rock climber’s paradise.  The ‘trail’ through the Chasm is marked by a blue line, but there are rocks of all shapes and sizes littering the path which makes even the marked path a workout.

Purgatory Chasm

            The granite rock faces on either side rise as high as seventy-feet and some of the spots have been named.  I got to see ‘His Majesty’s Cave,’ ‘Lover’s Leap,’ ‘Devil’s Pulpit,’ and ‘Devil’s Corn Crib.’  There were many people climbing the rocks although I would only recommend it if you are in reasonably good condition.   However, that should not stop any and all visitors from taking in this incredible natural wonder. 

            Sutton, and the entire Blackstone River Valley area, is a place that needs to be seen.  The breathtaking views offered nearly everywhere you drive will make even the trips between spots meaningful.  As the fall approaches there will be unbelievable foliage to see but this is an area to visit at anytime.  Partake of the delicious chocolate at Eaton Farm Confectioners, or enjoy the fresh fruits and veggies at Keown Orchards.  Afterward make sure to take the time to visit the incredible natural wonder that is Purgatory Chasm, there is no way you will be disappointed.  Sutton is definitely a highly recommended town in my opinion.  Have fun and happy traveling!

For a short video of my trip to Purgatory Chasm click here: Purgatory Chasm, Sutton, Ma. - YouTube

Directions:  Purgatory Chasm:  Take I-90 to Exit 10A for Rt. 146.  Take Rt. 146 south to Exit 6, Purgatory Road.  Turn right, visitor’s center is ¼ mile on the right.

Keown Orchards:  Take I-90 to exit 10A, take Rt. 146 South to Central Turnpike East, take your second left at Dodge Hill Rd to your first right on McClellan Rd.  Look for Blue Attraction signs which designate the Orchard.

Eaton Farm Confectioners:  Take I-90 to Exit 10A for Rt. 146.  Take Rt. 146 south, turn right at Boston Rd.  Turn right at Burbank Road.  The farm is on the right, Eaton’s Drive.

References:  Purgatory Chasm - Massachusetts DCR

            Eaton Farm Confectioners

            Keown Orchards.com

            Sutton, Ma. - Official Site

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