Cat Rocks and in back of the Onion Patch

Cat Rocks Map

HIKE NAME: Cat Rocks and Behind the Onion Patch    DISTANCE:  4.5 Miles     DIFFICULTY: Moderate

Restrictions: No motorized vehicles. 

Trailhead: Sterling. Justice Hill Trailhead Gate to Leominster State Forest. There is a small parking area at the north corner of Lucas Road and Justice Hill Road. https://goo.gl/maps/soxFL3sYR1GB28xz9 

Description: This is an out-and-back hike from Lucas Road in Sterling to East Princeton with a side trip to the Cat Rocks ledges. This hike goes by Stuart Pond, which is pretty in all seasons, passes to the south of the Onion Patch pond in East Princeton, and then requires a bushwack over to Cat Rocks, a jumble of rocks off the beaten path. Total ascent is approximately 200 feet.

Links: None

Hike Details:  Walk along Lucas Rd and then right up the hill towards Hobbs Rd, and then take a left through the DCR gate. A trail runs around the north side of Stuart (aka Washington) Pond. The trail continues over a small brook and leads to the cart path beyond the pond (trail is rough after the second stream crossing!!).

Follow the gravel cart path to the right up a steep hill. A set of ledges on the left can be climbed. This is called Squaw Cap, and contains a “Witness Stone” marking the town boundary between Princeton and Sterling. Optionally, bushwhack to the top of Squaw Cap to check out the Witness Stone.

The cart path can then be followed all the way to East Princeton and the pond called ‘the Onion Patch’. There is an old bridge over Keyes Brook that can be crossed to stop in at the Quik Stop store. At a spot before the bridge when you can first see the pond on the right, a “fisherman’s trail” takes you around the pond to where it meets the incoming brook. The area has been home to a few Great Blue Herons for several years now.

Reversing direction, follow the cart path back about a quarter mile and observe a large well-maintained gravel road that heads North. Not part of this hike, but this path can be followed to Hobbs Road, just east of North County Road and across from the entrance to the ‘potato chip trail’. Both of these lead to Leominster State Forest..

Continue along the cart path past Squaw Cap, and take a left turn down a narrow path. Where this levels out there is a small trail off to the left through some open deciduous trees, and the Cat Rocs are just beyond this area. The Cat Rocks are a large jumble of boulders. They can be climbed from the east (right) side on a steep trail, and from the top there is a nice view across the valley. This is an area frequented by bears, bobcats, fishers and porcupines.

Return to the start by retracing the path to the main cart road. Once at the cart path turn left to return to the pond and the slight trail to the left to get to the road.

Other Options to Consider: 

There is a trail from the cart path out to Leominster Road (purple line on the map). Look for a trail marker and follow the pathway as it eventually turns to the right at another marker. The trail ends at a swampy area and a stone wall, leading to an open field on private property where hikers are allowed access by the owners. The property is located at 25 Leominster Road, approximately halfway between Route 140 and Stuart/Washington Pond. 

You can cross the bridge over Keyes Brook and stop in to the Quick Stop for refreshments.

From the top of Cat Rocks it is also possible to bushwack back to the trail that goes from East Princeton to Hobbs Road (described above). 

Historical Notes: 

The last reported mountain lion was killed in Massachusetts in 1858. Princeton’s Cat Rocks were so-named around that same time to mark the location where the last of these once wide-ranging mammals was killed by a local farmer. Bobcat sightings have been reported there in recent years.

Rev: 12/6/23

Cat Rocks Rocks

The Cat Rocks are a jumble of boulders in an off-trail location near East Princeton

Cat Rocks People

Cat Rocks View from the Top