• Spring Lake
• Black Hut Road, Burrillville, RI
• Trailhead: 41°58’43.72″N, 71°39’54.40″W
• Last Time Hiked: February 15, 2016
• Approximate distance hiked: 3.1 miles
• Fairly easy with some slight elevation, more difficult with snow cover.

Much like the last time I was at the Black Hut Management Area, there was still some significant snow cover and the temperature was hovering near the 0° F mark. Though much balmier than yesterday mornings -10° F with wind chills around -35° F, but yet still much colder than tomorrows anticipated 50° F day, we started this hike when the temperature was at -2° F. The last time I was at Black Hut was nearly two years ago following the route in the Ken Weber book. After looking at the D.E.M. maps for the property I had noticed a quarry to the west of Spring Lake. A fellow hiker/blogger also posted some photos almost a year ago of the quarry. So this morning I set out with a hiking buddy to find this quarry. Much to my surprise we came across several small quarries before finally reaching the quarry on the map. The hike we took this morning covers a decent amount of the western most portion of the Black Hut property. Spring Lake, most famous for its public beach, is surrounded by small homes and cottages. The Black Hut property all but surrounds this quaint lakeside community. Starting at the parking area for the Spring Lake Fishing Area, we followed Black Hut Road first west then north about two tenths of a mile before coming to an intersection. We then crossed the road toward a guard rail. Beyond the guard rail is the beginning of the trail. The road to the right and uphill is a driveway and well posted as private property. Just after the guard rail you will find a well weathered kiosk with a trail map. For almost all of this hike we followed the most used trail(s). We first followed the red blazed trail passing a stream on the left and then a large ledge to the right before coming to a trail intersection. We stayed to the right, now following blue blazes, where we came upon the first of the quarries. Soon through the woods you can see Spring Lake. At the next trail intersection we stayed to the left following red blazes. The trail to the right winds downhill toward the lake. Continuing to follow the red blazed trail for the remainder of the hike we came upon a couple spur loop trails (yellow and orange) and a rather large boulder to the left. After passing over a hill the red trail comes to another trail intersection before looping back to the right. The unmarked trail ahead turns to the right and eventually comes out to the quarry. We continued following the red blazed trail a little further back uphill to the 1.5 mile mark. To the left is an unmarked trail that goes up to the rim of the quarry. From here you can make your way down to the quarry following the unmarked trail. Although plagued by much graffiti, the quarry is quaint and peaceful. From here we retraced our steps back to the parking area. The temperature reached a sweltering 16° F by the time we were done with the hike.

Trail map can be found at: Spring Lake.

Along The Blue Blazed Trail