Provin Mountain Fire Tower via MA-57 (New England Trail)

Provin Mountain Fire Tower via MA-57 (New England Trail)

Hike Type: Out and Back

Distance: 3.94 miles

Elevation: 407 feet

My Time: 1 hour, 27 minutes

Book Time: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Parking: Large pull-off on MA-57 between the mini golf facility and the Scarborough town sign.
Hiking Challenges: Massachusetts Fire Tower Challenge 45

The Hike 

Hike #3! The goal was the Provin Mountain fire tower from MA-57. I didn't know much about this hike, so it'll be an adventure! I parked at the huge pull off between the "welcome to Southwick" sign and the mini-golf place where there were a few other cars. I had a very short road walk along the busy road and then turned left into the woods, onto the New England Trail at a gate and a "Section 2" sign. 

The trail followed an old road and was heavily posted on either side, but seemed to be fine since it was blazed. There was even a danger sign? I had a quick code yellow to deal with, and I ALMOST accidentally peed on someone's water cache. I could hear guns from a nearby sportsmen's club - this place is strange.

I hiked past some rusty artifacts and another "danger" sign. There were tons of... artifacts in the woods on the right - it seemed like they were simply dumped there 50 years ago and that was it. The trail crosses an old sign post, probably for another "danger" sign, and started to gain elevation slightly. 

I was very hesitant to explore anything besides the trail, but I did take one right turn to explore a pretty open, possibly filled-in old quarry? The view of the high rock walls was pretty neat. I really like the reddish rocks that make up this area and up to Mt. Tom and the Holyoke Range. I got a few pictures and then returned to the New England Trail, where I belonged. 

The New England Trail crossed over some old cables and then turned right off the old road onto a footpath. Some of the gun shots I was hearing were eerily loud, which I did not care for. The trail came close to the old road a minute later, and then turned to steeply climb alongside it. I saw a footpath on the right that went steeply up over a bank and followed it, wondering if it would lead to a view of the quarry.

And it did! It was slightly posted and there was a sign that read "Danger: OPEN PIT STAY AWAY" with a graphic of someone falling off a cliff, but I kept my head down and carefully proceeded. There was a really cool view froom here! On the left I could see the full quarry with it's only figure-8-like road, and then on the left was a beautiful flatland with mid-autumn colors. 

It's hard to find a history of the quarry easily online, but I did find a MassLive article from July 27th, 2022 recounting a death that occurred here: "SOUTHWICK — Southwick police confirmed on Wednesday that a 20-year-old has died after falling on Tuesday from a 100-foot cliff in a quarry on Provin Mountain, along the Agawam-Southwick town line. Police Lt. Rhett Bannish said the morning of July 27 that the incident is still under investigation and that the name of the victim is not yet being released. Southwick police did confirm in a statement that the victim was a 20-year-old from Feeding Hills. At 3:44 p.m. July 26, the Agawam Police and Fire departments informed Southwick’s police that they were searching in the area of the quarry for a person last seen in that area. Southwick police discovered the victim at the base of the cliff as they arrived on scene, and determined that they had died due to injuries from a fall."

I found similar articles from 2019, 2015, and 2001, which would explain the posted signs and the "open pit stay away" signs. I really did some digging through Google, but couldn't come up with any information on the Quarry! I'll make a post on the New England Trail facebook group, maybe they'll know something?

I didn't stick around for long though, trying my best to mind my business. The guns kept getting louder as the trail easily gained elevation again - I don't care for the guns! Google Maps said there was in fact a revolver club just ahead downhill on the left - that made sense. The NET eventually veered right off the ridge, I wonder if to intentially get some distance from the constant gunshots?

I was reminded yet again that my camera cools down the warm tones of my photos, because it was STUNNING in this stretch! The sun was hitting the yellow and orange leaves magnificently. The NET crossed back over the ridge onto the original footway and I started to catch some limited tree views out to the left.

There were a few instances of trail braiding, but the NET was always well-blazed - it was now consistently sticking to the left (west) side of the ridge. This stretch was truly a delight ramble, especially now that the guns were behind me! It reminded me of Mt. Tom, but easier with significantly fewer views. 

I started to pass more obstructed viewpoints as I hit the Southwick/Agawam/Westfield town line marker, and a few minutes later I reached a nice view into the western valley with more hills further away. Staring at it - I realized I was looking at I-90 on the bridged section that goes past a rugged stretch of hills that I've always wondered about - how fun!

There were a few more viewpoints in the last bit of trail before the summit - it was definitely pre-peak foliage down here, but still beautiful. I playfully wrote: "Hopefully the tower is soon. In fairness, hopefully there's a tower at all!," nodding my head at the fact I did little to no research for this hike.

I followed the trail away from the viewpoints, back into the woods, past a giant... satelite dish?, an abandoned building, and then I was at the tower!

The whole summit area was the strangest of the day. I first climbed up the tower, which was wobbly and had some rotted floorboards in the cabin. The cabin was also full of wasps, so I took like two pictures and saw myself down. 

I then walked around the summit area, which was very industrial with old buildings and communication towers. I caught another view from a power cut and really poked around the different footings, rocky spots, and high points for a disc, but I came up emptyhanded. The sun felt wonderfully warm now, and I heard the regal honks of 1,000 geese flying overhead - I assume migrating for winter. How fun!

I made it back to the tower and hiked back into the woods, ready to put a bow on my adventure. I opted to do fire tower hikes today instead of a big loop around the Holyoke Range becuase I wasn't sure if I'd have time for the 10+ mile loop I had planned, but comically I have hiked over 10 miles today on these hikes... I meandered along the lovely ridge, eventually entering the section along the east side of the ridge and was joined by the chours of more gunshots. 

I noticed occasional old wires in trees and made my way back into the land of 1,000 POSTED signs. My feet were a little tired and both of my ankles were feeling like hot spots, but overall I was feeling good! I passed the split for the quarry and cruised on down to the base and old road. On the return hike I had seen three spray painted penises, which wasn't a lot, but it was more than usual, and a little bit funny. 

I realized the DANGER signs made sense, because they were probably leftover from the quarry's operating days. Also, someone used spraypaint to make the sign say "NO ASS," which was really funny. I turned right onto MA-57, passed the "Welcome to Southwick" sign, and noticed some lavender-colored chicory flowers. It was in the upper 60s when I got back to my car! I changed, and started the final leg of my journey!

I picked up my friends Elle and Krista from Bradley International Airport and drove 20 more minutes down to their hotel, which was only three minutes away from mine. My room wasn't ready yet, which was a solid bummer, but after a half hour of waiting I was checked in, and Emma wasn't far behind! We had the welcome party that night which was a delight, and tomorrow was the wedding day!

Step-by-Step

- Start hike on New England Trail.

- Follow New England Trail all the way to the Provin Mountain fire tower (optional add-on visit to the Quarry on the way).

- At the fire tower, turn around and retrace steps.

Photo Album