MANHAN RAIL TRAIL LETTERBOX:
EASTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
In September of 2008, extremely heavy rainfall destroyed a 100-year old culvert many feet below the surface of the Manhan Rail Trail near the Oxbow overlook. This culvert collapse caused a 20-foot sinkhole. In early December, more heavy rains caused the sinkhole to blow out, creating an impassable ravine. The city is currently working to receive state funding to repair the culvert and rebuild the washed out area. Due to the washout, the section of the trail between FORT HILL ROAD and EAST STREET is closed to through traffic. The remainder of the 4.2 mile trail is OPEN as usual. Due to reopen in Oct. 2009.
Planted: August 16, 2003
Length: Manhan Rail Trail; 4 ¼ miles
Route 5 to Letterbox; ¾ mile.
Route 141 to Letterbox; 2 ½ miles.
Difficulty: Easy. Flat paved trail.
Directions:
To start from Route 5: Take exit 18 off of I-91 to Route 5 south. You cross a bridge after a mile and pass by a boat launch. The trail begins next to the sub-station. There is parking here for several cars. If the area is full, you can also park at the boat launch.
To start from Route 141; Take
exit 17 off of I-91 to Route 141 west. Just before the center of
For a Drive-by;
Take exit 18 off of I-91 to Route 5 south. You cross a bridge after a
mile and a boat launch parking lot and the bike trail will be on your right.
Take the next right onto
Future plans call for connecting this trail to the Northampton Trail sections in the north and the Farmington Valley Greenway in Connecticut to the south. See; Northampton Bike Path , Norwottuck Rail Trail Letterbox & Farmington Valley Greenway North Letterbox. For more information visit; MANHAN RAIL TRAIL .
Starting from Route 5;
A sign board is located here. The paved trail passes by the power sub station
and then passes beneath I-91. You can see the part of the
Connecticut River
known as the "Hook" because it breaks off from the main river
and forms a hook back towards Route 5. The trail also follows along the Manhan
River, for which the trail is named. After ¾ of a mile, you come to a small
bridge. After crossing over this bridge, you will see an opening on your left in
the split rail fencing and a green bike rack. There will also be a sign that
reads "Old Pascommuck Conservation Area". A set of wooden steps head
up to your right, but you head left down the path to the stone base of the
bridge. Standing next to the bottom of the stone stair abutment, take a compass
reading of 150 degrees. Walk up a small hill past the tree your compass pointed
too and spot an old log on the ground. Go to the right end of the log where it's
piled up and you will see 2 old railroad ties. Under the front railroad tie is
the Manhan Rail Trail Letterbox. Continuing along the trail, you'll pass
a small green sign to your right on the fence. This is the 1 mile marker. These
mileage markers are placed every mile along the right side of the trail. At 1 ¼
miles is the first of many old Whistle
Stop posts that you will pass by, remaining from the days when this was a
railroad line. After 2 ½ miles, you will pass by an old factory to your left,
that still has a railroad siding and tracks running alongside it. You then come
to a sharp left turn in the trail. This is where the old rail line split and
headed up towards
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LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON
JULY 17, 2009
TO EMAIL A VERIFICATION
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT LETTERBOXING