Archive for March, 2013

Fort Nature – North Smithfield

  • Fort Nature Refuge
  • Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°57’39.16″N, 71°33’9.43″W
  • First Time Hiked: March 31, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: March 8, 2015
  • Approximate distance hiked: 3.75 miles
  • Easy with some slight elevation.

 

The temperature on Easter morning at 7:30 am was in the low 30’s. By the end of the hike at 10:00 am it was close to 55°. Spring is definitely here. And sound of wildlife is in abundance. Starting at a small parking area I followed the blue trail through some woods.  The blue trail loop splits not too far in. I decided to follow the path to the right.  I saw several birds along this stretch. A short distance up, a spur trail leads off to the right to go down to the pond. I was, again, apparently not quiet enough as I scared off some ducks before I reached the shore. Nonetheless, a great photo spot. Back to the blue trail, bypassing the white trail, to a fork. This is where the yellow trail begins. Beware though of the yellow trail.  It is the connector trail between the blue loop and the red loop and it is currently not marked very well.  I found myself doing a lot of back-tracking. The yellow trail went under a set of power lines, then back into a heavily wooded area. It then proceeded to go by a bench by the second pond, before heading around the edge of the pond. This is where it got a little tricky. The beavers have been hard at work here and part of the yellow trail was covered in water. There were many trees fell by them. I just went around the beaver dam after spotting a blaze on the other side of the water. I then came across a beaver lodge but I did not come across any these beavers.  I then proceeded to the end of the yellow trail onto the red loop trail which briefly borders the third pond. After the loop. I retraced my steps (again, with some back-tracking along the yellow trail) back to the parking area.

More info & trail map can be found at: Fort Nature

The Pond By The Yellow Trail

The Pond By The Yellow Trail

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
Fort Nature
~3 to 5 Miles~
~NORTH SMITHFIELD RI~
TAGS



3 comments

Napatree Point – Westerly

 

A picture perfect spring day at the beach. Napatree Point is a conservation area that extends about a mile and a half into Fishers Island Sound with an abundance of birds. It is a stunningly beautiful location.  I started at a parking lot at Fort Road, then headed towards the cabanas, onto the beach and turned right. Walking the mile and a half along the Atlantic side of the point I came across several seagulls and plenty of seashells. Watch Hill Light was behind my left shoulder and it was so clear that the Montauk Light at the tip of Long Island could be seen. Near the end of the point several large rocks and some old pilings mark the end of the sandy beach. In the distance the Latimer Reef Light, which is in New York, was also visible. Just around the bend was much evidence of last years Hurricane Sandy. Huge chunks of the embankment were missing.  I did find a way up the embankment and started making my way around a maze of very narrow trails until I came across the remnants of Fort Mansfield. The fort was once used as a artillery defense at the opening of Long Island Sound. From this vantage point I could easily see the Connecticut coastline and Sandy Point. Sandy Point is an island between Napatree Point and the Connecticut coastline.  It was once part Napatree Point until the 1938 Hurricane came through and severed it from the mainland.  For a place of so much beauty, it does have a tragic history. 15 people had perished at Napatree during that hurricane. After leaving the fort I found another trail that took me back to the south shore of the point.  I started walking back until I got to an area near an osprey nest.  This is where I found a path to cut across the dunes to the north shore of the point. Then I turned right and started making my way back along a body of water known as Little Narragansett Bay.  Along this stretch I came across sanderlings and many snails. Before heading back to the car I decided to climb up the highest dune on the point.  Most of this area is closed off for dune restoration, but there are paths that you can follow. The picture from the dune made the climb well worth it.

I did not find a trail map on-line.

Napatree Point

Napatree Point

At The End Of The Point

At The End Of The Point

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Napatree Point
~3 to 5 Miles~
~WESTERLY RI~
TAGS




1 comment

Brickyard Pond/Veterans Memorial Park – Barrington

  • Brickyard Pond/Veterans Memorial Park
  • West Street, Barrington, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°44’13.75″N, 71°18’43.11″W
  • First Time Hiked: March 28, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: November 13, 2021
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.7 miles
  • Easy.

 

Brickyard Pond is known mostly for its fishing, but there are several short trails here to be hiked. From the YMCA parking lot make your way down the entrance road until the first split. There is a kiosk here, turn left onto the Green Trail. This trail leads you through a long stretch of wooded area with some small stream crossings. Be sure to follow the green blazes as there are several unmarked spur trails. Soon you will reach a four way intersection. Follow the Red Trail which leads you to the shore of Brickyard Pond. The trail hugs the pond for a bit before coming to a grassy area by the pond. The Red Trail continues ahead and ends at the bike path. Turn right onto the bike path and follow it back to the parking lot.

Trail map can be found at: Brickyard Pond/Veterans Memorial Park

TWRI-VETS03

Along The Red Trail

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
Brickyard Pond
~1 to 2 Miles~
~BARRINGTON RI~
TAGS



Leave a comment

Bridgham Farm – East Providence

  • Bridgham Farm
  • Pleasant Street, East Providence, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°50’10.27″N, 71°20’45.83″W
  • First Hiked: March 27, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: September 16, 2016
  • Approximate distance hiked: 0.7 mile
  • Easy.

 

Bridgham Farm is a relatively small area for a walk and is hidden gem in the suburbs.  It is a large former farm field with a few paths crossing it. In total there is about three quarters of a mile of trails on this property protected by the East Providence Land Conservation Trust. Once part of a much larger tract of land, this property was protected as open space and is all that remains of the colonial era farm. In the summer months the field often has tall grass and some spots offer an abundance of milkweed. Bridgham Farm, listed on the National Historic Register, abuts the Turner Reservoir. At the end of the northerly most trail that leads through the woods to the nearby subdivision is the Newman Oak. This tree, a champion, is believed to be over 400 years old.

 

At Bridgham Farm

At Bridgham Farm

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
Bridgham Farm
~1 Mile or Less~
~EAST PROVIDENCE RI~
TAGS


1 comment

Rome Point – North Kingstown

  • Rome Point – John H. Chafee Nature Preserve
  • Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°32’13.26″N, 71°26’13.81″W
  • First Time Hiked: March 23, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: March 25, 2018
  • Approximate distance hiked: 2.6 miles
  • Easy with some slight elevation.

 

The “Seal Hike”. I’ve done this hike a few times in the last few years. After checking the tides and the weather report I decided it should be a good day to visit the seals. From the parking area I followed the main path until I reached the power lines. Just after the power lines I took a left and followed that path through an area mostly of pines until it’s end. I then turned right and followed the path to the end of the point. This is where the wind picked up. The forecast had called for a breezy day with gusts of around 15 mph, however, the gusts were well over 30 mph, maybe closer to 40 mph at times. I thought for sure this would be a “seal-less” hike. The seals were out and sunbathing nonetheless. The area that the seals haul out at is a cluster of rocks a few hundred feet offshore known as the Seven Sisters. You WILL need either a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope to observe the seals. This year the wind made it difficult to get a good picture through the spotting scope I had brought along this hike. After doing some seal watching I headed back the path I had followed out to the point and then headed straight pass the path I used earlier instead of turning and retracing my steps. This path winds through the woods past an abandoned car and an old building of some sort before joining the main path. At this point I turned right and back to the parking area.

Information about the seals and further links to the trails: Rome Point Seals

Looking South From Rome Point

Looking South From Rome Point

“Winston” (taken during a 2012 hike)

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Rome Point
~2 to 3 Miles~
~NORTH KINGSTOWN RI~
TAGS



1 comment

Mount Hope Farm – Bristol

  • Mount Hope Farm
  • Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°40’3.75″N, 71°15’18.51″W
  • First Time Hiked: March 20, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: April 29, 2017
  • Approximate distance walked: 2.5 miles
  • Easy with some slight elevation.

 

Mount Hope Farm is a property owned by The Mount Hope Trust. It is used for weddings and events, but the grounds are open to the public for jogging and walking. Most of the paths are paved at Mount Hope. From the parking area I followed the main path easterly through an area of woods which open to a large field on the left. The field was full of robins, so many so that I could not count them. That’s got to be a sign that spring is really right around the corner. On the right there are a few areas to sneak a peek at the bay. When the path split, I took a right and followed the path around Church Cove until I reached Cove Cabin. The views of Mount Hope Bay are spectacular here. But beware of a windy day. Although it was the first day of spring it still felt like winter by the water. I then retraced my steps back to the split and decided to go straight, then right onto a grass path, then left onto a path that took me out to between the two ponds. Here I saw many birds, ducks, and geese. I then continued along the paved path again towards the main complex of the farm before turning left on a path back to the parking area. I did run into several people here walking dogs.

Trail map can be found at: Mount Hope Farm

Pond Reflections

Pond Reflections

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
Mount Hope Farm
~2 to 3 Miles~
~BRISTOL RI~
TAGS






Leave a comment

McIntosh – Bristol

 

This was a nice and short walk. This Audubon property is where their educational center is located. It is a small stretch of land between Hope Street and where the Warren River meets Narragansett Bay. From the parking lot I followed the path around to the back of the building and then followed the stone dust path to the left through a large open field. At the bottom of the hill I then turned left onto a boardwalk that goes through some wooded area. After crossing the bike path the boardwalk continues through areas of marsh where I could hear plenty of rustling from birds. At the end of the boardwalk there is a nice view of the bay. I retraced my steps on the way back.

More info & trail map can be found at: McIntosh

Narragansett Bay From McIntosh

Narragansett Bay From McIntosh

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
McIntosh
~1 Mile or Less~
~BRISTOL RI~
TAGS






Leave a comment

Neutaconkanut Hill – Providence

  • Neutaconkanut Hill
  • Plainfield Street, Providence, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°48’40.99″N, 71°27’45.71″W
  • First Time Hiked: March 17, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: March 28, 2020
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.8 miles
  • Moderate with some significant elevation.

 

 

Providence is a bustling New England city with miles and miles of blocks of brick buildings, mills, and tenement houses.In the western end of the city a large tract of land is preserved as open space. When you are on the trails of Neutaconkanut Hill you soon forget that you are still in fact in the city. The hill once served as the northwestern boundary of Providence as agreed upon by the founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, and the Native Americans. Starting at the parking area by the Recreation Center on Plainfield Street, first follow the orange blazed trail into the woods. You will soon come to a trail intersection. Turn left onto the red blazed Pond Trail. You will first soon King Pond below to the left before coming to the Great Stone Steps. This stretch is very steep and can be difficult. Just beyond the top of the hill is a four way intersection. Turn left onto the orange blazed trail. It will eventually come the first of several outlooks. From this side of the hill on clear days you will be offered sweeping views to the southeast. A glimpse of the Easy Bay and Newport is possible during the weather conditions. After a quick stop at the outlook continue along the orange blazed trail to the Pinnacle Boardwalk. There is a nice bench here to take a quick break. Continuing to follow the orange blazed trail will lead you next to the remains of two Camaros. This site is a testament to how nature reclaims the land and objects left there. The trail then wraps to the left. A trail to the right leads down a steep bank and over a stream. For this hike do not take that turn, continue straight and follow the straight, level trail that descends slightly downhill. The trail then turns to the right a bit and winds towards the King Monument, named after the family who donated the land. After the monument, look for the blue trail on the left. Follow the blue trail in its entirety. The trail winds through the hillside offering another (unmarked) overlook near its southern most bend before looping back to the north passing well above an area of swamp to the left. At the end of the trail turn left onto the orange blazed trail and follow it to the road. Across the road is a meadow, walk through this area to a set of rock outcrops. From these outcrops is an impressive view of Downtown Providence. There is also the ruins of a bandstand here. In the early to mid 20th century this spot was used for concerts and gatherings. Make your way down the hill to the road below. Along the timber guardrail is an opening that leads to the WPA (Works Progress Administration) steps and path that will lead you down to the bottom of the hill to the park and ball fields by the parking area.

Trail map can be found at: Neutaconkanut Hill

twri-neut4

Overlooking Providence

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Neutaconkanut Hill
~1 to 2 Miles~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
TAGS







Leave a comment

Fort Barton Woods – Tiverton

  • Fort Barton Woods
  • Highland Road, Tiverton, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°37’30.05″N, 71°12’27.05″W
  • First Time Hiked: March 15, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: September 4, 2017
  • Approximate distance hiked: 2.3 miles
  • Moderate with some significant elevation.

 

A few hills and a few valleys made for a good after work hike. Starting at the parking area across from town hall I followed the paved path to the beginning of the natural path. This was the red trail I was on. I followed it until it split. I took the right path and hiked just about the entire red trail counter clockwise winding through areas of holly trees and several brook crossings. Some spots on the trails were very muddy (almost ankle deep in some areas), but those were mostly in the areas near the brooks. The Sin and Flesh Brook made for some good photo opportunities.  The red trail is the main loop and is very well marked. I would suggest staying on that trail. Near the end of the red trail loop I opted to check out the blue trail which was poorly marked and overgrown at the time of this hike.  I did actually end up off the trail and onto private property for a bit. After getting back onto the red trail and to the exit I stopped off at the observation tower which has great views of the Sakonnet River and the Mount Hope Bridge. Fort Barton also has historical significance as it is a Revolutionary War redoubt and served as a staging area for troops.

Trail map can be found at: Fort Barton Woods

Sin And Flesh Brook

Sin And Flesh Brook

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Fort Barton Woods
~2 to 3 Miles~
~TIVERTON RI~
TAGS




Leave a comment

Curran Reservoir – Cranston

  • Curran Reservoir
  • Laten Knight Road, Cranston, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°45’3.62″N, 71°32’26.95″W
  • Last Time Hiked: March 13, 2013
  • Approximate distance hiked: 2.2 miles
  • Easy, however trails not marked.

 

I had a trail map with me that I had copied from a book that was over twenty years old. The entrance on this map was at  Seven Mile Road.  All was good until about 100 feet into the hike. At the spillway there was suppose to be a bridge. No bridge and no obvious way of crossing. So, the surveyor in me kicked in.  I went back to the car and followed the perimeter of the property until I found another entrance on Laten Knight Rd. The trail-head is at a bend in the road where there is a small area to park.  I had followed this path straight in until I reached an area that was on the map that I had with me.  I was at an intersection.  I continued straight for a bit along a dam to take some pictures of the Upper Reservoir. I then retraced my steps back to the intersection and turned right onto a path in a southerly direction.  This path led me through some areas of pines before coming out to some power lines.  Be very aware of where this path comes out.  Fortunately someone had previously put flagging at this point to retrace the way out.  At the power lines I turned right and followed them for a short bit until I came to a path on the left.  It quickly came to a split. Following the map to the right, I came across a second missing bridge.  I was not able to continue on the path that loops the Lower Reservoir (also known as Spring Lake).  I then returned to the last intersection and took the path I hadn’t used yet. This took me to the shore of the reservoir where I took some pictures.  I could not tell where the path(s) went from there.  I then retraced my steps all the way back to the first intersection near the dam of the Upper Reservoir.  From there I went straight in a northerly direction.  I came across some horseshoe tracks before reaching the edge of the reservoir for yet another photo opportunity. Again I retraced my steps back to the intersection, then turning left and following the path I came in on back to the car. It was well worth looking for another entrance.  This was a nice late afternoon walk on state owned property along the Cranston/Scituate line. I ran into only a few kids on dirt-bikes but other than that it was quiet. The late afternoon sun through the trees made for many great shadows and pictures of the reservoirs.

This area is open to hunting. You should check hunting season schedules before hiking here.

I could not find a trail map on-line.

Losing Daylight

Losing Daylight

2013
03/31
CATEGORY
Curran Reservoir
~2 to 3 Miles~
~CRANSTON RI~
TAGS




Leave a comment

Recent entry

Archive

Category