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Trail is owned and managed by Massachusetts Department
of Environmental Management
Maintenance and local coordination provided by Coldbrook
Snowmobile Club.
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USGS
Topographic map of Coldbrook
USGS
Aerial photograph of Coldbrook
Pictures and trail descriptions are arranged from South to North!
A trail bridge to the gauging station provides the only
known access to the rail-trail southwest of Coldbrook Station.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on August 28, 2000.
The railroad bed is apparently unused right near the trail
bridge to the gauging station.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on August 28, 2000.
The Ware River water intake building for the aqueduct that
runs between Quabbin Reservoir and the Boston Area.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on August 28, 2000.
The railroad bridge is clearly missing just southwest of
the Coldbrook Station.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on August 28, 2000.
The presumed site of Coldbrook Station.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on August 28, 2000.
The railroad bridge across the Ware River just south of the station is missing, however, An inspection of the aerial photograph and the Webmaster's quick field check from the woods roads that run parallel the trail clearly suggests that the trail is open north of this point.
The trail gate at the presumed site of Coldbrook Station.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on August 28, 2000.
The Coldbrook Cemetery, just up the gravel road from the
site of the railroad Station.
Digital photograph by Kenyon F. Karl on August 28, 2000.
The Designated Bicycle Route Map, and Designated Horseback Riding Route Map of the Ware River Watershed System shows that trail users can follow a combination of a DEM trail on the old railroad bed, gated bike/horseback routes, and secondary roads through Metropolitan District Commission lands from Whitehall Road near Whitehall & Long Ponds in the vicinity of Rutland State Forest (West Rutland Station) past the Mass Central RR Coldbrook Station to a point on Route 122 that is 0.3 mile from the Ware River RR Coldbrook Station, which is the beginning of the Ware River Rail-Trail. That route involves the following:
DEM trail on the Mass Central RR bed
Whitehall Road near Muddy Pond (gated bike/horseback route)
Old Turnpike Road
Marsh Lane (gated bike/horseback route)
two unnamed roads (gated bike/horseback routes)
Coldbrook Road
Note also that the Wachusett Greenways is planning to extend their Mass Central Rail Trail westward to the town of Oakham, which presumably will lead to a trail exit at the Mass Central RR Coldbrook Station.
Trail parking is available on the site of the Coldbrook Station. More parking
space may be available along the adjacent paved road. However trail users must
be aware that the paved road leads to a boat launch and that ample room must be
left for manoevering and parking boat trailers.
Local roadside advertising suggests the presence of a commercial campground in
the vicinity of Coldbrook Station. Indeed, the topographic map suggests that
trail users can reach the campground via the Old Colebrook Road that runs uphill
from the station past the cemetery. However, the Webmaster did not verify the
existence of the campground.
A roadside picnic area is located along Route 122 about a half-mile west of
Coldbrook Station.
A small restaurant in a log building is located just beyond the picnic area.
Toilets and water are presumably available upon request during restaurant
operating hours.
A Designated Bicycle Route Map,
Designated Horseback Riding
Route Map and Designated
Snowmobile Route Map shows all of the gated roads in the Ware
River Watershed System owned by the Metropolitan
District Commission. Each map shows the relationship of the respective route
system to the DEM managed section of the Rail-Trail. Adobe Acrobat Reader is
required to access these maps, but free software can be obtained for this
purpose by clicking on the yellow icon.
