Hikes Past
1/7/24 - 9:30 Arcadia, Exeter - Postponed to 1/14/24 Sunday due to snow
ORANGE IS REQUIRED
Meet at 9:30 am in Little Country Pizza parking lot corner of Rt 165 and Rt 3.
Then follow Marybeth to trailhead parking lot nearby, it’s a surprise!
Leader: Marybeth Sullivan, sullymb1@gmail.com, Cell 401-304-7546
1/14/24 - Arcadia - See above
1/21/24 - 10:00 Carolina North, Richmond, RI
ORANGE REQUIRED
4-5 miles with loop to scenic Carolina Trout Pond. Some hills.
DIRECTIONS: From I-95 take Rte 138 west through Hope Valley. At blinking light take left (sign says Mechanic Street, but also known as Switch Road), go 3 miles, turn Left on Pine Hill Road, go 0.6 miles to the parking lot on right near red DEM building. Or on Pine Hill Road, 1.7 miles west of RI 112, or 0.6 miles east of Switch Road. Park at the DEM station, red structure on south side of the road.
LINK: https://trailsandwalksri.wordpress.com/tag/carolina-management-area/
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
1/28/24 - Postponed to 2/25 due to rain - Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, Charlestown, RI
2/4/24 - 10:00 Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, Westerly, RI
2 mile loop, with option to add additional mileage on this hilly hike with beautiful views. Learn about the unique topography along the way. The park consists of two parcels totaling 134 acres, purchased in August 2004 by the Westerly Land Trust. It is entirely recessional moraine kettle and kame topography including ponds, sand barrens and ridges overlooking Winnapaug Pond, Block Island Sound, Block Island and Long Island.
DIRECTIONS: 5 Kettle Close, off Shore Road at the entrance to Winnapaug Cottages. Meet at small parking lot. Kiosk at trail head.
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
2/11/24 - 10:00 Fisherville Brook Audubon Wildlife Refuge, Exeter
3-5 miles woodland trail with meadows and pond.
Directions - Please Note: GPS, including Apple Maps and other mobile directions, are not always accurate due to the road conditions. Please follow the directions below to arrive safely at the wildlife refuge.
Directions: Take Route 95 to Route 4 to Route 102 north. Turn right onto Widow Sweets Road (just after the Exeter's Town Clerk's Office and across from Anderson's Place). Take second right onto Pardon Joslin Road (a dirt road). Travel approximately 1 mile. Parking lot is on the right side of road by a large Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge sign.
LEADER: Barbara Sullivan Watts, bsullivanwatts@gmail.com
2/18/24 - 10:00 CAROLINA SOUTH, Richmond
ORANGE REQUIRED
About 4 miles through white pine woods, fields, historical cemetery, and a look at the Pawcatuck River.
Directions: From I-95 take Rte 138 west through Hope Valley. At blinking light take left (sign says Mechanic Street, but also known as Switch Road) and go about 3 miles to Pine Hill Road. Turn left and go 0.6 miles to the parking lot on right near red DEM building. Or if coming from Route 112, turn North on Pine Hill Road. Park at the red DEM station on the south side of road.
LINK: http://www.dem.ri.gov/maps/mapfile/huntingatlas/22.pdf
WHO: Jim Lawless, 401-789-7073, swampfire60@yahoo.com & Heather Wiehl 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com.
2/25/24 - 10:00 Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, Charlestown
About 4.5 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.
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 Lawless, 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
3/3/24 - 10:00 Goddard Park, North Kingstown
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.
3/10/24 - 10:00 Great Swamp, Kingston - Don’t forget Daylight Savings starts!
ORANGE REQUIRED
Approximately 4-5 mile hike.
Directions: Liberty Lane leads south from RI 138 about 200 yards west of the junction of RI 138 and 110. Follow the lane 2 miles, past the Great Swamp management headquarters, to the parking area at the dead end. N 41º 28.143’ W 71º 34.786’
LEADER: Jim Lawless / Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-1848
3/17/24 - 10:00 Wickford Hike, North Kingstown
Wear Green for St. Patrick’s Day if you like
4 miles of flat terrain following old rail trail, with some beautiful water views.
DIRECTIONS: Route 102 into Wickford, to 100 Boone Street. Meet at Norh Kingstown library parking lot.
LEADER: Marybeth Smith, Cell: 401-304-7546; email Sullymb1@gmail.com.
3/24/24 - 10:00 Bellevue 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.
3/31/24 - 10:00 Trustom Pond, South Kingstown
Celebrate Spring at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge, 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
4/7/24 - 9:30 Arcadia, Exeter
NO ORANGE REQUIRED
Meet at 9:30 am in Little Country Pizza parking lot corner of Rt 165 and Rt 3.
Then follow Marybeth to trailhead parking lot nearby, it’s a surprise!
Leader: Marybeth Sullivan, sullymb1@gmail.com, Cell 401-304-7546
4/14/24 - 10:00 Cliff Walk, Newport - Leader had to cancel due to illness, but Janice and Bob Pfifer will be going and are availble to hike with others.
Spring is here and Daffodils are everywhere! 2 to 4 Miles depending on your preferred route.
PARK: Meet at the at the western end of Easton's Beach (1st Beach) Parking Lot closest to cliff off Memorial Blvd.
10:15 Group stops at 50 Steps to pick up anyone who parked there. Walk runs south with exits at Narragansett Ave., Webster St., Sheppard Ave., Ruggles Ave., Marine Ave., Ledge Rd., and ends at Bellevue Ave at the east end of Bailey's Beach. Anyone not wanting to do the Belleview to Bailey's Beach portion can turn around at any point for a shorter walk. OR bring some cash, we take the Trolly back to to the end of Bellevue from Baily's Beach. Option to join us for lunch at Annies or Cru on Bellevue Ave on the way back.
Return option to avoid the rocky bits: Bellevue Ave back to Memorial Blvd to parking area to see the mansions from the other side.
DIRECTIONS: Rte 138 across Newport Bridge (toll). After bridge, head South on Rte 138A or Rte 214 to Memorial Boulevard. Follow Memorial Blvd to First Beach / Easton’s Beach.
Parking: First Beach (Easton's Beach) on the right at bottom of the hill on Memorial Ave.
LEADER: Heather Wiehl 401-338-1848 or hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
4/21/24 10:00 - Breakheart Pond, Arcadia
Parking: Frosty Hollow parking lot at the pond.
Directions: Google Maps or take Route 165 / Ten Rod Road west to Frosty Hollow Rd. Parking is on right near pond.
Leader: Marybeth Sullivan, sullymb1@gmail.com, Cell 401-304-7546
4/28/24 10:00 - Beach Pond South, Arcadia
Parking: Beach Pond south side of road, small parking lot
Directions: Take Route 165 / Ten Rod Road west to Beach Pond. Parking is on left just before the pond.
Leaderless, but lots of folks know these trails so have no fear!
Beach Pond South Loop, Rhode Island - 209 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
Questions? Call Heather Wiehl at 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
5/5/24 10:00 Camp Yawgoog, Rockville
4 miles of hilly trails around Yawgoog Pond and Hidden Lake. Along with the ponds are streams, rocky ledges, cliffs, steep pitches, and beautiful vistas. The movie "Moonrise Kingdom" was partially filmed here for the scenery.DIRECTIONS: 61 Camp Yawgoog Road, Rockville, RI 02873. From Route 138 head North-West through Hope Valley, turn right at blinking traffic light at Fire Station / West’s Bakery, stay on Route 138 / Rockville Rd / Spring St. for 3.1 miles, turn Left at the "Camp Yawgoog" sign with the big guy carrying a canoe. Continue for 1 mile to the Camp Yawgoog gate. Turn right at the gate into the parking area, meet at Parking area.LINK: https://www.yawgoog.org/LEADER: Heather Wiehl, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com, 401-338-18485/12/24 - 10:00 Mother’s Day Morning at Napatree Point, Westerly
3 miles. Enjoy a spring morning at the beach. Beautiful Napatree Point conservation area extends about a mile and a half into Fishers Island Sound with an abundance of birds.
DIRECTIONS: From Route 1 south, turn onto Route 1A/Shore Road towards the Weekapaug Golf Club. Follow Shore Road for about 5 miles and then turn left onto Watch Hill Rd. Continue for about 2 miles onto Wauwinnet Ave. and Bay St. Turn right onto Fort Rd. and park in the shopping center. The entrance to the conservation area is through the private parking lot, past the cabanas on your left.
LEADER: Heather Wiehl, 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
5/19/24 - 10:00 Tillinghast Management Area, West Greenwich, RI
About 4 miles through woods and around pond.
LINK: https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/rhodeisland/placesweprotect/trail-map-guide-of-tpma-2015.pdf
DIRECTIONS: From I-95, take Exit 5B, Rte 102 North; Follow Rte 102 for 3 miles, past the West Greenwich Town Hall; Turn left on Plain Meeting House Road, follow for 3.9 miles; You will PASS the Wickaboxet Management Area and the entrance to Narrow Lane; Turn right at the next intersection, onto Plain Road; Follow Plain Road for 1/2 mile to the parking lot on the right. N 41º 38.694’ W 71º 45.404’
LEADER: MaryBeth Smith, Sullymb1@gmail.com, 401-304-7546.
5/26/24 - 10:00 Wahaneeta Preserve, Westerly
This 73 acre property is a former Girl Scout camp that has streams, a pond and old cemetery. We will hike the trails there and then go into the adjacent Woody Hill Management area for about 4 miles.
Directions to 118 Moorehouse Rd.: From Dunns Corner Rd in Westerly turn onto Moorehouse Rd at the Trombino Athletic Fields. Bear left at the Westerly Land Trust sign, go through the gate and turn left to park in the field. Please arrive a little early as the gate will be closed at 10 am
6/2/24 - 10:00 End of Season Hike & Picnic, Goddard Park
10:00 Meet for Hike at Shelter picnic area
12:00 POT-LUCK Picnic until whenever we like. Guest Speaker Jeff Arnold, District Resourse Manager of Arcadia in Exeter R.I. with the DEM. Jeff will share with us the joys and challenges of maintaining the only designated wilderness space in R.I., so bring your questions.
Come to picnic even if you skip the hike, we would love to see you!
• Bring a chair if you want but there are plenty of covered picnic tables
• Bring your favorite cold dish, app, or snack
• BYOB if you want something other than lemonade or iced tea.
• Picnic Rain or Shine, hike cancelled with steady rain
• Book Swap - Bring a few books or magazines and swap 'em for something new
• Quick chat for next season
DIRECTIONS: Goddard Memorial State Park, 1095 Ives Road, Warwick, Rhode Island 02818
Take the 2nd park entrance, go past the old ticket hut and bear right toward the beach.
Take the short dirt road on the left before wooden pedestrian bridge that goes over the road.
Park & Meet at the "Picnic Shelter" on left of the Main Beach Pavilion.
Signs for YT will be posted. See you soon!
https://www.google.com/maps/search/Goddard+Park/@41.6662115,-71.4356124,15z/data=!3m1!4b1
MAP: https://www.riparks.com/PDFFiles/Maps/GoddardParkMap.pdf
QUESTIONS? MaryBeth Smith, 401-304-7546, sullymb1@gmail.com, Heather Wiehl, 401-338-1848, hlawlesswiehl@yahoo.com
June-Aug - Summer Break, check out Kayaking on Sundays
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