By Stephen Tavella

By Stephen Tavella

Copyright

Heart Sign® Books

Published by Stephen Tavella and Heart Sign® Books

Dummerston, Vermont, U.S.A.

Copyright © 2013 Stephen Tavella

All rights reserved. No part of this publication, including photographs, may be

reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including

photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior

written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in

critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For

permission requests, write to the author, addressed “Attention: Permissions

Coordinator,” at the address below.

Stephen Tavella

P.O. Box 160 Email: [email protected]

West Chesterfield, NH 03466 Web: www.heart-sign.com

Disclaimer

The information contained in this book represents the views of the author at time of publication. The author makes no warranty about the accuracy of the information contained herein, and accepts no

responsibility for errors or exclusions that may be contained within. Although the author has made

every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or

disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence,

accident, or any other cause.

The information is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. The publisher and author are not responsible for road or water conditions that may change due to weather,

construction, changing environmental conditions, human interventions, or any other factors that create

alterations different from what is described in the book. Nor are the publisher and author responsible for the health and safety of anyone choosing to recreate at any of the swim spots described in this book.

Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any physical, psychological, emotional,

financial, or commercial damages, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential or

other damages. Our views and rights are the same: You are responsible for your own choices, actions,

and results. Use good judgment; know your limitations; safety first. References are provided for

informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement of any websites or other sources. Readers should be aware that the websites listed in this book may change.

Cover design by Stephen Tavella and Heart Sign®

Book design by Stephen Tavella and Heart Sign®

First edition, August 2013

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.heart-sign.com/

Stephen Tavella

Page 3 of 31

Introduction

Several years ago while swimming in a southern New Hampshire lake, an

open water swim buddy proclaimed, “You spend so much time in the open

water it’s a wonder you haven’t grown gills!” That pretty much sums up

my relationship with water. I spend a lot of time in it.

Southern Vermont and Southwest New Hampshire are my primary

stomping, or I guess I should say swimming, grounds. This is where I’ve

lived for the past twenty-seven years. I raised my daughter here. She’s now

21. During those early parenting years we spent a lot of time at what I

consider some of the sweetest swim holes in this area. In 2003 I started to

consider entering swim races held in lakes, rivers and oceans.

My first job as a 14 year-old was at the public pool and park in my

hometown. It suited me. I continued to swim in pools until I entered the

Peace Corps in 1982 and landed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in the

tiny island nation of Kiribati. I lived on a coral atoll that was twenty-seven

square miles of sand and coconut trees surrounded by thousands of miles

of endless ocean. There were also lots of fish and a need to feed myself in

an environment made up primarily of a subsistence-based economy. The

ocean suited me. I loved being in the open water and feeling the power of

the water speak to me of the need for humility and respect. When my two

years of service ended, I extended for an additional two years in the island

nation of the Solomon Islands. It was there I learned to scuba dive among

the WWII wrecks of Iron Bottom Sound. The open water and I developed a

close relationship through those years.

When I returned to the United States I settled in southern Vermont. I

immediately joined the local swim club, but I didn’t immediately take to

the open water. I discovered the swim holes quickly, but I kept my exercise

to the hamster-like activity of swimming 25 yards, kick turning at the end

of the pool and returning to where I came from. A circle in the water for

thousands of yards is what it was. Eventually, I got married, had a daughter

and took her to swim holes around the area from her earliest memories. I

soon discovered that some of the swim spots my daughter and I frequented

were also places where I could hop in the water and just swim for hours on

end without kick turning at the end of a wall.

The Best! Open Water Swimming (and swim holes) in Southern Vermont and Southwest New Hampshire

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After years of spending hours in the water spear fishing for my food while

in the Peace Corps, I found the open water again, or perhaps it found me.

Given the special bond I developed with water early in life, I don’t think

our re-acquaintance was all my doing. I’ve given up on trying to unravel

life’s mysteries. I just know some things in life are mysterious and I revel

in it. It wasn’t long before I started to seek out new locations where I could

train for my open water events while enjoying some of the gorgeous

scenery this area of the country has to offer. While I was doing this, open

water swim competitions were becoming more and more popular. By 2008

it was introduced as a new event at the Beijing Olympics. One swim spot

turned into two, then three, and before you know it I had compiled a list of

some of the sweetest spots to swim with no lanes, no lines and no limits.

These spots helped me train for open water swim competitions like the

5.25 mile Little Red Lighthouse on the Hudson River, a couple of 10 mile

races on Lake Memphremagog on the Vermont-Canada border, Alcatraz

and various other swims in San Francisco’s bay, a 12.5 mile race around

Key West, Florida, and a smattering of 1-3 mile swims throughout the

northeast.

I feel I’ve been blessed to live among all these incredibly gorgeous lakes

and rivers. Sometimes I feel like I’m swimming in a postcard. It’s time for

me to swim back into one of my postcards right now. While I’m wetting

my gills, I suggest you page through this book to see if you agree with me

or not. It’s my hope you will. These are some real sweet spots to engage in

some major open water exercise, or just lounge in the sun, soak, float,

picnic, watch the sun set, kayak, canoe and even swing from a rope swing

and give a Tarzan holler.

Enjoy!

Steve enjoys a swim in Spofford Lake off of Pierce Island.

Stephen Tavella

Page 5 of 31

Map

Area of Detail

Maps courtesy of http://www.50states.com

http://www.50states.com/


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Antrim, New Hampshire

Map data © 2013 Google

Antrim is a small town of approximately 2,360 residents covering 32

square miles of mostly forests, fields and small bodies of water. It is in a

part of southwest New Hampshire known as the Contoocook River Valley.

The original settlers to the area were English and Scotch-Irish. As other

areas of Massachusetts and New Hampshire became more heavily

populated, people left to settle new areas in the mid 1700’s. The waterways

helped get these settlers to the area.

Along the waterways, the settlers built mills – saw mills, grist mills, and

later silk mills and woolen factories. By 1830 nearly 20 mills lined these

waterways. The railroad arrived in the mid 1800’s, built by Irish laborers

escaping the potato famine. This new mode of transportation caused shifts

in population to South Antrim. Today, most of the farms and factories are

gone. The schools are one of the largest employers. Most residents work in

the bigger surrounding towns of Peterborough and Hillsboro.1

1 A Brief History of Antrim New Hampshire,

http://www.antrimnh.org/pages/antrimnh_about/briefhistory, accessed 07/11/2013

Willard Pond

http://www.antrimnh.org/pages/antrimnh_about/briefhistory

Stephen Tavella

Page 7 of 31

Willard Pond (dePierrefeu-Willard Pond Wildlife Sanctuary)

Photo by Stephen Tavella ©

Description

Here’s a little gem nestled among 1,700 acres of mixed hardwood forest

only a stone’s throw from Southern New Hampshire’s main east-west

arterial, route 101, but buried deep enough in the woods that you won’t

hear a peep from motorized vehicles. Willard Pond is the largest of 38

wildlife sanctuaries owned and managed by the New Hampshire Audubon

society.

This is a pristine body of water nearly 100 acres in size. Surrounding the

pond are several hills with hiking trails and abundant wildlife. No

petroleum powered motors allowed here, so your swim is sure to be serene

and free from the wake caused by larger boats. The entrance to the pond is

via an unpaved forest road. You’ll need to park your car at the parking lot

several hundred yards from the pond, but if you have a canoe or kayak you

can drive to the pond, unload and return your car to the parking area.

The length of the pond is approximately .65 miles (1.3 miles roundtrip).

Circumnavigate and extend your open water swim to upwards of 1.75

miles. Whatever length you choose, serenity will be your constant

companion. And if you’ve come to simply float and cool off, the inviting,


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gently sloping entry to the pond provides plenty of room to cool your

ankles or submerge your entire body while you revel in this solitude thanks

to New Hampshire Audubon. Considering a hike? Trail maps are available

at the information board at the parking lot, or print this PDF here:

http://www.nhaudubon.org/wp-

content/uploads/2012/05/WillardPondsmaller.pdf.

Category

Open Water

Swim Hole

Road Conditions

Paved road

Unpaved maintained forest road

Unpaved parking lot

Facilities

No facilities. Carry In - Carry Out. Do not litter!

Directions

From route 101 in southern New Hampshire, take route 137 north between

Dublin and Peterborough. Travel approximately 7 miles to Hancock. Turn

left on route 123 and travel approximately 3 miles to Davenport Rd. Turn

right on Davenport (dirt road). At .7 miles bear left onto Willard Pond Rd.

Continue for .9 miles until you reach the parking area on the left. If you

have a canoe or kayak you may continue up the road to unload at the pond.

You’ll need to return your car to the parking lot – about 100 yards from the

lake.

Conswimerations

Pack a snack or lunch. Hiking trails invite you into the woods

before or after your swim.

Additional items to consider:

o Bug juice

http://www.nhaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WillardPondsmaller.pdf

http://www.nhaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/WillardPondsmaller.pdf

Stephen Tavella

Page 9 of 31

o Sunscreen

o Extra pair of goggles (you don’t want to drive out here

only to find the one pair you brought with you is broken).

o Food and water

o Camera

o An appreciation for the beauty of this lake

If you wish to rent a kayak or canoe, consider these:

o Amherst Kayak & Canoe, 114 State Route 101A, Amherst,

NH (603) 882-2600

o Contoocook River Canoe Co., 9 Horse Hill Rd, Concord,

NH (603) 753-9804

o Spofford Boat Sales, Route 9, Spofford, NH (603) 363-

8806 [email protected] (.1 mile beyond the turn-

off to Spofford Lake on Route 9)

Carry In – Carry Out. Do not litter!

» Don’t forget to thank the water Gods for their many blessings! ;-)

Recommended Swim Routes

1. Straight across the lake to the opposite shore will give you an

approximate swim of 1.3 miles. No need to fear high-speed boats

here – they’re not allowed.

2. Circumnavigate the shoreline for a longer swim, or if you’re on

your own without canoe or kayak support and you don’t like being

in deeper water alone. This will give you an approximate swim of

1.75 miles.



Page 10 of 31

Image ©2013 DigitalGlobe

trackstick Google earth

Stephen Tavella

Page 11 of 31

Chesterfield, New Hampshire


The town of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, has a population of

approximately 3,600, and also includes the villages of West Chesterfield

and Spofford. Chesterfield was established in 1735 while still under the

governance of Massachusetts. It was the site of one of several protective

trading forts built along the Connecticut River. It was incorporated as

Chesterfield in 1752.2

Chesterfield boasts two swim spots – one to the north and one to the south.

The village of Spofford sits on the north side of Highway 9, on Route 9A.

Most of the homes sit along the lakeshore of Lake Spofford, a 739 acre

body of water that invites you to lounge on a sand beach or exercise your

large muscle groups with swims ranging anywhere from several hundred

yards upwards to five miles. You can even plunge into the water via a rope

swing, but you’ll have to swim or row the .4 miles from Wares Grove to

Pierce Island to do so. Early evening’s the best time to enjoy this.

2 Economic & Labor Market Information Bureau, NH Employment Security, 2013.


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In 2005 the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department named it the

cleanest lake in southwestern New Hampshire, despite the amount of

motor boating! For you George Carlin fans, you’ll be pleased to know that

some of his ashes were spread here after he was cremated in 2008. When

he was young he purportedly attended Camp Notre Dame.

Kilburn Pond is a little gem of a pond ½ mile long within the confines of

New Hampshire’s largest state park, Pisgah. Pisgah lies to the south and

east of Chesterfield on Route 63. You’ll need to walk about 20 minutes by

forest trail to reach it, but it’s worth every step you take. This is like a big

lap pool in the middle of forest heaven. How many laps can you do?

Not feeling that energetic? Soak up the sun on the smooth granite

shoreline rocks and cool off with periodic leaps into the water. A trail

circling the pond permits you to choose one of several spots to set your

blanket for the day. You’re not going to hear a car or motorboat here, but

you may hear a periodic squeal from a nearby swimmer as they jump from

one of the several rock outcroppings into the seductive waters. You may

have swimming neighbors, but fear not the crowds. Enjoy, respect and

honor this remote gem by carrying out what you carry in.

Stephen Tavella

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Spofford Lake – Wares Grove


Description

Despite the number of motorboats and jet skis on this lake, there are a

surprising number of outstanding open water swims ranging from several

hundred yards to over five miles. Pick the right time of day and week and

you’ll be able to enjoy observing large and small mouth bass skirting

among the rocky bottom and tall lake grasses in waters the New Hampshire

Fish and Game Department declared the cleanest in southwest New

Hampshire. Spofford offers something for everyone – beach loungers and

splashers, the casual swimmer, those training for triathlons of all sizes and

dedicated open water enthusiasts.

Early morning and evening swims reduce or even eliminate motorboat

traffic and the rolling wake you can experience from it if you’re swimming

along the shoreline route. It’s hard to beat a quiet morning swim on a mist-

covered lake, or an early evening sun that slowly paints the sky, trees and

surface of the lake in hues of orange, yellow, purple and red. Sunsets rarely

disappoint on Spofford. And for some added enjoyment, try a full moon

swim! The moon rises behind the beach and over the trees at Wares Grove.

Attach a glow stick to make yourself more visible in the water. Swim to

Pierce Island for a swing under the moon from the rope swing. I do not

recommend you do this alone! Keep all swimmers in view and within

speaking distance. The lake is deep beyond the shoreline – up to 60 feet in


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spots. Remember, safety first. With that in mind, there’s plenty to enjoy on

this lake.

Category

Open Water

Swim Hole

Rope Swing

Road Conditions

Paved road

Unpaved parking lot

Facilities

Fee for use (Memorial Day to Labor Day):

o Daily rate non-residents: adults, $6.00; children, $3.00;

season pass, $125. BUT, go to Wares Grove early morning

before 9:00 AM or early evening after 5:30 PM and swim

for free.

Bath house

Picnic tables

Charcoal grills

Playground

Sand beach

Limited food to purchase

Rubbish disposal

Canoe, kayak and boat rentals at:




o Vermont Canoe Touring Center, 451 Putney Rd,

Brattleboro, VT (802) 257-5008

Directions

From Brattleboro, Vermont, take route 9 east from the traffic circle at exit

3 off of interstate 91. Travel 6.3 miles to Route 9A. Turn left toward Lake


Stephen Tavella

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Spofford. Travel approximately .3 miles and turn left into the Wares Grove

parking lot.

From the last traffic light heading west out of Keene, New Hampshire (Ash

Brook Rd), travel 6 miles to Rt. 9A. Turn right. Travel approximately2.3

miles and turn right into the Wares Grove parking lot.

Conswimerations

Pack a lunch. This is a spot where you can spend most of the day if

you don’t mind paying the fee at Wares Grove. Or bring something

to grill and enjoy a barbeque and picnic after an evening swim.

Swimming alone is not recommended, although if you keep to the

shoreline you can stay in shoulder-deep water along the entire five

mile lakeshore. Stay in the no wake zones to avoid motorboat

traffic.

Take appropriate precautions to avoid duck itch (swimmer’s itch).

A number of different relatively benign water-born parasites are

what cause swimmer’s itch. These parasites use both freshwater

snails and vertebrates as hosts in their parasitic life cycles. Mostly

waterfowl are used as the vertebrate host. During one of their life

stages, the larvae of the parasite leave the water snails and swim

freely in the freshwater in order to encounter the bird. These

larvae can accidentally come into contact with the skin of a

swimmer. The parasite penetrates the skin and dies in the skin

immediately. They cannot infect humans, but they cause an

inflammatory immune reaction much like a mosquito bite.

Following these simple guidelines can help reduce or prevent duck

itch:

o Do not wade in still water where you see waterfowl.

o Rinse off and towel dry rigorously immediately after

leaving the water.

o I find that slathering myself with Avon Skin-so-Soft helps

to reduce or prevent duck itch.

I have found that duck itch is not prevalent in the Wares Grove

area, or the southern shoreline. I have encountered it more often in

the north shore beach area where the cove is protected and

prevailing winds blow towards the beach.


o Bug juice

o Sunscreen

o Extra pair of goggles


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o Food and water

o Camera

o An appreciation for the beauty of this lake

If you wish to rent a kayak or canoe, consider these:




o Vermont Canoe Touring Center, 451 Putney Rd,

Brattleboro, VT (802) 257-5008

» Don’t forget to thank the water Gods for their many blessings! ;-)

Recommended Swim Routes

1. Yellow route: Wares Grove to Pierce Island, direct to the rope

swing (.38 miles)

2. Orange route: Wares Grove around Pierce Island and following all

buoys (1.34 miles)

3. Green route: Wares Grove to the Lighthouse (.5 miles)

4. Green route + Pink route: Wares Grove to Gazebo (.9 miles)

5. Green route + Pink route + Blue route: Wares Grove to Deep Cove

(1.1 miles)

6. Green route + Pink route + Blue route + Purple route: Wares

Grove to far end of Boat Club (1.5 miles)

7. Green route + Pink route + Blue route + Purple route + Red route:

Wares Grove to North Shore (2.25 miles)

8. Circumnavigate the lake from Wares Grove going counter-

clockwise (approx. 5 miles). Hint: If you don’t have kayak or

canoe support, store fluids and food in a container on the North

Shore before you begin your swim. Exit the water at the halfway

point (North Shore), fuel up and continue your swim.


Stephen Tavella

Page 17 of 31

Image ©2013 DigitalGlobe

trackstick Google earth


This picture shows the view from Wares Grove beach looking out along

the green line route shown on the map, above. From Wares Grove, for any

route shown above, wade into the water and swim out through the buoys

either straight ahead (Pierce Island), or to your right around the first dock.

You can swim the shoreline in shoulder-deep water and remain in the no-

wake zone.


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Dummerston, Vermont


Beautiful Dummerston, Vermont! Perhaps I’m biased now that I’m a new

resident. I’ve lived in the area since the mid-1980’s, have taken up

residence in the communities of Brattleboro and Newfane and I have to say

that my most recent decision to purchase a home here has settled quite

well, thank you! It's been said that there are more writers-per-square-mile

here than just about anywhere - a tradition started when Rudyard Kipling

lived at Naulakha from 1892-1896. As a new writer myself, I guess I just

added to the density of writers to which Dummerston has claimed bragging

rights.

Consider Stickney Brook, the first of two delicious swim holes featured in

this section. Stickney Brook could arguably be considered the most

beautiful set of cascading waterfalls in the southern Vermont area. Just up

the road you can’t miss the Dummerston Covered Bridge spanning the

West River. It’s the longest working covered bridge in Vermont. The

Stephen Tavella

Page 19 of 31

longest covered bridge (not currently open) is the Scott bridge, featured

later in this book. The Dummerston Covered Bridge is the second swim

hole featured for Dummerston. What a gorgeous spot, it is! Continue

across the bridge from Route 30, wind up and down the East West Road

into the town of Dummerston and you’ll drop into a Vermont postcard with

a white steeple church, small pond, sugar shack, grange and typical New

England homes. Visit in early October and you’ll have a chance to gorge

yourself on homemade apple pie and ice cream at Dummerston’s Apple Pie

festival. If that’s not a southern Vermont tradition, I don’t know what is!

You’ll find Naulakha, the home designed by Rudyard Kipling and where

he lived with his Vermont-born wife, Caroline Balestier, from 1892-1896,

just down the road from Dummerston Center. In this same area you’ll find

the Scott Farm, a 571-acre working apple orchard with 23 historic

buildings and 90 varieties of apples, many of them heirloom. It is here that

much of John Irving’s book, The Cider House Rules, was filmed. Scott

Farm’s neighbor is World Learning and the School for International

Training, an 81 year-old international education institution that hosted

some of the original training programs for the U.S. Peace Corps at its

inception in the early 1960’s.

Dummerston is full of wonder, magic and all the very best Vermont has to

offer. The two swimming holes featured here speak for themselves. Come

see for yourself!



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Stickney Brook


Description

Sweet! Delicious! Nirvana! These falls are well-known by the locals as one

of the most beautiful set of cascading falls in southern Vermont. My

daughter once said when she was a teeny-tot that she thought fairies lived

here. I think children know best. With that in mind, enter here with

reverence and a sense of the magical all around you.

Stickney Brook Falls lie just a short turn off of Route 30, the main

north/south thoroughfare through the West River valley. You’ll turn onto a

dirt road and immediately know you’ve landed someplace special. The

waters are as clear as they get, cascading over smooth, molded granite

bowls and dropping into gravel-filled pools. The sound of the water fills

your ears, and the smell of the damp forest wafts through your nose as the

cool air lifting from the layers of tumbling water cools you before you

even reach your first pool. When October rolls around and the leaves turn

gold, red and orange, you’ll delight in sitting by the brook and soaking in

the shimmering colors while you consider whether you should dip your

toes to test your fortitude. It doesn’t matter if you do or not. You’re at

Stickney Brook and everything’s just okay!

Stephen Tavella

Page 21 of 31

Category

Swim Hole

Road Conditions

Paved road

Unpaved maintained road

Facilities

No facilities. Carry In – Carry Out. Do not litter!

Parking is along the side of the road (Stickney Brook). Make sure

you’re parked completely off the road so as to not block residents

who live up the mountain.

Directions

Take Route 30 north out of Brattleboro. From the Grafton Cheese

Company on Route 30, travel approximately 4.5 miles to Stickney Brook

Road. Turn left onto the dirt road. The falls are on your right. Pull securely

off to the side of the road so as to not block traffic.

Coming from the north on Route 30, Stickney Brook Road will be on your

right just after the green iron bridge down the road from the Dummerston

Covered Bridge.

Conswimerations

These falls are private property. It is by the goodness of the owner

that the public is permitted to enjoy them. Remain appreciative of

this fact. Be respectful, do not harm vegetation, and keep noise

levels down. Do not litter!

Pack a lunch, but carry out what you carry in!

Be careful walking along the pools and falls. Rocks may be

slippery.


o Bug juice

o A picnic lunch

o Camera

o An appreciation for the beauty and magic of the falls.


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» Don’t forget to thank the water fairies for their many blessings at

this magical spot! And also thank the private landowner who

currently permits you to imbibe its unmatched beauty.


Stephen Tavella

Page 23 of 31

Dorset, Vermont


Forty-seven square miles of Vermont bliss speckled with white clapboard

houses and steeped in the history of the old Republic of Vermont. The first

general convention of the freemen of the New Hampshire Grants met at

Dorset in 1776 to consider the organization of a free and independent

district, and for many years the town played a vital part in the

establishment of Vermont as a separate entity. Many times during the early

years of the Vermont republic (1777 to 1791), the Legislature met at

Cephas Kent's Tavern in Dorset. Vermont was admitted to the United

States at the 14th state in 1791.

3

The first marble quarry in the US was opened in South Dorset in 1785.

Over the next 130 years, two dozen or more quarries located on the slopes

of Dorset Mountain and Mt. Aeolus provided marble for headstones,

3 Virtual Vermont Internet Magazine,

http://www.virtualvermont.com/towns/dorset.html#about, accessed 08/01/2013

http://www.virtualvermont.com/towns/dorset.html#about


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lintels, hearths and the like in the early years, followed by monumental

uses and later building stone used in many notable buildings, such as the

New York Public Library, the library of Brown University, and Memorial

Continental Hall of the Daughters of the American Revolution in

Washington, D.C. Several mansions on New York City's 5th Avenue were

built of Dorset marble, and many bank buildings across the land were

graced by interiors lined with polished Dorset marble. After the clapboard

church in Dorset Village burned in 1907, a new church was built in the

same style using locally quarried marble.4

Today, Dorset’s economy is primarily based on seasonal tourism and the

commercial industry. It’s not unusual to see the parking lot of the Dorset

Marble Quarry dotted with out-of-state plates and revelers jumping from

its high walls into the emerald green waters. Country inns, restaurants,

summer theater, artists, artisans, nearby music festivals and fairs and year-

round outdoor activities attract tourists from near and far. Tranquility

meets an outlet shopper’s paradise just down the road in Manchester. It’s

all here in Dorset. I suggest starting with some swimming and cliff

jumping at the Dorset Marble Quarry. It’s a Vermont memory that won’t

fade anytime soon.

4 Dorset Historical Society, http://dorsetvthistory.org/history.html, accessed 08/01/2013

http://dorsetvthistory.org/history.html

Stephen Tavella

Page 25 of 31

Marble Quarry


Description

I was introduced to this swim hole years ago by my undying open water

swim buddy, Jimmy, and I’ve been coming back here ever since. What a

find! Thanks Jimmy! Isaac Underhill opened this quarry in 1785. It’s the

oldest Marble Quarry in the United States. It was most active in the 1800’s

when the slabs cut here were used primarily for hearths, doorsills and

headstones. Now cliff jumpers are writing a new history as young and old

alike come here to float, jump, exercise, or lay on the rocks and lawn to

catch a Vermont tan.

The water is deep, for the most part, right off the edge of most of this small

body of water, as most quarries are. The water’s squeaky clean, so you

don’t need to look too hard around the edges of the wooded and quieter

sections of the quarry to see fish hovering under the shade of trees, or

flitting from rock to rock. For lap swimmers, the best entry point is right in

front of you as you approach the water’s edge from the parking lot (see the

picture, above). For cliff jumpers, walk around the Route 30 side of the

quarry, follow the trail across the small wooden bridge and climb the trail

to the rocks along the back side of the quarry. Lap swimmers are safest


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following a central route up the middle of the water. This way you’ll avoid

any possible collisions with jumpers.

Just up the road is the hamlet of Dorset, and south is Manchester. No

shortage of places to dine, drink or play in this area. The lawn and rocks

invite you to spread a picnic lunch, so consider packing your cooler and

staying for a while. If you’re not in the mood for a swim there’s plenty of

entertainment watching those who are.

Category

Open Water

Swim Hole

Road Conditions

Paved road

Unpaved parking lot

Facilities

No facilities. Carry in – Carry out. Do not litter!

Directions

Traveling north, take Route 30 to the intersection at Route 11 near

Bromley. Turn left towards Manchester. Travel approximately 6.6 miles to

the traffic circle. Make your first left in the circle, and your last left in the

circle that immediately follows. You’re staying on Route 30. Travel

approximately 4.4 miles to the quarry on the right side of the road. Mark in

the designated parking area.

Traveling south on Route 30 from Dorset you’re approximately 1.5 miles

from the quarry on your left.

Conswimerations

This is posted private land with restrictions, so please heed the

signs to respect the landowner’s wishes.

o No Alcohol

Stephen Tavella

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o No Glass

o No Litter

o No Fires

o No Graffiti

o No Parties

o No Loud Music or Property Damage

o Vacate at Dusk

The owner of this land also notes that dangerous conditions exist.

Use Care.

Pack a lunch and hang out on the rocks or lawn.


o Bug juice

o Sunscreen

o Camera

Carry In - Carry Out. Do not litter!

» Don’t forget to thank Isaac Underhill for carving out this

unforgettably fun swim hole... and the landowners for allowing you to

enjoy it!

Recommended swim routes

Straight across the quarry! It’s one big open water lap pool at

approximately 175 yards in length. Watch for cliff jumpers from the quarry

walls. Enter the water from the left side towards the parking lot, or the

bottom of the quarry. From those points you can walk into the water and

then push yourself off for your lap workout. Otherwise, your choices are

deep entries from the marble cliffs surrounding the quarry.


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Cliff jumpers take the plunge

Stephen Tavella

Page 29 of 31




Page 30 of 31

List of Swim Holes by Category

Open Water

Willard Pond Page 13

Nubanusit Lake Page 18

Dublin Lake Page 23

Spofford Lake – Wares Grove Page 29

Pisgah State Park: Kilburn Pond Page 34

Pisgah State Park: Round Pond and the Reservoir Page 40

West River: Brattleboro Outing Club Docks Page 46

West River: West River Park Page 52

Dorset Marble Quarry Page 78

Connecticut River from Putney Page 85

Harriman Reservoir Page 91

Grout Pond Page 99

Somerset Reservoir Page 103

Searsburg Reservoir Page 111

Swim Hole

Willard Pond Page 13

Spofford Lake – Wares Grove (rope swing) Page 29

Pisgah State Park: Kilburn Pond Page 34

Pisgah State Park: Round Pond and the Reservoir Page 40

West River: Brattleboro Outing Club Docks (rope swing) Page 46

West River: West River Park (rope swing) Page 52

Stickney Brook Page 58

West River: Dummerston Covered Bridge Page 61

West River: Rock and West Rivers Page 68

West River: The Scott Covered Bridge (rope swing) Page 73

Dorset Marble Quarry Page 78

Harriman Reservoir (rope swing) Page 92

Grout Pond Page 99

Somerset Reservoir Page 103

Searsburg Reservoir Page 111

Stephen Tavella

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About the Author

Steve’s been kicking around swim holes, lakes and rivers

in southern Vermont and southwest New Hampshire for

nearly 28 years. Actually, he’s been kicking around the

open water farther afield, but this first book of open water

swimming and swim holes features what he considers to be

the better spots in his local stomping grounds.

Steve’s first job as a teenager was at a public pool. His childhood is filled

with tales of constructing inner tube rafts, and along with his companions,

conquering foes and mythical creatures on the muddy creeks in his

hometown. After college Steve spent four years on small islands and big

ocean in the Central Pacific countries of Kiribati and the Solomon Islands.

There the open water turned big. Upon taking up residence in Vermont in

the 1980’s, Steve discovered some of the best spots to train for competitive

swims like the 5.25 mile Little Red Lighthouse on the Hudson River

(twice), the 12.5 mile swim around Key West, the 8 mile swim from New

York to Vermont across Lake Champlain, the 10 mile competition at Lake

Memphremagog (twice), the first open water competition around the Statue

of Liberty in New York, Escape from Alcatraz with the South End Rowing

Club in San Francisco Bay, and many other 1-3 mile competitions from

Maine to upstate New York to the Long Island Sound.

As a father who raised his daughter in southern Vermont – and who

naturally introduced her to the water before she could crawl – Steve also

discovered some fun swim holes over the years. Some have rope swings,

some are tucked under covered bridges, some with waterfalls tumbling

over large, smooth granite rocks and others where you can hop on an inner

tube and float down river for hours. Some of these places double as swim

holes or big open water areas where the avid open water athlete can turn

out a significant workout. He’s still enjoying each and every one of them

as he continues to seek new hidden gems.

Steve is water.

A resident of Dummerston, Vermont, Steve arrived in Southern Vermont

in 1986. He also lived in the communities of Brattleboro and Newfane.

Documents

By Stephen Tavella