• John C. Whitehead Preserve at Dundery Brook 
• West Main Road, Little Compton, RI
• Trailhead: 41°30’35.63″N, 71°11’23.88″W
• First Time Hiked: April 9, 2013
• Last Time Hiked: December 15, 2017
• Approximate distance hiked: 2.8 miles
• Fairly Easy.

The Nature Conservancy has a knack for showcasing some of the most beautiful properties in the State. Dundery Brook is no exception. The trail system was built in two main parts, the older being the iconic raised boardwalk from Meeting House Lane to Bumble Bee Pond. The newer trail connects that raised boardwalk to West Main Road. In 2017, I came back to revisit Dundery Brook from West Main Road. There is now a large sign by the parking area. The property has since been dedicated and is now known as the John C. Whitehead Preserve at Dundery Brook. The trail is not blazed but easy enough to follow as it winds eastward passing several small ponds before entering an area of woods with an abundance of stone walls. The trail also has several boardwalks along the way and a stone slab bridge that crosses Dundery Brook. The trail soon comes to the raised boardwalk. Turning left here will take you to the shores of Bumblebee Pond. There were many types of birds at the pond. During a previous spring hike I saw several red-winged blackbirds and one bird in particular that caught my attention. The bird was flying “still” and then diving toward the pond. The third dive was into the water to capture whatever it was the bird was after. Following the grass path along the pond leads to a small bridge crossing a stream. If you continue ahead the path ends at an open meadow. Retrace your steps back to the raised boardwalk to visit the rest of the preserve. The boardwalk is about a half mile long and meanders through a densely wooded marsh with bogs and a stream crossing. There is an abundance of holly trees and shrubs at Dundery Brook as well. The raised boardwalk ends at the southern entrance of the property. From here retrace your steps back to the parking area along West Main Road.

Trail map can be found at: Dundery Brook 

Bumble Bee Pond