Moraine Preserve – Charlestown
- Moraine Preserve
- Kings Factory Road, Charlestown, RI
- Trailhead: 41°23’8.76″N, 71°39’58.90″W
- Last Time Hiked: December 3, 2016
- Approximate distance hiked: 1.9 miles
- Moderate with some elevation.
A fellow hiker stumbled upon this aptly named preserve and today we decided to check it out. A moraine is defined as “a mass of rocks and sediment carried down and deposited by a glacier, typically as ridges at its edges or extremity”. During the last ice age, much of this area was defined by the glaciers. This preserves features resembles that of the Champlin Glacier Park and Duval Farm. And what a property it is!! There is a short loop trail (approximately 3/4 of a mile) in the front half of the property that is blazed blue. It winds, twists, and turns over small but steep ridges and the trails are flanked by groves of mountain laurel. At the time of this hike we stumbled upon the construction of the back loop. Technically open, the trail is in fact under construction and the features are the same of the loop trail up front. The trail is mark only by flagging at this time but will be blazed blue as well. Footing is a little rough so watch your step. There are some quite impressive views of Block Island through the trees atop the ridge that overlooks Route 1. A return visit in the spring will be necessary to see the new trail in its completed state.
Trail maps can be found at: Moraine Preserve
Uphill Through Mountain Laurel
Trails & Walks in Rhode Island 
No trackbacks yet.