• John B. Hudson Trail – Arcadia Wildlife Management Area
• Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI
• Trailhead: 41°34’37.16″N, 71°42’9.88″W
• Last Time Hiked: May 27, 2013
• Approximate distance hiked: 3.2 miles
• Easy with slight elevation and areas of rocky footing.

After a few days of rain it was good to see the sun and it made for a beautiful Memorial Day morning hike. I started the hike by following the yellow trail into the woods, through an area of mountain laurel, to an old cemetery of the Wilcox family. After looking around the cemetery for a bit I continued on the yellow trail, crossing a fire lane, to the next intersection. A white blazed trail goes to the left and the yellow continues on the right. I kept following the yellow trail back out to the fire lane, turning left and following the fire lane for a bit before turning left again into the woods. The yellow trail eventually comes out to Breakheart Pond where I stopped for a bit and took some pictures. There is a dam here with a waterfall. At this point I found my way onto the white blazed trail that followed Breakheart Brook. It is a rather rocky path and somewhat muddy (at least after a few days of rain), but well worth the challenge as it has quite a bit of scenery to offer. I followed the white trail to its end and got back onto the yellow trail for a bit until I got back to the fire lane. I then turned right onto the fire lane and followed it left at the next fork. After following the fire lane for a bit a small trail on the left appeared by a cairn. Someone had also marked this turn with red flagging. Following this trail I came across the remains of the old fire tower before it ended at the yellow trail. I then turned right following the yellow trail back to the parking area.

A map of the Breakheart Pond area showing the trails is available here: John B. Hudson

Breakheart Brook