• Francis C. Carter Preserve – Central
• Old Mill Road, Charlestown, RI
• Trailhead: 41°25’56.53″N, 71°40’9.61″W
• Last Time Hiked: December 3, 2016
• Approximate distance hiked: 1.8 miles
• Fairly easy with some elevation.

For this hike we started at the Old Mill Road trail-head and followed the yellow blazes down an old cart path known as the Narragansett Trail.  As a matter of fact, this stretch was once part of the Narragansett Trail when it ran from Lantern Hill in Connecticut to Wordens Pond in South Kingstown. At the bottom of the hill we turned right and followed the perimeter of a large open field completing a loop back to the cart path. Within the large open grassland is a habitat for deer, various birds including bluebirds and warblers, dragonflies, and small mammals. There are informative boards here explaining the habitat. Along the edge of the field is a variation of shrubs and trees including pines, sassafras, and aspens. There were also pods left from this years milkweed. From here we retraced our steps back to the parking area. Hunting is allowed on this property. Be sure to wear orange.

Trail maps can be found at: Francis Carter Central

Grasslands at Francis Carter