LSF Notown Reservoir
HIKE NAME: LSF Notown Reservoir DISTANCE: 4.1 Miles DIFFICULTY: Easy-Moderate
Restrictions: No motorized vehicles
Trailhead: Parmenter Road Trailhead, near 1000 Elm St in Leominster. This is a large parking area. Parmenter Road is a gravel road that cuts east-west across Leominster State Forest and turns into Rocky Pond Road in Princeton. It is gated and closed to vehicles. https://goo.gl/maps/7FbtH15xtGNqzXgd8
Hike Description: This is a fairly level walk along gravel roads and wood paths up to the south end of Notown Reservoir. There is a lovely view from this spot, and the Princeton Hikes group has observed a bald eagle. The trail can be wet year-round. It is a great snowshoe or cross country ski route. Total elevation is 400 feet.
It is useful to track progress on a GPS App in Leominster State Forest because of the number of trails. Signage has been improved recently but not all trails are marked. There are many trails and options if you get off the main trails.
Links: LSF Trail Map
Hike Details:
From the parking lot, proceed through the gate and down the gravel road past two small trails until Split Rock Trail heads off to the right.
Follow Split Rock Trail (which is a bike trail that actually does go through a split rock) until it connects to a larger trail, and turn right. This runs into Notown Trail and proceeds through the woods up to the south end of Notown Reservoir, which can be seen through the trees.
Turn left on an obvious trail that heads to the water for a view. There are some building ruins at this spot that can be explored.
Return down Notown Trail, and turn right on Notown Road. This snakes around through some scenic woods, and eventually connects to the Organism Trail on the left.
Take Organism Trail, which is an interesting bikers trail that is a high and dry trail which winds (and winds) around through a nice forest before exiting near Split Rock Trail.
At that point, take either Split Rock Trail or bear right to return to Parmenter and then left to return to the parking area.
At that point, take either Split Rock Trail or bear right to return to Parmenter and then left to return to the parking area.
Other Options to Consider:
The Organism Trail can be avoided, or other LSF trails can be used to explore the area just north of Parmenter Road. A slightly longer path can take you out to Rocky Pond (just visible on the left of the map).
Also, the Notown Trail continues beyond the viewpoint up into the Monoosnoc Range. There is a power line not too far from Notown Reservoir which has some higher views.
Rev 1/24
Princeton Hikers at the Notown Reservoir Overlook
Eagle sighting at LSF Notown Reservoir overlook