Crow Hill to Redemption Rock
HIKE NAME: LSF Crow Hill to Redemption Rock DISTANCE: 3.6 miles one way DIFFICULTY: moderate
Restrictions: No motorized vehicles, hiking and bicycles are allowed
Trailhead: Princeton. Ledges Parking Lot at Leominster State Forest, Route 31, 0.3 miles north of Rocky Pond Road . https://goo.gl/maps/ytjHe6UbNKhwee3q9
Hike Description: This a hike along the Midstate Trail through a mixed pine and hardwood forest with mountain laurel. The terrain is hilly with some nice views to the east and toward Wachusett Mountain. Total elevation gain is 797 feet.
Links: Redemption Rock History; Leominster State Forest Map
Hike Details:
From the parking area take the Ledges Trail (red blazes) and follow signs to the right to view the majestic ledges.
Reverse direction back to the main trail and follow the trails around south of the ledges to the picnic area where the Ledges Trail intersects with the Midstate Trail, an area worth exploring (see below). There is a fine view from the top of the ledges if you climb up the Midstate Trail and proceed along the ledge for a hundred feet or so. Then climb back down to continue.
Follow the Midstate Trail left from the ledges (yellow triangular blazes) to the south. The trail is hilly with a variety of views (especially in winter) both east and west. The trail passes through a mixed hardwood and pine forest with mountain laurel in the undergrowth (beautiful in June). The trail crosses a small stream which may be difficult to cross in very wet weather. It then follows along old stone walls. As you approach Route 140 there is a small side trail to a large glacial boulder.
Cross Route 140 and continue on the Midstate Trail to Redemption Rock, a Trustees of Reservations site. Be sure to read the inscription on the rock and visit the information kiosk behind the rock; a QR code is posted that provides links to further information.
To return, retrace your steps along the Midstate Trail or make a loop that includes both trails and some quiet roads. For the loop option,
After exploring Redemption Rock, walk across the parking area to a small trail through the woods that runs south and parallel to Route. 140. After about 100 yds,cross Route 140 and pick up the trail at the end of the guardrail directly across the road. Follow this trail through the woods, which brings you out to a dirt road.
Bear right on the dirt road, which leads to Rocky Pond Road, a quiet residential road. Follow this road to the left as it leads to Route 31. Rocky Pond Road continues on the other side of Route 31 where a parking area leads into the trails of Leominster State Forest.
From the parking area, take Sawyer Run trail which goes through the woods, parallel to Route 31. Take a left turn at the first trail junction to return to the Ledges parking area.
Other Options to Consider:
At the point of intersection of the Ledges Trail and the Midstate Trail you are at the base of the Crow Hill cliffs. There are options to walk along the base of the cliffs (impressive in how massive they are, and you can see icicles in the winter or the rock climbers in the summer) and/or to follow the yellow blazes and Midstate Trail up the steep rocky slope to the top of the cliffs. This part of the trail requires a short scramble over boulders. There is a wonderful rocky view area a few hundred yards along the Midstate Trail at the top of the cliffs with views of Leominster State Forest, Monoosnoc range and Crow Hill and Paradise Ponds.
At Redemption Rock, there is a small trail around the back of the Rock and to the northwest that leads down to Wachusett Pond (about a half mile), where the village of Everettville, a stop of the Underground Railroad, was located. A burial crypt can be seen shortly after crossing a small stream on the way through.
Historical Notes:
Redemption Rock is a colonial-era historic site in Princeton, Massachusetts. In 1676, during King Philip's War, the release of Mary Rowlandson from her Native American captors was negotiated atop this granite ledge (see the link above).
Rev: 12/6/23
Saturday hikers at Redemption Rock
Senior Hikers at the base of the Crow Hill Ledges