Join our hikes 2024
WEAR ORANGE OR NOT?
Bold fashion statement, absolutely.
Regulations note that all other users of RI State Management Areas and designated undeveloped State Parks, including but not limited to: hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, are required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the third Saturday in April to the last day in May.
9/15/24 - 10:00 Trustom Pond Wildlife Refuge, South Kingstown
2.5 miles. One of five national wildlife refuges in the State. In 1974, Mrs. Ann Kenyon Morse donated the first 365 acres to the refuge. Today, the refuge includes 787 acres of various wildlife habitats including fields, shrublands, woodlands, saltwater ponds and sandy beaches. Approximately 300 bird species, more than 40 mammals and 20 species of reptiles and amphibians call Trustom their home. Trustom Pond is the only undeveloped salt pond in the State, making it even more valuable to wildlife.
LINK: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/rhode-island/trustom-pond-national-wildlife-refuge-trail
DIRECTIONS: 1040 Matunuck School House Rd, South Kingstown, RI 02879
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com or 401-338-1848
9/22/24 - 10:00 Beavertail State Park, Jamestown
2.5ish miles of flat trails with lots of scenic ocean views and walk around the lighthouse.
DIRECTIONS: 138 towards Jamestown/Newport over the Jamestown bridge, take Helm St. exit south to North Rd. to Beavertail Rd. Park in first parking lot on right after entering the park.
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
9/29/24 - 10:00 Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, Charlestown
About 4 miles along flat, easy, grassy trails and old runways from the former Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field to Grassy Point on Ninigret Pond, the largest coastal salt pond in RI. We can also check out the giant trolls!
DIRECTIONS: From Route 1 North, turn right into the separate Refuge entrance south of Ninigret Park. From Route 1 South, turn around to head North at Rd. Refuge entrance is just after the old gas station. Park in Refuge parking lot.
LINK: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ninigret
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
10/6/24 - 10:00 - Barn Island, Pawcatuck, CT
3.5 mile loop through uplands and salt marshes overlooking Little Narragansett Bay with a few gentle hills.
DIRECTIONS: US 1 west from Pawcatuck for 2.5 miles to the traffic signal at Wequetequock Cove. Turn left on Greenhaven Road, then immediately right, on Palmer Neck Road. Follow Palmer Neck to the parking lot just before the boat ramp. Park at Boat Ramp if no parking near trailhead Kiosk.
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
10/13/24 - 10:00 Goddard Park, Warwick
About 4 miles on flat trails with some beautiful water views. 2 miles on each side of the beach parking lot.
LINK: https://www.riparks.com/PDFFiles/Maps/GoddardParkMap.pdf
DIRECTIONS: Goddard Memorial State Park, 1095 Ives Road, Warwick, Rhode Island 02818. Take the last park entrance that is near the golf course. Bear right & go under walkway bridge toward Beach parking. Meet at the beach parking lot.
LEADER: MaryBeth Smith, sullymb1@gmail.com, 401-304-7546.
10/20/24 - Belleville Pond, North Kingstown
3.2 miles, flat, beautiful views.
DIRECTIONS: From South, take Route 1 North to Route 4 North to Exit 3. Bear right off the exit onto Route 102 (Ten Rod Road). In about 1 mile take Layfayette Rd on the right across from McKay's furniture at the Yoga place. You might see a closed road sign at the entrance. Just go around the sign and the Parking lot is just about 500 feet on the left.
LEADER: Marybeth Smith, Cell: 401-304-7546; email Sullymb1@gmail.com.
10/27/24 - 10:00 Grills Preserve Hopkinton - Route 91 Trailhead, Bradford, RI
ORANGE REQUIRED. 4 miles on Hopkinton Land Trust property featuring mixed forest, streams, farm fields, old foundation, cemetery, and abandoned gravel bank.
DIRECTIONS: From Westerly take Rt. 91 north to Bradford. After crossing the Pawcatuck river take the first right into the Preserve. From Rt. 95S take Exit 4 and turn left onto Woodville Alton road to the end, then left on Collins Rd, and right onto Route 91 towards Bradford. Turn left shortly after Route 216 into the Preserve just before crossing the river, just before the Bradford Boat Launch.
TRAILHEAD COORDINATES: 41°24’31.52″N, 71°44’52.53″W
LEADERS: Sue and Geoff Sewall, 401-378-2826
11/3/24 - 10:00 King / Benson Preserve, Saunderstown, RI
ORANGE REQUIRED. 3.5 miles including a loop on flat trails leading to the upper basin of Narrow River, a saltwater estuary. Managed by Nature Conservancy. Tends to be muddy, so wear boots.
LINK: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/rhode-island-king-preserve/
COORDINATES to TRAILHEAD: 41°30’56.02″N, 71°25’23.72″W
DIRECTIONS: 2203 Boston Neck Rd (Route 1A), Saunderstown.
LEADERS: Rose & Paul Pichette, prpichette@gmail.com
11/10/24 - 10:00 - GRILLS WILDLIFE Sancturary, Hopkinton
FLUORESCENT ORANGE RECOMENDED - HUNTING ALLOWED IN NEARBY AREAS
About 5 miles, easy to moderate trails with hills following the Pawcatuck River and Tomaquag Brook.
LINK: http://www.exploreri.org/gSiteReport2.php?siteID=26&src=siteList
DIRECTIONS: I-95 S, Exit 1 (which is Rte 3) to Rte 216 in Ashaway (this is a left hand turn), in about 2.5 miles at the intersection of Chase Hill Road is where we will meet. N 41° 24.647' N W 71° 45.81'
LEADERS: Sue & Geoff Sewell - suemsew@gmail.com, (401) 377-2826
11/17/24 - 10:00 - Francis Carter Preserve, Charlestown
3.4 miles total (approximate). There are a couple of longer and shorter routes. This trail amenity was funded by a grant from The Champlin Foundation.
PARKING: 400 Old Mill Road in Charlestown
DIRECTIONS: Old Mill Road is accessed from Route 112. Note that if you are driving south from Route 138, you will pass the Route 112 parking area for the preserve just before the turn for Old Mill Road. Turn right onto Old Mill Road and drive 0.7 miles, bear right to the parking area. Coming from Route 2 take Rte 112 north to Old Mill Road on your left and proceed 0.7 mi. to the main parking area. A public restroom is located at the main parking area on Old Mill Road.
Leader: Barbara K. Sullivan-Watts, bsullivanwatts@gmail.com
11/24/24 - 10:00 - Breakheart, Arcadia, Exeter
Directions: Google Maps or take Route 165 / Ten Rod Road west to Frosty Hollow Rd. Parking is on right near pond.
Parking: Frosty Hollow parking lot at the pond.
Leader: Marybeth Sullivan, sullymb1@gmail.com, Cell 401-304-7546
12/1/24 10:00 Rome Point, North Kingstown - Remembering Dick Sullivan
Some of us will remember that Dick led a hike here with a beverage and cookies in December prior to the holidays. A very nice walk of about 3-4 miles with outstanding views of the bay and a good possibility of seeing one of the largest haul out of seals in the bay. We will bring the cookies and you can bring your beverage of choice.
DIRECTIONS: Take Rte 1 North to Rte 138 East, get off at first exit (Rte 1A) left at end of ramp and parking lot is 1/4 mile on right. N 41º 32.225’ W 71º 26.245’
Co-Leaders: Sally Hanson, (401) 932-5295 and email: sallyhanson242@gmail.com & Gail Browning, (401) 308-5013 and email: greykayak@aol.com
12/8/24 - 10:00 Holiday Hike & Party, Coventry
Same place as last year, with a big thanks to Linda & Ed B for securing this wonderful location again.
Hope to see you there on the trail, at the party, or both.
Please RSVP if you don't mind to hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, many thanks!!
10:00 - Hike at Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, rain cancels hike.
Moderate 3-mile hike with 2-mile flat option.
The late RI artist Maxwell Mays donated over 295 acres of diverse wildlife habitat to Audubon in 2010. The property offers trails though upland forests, wetlands, streams, ponds, and open meadow. The 11-acre Carr Pond, situated entirely within the bounds of the wildlife refuge, is the centerpiece of the property. It is home to river otters as well as many types of freshwater fish and aquatic invertebrates. Habitat includes forest, ponds, wetlands, streams, and open meadow.
DIRECTIONS: From I-95 north or south take exit 18 (West Greenwich) to Route 102 north. Go about 5.5 miles on 102 north and look for the entrance to the refuge on the right, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI 02816
LEADER: MaryBeth Smith, Cell: 401-304-7546; email Sullymb1@gmail.com.
12:00 - Potluck Party at Sherwood Valley Community Center - rain or shine
Full kitchen, Restrooms, Power
Bring a favorite dish - we had tons of deserts last year, so main dishes are appreciated.
Non-alcoholic hot and cold drinks provided, NO alcohol permitted.
Bring a modest wrapped gift if you want to do the Yankee Swap (under $20 or handmade).
Bring any books or magazines you want to part with and pick up a few to bring home.
We have the place until 6 pm.
DIRECTIONS: 1 Sherwood Valley Lane, Coventry, RI, 02816