General directions:
You want Quabbin Gate 29 or 30. Gates 29 and 30 join together further in. If your coming from Rt. 2 the intersection of 202 and 122 is defined by a flashing yellow light. Continue straight ahead about 1/4 mile. You'll come to the parking area on your left. Use caution here. This is a heavily traveled road with high speed traffic and you'll be turning into traffic. If your nervous about this, it's easier to turn right on the paved road, then backtrack. This is a safe bet for first time visitors. (Actually about 1/4 mile down this side road is the MDC northern region headquarters on the left where Dave Small has his office.) Hint, hint. You can also, more safely, take a left at the light, (Rt. 122), and park at Gate 30 which is about 100 yds. in on your right and easily seen from the road. If your coming from the south, you have to be on your toes to spot Gate 29. Here goes: From 202 south you'll come to New Salem on top of a hill. There's a store and a closed restaurant on your left with a number of side streets on your right that go to New Salem proper. You'll then start down a long steep hill. As you near the bottom of the hill, roughly three miles from New Salem, you'll see a paved road on the left. The gravel parking lot is on your right opposite this raod. (There's another left paved road about half way down the hill. Ignore that.) If you miss this, continue on and take your next right at the flashing yellow light (Rt. 122). About 100 yds. on your right is the parking area for Gate 30. You can park here just as well. This is an interesting Gate, because you'll hike over an old historic Keystone bridge and you actually may prefer this area if your into historic sites.
Hiking/Biking directions:
Passing inside the gate, travel down the road roughly 1-1/2 miles to the power lines. Continue ahead up the rise. You'll come to historic Bullard's corner, the site of Herricks Tavern, a Way Station on the road to Millington. If you stop to walk through this area, be aware there are black racers here. Turn left down the gravel road opposite Herricks Tavern to the power lines. Be aware biking is not allowed down this road, so somewhere around Herricks Tavern you'll have to lock them together, or to a tree if your alone. I've done this many times with no problems. Proceding down the gravel road opposite Herricks, turn right directly under the power lines and follow the gravel line road to the top of the hill. At the top of the hill there's a small parking area on your right. Look for the a well defined path on the back side. This will take you to the top of Rattlesnake Hill. There's one steep area but it's short. Just take your time and enjoy your day. By the way, there's a Sani-can where G-29 and G-30 intersect. There's also another Sani-can just past Herricks Tavern. That's always nice to know. Also, for your information, if you continue straight past Herricks Tavern to the intersection where the Sani-can is, turning right down the hill takes you to Moosehorn Brook, a real top spot for 'odies'. You cannot take your bike down this road either. You can, however, ride your bike straight ahead down to the reservoir. This is a pretty area also. (It's all pretty, what am I saying?) Enjoy! --Dick