Wilderness Wandering: Hiking

Rome Point

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 02:31:57 GMT

Rome Point

John H. Chafee Nature Preserve

Village of Hamilton

North Kingstown, RI

4/20/07

I'd read about Rome Point about a year ago. I'd never heard of it before then. It was listed in Rhode Island Off the Beaten Path. Blue skies were abundant and we needed a different place to check out and I was hoping to see the seals that it is so well-known for. As we started down the path, I suppose it was pretty boring aside from the few birds we saw until we reached the shell-lined beach. And when I say shells, I mean don't try this barefooted. There was no sand what-so-ever but there were lots of shells and it was very rocky as well. Oh, and there were tons of starfish. Terri was trying to be polite and was throwing them back into the ocean but gave up after about 20 or so. I even threw a few in myself. It became obvious our intentions were irrelevant. Especially as we proceeded farther down the beach. There were dozens upon dozens in about a 20 ft by 2 ft area. I took a picture because it was so crazy. Once we reached the point we couldn't really see anything on the rocks. But they were far away and we were happy when a woman with a dog let us borrow her binoculars. The seals were all over the rocks, basking in the sun, leaping into the water. It was awesome! I read that 169 seals were once spotted here at the same time. I can't even imagine. After we lingered here a bit, we started on a different path back that went thru the woods in the middle of the peninsula with Narragansett Bay on the left and Bissell Cove on the right. The water looked so inviting all I could think about was coming back in the summer to swim & kayak. Check out the link: http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/rhodeisland/articles/2004/01/04/rome_point_draws_nature_lovers/

Browning Mill Pond-Roaring Brook

Sat, 27 Jan 2007 01:20:28 GMT

Browning Mill Pond-Roaring Brook

Arcadia Management Area

Exeter, RI

I know that good intentions are often pushed aside when obstacles are encountered...but not today! We made plans last week. Friday. 9am. Hiking. We hadn't been in awhile and we were going to "catch up", weather permitting. Actually, since I had been hearing for the past few days the deep freeze forcast I figured my friend would show up and say something like "Wanna go shopping instead?", but much to my surprise she didn't. Ah, what the hell, we'll bundle up. Temp check prior to leaving...12.9 degrees. Brrrrrr. So...we bundled up. Browning Mill Pond was, well, nice and quiet, for one thing (no random screaming from the other end of the pond) and interesting. We ended up taking only one loop instead of the two on the map, but mainly because it had been 45 minutes since I had been able to feel my thighs. We encountered a fish hatchery, old stone walls and what appeared to be a small stone house type foundation thing. (There's a pictue up there.) The pond was pretty as it was frozen with a layer of snow across it. There were many foot bridges, as well, one which led to a small island near the brook where a fire pit and picnic table were. We lingered there for a bit, well, as much as you can when it's 13 degrees out. We ended our jaunt with a trip to Seven Moons for some sushi and hot sake but when we got there we settled for a Scorpion Bowl. Oh, the sting of the Scorpion.

Lime Rock Preserve

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 04:58:44 GMT

11-26-06

Lime Rock Preserve

Lincoln, RI

Well, it was a nice day to walk and explore with the temp reaching the 60's today. Have to take advantage with nice weather now, not that I mind the cold or snow. Actually, I think this hike would be great to do in the snow. Nestled alongside a neighborhood and some condominiums, once you get past the first 1/2 mile or so, it gets pretty desolate. Following the trail which once served as a railroad that ran from Lincoln to Woonsocket about a century ago, the gradual incline of what looks like a dam but is actually a raised road for the railway, leads to some nice views of a stream on one side and a pond on the other. Following the trail down towards the stream was a neat stone tunnel that ran about 100 feet long under the trail we decended from. (Check out the picture in the photo section.) Spent some time here poking and relaxing. Apparantly there are rare plant species in this reserve that are found nowhere else in the state. Although I could not confirm this in November, there were lots of ferns to check out. I wanted to tell the man on the ATV to "Go Away! Please." but he got stuck a couple times then was nice when he drove by and acknowledged us. (Please don't drive over the plants!) But later through the hike, past the tons of limerock ledges and by small marble boulders and 3/4 of the way around the pond, we got lost (the trails weren't marked well) and I probably trampled more wildlife than the ATV man could have with his wheels. Ugg! Watching the sun set over the condos/trees and ledges was pretty but reminded me that we were not alone.

Mt. Willard

Sat, 14 Oct 2006 14:29:21 GMT

Long and Ell Pond Natural Area

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:44:21 GMT

9/9/06

Ell and Long Pond Natural Area

Rockville

Hopkinton, RI

It had been awhile since my last visit to Ell and Long Pond and I'd forgotten just how beautiful it was here. It was a gorgeous day to stroll in the woods, but this was much more than a stroll. The dramatic terrain was evident the first few minutes into the hike and we felt like we were somewhere in New Hampshire. There were lots of boulders, rock piles and bluffs. The rhododdendrons gave the feeling of being in a rain forest, as they were everywhere. I bet it would look remarkable here in the spring. Of course the views of Long Pond from the outcroppings were amazing! We lingered here for quite awhile and were joined by others hikers, as well. Check out some picture in my photo album. We attempted to find Ell Pond, but the trails were not clearly marked here and we missed the turn. Still, it was nothing short of breathtaking. Click here for more info and directions: http://www.mdc.net/~dbrier/yawgoog/trails/longel.html

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/rhodeisland/preserves/art4091.html

Blackstone Gorge

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:19:33 GMT

8/4/06

Blackstone Gorge

Blackstone, MA

A gorge in Rhode Island? Who knew? I didn't, but when I read about it, I had to investigate. The title is decieving, since the hike actually starts in Blackstone, MA but quickly enters North Smithfield, RI. From the parking lot, you can spot Rolling Dam and there is a canoe/kayak launch here as well. Even though the trails were not so clearly marked, we explored many paths, climbing up and down through the park, reaching the bluffs and enjoying the vistas. It was a great place to linger, relax and just take nature in. Check out our pictures in the photo album. Click here for more info and directions: http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/daytrip/north_smithfield.html

Table Rock

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 14:25:38 GMT

4-20-06

Table Rock Trail

Mt. Gloriette (Elev. 2630')

Table Rock (Elev. 2510')

Dixville Notch, NH

The trail was somewhat difficult and then we hit snow. At one point, falling in, the snow was up to our knees! Crazy and totally worth the effort when we made it to the top.

"Table Rock is a cliff that juts out from the north side of Mt. Gloriette. Formed of vertical slabs, it is less than 10 ft. wide at it's narrowest point and extends more than 100 ft. from the shoulder of the mountain." The views from the cliff were absolutely spectacular! It was definitely one the scariest things I have ever done. The drop to the road below was 700 feet!

Mt. Prospect

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 13:42:06 GMT

4-19-06

Mt. Prospect

Weeks State Park

Lancaster, NH

Elev. 2077'

The former estate of John Weeks, this auto road had brethtaking views of the Presidential Range on the way up. Since it was off season, we hiked up the auto road which does not open until May. At the top we enjoyed views of the Presidential Range in the White Mountains, the Green Mountains in Vermont, the Kilkenny Range, the Percy Peaks, and the upper Connecticut River Valley from the firetower. John Weeks was the sponsor of the Weeks Act (1911) which made the development of the White Mountain National Forest possible. Check out this site for more info... http://www.nhparks.state.nh.us/ParksPages/Weeks/Weeks.html

Arethusa Falls

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 13:17:21 GMT

4-18-06

Arethusa Falls Trail

Arethusa Falls (Elev. 2000')

Crawford Notch, NH

A relatively easy hike leading to the highest single waterfall in NH (200 ft.) It was beautiful and still had remnants of snow and ice. Check out the photos!

Parker Woodland

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 20:46:01 GMT

We had some wacky weather during our 4+ mile hike at Parker Woodland. It didn't stop Tristan and Jamie, though, or any of the adults for that matter. Sprinkles, flurries and some sleet accompanied us while we checked out some neat stuff. The kids enjoyed learning about the sweat lodge and what they were used for. Some other highlights were the mysterious stone cairns, old stone walls and remnants of some centuries old roads, mills, stone well and farmhouse. For a short distance the trail followed alonside the river and then a brook. Lots of boulders and ledges had Jamie and Tristan scrambling and climbing. Fun times!

Black Hut Wildlife Area

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 02:59:11 GMT

Once again, the road less traveled is hard to find! After searching and actually stopping to ask for directions, I made it. It was beautiful weather, it being mid-March and all. Not a whole lot of highlights on this trail but it was enjoyable watching the hawk swirl overhead and put on a show for us. Enjoy the pictures!

Fort Nature Refuge

Sun, 12 Feb 2006 02:41:34 GMT

Our 2nd hike since the new year, it was a frigid 23 degrees out. Off to North Smithfield, finding the refuge was not an easy task. A small sign was overlooked the first time by. We made it, though, and it was a gorgeous, sunny morning - the calm before the predicted blizzard. Check out the pictures from our 2 hour hike! Enjoy!

Terri, Leigh...thanks for the memories and the encouragement! Looking forward to our next adventure...sushi, drinks & hiking!

Check our more pictures of our hike on Leigh's blog...