WHITING STREET RESERVOIR LOOP TRAIL:

MOUNT TOM RAILROAD TRAIL:

HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Directions:

Northbound: Take exit 15A off of I-91 to Route 141. Head right to Route 5. Turn left, north and travel 1.7 miles to Mt Park Rd on your left. Take Mt Park Rd over I-91 and park by the gate or along the road.

Southbound: Take exit 15 off of I-91 to Route 141. Head left, back under the interstate to Route 5. Turn left, north and travel 1.7 miles to Mt Park Rd on your left. Take Mt Park Rd over I-91 and park by the gate or along the road.

Whiting Street Reservoir Loop Trail:

Letterbox Planted: April 3, 2008

Last Updated:          February 17, 2025

Length:                    Whiting Street Reservoir Loop Trail; 3.7 mile Loop

Difficulty:                Whiting Street Reservoir Loop Trail; Moderate for kids biking. Stone-dust trail with a few small hills.                            

In constructing the Whiting Street Reservoir in the 1890's, the City of Holyoke turned 5000 acres on Mount Tom into protected watershed. The Whiting Street Reservoir Trail Loops around the reservoir.

Starting from Mt Park Road [Northern End]; Head left, South, past the Black Gate and up the old paved road. You'll cross over a cement lined canal, where the old road turns West, bringing you to the iron gates and the entrance to the reservoir after 0.4 miles. This is also where the Mileage Markers begin (every ½ mile). 

Note; My Mileage begins from Mt Park Rd. 

In front of you are some stairs that lead up to a brick building on top of the dam. Worth the climb to check out the views of the reservoir and Mount Tom. This is about the only open area along the trail. The rest is wooded and very shaded. Heading right, North, the Whiting Street Reservoir Loop Trail takes you along the Eastern Side of the reservoir to the Northern End of the reservoir at 1 mile. You then travel South, along the Western Side of the reservoir. You'll come right alongside the reservoir at 1.8 miles. At 2 ½ miles, you come to the Southern End of the reservoir and an intersection.

Note; Right, South, takes you 0.5 miles uphill, to the Whiting Reservoir Road Gate.

Head left, North, back along the Eastern Side of the reservoir. You'll cross over Whiting Street Brook and spot the Wyckoff Golf Course along your right side. Notice that the terrain on your right starts out flat, then rises along a boulder filled knoll. This is about the 2.7 mile mark. Look for the boulders that are closest to the trail. Just to their left will be 2 trees side by side. From these trees spot 2 more trees side by side just to their left and farther back. One will be a hardwood and the other a Hemlock tree with a rock next to them. Again, from these trees spot a 3-trunked tree just to their left and farther back. On their right is a pile of boulders. Go to the lowest boulder, ground level and remove a small rock just under the ledge. Behind this rock is the WHITING STREET RESERVOIR LETTERBOX. Continue along the trail until you come to the dam. After crossing over the spillway, you'll come back to the brick house on top of the dam. Head right to return to the Mt Park Road parking area after a 3.7 mile Loop.

Mt Tom Railroad Trail:

Last Updated:      February 17, 2025

Length:                Mount Tom Railroad Trail; 1.9 miles

Difficulty:            EXTREME. Paved road straight up a 21% grade.

In1895, work began on Mountain Park, a "trolley park" at the base of Mount Tom. It was operated by the Holyoke Street Railway Co. In 1897 the Holyoke Street Railway Company opened the Mountain Park amusement park, as well as, a rail line to the summit of Mount Tom, where the Summit House featured a restaurant, entertainment, and a spectacular view. The project changed hands several times until its closure in 1988, when competition from larger amusement parks gradually sapped business away what had become affectionately known by locals as "The Queen of the Mountain." Remnants of the park are still visible today. The Mount Tom Railroad was a cable-trolley-electric, modern mountain railway and had a 21% grade. The Mount Tom Railroad Trail follows the former rail bed up to the Mt Tom summit. The For more information concerning the history of Mount Tom Railroad visit; MT TOM RAILROAD . 

Starting from the Mt Park Road [Eastern End]; Head right, North, past the Yellow Gate and travel  along the old paved Mt Tom Ski Rd and then up a steep grade before leveling out after 0.6 miles. Another 0.2 miles of up & down hills brings you to an electric power station and Red Gate on your left.

Note; If you continue straight, North, up the road you'll come to the remnants of the Mount Tom Ski Area.

Head left, Southwest, past the Red Gate and up the paved road. After turning a corner you'll come to the old railroad bed, now buried under the road. Daunting! The road climbs straight up at a 21% grade. I'd like to say we biked it, but we ended up pushing our bikes up most of the way. After traveling about halfway up, you'll get a reprieve at 1.3 miles, as you check out a memorial to the "Flying Fortress" B-17 bomber that crashed into the side of Mount Tom in 1946, killing all 25 servicemen on board. Continue the uphill trudge and you'll reach the summit after 1.9 miles. To your right you'll spot the old foundation for the Summit House as you come upon all the communication towers. Great views of Easthampton. Use caution around the old railings, as some of the foundations have collapsed over the years. Now come the fun part, returning straight down the mountain. Make sure your breaks are in great shape!

HH

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WHITING STREET RESERVOIR LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED

November 25, 2020

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