• Blue Pond – Rockville Management Area
• Canonchet Road, Hopkinton, RI
• Trailhead: 41°30’19.31″N, 71°45’33.09″W
• Last Time Hiked: March 6, 2016
• Approximate distance hiked: 1.2 miles
• Fairly easy.

This hike is one of those hikes that gives you a glimpse of what once was. I also decided to shorten this hike and to keep it a simple out and back hike rather than the loop that it was once described as in an old Ken Weber book. Reason being is that the route described that followed the shore of the pond has started to overgrow substantially. In March of 2010, a dam here a Blue Pond failed and the level of the pond dropped quite significantly. Most of the land that was once under water has now produce vegetation and the former shoreline is now starting to fade. Starting this hike from a small parking area along Canonchet Road, I made my way down the old dirt road flanked in an almost tunnel of laurel. Soon on the right there is a small clearing. There once was a cabin here. There is no evidence of it any longer, however, if you look to the left here (you may have to crotch down to look under the shrubbery) you will notice an old fireplace. The next section of the hike winds through an area of boulders and to the right is a rather impressive ravine. At the end of the trail you will find the remains of another cabin. This one still offers its foundation for viewing. Just beyond the foundation there is a narrow trail the leads down to the former shoreline for a view of what is left of Blue Pond. This area was once very popular for fishing. If you follow the tree line to the left and there is enough recent rainfall you will find a small waterfall a couple hundred feet away. From here I retraced my steps back to the parking area.

Trail map can be found at: Blue Pond.

Blue Pond