• Simmons Mill Pond Management Area
• Coldbrook Road, Little Compton, RI
• Trailhead: 41°32’23.09″N, 71° 9’15.97″W
• First Time Hiked: June 19, 2013
• Last Time Hiked: May 12, 2020
• Approximate distance hiked: 3.4 miles
• Easy with slight elevation.

If you like ponds and grass covered cart paths, then this is the place to go. Also, if you are a birder be sure to bring your binoculars and camera. This place is truly for the birds! Before venturing out for the hike, check out the cemetery by the parking area. After viewing the cemetery we followed the cart path into the management area. This property is maintained by local volunteers. They mow the cart paths, trim shrubs from growing over into the paths, and place many, many signs that explain the types of trees, wildlife, and history of the property. You will see several of these signs throughout, especially along the access road. There are also several hollow wood bird shelters along this path. At the end of the this path it opens up to a grass area with Simmons Pond on the left and Cole Brook on the right. You will likely see people fishing here. From here we followed the Farmsite Loop Road, straight ahead, back into the woods. There are a few signs along the way indicating that you are following the loop trail. After traversing south a bit the trail swoops to the east where we then came across two more ponds. Chace Pond to the left and Horseshoe Pond to the right. The path continued, coming to yet another pond before the next intersection. The trail to the right leads to another parking area. At this intersection we turned left following the signs for the Farmsite Loop. Along this path to the left there were the remains of old farm building and an old well. There is plenty of interesting signage here that explains the site history. The next intersection there is signage that shows a loop trail that begins by going straight and ends coming from the right (or vice versa). This is the Amy Hart Loop. We turned right here and did the loop as it reaches into the northeast corner of the property passing several prominent stone walls and holly trees. At the end of the loop, and back at the four way intersection we turned right to continue the Farmsite Loop. On an earlier hike I had come across frogs here and the mountain laurel was still in bloom along this stretch. Also since the last visit the path has been raised just enough to keep your feet dry in the area that is notoriously known to be wet. Keep an eye out to the right for a concrete post. This post delineates the Cole Brook Line, a local survey line laid out in the 1670’s. At the next stream crossing the water can at times rush over the path. For this hike it was very easy to cross. The body of water to the left is Chace Pond once again. Continuing ahead this path then continued back to Simmons Pond. Just before the pond are two points of interest on the right. First a short spur trail that leads to the edge of the pond. Note the stonework at the shore. It was once part of an icehouse. Back to the main trail and up on a some hill was the site of a former cabin. After passing Simmons Mill Pond again continue ahead to the access path to the parking area.

Trail map can be found at: Simmons Mill Pond

Simmons Pond (2013 Hike)

Along The Amy Hart Loop (2020 Hike)