QUABBIN RESERVOIR; DANA COMMON LETTERBOX:
PETERSHAM, MASSACHUSETTS
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Planted: October 2, 2002
Length: Gate 40 parking lot to Dana Common and Letterbox; 1.8 miles
Pottapaug Pond Spur; 1 mile
Quabbin Reservoir Spur; 2 ½ miles
Graves Landing Spur; 1.9 miles
Difficulty: Moderate. Flat, old paved road surface to Dana Common.
Spur Trails vary, see descriptions below.
Directions:
Take exit 8 off of I-90 (Mass Pike) to Route 32 north and continue for about 13 miles to the intersection of Route 32A. Bear left on Route 32A and continue for about 8.5 to 9 miles until you pass first, Gate 41 on your left and then come to a road on your left to a parking area near Gate 40.
Quabbin Reservoir
was built between 1926 and 1939 and flooded 39 square miles of land. Four towns
were abandoned from the area, including the town of Dana, which is where the Letterbox is hidden. There are foundations left from the
old town, as well as the old roads, which now serve as the biking and hiking
trails. A 60 mile pipeline and aqueduct delivers water to the Boston
area. Because this is MDC land, dogs are not allowed. Portable toilets
are located along the roads because this is part of the watershed. I've
included a map of the area below, along with other biking and hiking trails at
the reservoir. Use the
The
paved road to Dana Common is
relatively flat and in fairly good condition, with some pot holes. Heading up
the road past Gate 40, you pass by a Porto-potty and then a wood
gate house. After 1 ½ miles, pass a road on your left that leads
down to the northern tip of Pottapaug Pond. After 1.8 miles you enter the
Common of the old town of Dana. A granite marker located on the old Common tells its history as
a town from 1801 to 1938. If you explore the woods around this area you will see
the old foundations of a general store, town hall, schoolhouse, church and 15
room hotel. From the granite marker, take a compass reading of 181 degrees and
go to a small paved road that leads into the woods. As you walk down this road,
an old cobblestone foundation will be to your left.
Note; If you continue down this road you will pass by a Porto-potty, go through a field and enter a Pine forest with an overlook of Pottapaug Pond.
At the corner of the old cobblestone
foundation turn left along its back wall through an ivy covered path. When you
reach the cement section of the foundation and a tree growing at its next
corner, take a compass reading of 131 degrees and follow the brick foundation at
your feet to the round stone at the next corner. From here, take a reading of
162 degrees and head to another corner wall, just to the left of another
cobblestone wall. A ten foot capstone is atop this wall and you will notice some
bricks among the wall. Just below these bricks, behind a single stone lies the Dana
Common Letterbox.
The Pottapaug Pond Spur road is in the worst shape, but passable. From the granite marker, take the road to the left of the marker for 0.1 of a mile and turn left down another old road. After a mile the road disappears into Pottapaug Pond. Up to your left is a nice Pine forest that makes a good rest stop.
The Quabbin Reservoir Spur road is partly paved and partly gravel with a moderate hill to climb and descend. From the granite marker, take the road to the left of the marker and go straight. After a ½ mile there will be a large marsh on your right, which you will eventually cross over and head up a small hill to a clearing where some logging is taking place. You then descend down to the Quabbin Reservoir and reach another Porto-potty after 2 miles. This Porto-potty is actually used for boaters to come ashore to use. If you go down to the waters edge, you'll see a floating marker for the Porto-potty. When we were here, the water level was low and you could see the old stone walls heading out into the Reservoir. Continuing down the road, keep to the right on pavement as you pass a gravel road to your left. After a ½ mile the road disappears into the Reservoir.
The Graves Landing Spur road is also partly paved and partly gravel, but has the smoothest surface. It also is the most strenuous, with a long gradual ascent and then a steep descent down to the reservoir. From the granite marker, take the road to the right of the marker. Keep to the paved road as you pass by a gravel road on your right. After a ¼ mile, you begin a mile long, gradual ascent up a hill. After cresting out you descend down the steeper back side of the hill, encountering Dead Mans Curve along the way. Just past this curve is Echo Lane. Give a yell and see for yourself. The road ends after 1.9 miles at Graves Landing, named for a former Conservation Officer. There is a granite marker to your right. The old road continues through the Reservoir, which we could follow for a ways, because of the drought conditions and ends at the water just before reaching Leveau Island. There were a lot of Geese in this part of the Reservoir.
HH
CLICK HERE FOR EAST QUABBIN MAP
CLICK HERE FOR NORTH QUABBIN MAP
CLICK HERE FOR QUABBIN PARK MAP
LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON
OCTOBER 10, 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