Archive for May, 2013

Sachuest Point – Middletown

  • Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge
  • Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°28’47.09″N, 71°14’37.46″W
  • First Time Hiked: May 28, 2013
  • Last Timed Hiked: December 26, 2021
  • Approximate distance hiked: 2.6 miles
  • Easy with some optional elevation

This place is for the birds… Literally. Starting from the parking lot I decided to head south first along the Ocean View Loop to Sachuest Point. I immediately came across several red winged blackbirds and several yellow birds that almost looked like parakeets. I then spent a little time down on the rocks at the point. I continued along the path coming across some wildflowers and many more birds such as robins and catbirds. I decided to take a short trek on to the Price Neck Overlook that has good views of the Sakonnet River and the Atlantic Ocean. In the distance the Sakonnet Lighthouse is clearly visible. I then continued along the loop path and onto the Flint Point Loop passing through areas of beach roses. Along the way there are a couple of overlooks. The first overlooks the Island Rocks where you will see several birds relaxing. I saw an egret here. The second overlooks Flint Point as well as the coast of Tiverton and Little Compton across the river and Middletown and Third Beach to the left. I then continued the path which leads back to the parking area. Along the way I came across mourning doves. There is a visitor center here that has quite a display of the birds and other species that are found here. Beware, however, of the over abundance of poison ivy here.

Trail map can be found at: Sachuest Point

I’ve also decided to add this link to identify poison ivy. You can click on the options on the left to see what it looks like at different times and places: Poison Ivy

The Shore At Sachuest National Wildlife Refuge

The Shore At Sachuest National Wildlife Refuge

2013
05/30
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Sachuest Point
~2 to 3 Miles~
~MIDDLETOWN RI~
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John B. Hudson Trail – Exeter

  • John B. Hudson Trail – Arcadia Wildlife Management Area
  • Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°34’37.16″N, 71°42’9.88″W
  • Last Time Hiked: May 27, 2013
  • Approximate distance hiked: 3.2 miles
  • Easy with slight elevation and areas of rocky footing.

 

After a few days of rain it was good to see the sun and it made for a beautiful Memorial Day morning hike. I started the hike by following the yellow trail into the woods, through an area of mountain laurel, to an old cemetery of the Wilcox family. After looking around the cemetery for a bit I continued on the yellow trail, crossing a fire lane, to the next intersection. A white blazed trail goes to the left and the yellow continues on the right. I kept following the yellow trail back out to the fire lane, turning left and following the fire lane for a bit before turning left again into the woods. The yellow trail eventually comes out to Breakheart Pond where I stopped for a bit and took some pictures. There is a dam here with a waterfall. At this point I found my way onto the white blazed trail that followed Breakheart Brook. It is a rather rocky path and somewhat muddy (at least after a few days of rain), but well worth the challenge as it has quite a bit of scenery to offer. I followed the white trail to its end and got back onto the yellow trail for a bit until I got back to the fire lane. I then turned right onto the fire lane and followed it left at the next fork. After following the fire lane for a bit a small trail on the left appeared by a cairn. Someone had also marked this turn with red flagging. Following this trail I came across the remains of the old fire tower before it ended at the yellow trail. I then turned right following the yellow trail back to the parking area.

A map of the Breakheart Pond area showing the trails is available here: John B. Hudson

Breakheart Brook

Breakheart Brook

2013
05/27
CATEGORY
John B. Hudson Trail
~3 to 5 Miles~
~EXETER RI~
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Fisherville Brook – Exeter

  • Fisherville Brook Wildlife Preserve
  • Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°35’23.69″N, 71°34’12.92″W
  • First Time Hiked: May 25, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: November 20, 2021
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.8 miles
  • Fairly easy with some elevation.

Fisherville Brooks’ parking lot is along Pardon Joslin Road. It is not very accessible from Sunderland Road unless you have a vehicle with some clearance and/or a four by four. There are signs that are posted that read PASS AT OWN RISK. With that said, it is highly recommended getting to Pardon Joslin Road from Widows Sweet Road. For this hike, just under 2 miles, follow the orange blazed trail to the left of the kiosk. The trail immediately climbs uphill, then winds through the wooded southeastern portion of the property passing boulders, stone walls, and streams. The trail then bends to the right offering a view of a large field to the left. Ahead the orange trail meets the blue blazed trail. Turn left here and you soon come to the mill pond and dam with the waterfall. Spend a few moments here, it is a good spot for photos. From here continue ahead making your way through an area of boardwalks in some rather wet areas before the path opened up to a meadow. A short path to the left leads to a historic family cemetery. The grave of John Gardner who had served in the American Revolution is located here. He was born in 1753 and passed in 1837.  After spending some time here make your way back to the blue trail loop. It soon crosses over Fisherville Brook, passes the yellow blazed trail on the left, through a densely wooded area covered with fern, and back to the parking area. If you are looking for up to another mile and half of hiking, pass through the parking area and cross the street. There are two more loop trails there. The red blazed outer loop is 1.4 miles long.

Trail map can be found at: Fisherville Brook (will download PDF)

TWRI-FB20-06

The Mill Pond at Fisherville Brook.

2013
05/25
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Fisherville Brook
~1 to 2 Miles~
~EXETER RI~
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Fogland Marsh – Tiverton/Little Compton

When I left Providence it was hot, humid and the temperature was about 85 degrees. There were thunderstorms forming to the north heading south. I made my way to Ruecker Wildlife Refuge along the shores of the Sakonnet. When I got there it was still quite sunny, so I decided hiking was “a go”.  When I finished that short hike I decided to head to Fogland Marsh for some additional walking. When I arrived it was 67 degrees, partly sunny, and there was a strong breeze coming ashore. One of the things I love about living in the Ocean State, 30 miles south of the city its 20 degrees cooler on any given summer like day. To get to the preserve you must come in from Tiverton. Most of the walk however is in Little Compton. The entrance to the preserve is rather tricky. Shore Road ends and becomes a rather treacherous rock road. In the distance there is a sign for the preserve. From the car it is a short beach walk to the estuary. Along the beach there are thousands of shells. There is also fenced off areas where piping plovers are nesting. At the estuary I took a couple of pictures of the marsh and of the dunes with flowers that were in bloom. I then made my way back to the car. As I was leaving, typical New England weather was in the making. To the north, I could see the beginnings of thunderheads growing and to the south was a dense and ominous fog moving up the Sakonnet River, but it was still sunny above.

Fogland Marsh

Fogland Marsh

2013
05/22
CATEGORY
Fogland Marsh
~1 Mile or Less~
~LITTLE COMPTON RI~
~TIVERTON RI~
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Ruecker – Tiverton

Along the shore of the Sakonnet River is where this Audubon property is. It is a short hike with well marked and well maintained paths. There is also an abundance of birds here. Starting from the parking area I followed the yellow trail into the property. I then turned left and followed the blue trail and its loop. There is a bridge crossing here where I snapped a photo of the salt marsh. After completing the blue loop I made my way back to the yellow trail and headed for the yellow loop. I took a quick peek at the field before making my way to the shore near the northern end of the property where I came across several fiddler crabs. In the distance there was an egret. Following the red trail back to the parking area I came across an area of ledge. This is where most of the birds were. The red trail ended at the parking area.  After this hike I decided to head to Fogland Marsh (which is relatively close) to do some additional walking.

More info can be found at: Ruecker

Salt Marsh

Salt Marsh

2013
05/22
CATEGORY
Ruecker
~1 to 2 Miles~
~TIVERTON RI~
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Pawtuxet River – Cranston/Warwick

SUMMER 2022: THE WARWICK SIDE OF THE TRAIL IS CLOSED DUE TO A PROPERTY DISPUTE

This trail is a perfect example of where nature meets modern urbanization. Starting at the parking lot by the locally well known banquet facility Rhodes On The Pawtuxet, I followed the trail along the north side of the river making my way to Warwick Avenue. The trail pretty much follows the shore of the river and is heavily wooded. At the end of the section of the trail you must follow a narrow trail between a fence and the river and make your way to the bridge to cross the river. I stopped to take a look at the river here and noticed a family of geese with four goslings. This is where there is some confusion to where the trail goes next. After crossing the bridge into Warwick, you need to make your way toward the back of the Shaw’s supermarket. From a distance it does not appear to be much of anything, but as you get closer a very narrow trail appears. I followed this trail behind the supermarket (There is another entrance to this trail from the supermarket parking lot if you are not comfortable walking behind the building). The trail has been marked orange and again follows the bank of the river. There is a split ahead with the orange trail going to the right and a green marked trail going to the left following the riverbank. I opted for the green trail. From this trail you can see the Rhodes On The Pawtuxet across the river. Eventually this trail merges again with the orange trail. The trail then comes into a grass clearing near an old manufacturing building before turning back into the final stretch of the wooded trail. The trail ends at Post Road where I turned left and followed it to Pawtuxet Village. As you approach the village you will see some of the oldest houses in the area, some dating back to the 1700’s. In the village, there are few restaurants, ice cream shop, and a pub among other little businesses. The bridge over the river in the village overlooks a series of small waterfalls. After crossing the bridge back into Cranston I made my way to Rhodes Place, turned left, and made my way to the car.

Trail map can be found at: Pawtuxet River

Pawtuxet River

Pawtuxet River

2013
05/20
CATEGORY
Pawtuxet River
~2 to 3 Miles~
~CRANSTON RI~
~WARWICK RI~
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Attleboro Springs – Attleboro

 

Starting at a small parking area at the end of the entrance road to La Salette Shrine a trail leads into the meadow. Soon you will come across the trail that is marked with blue circles. Follow that to the Esker Loop. Then follow the yellow circle trail back to the Piggery Path which leads back to the meadow. Photographers have been known to visit this spot to capture birds on film. Next, check out the Oak Forest Trail also marked in blue until after the boardwalk. The trail is then marked yellow the remainder of the way. The Oak Forest Trail gets quite narrow in places and can be buggy, but it is a beautiful trail nonetheless. Turn right at the Reflection Trail to visit Brothers Pond, the Puddingstone, and the Room of Oaks before heading back to the car. Here you will likely come across several species of birds, a handful of squirrels, rabbits, and frogs along the pond.

Trail map can be found at: Attleboro Springs

Trail At Attleboro Springs

Trail At Attleboro Springs

2013
05/19
CATEGORY
Attleboro Springs
~1 to 2 Miles~
~ATTLEBORO MA~
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Maxwell Mays – Coventry

 

Yet another beautiful Audubon property, Maxwell Mays made for a great Saturday spring morning walk. Starting from the parking area I followed the trail in past a couple of meadows before the trail splits. Taking the white blazed Carr Pond Trail to the left, I immediately entered the woods. The trail meandered up and down slight hills through the now very green spring trees and shrubs. At the next trail intersection the Carr Pond Trail bears to the right. I opted to take the yellow blazed Hammitt Hill Trail at this point. This trail crossed a small stream, then passes the Crossover Trail to the right, before starting gradually upward for a short distance. Coming around a bend I encountered a rather massive boulder. Its size was rather impressive and it is undoubtedly the largest  on the property. Just further ahead would be the most unique boulder. The “Smoking Frog” is obviously the work of some creative “artists” that made good use of a large boulder with a crack in it. The yellow trail then continues passing the Crossover Trail again, a cellar hole and crossing a couple of streams with brief views of Carr Pond before ending at an intersection with an outdoor hearth. At this point turn left back onto the white blazed Carr Pond Trail. Along the way there will be a cemetery on the left with graves dating back to the 19th century. Some may be older, but are difficult to read. This cemetery is the family burial ground of the Carr family who had owned and farmed this property for over 200 years. I then returned back to the white trail, crossing a private road, and back into the meadows to the first trail intersection. I then retraced my steps back to the car along the trail by the meadows. The meadows were extremely active with grasshoppers and crickets as the morning sun made for a great photo opportunity.

More info & trail map can be found at: Maxwell Mays

The Meadow At Maxwell Mays

The Meadow At Maxwell Mays

Yellow Blazed Hammit Hill Trail

Yellow Blazed Hammit Hill Trail

2013
05/18
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Maxwell Mays
~3 to 5 Miles~
~COVENTRY RI~
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Nockum Hill – Barrington

A nice little hidden gem in Barrington owned by the Barrington Land Trust. In fact if you are in Barrington you need to leave town and drive through Swansea or Seekonk to get to it. This wildlife preserve includes a little bit of everything. It has a farm, woods, meadows, marsh, and a beach. Starting at a small parking area across the street from Dane Horse Farm I followed Rayner Road past the gate then turned left onto the Woodland Trail. I followed this trail to its end after a short detour down the marsh trail. I made my way down to the beach at the point where I found a park bench that overlooks Hundred Acre Cove. I spent several minutes here taking in the view. I then made my way back to the Point Trail, following that back to Rayner Road and then I turned right onto Terrapin Trail. Apparently this is the only location in Rhode Island where the diamondback terrapin nests. I did not come across any. I then turned left back onto the Woodland Trail and then left again onto the Bittersweet Trail. At the end of the trail I turned right onto Rayner Road once again and followed it back to the car. There were several species of birds in the trees and meadows here. There is also a monument at the entrance that marks the former location of a historic church.

Trail Map can be found at: Nockum Hill

A Farm At Nockum Hill

The Farm At Nockum Hill

2013
05/17
CATEGORY
Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge
Nockum Hill
~1 to 2 Miles~
~BARRINGTON RI~
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Copicut Woods – Fall River

  • Copicut Woods/Miller Brook Conservation Area
  • Indiantown Road, Fall River, MA
  • Trailhead: 41°42’32.22″N, 71° 3’54.30″W
  • Last Time Hiked: May 14, 2013
  • Approximate distance hiked: 4.2 miles
  • Fairly Easy

 

Most people do not know that a large section of Fall River is wooded. Copicut Woods is a good example of this. This hike made for a nice, well… stroll through the woods. Starting at the parking lot at Indiantown Road, I crossed the street and started following the Shockley Trail. Before the trail crosses the next road there is quite of beech trees. One of the nice features of this hike was that the trail intersections are numbered. I crossed Yellow Hill Road at intersection 2 continuing to the end of the trail. I then turned right at intersection 3 following the trail over the first of several stone bridges. This trail led to an old homestead where there are remains of a barn and house. I turned left at intersection 6 then right at intersection 7. Before me was a long road with a canopy of trees and stone walls on each side. This is Miller Lane and I followed it to intersection 10 where I turned left. I would suggest going by intersection 11 for now, turn left at intersection 12 (not marked on the map, and the path that continues forward is just a utility easement) and follow it down to a stone bench by the Miller Brook. Beyond this point there is not much. The path will come out to a small parking area and there are no good views of the reservoir. From the stone bench I made my way back to intersection 11 and turned right there following the trail to intersection 12. I then turned left, right at 7, then left at the “Ed Shed”, and finally right to retrace my steps back to the car. You could add more distance to this hike if you include the Horseshoe Trail.

Trail map can be found at: Copicut Woods

Miller Lane

Miller Lane

2013
05/17
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Copicut Woods
Miller Brook
~3 to 5 Miles~
~FALL RIVER MA~
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