Trip from Westfield State University s Commuter Lot to Cliffs in Russell, Massachusetts Dylan McDonald Professor Vorwerk Environmental Analysis Environmental Adventure Project
Russell Cliffs I chose to do my project on a map to the Russell Cliffs because it has been one of my favorite places I have ever visited. I usually go a few times during the summer and I recently went back and took images of the places that I suggest to stop at along the way. The Russell Cliffs are located in Russell, Massachusetts on Russell Road. The purpose of this trip is to have a relaxing day, jumping off of the cliffs into the Westfield River.
Equipment/Items Needed: For this trip, you will need the following: -Sunscreen -Towel -Bathing Suit -Car (Walking is an option, the whole walk would be just under five miles, also on busy roads) -Money (if you want to stop and purchase food, beverages etc.) -A companion (I suggest not going alone) -Good shoes (have to walk down a steep path) -Spare clothes -Cell Phone (in case of emergencies)
Map from Commuter Lot to Russell Cliffs
Directions: Start at the Westfield State University Commuter Lot, Located on Western Avenue in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Directions (Continued): Start to exit the Commuter Parking Lot, staying in the right lane, taking a right onto Western Avenue. Continue down Western Avenue and bear right at the fork. At the fork, the road turns into North West Road. Continue down North West Road until you come to a stop sign. At the stop sign, you take a left onto Russell Road. From the Commuter Lot to the end of North West Road is a total of 2.1 miles.
Directions (Continued): After you have taken the left onto Russell Road, there is an Irving Gas Station about 50 feet ahead on the left. I suggest stopping here to get food and beverages for the trip.
Directions (Continued): Take a left out of the Irving Parking Lot and continue on Russell Road. Continue driving for 2.27 miles and you will reach another suggested stop I have made along the way, a place called Strathmore Park. The entrance to the Strathmore Park will be on the right, off of Russell Road.
Sign at entrance of Strathmore Park
Images inside Strathmore Park
Images inside Strathmore Park
Images inside Strathmore Park
Strathmore Park There is plenty of wildlife around at this park. This place is beautiful for people who love the outdoors, the paths that follow along the Westfield River are beautiful. There are several things that you can do in this park, including: -Picnicking -Hiking (paths go along the Westfield River) -Various Sporting Fields -Pet friendly
Directions (Continued): When exiting Strathmore Park, continue on down Russell Road, taking a right out of the parking lot. Continue on Russell Road for 1.37 miles and there will be what appears to be a vacant dirt lot that is located on the left. This is where you need to park in order to gain access to the Russell Cliffs.
Russell Cliffs: View of Parking Lot from Road
Russell Cliff Parking Lot Notes Once you have arrived and have parked your car, you will need to get out and walk to the cliffs. If facing the parking lot from the road, there is a metal guard rail on the right side of the parking lot. Follow on the outside of the guard rail (not on road) for about forty five feet until you see a path leading down towards the river Follow the path down and you have arrived at the cliffs! You can run and jump off into the river or you can climb a tree and jump off from a higher elevation. There is also a rope attached to the tree so you can swing into the river using that.
Safety Tips at the Cliffs Do Not Go Alone. This can be dangerous if not done properly, and you may need someone else incase of an emergency. Do this barefoot; the ground may be slippery and you don t want to slip on the bottom of rubber shoes. When you run and want to jump off the cliffs into the river, make sure you are ready and that you ARE going to jump. I have seen people stop at the last second and decide not to go, fall down, and fall forward off of the cliff. When you are jumping off the cliff, make sure you get a running start. Push off with your foot to try and jump out as far as possible because there is a rock wall underneath that you could hit (it is pretty easy to clear this as long as you jump forward). If using the swing, make sure you release your hands as the rope starts to go back towards the tree that you started swinging from. If you don t let go and you hold on, there is a good chance that you will come back and hit either the tree or a rock wall. Jump with your whole body straight, don t do a cannonball, belly-flop, etc. There is a rope that you can pull yourself out of the river from. Once you have climbed back up the rope, you are ready to jump again!
Images from the Russell Cliffs
Images from the Russell Cliffs
Images from the Russell Cliffs
Images from the Russell Cliffs