Posts Tagged ‘ Black Hut Management Area ’

Spring Lake – Burrillville

  • Spring Lake
  • Black Hut Road, Burrillville, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°58’43.72″N, 71°39’54.40″W
  • Last Time Hiked: February 15, 2016
  • Approximate distance hiked: 3.1 miles
  • Fairly easy with some slight elevation, more difficult with snow cover.

 

Much like the last time I was at the Black Hut Management Area, there was still some significant snow cover and the temperature was hovering near the 0° F mark. Though much balmier than yesterday mornings -10° F with wind chills around -35° F, but yet still much colder than tomorrows anticipated 50° F day, we started this hike when the temperature was at -2° F. The last time I was at Black Hut was nearly two years ago following the route in the Ken Weber book. After looking at the D.E.M. maps for the property I had noticed a quarry to the west of Spring Lake. A fellow hiker/blogger also posted some photos almost a year ago of the quarry. So this morning I set out with a hiking buddy to find this quarry. Much to my surprise we came across several small quarries before finally reaching the quarry on the map. The hike we took this morning covers a decent amount of the western most portion of the Black Hut property. Spring Lake, most famous for its public beach, is surrounded by small homes and cottages. The Black Hut property all but surrounds this quaint lakeside community. Starting at the parking area for the Spring Lake Fishing Area, we followed Black Hut Road first west then north about two tenths of a mile before coming to an intersection. We then crossed the road toward a guard rail. Beyond the guard rail is the beginning of the trail. The road to the right and uphill is a driveway and well posted as private property. Just after the guard rail you will find a well weathered kiosk with a trail map. For almost all of this hike we followed the most used trail(s). We first followed the red blazed trail passing a stream on the left and then a large ledge to the right before coming to a trail intersection. We stayed to the right, now following blue blazes, where we came upon the first of the quarries. Soon through the woods you can see Spring Lake. At the next trail intersection we stayed to the left following red blazes. The trail to the right winds downhill toward the lake. Continuing to follow the red blazed trail for the remainder of the hike we came upon a couple spur loop trails (yellow and orange) and a rather large boulder to the left. After passing over a hill the red trail comes to another trail intersection before looping back to the right. The unmarked trail ahead turns to the right and eventually comes out to the quarry. We continued following the red blazed trail a little further back uphill to the 1.5 mile mark. To the left is an unmarked trail that goes up to the rim of the quarry. From here you can make your way down to the quarry following the unmarked trail. Although plagued by much graffiti, the quarry is quaint and peaceful. From here we retraced our steps back to the parking area. The temperature reached a sweltering 16° F by the time we were done with the hike.

 

 

Trail map can be found at: Spring Lake.

TWRI-16BH01

Along The Blue Blazed Trail

2016
02/15
CATEGORY
Spring Lake
~3 to 5 Miles~
~BURRILLVILLE RI~
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Black Hut – Burrillville

 

This hike was one of many firsts. I haven’t explored the northwest corner of Rhode Island much yet. I do have several hikes and walks planned in the area. Black Hut was the first and also my first hike in Burrillville. I forgot how peaceful and serene Burrillville can be. As a child I would visit family in this area on occasion. Today is also the first day that there is no hunting in Rhode Island. (Hunting season will resume April 19 until May 31). I chose to wear my day glow orange sweatshirt anyway. Although I listed this hike as easy, as I assume it would be without the elements, this hike also was my first truly challenging hike since breaking the ankle last summer. In this part of the state the snow cover is still at least 6 inches deep or deeper in some areas. I seriously considered giving up the hike at first but then decided to just go at it with a nice slow pace and watch my steps carefully as to not twist, or worse, re-break the ankle. I only averaged 1.4 miles per hour on this hike as I stopped quite often to rest the ankle, take photographs, and to take in the pure solitude and silence of the snow covered woods. This was also the coldest hike I’ve done. When I left the Providence area shortly after sunrise it was a sweltering 6° Fahrenheit. As I headed northwest toward Black Hut I watched the temperature drop on my dashboard thermometer. When I arrived it was 0° Fahrenheit. The first challenge I came across was the road to get to the parking area. It was only plowed to the last house on the right. So I had to hike down the road about two-tenths of a mile to get to the parking area where the hike would normally begin. (The coordinates given above are for the parking area). Beginning from the parking area I followed the wider road towards a gate. The trail to the left would be the return trail. I followed this road as it meandered slightly downhill through the woods. A stone wall is along this road on the left. Taking a left at the next intersection, I found myself going into the heart of the management area. I could hear several birds. I saw woodpeckers and a soaring hawk. I also saw several animal tracks including deer and what I believe what might have been fox. I did not actually see any animals. I’m sure they could hear me coming a mile away with all the crunching snow below my feet. This trail ends near a set of power lines. Just before the power lines I turned left onto another trail.  This trail was narrower than the previous and had a few areas of ice (will probably be muddy in the spring). The trail also ascended uphill at a comfortable pace for a bit. There is also a small cluster of mountain laurel here (blooms in June) which is a spectacularly beautiful flower. I found myself stopping along this stretch for photographs. The trail concludes at the parking area for the end of the hike. When I left the temperature had soared to 19° Fahrenheit. As a true New Englander I stopped for an iced tea on the way home to cool off.

Trail map can be found at: Black Hut.

Trail at Black Hut

Trail at Black Hut

2014
03/01
CATEGORY
Black Hut
~2 to 3 Miles~
~BURRILLVILLE RI~
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