Elevation gain: 650'
Trails used: Crow Hill Cliffs Trail, Midstate Trail.
We actually got to this one a little late mid morning on Sunday, after we woke up and had breakfast. We decided to do a short hike on the way home so this one fit the bill perfectly. The temperature was already starting to go up so it was going to be a hot but cloud free hike.
The Crow Hills are located in the Leominster State Forest and in Westminster, Massachusetts. On its eastern side is a cliff that is popular for rock climbing, and a part of the Midstate Trail traverses over the hills. The Crow Hills are a single monadnock and has two summits, but neither is reached by a trail.
Desi heading up at the start of the Crow Hill Ledges Trail, which is off of Route 31 South. We parked at the parking area for Crow Hills Pond which has a recreation area with benches and fire pits for people to picnic and relax.
Rock steps are the norm for the first part of the hike up to the junction where you can go left to the base of the cliffs, or to the top of the ledges.
The trail is steep from the start of the hike until you reach the rock climbing area.
Ropes set up for rock climbers. There were quite a few people out on various ledges but this seemed to be the main one right off the trail. You can go to the top of this ledge to see where they roped off to some tree's.
Desi hiking along the Midstate Trail.
Looking down to part of Crow Hill Pond from some ledges along the Midstate Trail.
Views of Wachusett Mountain from a ledge. Yes, it is a ski area.
Some of the tree's being used by the rock climbers as anchors for their belay's.
Eastern views into Massachusetts from some ledges on Crow Hill.
An interesting rock formation along the Midstate Trail, heading north.
The trail was a bit grown-in in spots and sometimes confusing to follow, especially coming from the south side of the Midstate Trail.
A young kid climbing the cliff. It was pretty neat to stop and watch the rock climbers just scaling the cliff face with ease.
This hike, in a book we read, is labeled as a family hike. I could see it if all you really want to do is hike up to the rock climbing area and watch them climb (if it is nice outside). Otherwise, the views ledges are few and the hike doesn't offer much outside of the rock climbing.
We still managed to have fun despite the hot temperatures and since we were just looking for a smaller hike, this one fit the bill.
Note, I did manage to hit the high point but it is off trail and requires a bushwhack through hip high vegetation.
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