Purgatory Falls


 
click to download
 
click to download 		Purgatory is the name of the ½ mile long rocky gorge that forms a boundary between the towns of Mont Vernon and Lyndeborough. Black Brook runs through the ravine, drops roughly 50’ to form the upper falls. Purgatory Brook is a headwater stream for the Souhegan River, and falls into the Souhegan Watershed.

Geology
The gorge is close to a major fault one mile to the east. As the western wall block of the fault was dropping, large cracks developed in the granite bedrock. 200 million years of erosion widened and deepened these cracks to form the gorge. Water from melting glaciers drilled the potholes. The large boulders at the bottom of the gorge are the result of recent frost heaving.

History
On August 20, 1889, 2,000 people attended the inauguration of Purgatory Picnic; an annual event instigated by then owner, H.A. Hutchinson, which continued as an annual practice until 1909. The recreation spot included a catwalk viewing bridge, dancing pavilion, bowling alley and bandstand. These celebrations featured the release of a dam constructed above the falls to allow a spectacular flow of water through the falls for celebrants gathered. A practice today, that would definitely NOT be allowed.

Logging operations destroyed the remains of these in the 50’s and 60’s but a few iron rods still exist in the rocks that once supported the bridges. It still remains a popular hiking spot for families on weekend outings. It is one of the wildest looking areas on the brook.

The Souhegan Valley Land Trust purchased the 30-acre Purgatory Falls Conservancy are from Mrs. Charles Trow of Francestown in 1972; the land was given to the Mont Vernon Conservation Commission and is permanently protected by easement.

Access
To the upper falls from Mont Vernon:
Drive north on Francestown Tpk. 0.1 mile to Beech Hill Rd. Continue west 2.5 miles to stop sign. Continue south 0.3 mile to Purgatory Rd. Follow Purgatory Rd. 1.1 miles to Echo Valley Camp and park 100 feet to the right.

Access is restricted on all Purgatory Conservation Lands to passive recreation; motorized wheeled vehicles are prohibited.

Trail Features - Upper Falls
Upper falls and steep trail leading down to the Devil’s Kitchen, which houses the:

  • Devil’s Beanpot ; a name given to a deep hole drilled into the rock where the Devil, as local legend has it, cooked his beans for townsfolk. More likely it was created by swirling glacier melt-water…and,

  • the Devil’s Footprint …a 7’ foot print created by none other than same, when the townspeople were frightened away by his rage. The upper falls drop into a 40 foot basin accessible via a gently sloped spur trail.

  • At the base of the flume is an area known as the Devil’s Den, where the water flows over wet walls and forms a favorite ice climbing palace in winter

Associated Links:

Environmental Alert on Purgatory Brook
is a website created by concerned citizens in the towns of Lyndeborough and Mont Vernon concerned with the effects a proposed state sponsored closed circuit ATV park will have on the Brook. This website has extensive information on the legislative, legal proceedings currently going on at the State House regarding this project. Also included are a collection of related press articles.

Nashua Regional Planning Commission's Year Two Regional Environmental Protection Report on Purgatory Brook.
This link will take you to our Regional Planning Commission's proposed plan for protecting Purgatory Brook. Purgatory Brook is a headwater stream for the Souhegan River, one of the rivers protected under the State's Rivers Management Protection Program. Efforts are underway with NRPC, the Souhegan Watershed Association and associated conservation commissions to lobby for protection of the headwater streams in the upcoming Souhegan Watershed Management Plan.

Go New England's report of a visit to Purgatory in June, 2002. Two years ago the Friends of Purgatory Brook established a trail network connecting the upper, middle and lower falls on the brook. Unfortunately, the trail is now closed. However, access is still permitted to the falls via Purgatory Road.