Archive for September, 2019

Sunset Farm Trail – Narragansett

  • Sunset Farm Trail
  • Point Judith Road, Narragansett, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°24’24.97″N, 71°28’48.22″W
  • Last Time Hiked: September 15, 2019
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.5 miles
  • Fairly easy with some elevation.

 

Tucked away behind Sunset Farm is one of the newest trail systems in Rhode Island. A working farm, you must first make your way past the gate and follow the signs along the dirt road through the farm area. Be sure to close the gate behind you!! The trail is to the left just as you approach a stone wall at the northern edge of the property. The trail is flanked by the wall to the right and a wire fence to the left. Along this stretch are sweeping views of the farm fields. At the next intersection, and for this hike, turn left and follow the trail into a wooded area. A stone wall will now be on your left. Look for a very distinctive and obviously out of place stone in the wall. At the end of this trail turn right. The path to the left is blocked with a gate. From here you will gently descend downhill through an area with old apple trees and grape vines. The scent of grapes was rather strong at the time of this hike, and with the fruit, the birds. There were many of them singing in the nearby shrubs. At the next trail intersection there is signage. Turn left here, cross over a boardwalk, and then slightly uphill to a small knoll with a bench. There is a small view corridor (likely larger when the leaves are off the trees) of Point Judith Pond. From here retrace your steps back to the intersection. Continue straight ahead and slightly uphill. At the next intersection continue straight and then retrace your steps back to and through the farm. Be sure to check out the farm stand for fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, sauces, and meats. Around the other side of the barn are pens. You may catch a glimpse of a cow or goat.

 

Map can be found at: Sunset Farm Trail.

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The Trail Flanked by Fence and Wall

La Farge Point Park – North Kingstown

  • La Farge Point Park
  • Walmsley Lane, North Kingstown, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°30’20.98″N, 71°27’21.06″W
  • Last Time Hiked: September 14, 2019
  • Approximate distance hiked: 0.5 miles
  • Fairly easy with some elevation.

 

This small town park offers two very short trails that lead to the shores of the Narrow River. There is a road that leads to a small parking area, but the road is rather primitive and parking there would all but eliminate a walk of any distance. For this walk park at the bend in the road at Walmsley Lane and follow the road eastward to the park. The road itself is a public right of way, but do respect the private properties along the road.

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The Narrow River

Hull Cove – Jamestown

 

Hull Cove is a spectacular spot at the end of a short trail in southern Jamestown. The town owned land offers a short walk of a little over a quarter mile out and back with some wandering along the beach. When the surf is up, you will likely find surfers here.

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Rough Sea at Hull Cove (Passing of Hurricane Dorian – 2019)

Head’s Beach – Jamestown

 

Head’s Beach is a small town owned beach on the west side of Jamestown with sweeping views that include the Jamestown Bridge, Plum Island Light, and Quonset Point. This walk is very short, just over a quarter mile, but the beach itself is serene. Parking is limited to residents from May 15th to October 15th.

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The Jamestown Bridge From Head’s Beach

Allins Cove – Barrington

 

Allin’s Cove in Barrington offers a short trail and short beach walk (only at low tide). The property is protected by the Barrington Land Trust and open to the public. The trail is flanked by shrubs and wetlands, being a haven for birds. The cove is separated from Narragansett Bay by a beach peninsula. The cove itself is fed by the Annawomscutt Brook which starts in East Providence and runs southerly through western Barrington. Before visiting check the tide charts or your walk will be shorter than expected.

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Looking North at Allin’s Cove.

Tourister Mill Riverfront Walkway- Warren

 

The newly renovated Tourister Mill complex in Warren offers a public walkway along the lower Palmer River. Starting from the designated public parking area at the north end of the complex, the walkway winds along the rivers edge in a southerly direction with views of where the Palmer and Barrington Rivers converge into the Warren River on one side and the historic mill buildings on the other. The end section of the walkway at the time of this walk was blocked off and still under construction.

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The Walkway at Tourister Mill.

Silver Creek – Bristol

 

A nice short walk with two very distinctive sections. The front half of this small parcel at the gateway of Downtown Bristol offers gardens and manicured lawn maintained by the Bristol Garden Club known as “Mrs. Perry’s Garden”. The back half offers a short trail that follows the creek to a sitting area with a bench. The entire walk is a little over a quarter of a mile and worth the stop when in the neighborhood.

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View From The Sitting Area

Pheasant Hill Beach – Portsmouth

 

At the end of Pheasant Road just after the railroad tracks and to the right is a parking area for Pheasant Hill Beach. From here you can follow the road a few hundred feet to the walking path the follows the shoreline toward the Mount Hope Bridge. At the end of the path there is a narrow trail that continues ahead. Along this trail are sweeping and stunning views of a marsh to your right, the bridge ahead, and Hog Island Lighthouse to your left. At the end of the trail are a row of boulders. From here turn left and make your way to the beach. From here you can follow the beach back a bit to one of the access points back to the walking path that leads back to the parking area.

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Walking Path With Mount Hope Bridge In The Distance.