Archive for August, 2013

Narragansett Pier – Narragansett

  • Narragansett Pier
  • Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°25’54.84″N, 71°27’23.56″W
  • First Time Hiked: August 10, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: October 29, 2021
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.7 miles
  • Easy

There is a nearly mile long seawall from Narragansett Town Beach to State Pier 5 that overlooks the southern end of the bay where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is also a spot to watch the sunrise (or the full moon) over the water. This morning I decided to walk here to take advantage of that opportunity. It was a spectacular view indeed on this beautiful August morning. From this location I could see the Beavertail Light at the southern end of Jamestown as well as Breton Point in Newport and the Newport Bridge loomed over the horizon.  I parked the car near the end of Ocean Road at Boston Neck Road and walked southerly passing the infamous Narragansett Towers and passing the Coast Guard House restaurant that is still under major renovations after last years Hurricane Sandy. Below the seawall there are several (maybe hundreds) of “balanced rocks” along the rocky shore. I then walked out to the State Pier where there were several early morning fishermen. I then turned around retracing my steps, pass the car, and then northerly toward the town beach. Early morning surfers were making the best of the beautiful morning. I took a few pictures of the sculptures here before returning to the car.

Summer Sunrise

Summer Sunrise

2013
08/10
CATEGORY
Narragansett Pier
~1 to 2 Miles~
~NARRAGANSETT RI~
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Bradner Preserve – Richmond

  • Bradner Preserve
  • Gardiner Road, Richmond, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°32’29.64″N, 71°36’58.92″W
  • Last Time Hiked: August 8, 2013
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.8 miles
  • Easy with some slight elevation

 

This Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust property made for a nice and quiet after work hike. I followed the main blue blazed trail into the property from the small parking area on Gardiner Road. Following the blue trail as it wandered through the heavily wooded terrain slightly up and down hills crossing streams and old stone walls, it eventually came to the Hanging Rock. This is a rather large outcrop of rock that looks as if it is hanging over the edge of a hill. On the way back towards the car, I followed the yellow loop that had a natural stone crossing of a stream. There were no sightings of wildlife, however I did see a frog and came across several mushrooms.

Trail map can be found at: Bradner Preserve

A Stone Wall At Bradner

A Stone Wall At Bradner

2013
08/10
CATEGORY
Bradner Preserve
~1 to 2 Miles~
~RICHMOND RI~
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Snake Den North – Johnston

  • Snake Den North – Snake Den State Park
  • Brown Avenue, Johnston, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°51’20.18″N, 71°32’0.02″W
  • Previous Hikes: August 6, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: October 17, 2020 
  • Approximate distance hiked: 2.5 miles
  • Moderate with some significant elevation
 

This hike offers towering cliffs through a ravine and an impressive outlook. Starting from a parking area on Brown Avenue follow an old dirt road into the park. It quickly descends into a ravine where the trail narrows slightly as the tall cliffs rise on each side. These cliffs are favorites for rock climbers. Just before the half mile mark a trail emerges on the left. Take this trail. (The trail ahead will eventually head towards the southern end of the park.) Follow the trail through a rocky area that crosses a stream. The trail trail turns ever so slightly to the left as it scrambles up a small hill. After climbing the small hill turn to the right, there are a few trails here that parallel each other before joining into a main trail.  This trail will then meander along a cliff for a bit. It will occasionally split before rejoining itself. At the top of the hill there is an overlook with a pretty decent view of western Johnston and Scituate. From this point retrace your steps back to the parking area. The trails here are not professionally blazed, although some here are blazed with spray paint can be useful. Be careful to remember which paths to retrace. I did come across a lone deer on this hike who seemed keenly interested of my presence. This route was 2.5 miles in length.

Trail map can be found at: Snake Den North

View From The Snake Den Overlook

View From The Snake Den Overlook

Rock Formations

Rock Formations

2013
08/10
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Snake Den North
~2 to 3 Miles~
~JOHNSTON RI~
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Boyden Wildlife Refuge – Taunton

  • Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge
  • Cohannet Street, Taunton, MA
  • Trailhead: 41° 52’56.52″N, 71°7’42.08″W
  • Last Time Hiked: August 3, 2013
  • Approximate distance hiked: 2.4 miles
  • Easy with slight elevation

 

This morning I was joined by a few friends for a hike. Among them was our fearless 3 year old guide who led the way. Needless to say, there was no set or defined path to describe for this hike. We did however cover just about the entire wildlife refuge, and in some cases, twice. Some of the highlights of this property are the fragrance garden which at the time was blooming with bee balm and tiger lilies. We hiked through a dense pine grove as well as a river trail that followed the Three Mile River. We came across a covered bridge as well as a log cabin. We also made our way around a meadow of tall grass. There are about a mile and a half of trails here, but we had hiked slightly more than that. We came across a few squirrels and some butterflies. We could hear plenty of birds and also heard a frog. (Side Note: Our trail guide fell asleep on the way home!)

I did not find a trail map online.

A Trail At Boyden Wildlife Refuge

A Trail At Boyden Wildlife Refuge

2013
08/03
CATEGORY
Boyden Wildlife Refuge
~2 to 3 Miles~
~TAUNTON MA~
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Carr Pond – West Greenwich

  • Carr Pond – Big River Management Area
  • Hopkins Hill Road, West Greenwich, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°37’51.32″N, 71°34’16.41″W
  • First Time Hiked: August 2, 2013
  • Last Time Hiked: October 10, 2020
  • Approximate distance hiked: 3.7 miles
  • Easy with slight elevation

Starting from a parking area on Hopkins Hill Road take the trail to the right into the woods. The path descends down toward the pond first passing an old rusty car, crossing another main trail, and then through an area of swamp before reaching the main loop trail. The path generally goes straight towards the pond. Do make note of where you made any turns so you can retrace your way back to the parking area. The main loop is a wide trail much like a cart path. When you reach the main loop trail follow it to the left. The loop, an old dirt road, is well traveled and quite wide. You will want to follow this around the pond. There are several paths and trails leading away from the pond to the left of the main trail. I would advise not to wander too far without a map or a GPS device on these trails. Big River has an immense network of unmarked trails. The paths leading to the right of the main trail lead to areas overlooking and along the shores of the pond. Some even lead to small beaches. (No swimming allowed here). The views of the pond at these trails are spectacular. After checking some of these trails continue along the main trail Towards the end of your loop you will come upon an old pump house and a raised pipeline. From here complete the loop and look for the trail where you came in from. Follow the trail(s) back uphill to the parking area.

Trail map can be found at: Carr Pond

Along The Ponds Edge

Along The Ponds Edge

On The Trail

On The Trail

2013
08/03
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Carr Pond
~3 to 5 Miles~
~WEST GREENWICH RI~
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Sowams Woods – Barrington

The Barrington Land Conservation Trust owns this nice little and well maintained 12 acre parcel wedged between Washington Road and Echo Lake. Though the walk is rather short, it makes for a pleasant half hour getaway. The trails are also very well marked. The main entrance seems to want to be on Washington Road itself, however around the corner on South Lake Drive (the narrow road along the country club property) there is a very small parking area at a trailhead. Starting there I followed the very narrow red trail to the first intersection. i then turned left and up a set of stairs onto the blue trail through areas of low ground cover until I got to the green trail. I then followed the green trail straight through an area of a pine needle covered path with towering trees. The green trail then turned to the right (orange trail was to the left) and I followed it to its end. I then turned left onto the red trail and right onto the purple trail. I followed the purple trail as it very slightly climbed up and down to its end with Echo Lake to the left along the way. The car was parked less than a hundred feet west of the end of the purple trail. I did not see much of any wildlife except for many birds.

Trail map can be found at: Sowams Woods

Echo Lake in Barrington

Echo Lake in Barrington

2013
08/01
CATEGORY
Sowams Woods
~1 Mile or Less~
~BARRINGTON RI~
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