• Browning Mill Pond/Roaring Brook – Arcadia Wildlife Management Area
• Arcadia Road, Richmond, RI
• Trailhead: 41°33’21.40″N, 71°41’6.94″W
• First Time Hiked: May 31, 2013
• Last Time Hiked: October 9, 2021
• Approximate distance hiked: 2.4 miles
• Fairly Easy.

This hike in the Arcadia Management Area offers a little bit of everything. It has ponds, brooks, dams with waterfalls, boardwalks, and bridges. For this hike start from the “lower parking area” and make your way to the far end (westerly end) of the lot to a tree with double yellow blazes. The trail, a bit root bound, first follows the southern edges of the pond passing through a thick forest. You will pass swampy coves of the pond along this section. The trail soon bends a bit to the north and crosses a sluice-way at a bridge. Here you will catch your first unobstructed view of Browning Mill Pond. Continuing ahead, the yellow blazed trail is flanked by the pond on the right and a split rail fence to the left. Beyond the fence is an abandoned fish hatchery. It is interesting to see how nature has reclaimed most of this area. You will only catch a glimpse of some of the concrete works of the hatchery within the growth of tall grasses, small trees, and shrubs. Be sure to follow the blazes ahead as the loop trail ducks below the dam ahead to cross Roaring Brook. If you would like take a peek at the dam and waterfall ahead before following the yellow blazes to the left. Along the yellow trail below the dam there are three short boardwalks that cross the brook. The trail stays the right and climbs up some stone steps. At the top of the steps the yellow blazed trail continues to the left. From here it wraps around the northern side of the pond. You will notice a stone wall to the left. In the shrubs along the wall you will see a sign for Seven Springs Farm. Beyond that on the left you will come to the stone remains of a pavilion. All that remains is the impressive stone foundation and walls. The yellow blazed trail then crosses some rather muddy areas via narrow boardwalks then turns to the south. The trail becomes rocky with small boulders scattered throughout. Be on the lookout for two large boulders with a grill wedged between them. This is a good spot to take a quick break. Just after this feature the trail splits. The yellow blazes continue to the right. For this hike follow the trail to the left and uphill. It will emerge at a wooden pavilion. From here continue straight ahead through the picnic area and follow the gravel road out to the main road. Directly across the main road is a narrow and unblazed trail. Follow it to its end and you will come to the boardwalks of Roaring Brook. (At the time of this hike the stairs were in disrepair, it was a little bit of a challenge to get up on the boardwalk.) Once up upon the boardwalk, stay to you left (straight) and follow the long winding walkway to the next trail intersection with a sitting area. Here you will want to turn right but first take a short detour to the left onto the trail blazed yellow and blue. Almost immediately there is a trail to the right. Follow this trail to its end to get to another observation deck that overlooks Roaring Brook Pond. After spending a moment here, retrace your steps to the intersection at the sitting area. Now follow the boardwalk/bridge to the south. You will cross the cascading Roaring Brook and you will have sweeping views of the pond to the left. You will likely run into people fishing here. The trail ends at the parking area. Continue straight ahead following the gravel road. Soon the yellow blazes (Arcadia Trail) and blue blazes (North South Trail) veer to the left. Stay to the right and follow the gravel road back to the main road. Cross the main road once again passing an old foundation and small red building onto a faint cart path of a road. It winds to the left and downhill back towards Browning Mill Pond. Along the way here you will have quite an impressive view of the pond. At the bottom of the hill stay to the left and you will find a yellow blaze upon the towering pines. Follow the yellow blazes back to the parking area to conclude this hike. Be sure to wear orange during hunting season.

Trail map can be found at: Browning Mill Pond

Browning Mill Pond