Posts Tagged ‘ Waterfalls And Dams ’

Sawmill Park Pond – Ledyard

This beautiful roadside attraction offers a short walk under a half mile long around a picturesque pond. The property has a historical sawmill, a dam and waterfall, and a bridge at each end of the pond to complete the loop. Though a short walk, you could spend a bit of time here taking photographs of yesteryear.

TWRI-CT4 010

Sawmill and Bridge

2023
01/16
CATEGORY
Sawmill Pond Park
~1 Mile or Less~
~LEDYARD CT~
TAGS





Leave a comment

Wunnashowatuckqut – North Smithfield/Blackstone

  • Wunnashowatuckqut
  • East Harkness Road, North Smithfield, RI
  • Trailhead:  42° 0’24.59″N, 71°33’37.07″W
  • Last Time Hiked: February 12, 2022
  • Approximate distance hiked: 2.6 miles
  • Moderate due to navigation, difficult at times with some hills.

Wunnashowatuckqut… What? It is Nipmuc for “where the river splits”. The Nipmuc were present on this land where the Blackstone River and Branch River meet just south of the Blackstone Gorge. And speaking of the gorge, you will get an entirely different perspective of the gorge on this hike along the lesser known trails along its western bank. For this hike, led by members of the North Smithfield Heritage Association, we followed trails through State owned properties. Being a warm day in February, the ground was frozen and quite icy in areas. The trails do become somewhat difficult in spots where you may be required to do a near climb on some of the uphill sections. The trails may also become quite muddy in spring weather. There is also no official blaze system or trail map, however, this loop can be completed following the orange marks provided by a local. With all that being said, I would not venture out onto this property without at least GPS or a general sense of direction. The other option is to follow the North Smithfield Heritage Association on Facebook and wait until they lead another hike on this property. Also be sure to wear orange as it is State property. Nonetheless, this hike is a good one, offering quite a bit to see. Starting from the bend in the road on East Harkness Road and Martha Road by utility pole 61, follow the paper street on East Harkness Road. It looks like a driveway (the one with the power lines), as it is in a sense. Soon you will see a house to the left. Continue straight and slightly uphill to continue following the paper street. It now becomes more of a cart path as it climbs slightly uphill into the former James Harkness Farm. Along this stretch you will be behind houses to the left. There will be an occasional spur trail to the left. Ignore these as they lead to private properties. Soon you will come to a trail intersection with a trail to the right. Ignore the turn and continue straight. The trail to the right is your return trail. Ahead you will notice the first of the orange marks. The trail crests the hill and starts its descent to the river. Along the way you will soon be flanked by a stone wall to the left. We saw at least a half dozen deer here. As the trail descends it is deeply rutted in areas. Be careful of your steps here. Near the bottom of the hill the trail narrows. Keep an eye out for the orange marks. You will cross another stone wall. This is the State Line and you are now entering Blackstone, Massachusetts and still descending down the hill. The narrow trail comes to a wider path. Veer slightly right here and follow the orange marks. The trail now levels and winds a bit. At the next intersection a trail to the left leads to private property and is posted. Stay right here and you will cross another stone wall. You will soon come to a large open area with a make shift fire pit near its middle. There are several spur trails leaving this open area. Stay just to the left of the pit and follow the main trail downhill. At the next split stay to the left. Still following the orange blazes you will come to another split. To the left is posted private property. Stay to the right here and the trail follows the shore of an inlet of the Blackstone River. This is a good spot to observe birds. Also there is evidence of beaver activity here. Continuing along this trail you will come to a wider trail ahead. Turn left here and in a few steps you will be on “The Other Side” on the famed Rolling Dam at Blackstone Gorge. The perspective here is quite interesting. For as many times as I have been to Blackstone Gorge, I had never step foot on the other side. This is a good spot for a break. The rest of the hike is uphill. Continue along the main trail for a few hundred feet. Turn left onto a narrower trail, once again following the orange marks. This trail climbs slightly and along the river passing mountain laurel and schist outcrops. As it winds slightly up and down hill you will get glimpses of the river and gorge below (maybe except when leaves are on the trees). You are now back in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. The trail then turns away from the river and increasingly climbs uphill. From here on out be sure to follow the orange marks and make sure your GPS is on. Soon a trail comes in from the right. Ignore it and continue straight ahead and uphill until you come to the next intersection. Take a breather! The worse of the uphill climb is now behind you. Stay right here and look for the orange mark on the tree. The trail bends slightly to the south and you will pass some boulders on the right. Slow down and pay attention here. You are looking for a right turn onto a very narrow trail that is almost non-existent. It is however marked with the orange marks (and at the time of this hike, flagging). Be sure to follow the orange marks as it is easy to drift off the trail. Here the trail climbs again slightly uphill. It soon widens a bit as it winds westward. This trail will eventually come to the trail you entered the property on. There you will turn left and retrace your steps back to the street.

TWRI-WSTQ06

Rolling Dam from the “Other Side”

TWRI-WSTQ07

The dam and rapids in the gorge as seen from the trail along the river.

TWRI-WSTQ11

Orange Marks… be sure to look for the next one!!

2022
02/26
CATEGORY
Wunnashowatuckqut
~2 to 3 Miles~
~BLACKSTONE MA~
~NORTH SMITHFIELD RI~
TAGS









Leave a comment

Shippee Sawmill Pond – Foster

 

This lesser known State property is more known for its fishing than trails, but there are trails here nonetheless. At the time of this hike none of the trails were blazed and there was defined loop. All the trails were out and back either dead ending or crossing onto private property. To explore the trails park by the green gate. The trails run west from the gate and split almost immediately at a small pond. The trail to the left climbs uphill and seems to just vanish after a bit. The trail to the right of the pond heads north and eventually leaves State property. There is a spur off this trail on the right where you can catch a glimpse of the back side of Shippee Sawmill Pond. For a good view of the pond and dam with waterfall, follow the dirt road north to a parking area. There is a short trail to the right of the parking area that brings you to the dam. Exploring all of the trails out and back will give you a walk of just over a mile.

TWRI-Ship04

Trail at Shippee Sawmill Pond

2020
06/17
CATEGORY
Shippee Sawmill Pond
~1 to 2 Miles~
~FOSTER RI~
TAGS



Leave a comment

Spring Lake Trail – Cranston

  • Spring Lake Trail
  • Laten Knight Road, Cranston, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°44’44.41″N, 71°32’25.40″W
  • Last Time Hiked: March 24, 2020
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.2 miles
  • Fairly easy, significant elevation.

 

This newly blazed trail is on an old State property. Spring Lake is part of the Curran Reservoir State Park. This State Park, however was never developed. The northern end around Curran Reservoir is open to hunting. Although the southern end is not, it is advised to wear orange during hunting season nevertheless. The trail starts at a small parking area along Laten Knight Road and descends quickly down hill. The trail at first is hard to delineate, but the wide open forest floor leaves plenty of room to get back on track. A black sign is soon visible with a white arrow below a “Spring Lake” sign. For the remainder of this hike you continue forward looking for the next sign as it makes a loop through the southern end of the property. As the trail passes the lake there is a dead end spur trail that leads along and below the dam. The engineering of the dam is quite intriguing and worth checking out if you are so inclined. Following the signs you will complete the loop, the remainder of the hike will test your stamina as you retrace your steps all uphill to the parking area.

TWRI-SLT03

Trail to Spring Lake

2020
03/25
CATEGORY
Spring Lake Trail
~1 to 2 Miles~
~CRANSTON RI~
TAGS




Leave a comment

Woonasquatucket River Bike Path – Providence/Johnston

  • Fred Lippett Woonasquatucket River Greenway Bike Path
  • Allepo Street, Providence, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°49’11.31″N, 71°26’52.80″W
  • Last Time Hiked: May 11, 2019
  • Approximate distance hiked: 4.8 miles
  • Easy.

 

Since the 1990’s the Onleyville section of Providence has been going through a revitalization and part of it has been the development of the Greenway. Merino Park, Donigian Park, and the most recently Riverside Park have been refurbished and reopened. The highlight of the Greenway is the 2.4 mile bike path from the outskirts of Onleyville, through Manton, and into Johnston. Starting at Allepo Street at Riverside Park in the shadows of the iconic Onleyville towers of the Atlantic Mills, the bike winds along side the river and through the park. Here is a community garden, a dam and waterfall, and a bike shop. The bike path then slowly climbs uphill meeting with the pedestrian bridge that leads to Merino Park. The bike then winds down hill and follows the bustling Route 6 for a bit passing the bike paths famous mural. The river at this point crosses under the highway.  The bike then starts to pull away from the highway and the river rejoins on the left just before passing under Glenbridge Avenue. From here on the bike path becomes much quieter as it pulls away from the city. Soon on the right is the Manton Gateway, a section of bike path that leads to the Manton neighborhood. There is also a skate park along that stretch. Continuing ahead the bike path crosses over the river. You are now entering Johnston. The Button Hole Golf Course is now on the left and the river is to the right. Just ahead is an access path to Hedley Avenue. Continuing ahead the bike path follows the river to Greenville Avenue. Use caution crossing here as this is a very busy street. After the crossing the bike path continues a little over a half mile to its terminus at Lyman Avenue. Along the way at the Goldsmith Street crossing take a peek at Manton Pond and its fish ladder by following Goldsmith north a few feet and then turning right following the path to the dam. After reaching the end of the bike path retrace your steps back to Onleyville for a roundtrip walk of nearly 5 miles.

 

Map can be found at: Woonasquatucket River Bike Path

TWRI-Woony04

The Bike Path Crossing the Woonasquatucket River at the Providence/Johnston Border.

2019
05/12
CATEGORY
Woonasquatucket River Bike Path
~3 to 5 Miles~
~JOHNSTON RI~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
TAGS









Leave a comment

Hawkins Pond – Glocester

  • Hawkins Pond
  • Putnam Pike, Glocester, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°55’1.12″N, 71°47’36.68″W
  • First Time Hiked: November 25, 2018
  • Last Time Hiked: March 5, 2022
  • Approximate distance hiked: 0.5 miles
  • Easy with some hills.

Just before the Connecticut line along Route 44 is a small Glocester Land Trust property that offers a few trails to Hawkins Pond. The pond itself is created by an earthen dam along Mary Brown Brook. The dam also has a spillway making for a nice waterfall. A lot has happened here at Hawkins Pond since my last visit. The nearly two miles of trails are now blazed and mapped making navigation much easier. The orange loop on the east side of the pond is traversed by a green blazed trail that leads to Pulaski Road. On the west side of the pond is the mile long pink blazed trail the reaches into the stretches of the woods. The dam offers a bench and there are remnants of yesteryear at the bottom of the dam. Saw some deer and a mink on the latest hike and there is evidence of beavers.

TWRI-HawRem04

Beaver Activity Along The Orange Trail

Screenshot_20210321-102010_Facebook

2018
11/27
CATEGORY
Hawkins Pond
~1 Mile or Less~
~GLOCESTER RI~
TAGS




Leave a comment

Attleboro Greenway – Attleboro

 

The Attleboro Greenway is a “trail” made up of six distinctively different sections on the outskirts of Downtown Attleboro. The greenway, a little over a mile one way, in its entirety follows Ten Mile River crossing it four times. Starting along Riverfront Drive at the southerly end of Judith Robbins Riverfront Park, follow the paved bike path along the shore of the river. This first section is a newly developed park opened in 2017. It was once a strip of industrial land but has been transformed into a open space allowing access to the river. Besides the bike path, there are several benches for sitting and an area to launch a kayak or canoe. At the end of the bike path turn left and cross the river on a pedestrian bridge. At the end of the bridge turn right and cross Wall Street. The next section is the Kevin J. Dumas Ten Mile River Walkway. It is the newest section of the greenway opened in the fall of 2018. The walkway starts as a paved path that continues to follow the river behind the commercial businesses along County Street. Soon the walkway becomes a boardwalk and rises and crosses over the river. From here the boardwalk weaves along the river through commercial buildings and apartment buildings. Continuing ahead, cross County Street into the Balfour Riverwalk Park. This third section of the greenway is a city park that offers paved paths and playgrounds. For this walk follow the path closest to the river. You will soon come to the “green” bridge. of the left. Here you will cross the river once again entering the fourth section of the greenway. After crossing the bridge, turn right, walk down the stairs, and follow the stone dust path along the rivers edge to Hodges Street. Use the crosswalk to cross the street, turn right, and cross the bridge over the river using the sidewalk. On the left the stone dust path continues again along the rivers edge passing behind and around a community garden. Using the crosswalk to cross Mechanic Street, continue straight along Riverbank Road. Using the sidewalk for this section, the river will be on your left. Follow Riverbank Road for two tenths of a mile. It climbs slightly uphill and to the right. On the right is the Willett Elementary School and on the left is a wooded parcel. Ignore the first trail head on the left and continue ahead until you see a sign for Larson Woodland. Turn left here and follow the trail into the woods. This small and quaint property, the sixth section of this greenway walk, is an Attleboro Land Trust property. Follow the trail to a peninsula that overlooks Mechanics Pond. From here follow the trail closest to the river in a southerly direction passing the Mechanics Pond Dam before exiting the woods back out onto Riverbank Road. From here turn right and retrace your steps back to Judith Robbins Park.

TWRI-ATTG07

New boardwalk along the Ten Mile River

2018
11/17
CATEGORY
Attleboro Greenway
Ten Mile River Walkway
~2 to 3 Miles~
~ATTLEBORO MA~
TAGS





Leave a comment

Putnam River Trail – Putnam

 

The Putnam River Trail is a paved walking path that runs almost completely along the Quinebaug River from Providence Street to the Hale YMCA for a distance of 2 miles. While walking here take notice of the old mill buildings as well as the river. For this walk, start at the public parking area along Kennedy Drive just south of U.S. Route 44 and follow the paved walking path north towards the dam and waterfalls. After crossing U.S. 44 you will get a great view of the falls from the bridge. From here continue north into Rotary Park. The path splits and forms a turnaround with veterans memorials in the middle. The river Trail continues north to Providence Street for another half mile. For this walk follow the turnaround and continue now in a southerly direction crossing U.S. 44 once again and passing the parking area. The path follows both the river and Kennedy Drive at times being sidewalk for six tenths of a mile then comes to a pedestrian bridge that crosses the river. There was once a railroad crossing here, The views of the river are quite nice here. At the far end of the bridge there is signage indicating that the trail ends. Cross back over the bridge to Kennedy Drive. For this walk, turn left and retrace your steps back to the parking area to conclude the walk of a mile and a half. If you would like to add more distance turn right following the sidewalk. It soon turns into a walking path again passing a dog path and comes to a road with a bridge crossing the river. Turn right, cross the bridge, then left and follow the walking path to the YMCA. This is the newest section of the walk is about seven tenths of a mile. From the YMCA retrace your steps back to the parking area. If you choose to do the entire walking path out and back it will be about 4 miles of walking.

 

Map can be found at: Putnam River Trail

TWRI-Put01

Dam and Waterfalls along the Quinebaug River

2018
11/12
CATEGORY
Putnam River Trail
~1 to 2 Miles~
~PUTNAM CT~
TAGS







Leave a comment

Capwell Mill Pond – West Greenwich

  • Capwell Mill Pond – Big River Management Area
  • Burnt Sawmill Road, West Greenwich, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°38’39.57″N, 71°36’27.08″W
  • Last Time Hiked: April 17, 2018
  • Approximate distance hiked: 2.7 miles
  • Fairly easy with some difficult navigation.

 

This is yet another beautiful hike in the Big River Management Area. The trails here are numerous, unmarked, and can be difficult to navigate. With that being said, it is not advisable to do this hike without a reliable map, an understanding how to read it, a sense of direction, and absolutely be sure to use GPS tracking in the case you need to back track. This hike starts from a small parking area along Burnt Swamp Road before the gate by the Capwell Mill Pond Dam. It is about three tenths of a mile from Nooseneck Hill Road. After passing the gate you will see the dam on the left. Shortly after the dam follow the narrow trail to the left. It climbs slightly uphill into a grass field before winding into the tall pines. Soon a trail comes in from the right. Stay to the left here and you will cross a bridge. The view, overlooking a tributary of the pond is quite pleasant. After the bridge the trail splits, continue straight. The trail slowly climbs uphill through a lush forest of pines. Be aware of your trail intersections for this walk. At the next trail intersection continue straight again following the main trail. You will continue to climb slightly uphill. This section of trail can be quite wet after a heavy rain. You will soon pass a stone wall. Just after the wall is a narrow path to the left. Ignore it for this hike and continue ahead. You will soon pass a second stone wall and then the trail winds a bit before coming to a large boulder at a trail intersection. This is about the one mile mark. Ignore the trail to left and continue straight on the main trail as it starts to bend to the right. Slow down and start looking for the next trail intersection about one tenth of a mile after the large boulder. As the trail starts to turn to the right by a mossy rock with a tree growing on it there is a trail on the left. It is narrow, but defined enough to be noticed. Turn left here and follow the trail as it starts downhill. Soon the trail ends at another well defined trail. There will be a white blaze on the tree at the intersection. Turn left here. In a few yards you will come to another intersection with a tree blazed white. You will want to continue straight, but first follow the trail to the right to the bridge crossing the stream called Mud Bottom Brook. The slight detour is well worth it. Take a moment here. The babbling brook drowns out all other nearby sounds and you are out in the middle of nowhere nearly a mile from any civilization. Return up the hill to the tree with the white blazes and turn right. After making the turn and following the trail you will pass a stone wall on the left. The stone wall then flanks the trail to the right for a bit before the trail starts to descend downhill leaving the stone wall behind. The trail then starts its slight bend to the left passing a boulder in the middle of the trail. The boulder is a good reference point and is just the right height to sit for a moment and take in the nature around you. From here the trail continues downhill and bending to the left. You will start getting your first glimpses of the pond through the trees on the right. Passing another stone wall the trail splits. They rejoin in a few yards where the trail splits yet again. At this split stay to the right. There is also some mountain laurel scattered around in the area. Continuing ahead the pond is still to the right through the trees and there is another stone wall on the left. The trail turns to the left crossing the stone wall and then to the right meandering to and from the pond. A trail soon comes in from the left, stay to the right and continue to the end of the trail. Turn right and you will cross the bridge overlooking the tributary of the pond once again. Just after the bridge turn right onto the trail that will lead you back to the dam and parking area. Blaze orange is required during hunting season.

 

Map can be found at: Capwell Mill Pond (Map 1), (Map 2).

TWRI-Capwell02

Pines, Stone Walls, And The Pond.

2018
04/20
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Capwell Mill Pond
~2 to 3 Miles~
~WEST GREENWICH RI~
TAGS







Leave a comment

Bleachery Pond – East Greenwich

  • Bleachery Pond
  • 6th Avenue, East Greenwich, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°39’11.96″N, 71°27’31.28″W
  • Last Time Hiked: February 10, 2018
  • Approximate distance hiked: 0.5 miles
  • Fairly easy with some elevation.

 

This short hike just outside the bustling main strip of East Greenwich makes for a good little get-away. The hardest part of this hike was finding it. The trail-head, marked with a sign, is in a graveyard along 6th Avenue. Following the trail downhill will lead you to trails that follow the shore of the pond and Maskerchugg River. Along the shores of the pond you will find ruins. The highlight of the walk is the large stone dam and waterfall.

TWRI-Bleachery

The Dam at Bleachery Pond

2018
02/15
CATEGORY
Bleachery Pond
~1 Mile or Less~
~EAST GREENWICH RI~
TAGS



Leave a comment

Recent entry

Archive

Category