The West Branch of the Westfield River is one of the best early-spring Class IV runs in New England. The valley from Becket to Chester is isolated, marked only with beautiful stone-arch railroad bridges and the bridge at Bancroft. This section of the river is continuous Class IV which demands tight maneuvering in heavy waves. Shortly below a ledge beneath a railroad bridge comes the double ledge that can be run to the left or portaged on the right. When you reach the Bancroft Dam portage on the left and take-out is just below.