White Trail at Olivia's Forest

For years, part of the trail system at the Smithfield Land Trust's Olivia's Forest preserve lay in neglect. The white-blazed trail was hard to follow, had no creek crossing, and was almost never taken, if the last five years of footprints in the snow are any evidence. The white trail was meant to form part of a larger loop, overlapping with the Orange Trail, but it seemed almost no one knew of it; the blazes faded with the memory.

But now, thanks to the ever-energetic Tom Gruczka, who's been doing all kinds of trail-building and restorative trail work through the SLT's system, the white trail is renewed and ready to walk. The path has been cleared and swept from both sides; one can enter it just off the unblazed spur that leads to Shamrock Lane, or else just to the side of where the orange trail crosses the creek. And now, instead of a perilous leap from one loose rock to another, there's a lovely, well-crafted durable bridge at the crossing

It's a modest addition -- the trail map lists it a .14 of a mile -- but add a lovely stroll along the creek, amidst mossy stones, and gives a view from the other side that would otherwise be unavailable. Hiking the whole trail system now extends to nearly 7/10 of a mile, and offers a half-hour walk at a leisurely pace, making Olivia's Forest a perfect trail system for new walkers or parents with young children. I walk it nearly every day, and can report that it's getting a good deal more use thanks to Tom's work in restoring, maintaining, and publicizing the preserve!

Hayfield Property

One of the lesser-known trails in Rhode Island is surely that of the Hayfield Property in Foster. Its trailhead is far down a narrow country road in a western corner of the state that few -- aside from locals -- have probably ever visited. Reached via Route 6 West, and then a jog on the Old Danielson Pike, whose bridge has been out for years, it lies on a road that is seldom reached without some deliberate destination. And this trail is a fine one.

The blazes are faded in places, and trail maintenance is falling a bit behind -- you'll encounter a variety of fallen branches and logs -- but it's well worth a visit. Most follow old carriage paths, and are wide and level though with a few lumps here and there were the stones have been eroded, or the soil settled. If you take both the outer perimeter loop and the inner one, over three miles of trails await, passing through hardwood forests with a few elders among the trees that suggest this land has long been left to the succession from field to brush to forest.

Mill ruins

At the terminus of the paths along Winsor Brook are the ruins of an old mill -- the site's description doesn't specify, but I suspect it was most likely a grist-mill or a sawmill -- the entrance to the old mill-race is still visible, as are some walls and an odd cellar-hole or two. The mill was likely one of those connected with the Hopkins Mills Historic District, a mill village (which you'll pass on the way to this hike) whose original home, the 1720 Hopkins-Potter house, one of the oldest in Foster.

The trail system is a bit rough and faded around the edges. The white "Chipmunk Trail" which runs the perimeter of the preserve is barely traceable and poorly blazed; I'd recommend instead coming in on the yellow (Hayfield) trail and keeping with it until you come to the mill site. After exploring there, you can return on the well-blazed Rocky Trail (red) and then the blue Pasture Trail. Despite their names, and the name of the preserve itself, the land is almost entirely forested; the lone clear area lies on its eastern perimeter. You'll feel a sense, as you walk here, that you're walking back in time -- and you are.

High Rock Preserve/Scott Brook

Although I've written about the best-known preserves of the Cumberland Land Trust -- Mercy Woods, the Monastery, and Blackall/Ballou -- visits to the the smaller and lesser-known of their trails continue to reveal hidden gems. Most recently, I made a point of hiking the High Rock and Scott Brook preserves, which like Blackall and Ballou are two distinct properties that share an interconnected trail system.

It's a remarkable one, with many features that are unique to Land Trust trails in the state. The most prominent of these, an enormous wire corn-crib in the midst of the woods, is testimony to the fact that, as recently as three decades ago, much of this area was still an active farm. A plaque on the crib notes that this was part of the Gingras Pig Farm, home to 300 pigs, as recently as the 1980's. The cart paths which, here as in so many LT lands, form the basis of part of the trail system, were clearly in use more recently than most; they're still level, smooth, and just grassed over with little undergrowth. It makes for a bucolic stroll through the dense woods and marshes on either side of the nearby power lines.

It took the combined forces of the Blackstone River Watershed Council, Cumberland Land Trust, and the town's Conservation Commission to make all this possible; the barn and a number of ruined fixtures, including a silo and extensive pig pens, still stood on the property. The resulting area, mostly forested but including several old fields and meadows, is one of the most rewarding smaller preserves in the state, with a wide variety of terrain and habitats.

I stared my journey at the small trailhead at the southern end of the preserve on Scott Road, where the Bluebird Trail -- blazed blue of course -- begins. Almost immediately, you drop down via a well-built wooden stairway, dipping into the lush forest before climbing out again a moment later on the first of several sections which run along the power-line cut-through.

Along your left, you can see one of the many marshy areas, dotted with dead trees, suggesting that these are wetlands of a more recent vintage, and owe their existence to human intervention in the landscape. A little past that, after another dip into the woods, you'll come to a broader meadow, dotted with birdhouses, which will surely be a delight for bird-watchers of every feather. 

One last turn into the woods on the right then takes you to the junction with the Tucker Field Trail, blazed red. Tucker takes you back to the cut-through and over to the other side, going quite closely along the edge of one of the marshes, before crossing back over the water on a well-made footbridge. The trail continues roughly on a northwest line, past a shortcut trail blazed yellow (though it's red on the trail map). You then come to a junction with the Scott Brook Trail, blazed white; you can continue on red up to  Tucker field, or turn right and make a loop of it via the white trail. A short ways on, a shorter green trail crosses the path; I haven't tried it yet, but it looks enticing and will surely add variety to my next visit. White eventually arrives at its own trailhead; from here you can pick up red again, which shortly returns you to the familiar landmark of the corn crib. It's a modest trail system, but filled with lush scenery and unexpected twists and turns; the paths are thoughtfully laid out, and except for a few grassy areas where there are no blazes, well-marked. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something a little off the beaten path -- you won't be disappointed!

The DuVal Trail

It's easily one of the most beautiful, well-designed and well-maintained trails in Rhode Island  -- and around this time of year, it's truly spectacular. No other trail I know boasts such an abundance of mountain laurel, and when I walked the trail this past Sunday, the blooms were just beginning to open. Within the next few days, they will emerge fully, and the trail will be hedged and overhung with delightful blossoms of white, pink, and red.

The DuVal trail system, though administered today by the South Kingstown Land Trust, has a history that far predates the land trust legislation. It goes back to 1983, when Helena-Hope Gammell, donated the first four acres; she later became a founding member of the SKLT. Her initial gift has now grown to 167 acres, along with 74 adjoining acres managed by the DEM. The area in full is known as "Susanna's Woods" after Ms. Gammell's niece Susanna Klebovitz, and features a rich example of the sandy, acidic soil and mixed oak and pine forests so characteristic of southeastern Rhode Island. Happily, the area was spared much of the infestation of gyspy moths a few years back, and the oaks still stand tall and proud as far as the eye can see.

Entry to the trail system is from a parking area in Post Road near the site of the old Quaker Meeting House, established in the late seventeenth century; George Fox himself was said to have spoken there in 1672. The meeting house itself is long gone, though the adjacent cemetery can still be seen; from the parking area, you'll walk about 500 feet west along the road to the trailhead. There, a stone memorial recalls Susan B. DuVal, whose bequest enabled the trail system to be established.  

From the trailhead, follow the blue blazes of the DuVal trail; if time is short or a more leisurely walk is desired, two loop trails -- the yellow "Lynn's Loop" and the red "Polly's Loop" -- branch off to your left a short distance later. The DuVal, though, is the star of the system, following the ridge line up and down for nearly three miles. At the 0.7-mile mark, it jogs across Gravelly Hill Road; a short while later, at the peak of the highest ridge, a viewpoint offers a glimpse of the distant blue waters of Narragansett Bay. From there, up and down you'll go, with the trail's sandy soil and carefully terraced log steps making your way an easy one. Mountain laurel abounds on every side, though for some unknown reason the most showy bright-pink blossoms always seem to bloom some distance from the trail.

Eventually, you'll wind your way down to the trail's end, at the intersection of three roads: Sand Pine Trail, L'Ahinch Road, and Red House Road. One can make a sort of loop by following the unmaintained part of Red House Road to the south, and cutting back to the DuVal trail on a brief shortcut, though since this passes through private land, it's not recommended. Better to return as you came, rich with the realization that a trail taken in its other direction is, in many ways, a whole new one. On your return, as you refresh yourself with some cool water, take a moment and have a look at the old cemetery: it's an object lesson in the transience of human life, here amidst the greater continuity of nature itself, which will ever claim and reclaim the soil from which it springs. However long the span of our lives, we are really only visitors in this vastness; for anyone in need of a little life perspective, I can recommend no better remedy than a hike along the twists and turns of the DuVal trail.

New Trails in Glocester!

It's one of the largest expansions in recent memory to the trail system of any Land Trust property in recent years, and as with the previously existing trails at the Glocester Land Trust's Sprague Farm preserve, all the new trails are robustly cleared and blazed, and thoughtfully laid out.

The star of the show, without doubt, is the new William S. Klutz trail, blazed red. It starts conveniently from the gravel parking area near the end of the paved section of Joe Sweet Road; the parking area has been there for some years, but until recently serviced no trails.  Now, you can park and head in on a wonderfully well-made and well-groomed trail, the gateway to a wide variety of trails new and old.

The first section follows an old cart path along the side of a ridge before descending to an old homestead and cellar hole, which features one of the tallest and most striking ruined chimneys I've ever seen. You can trace the back of the flue as it rises from the original hearth, and the top -- which would have been above the roofline -- is largely intact. To your left, a blue-blazed "Chimney Trail" connects back to Joe Sweet Road. Continuing, you'll come to the second of two intersections with the green-blazed Striped Maple trail, which connects with the original Sprague Farm Loop. Further on, the trail heads up over the first of several rocky ridges; a glance at the ground will show you the hard work that went into this section of the trail, where numerous small trees had to be trimmed down to ground level. A short while later, you'll see the Stone Wall Trail on your right, which also connects to the loop trail.  Ahead on your left, yet another new path, the Lobohawk Trail, also connects back to Joe Sweet Road. Continue on, though, and you'll finally come out on the Haystack Hill trail, blazed yellow; to your right, it will take you back to the loop trail and the rest of the Sprague system, while if you turn left you'll head back to an intersection with the unpaved part of Joe Sweet Road, passing Mr. Sweet's original farmstead on your right.

It's easily my favorite new trail in Rhode Island! -- or will be, until I discover the next one.

Crawley Preserve

It's a modest trail system, but a rewarding shorter hike -- it pairs well with Browning Woods Farm -- passing through a lovely forest of mostly hardwoods, including oak, beech and hickory. There are, alas, the inevitable bare patches of dead trees from the 2016-2018 gypsy moth infestation, but with them there comes a consolation of light, as the sun now penetrates into formerly shaded areas, making a home for new understory species. There's plenty of up and down, too, to get the blood flowing on a chilly fall or spring day.

The trailhead is located on Glen Rock Road; approaching from the south, one passes by the venerable Kenyon's Grist Mill, which has been steadily grinding flour since 1696 (the present building dates to 1886) -- if it's open, you owe yourself a visit to pick up some of their fabulous stone-ground flour). The road winds steeply up, and you'll want to keep an eye out to locate the parking area on your left. There's room for around six or seven cars, and a clearly-marked trailhead with kiosk will guide you onto any of the three blazed trails. I recommend you start on the Crawley trail, blazed blue, which takes you directly up to the ridge-top, where you can glimpse some fine views of the valley and the Glen Rock Reservoir when the leaf cover isn't too dense.

Along the Crawley Trail

After the climb, you'll come to an intersection with the Red Fox trail (red); take a left, and ascend a bit further through a more open area. A short while later, you'll come upon the Box Turtle Trail (yellow) where another left will take you along the perimeter of the preserve, close by a working farm (watch your step, as there's an electric fence along one side); due to tree loss, the blazes are intermittent but the path is fairly easy to follow. Returning to red, you'll soon reach the far corner of protected land, and can head back on the Crawley Trail -- but be sure to take the yellow-blazed Brook Trail that soon spurs off to the left. On it, you'll cross an unnamed brook twice on well-made bridges, and emerge to find yourself once more at the parking area.

As you drive home, remember to thank the Crawley family, whose generosity made this preserve possible -- along with the South Kingstown Land Trust, the Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust, and the Nature Conservancy, all of whose efforts contributed to creating this small gem of a woodland trail system.

Browning Woods Farm

It's one of the most thoughtfully laid out and signed trails in the state, but one gets the sense that it's not as well-known as it should be. It's certainly easy to miss the small parking area off Shannock Road just across from Moraine Road -- and the small size of the lot belies the sizable loop trail system, which runs to more than three miles (despite the South Kingstown Land Trust's figure of 2.5 miles). Along its route, it passes many natural and man-made features of considerable interest, among them the original farmstead of the Browning family, with a well-preserved cellar hole and barn foundation. An interpretative sign there seems to have been temporarily removed, but the history of the site is fascinating: The Browning farm was part of the original Pettaquamscutt purchase, and remained in the the Browning family for ten generations before it was eventually protected as a preserve. Many agencies came together to make this possible, among them the Nature Conservancy, the Champlin Foundation, and the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, with SKLT taking the role of managing the preserve and developing a trail system.

The trail takes the form of what longtime walkers often call a "lollipop" -- a single trail that splits into a loop. The trail starts in a classic south county landscape, with sandy soil and a variety of pines and hardwoods; helpful signs identify the pitch pines and other conifers, as well as common ground plants such as Indian Cucumber Root. Roughly a half-mile in, you come to the fork for the loop -- take a right, and you'll soon come upon the remains of the Browning farmstead off to your right. Continuing through mature forest, the trail slowly loops around to the left, crossing and re-crossing a partly-overgrown meadow of scrub and grass, then following a cart path along an old stone wall. From there, the trail rises up a modest hill, then weaves its way around to close the loop. It's a well-graded, well-groomed trail, and a real pleasure to hike; the quality and length of the trail makes it ideal for families with younger children.

Moshassuck River Preserve

The newest preserve with blazed trails in Rhode Island is also one of its loveliest: the Moshassuck River Preserve in Lincoln. It just recently opened to the public, and I was able to hike it this week; certainly the fine fall foliage added to its beauty, but I could see right away that I'd want to be back, and that the land there would reveal new treasures in seasons to come.

The preserve was established by the Rhode Island chapter of the Nature Conservancy, and made possible thanks to good neighbors: the Fairlawn Golf Course and the Lincoln YMCA. Fairlawn made land available for a parking lot at the trailhead, and the YMCA permitted part of the yellow trail to traverse its property. From my own experience on the Smithfield Land Trust, I know how vital -- and often, how hard to obtain -- these kinds of easements and permissions are. Like the prongs that hold a gemstone in a ring, they are as vital as the gem itself.

The trailside cemetery

The trails are thoughtfully laid out, taking advantage of carriage paths and older trails that probably date back to when the land was run by the Boy Scouts and known as Camp Conklin. The blue loop starts at the parking area next to the golf course, and follows the river -- a thing not too common in the northern area of the state -- past an old mill dam and over a culvert. It then rises up through boulder-strewn forest, and curves around on its way back -- where, happily, one can pick up the yellow trail and extend one's visit. Yellow heads up to the edge of a ridge just below the YMCA -- be sure to observe property signs and markers -- then curves back to return to blue.  To the side of the trail you'll see a historic cemetery -- this one dotted with unmarked fieldstones -- that speaks to a still earlier human presence on the land. A short white trail also connects the loops -- take it to enjoy a fresh set of mossy boulders -- and then return to your car.

The trail system is still a little rough in places, but most of the mud and crossings can easily be managed by an experienced hiker. The one exception is the spot where the yellow trail crosses a fair-sized tributary, which calls for a little improvisation, as there are no handy stones or sticks to assist; the only other major crossing has a fine wooden bridge. The blazes are professionally done, but in places (I felt) a bit scarce -- in part, due to leaf cover and the trail not being raked, it was easy to get off course; I lost the yellow trail several times. Also, as the that trail nears the ridge, you'll need to be on the lookout at ground level, as the only blaze to indicate your turn is on a small rock; if you miss it, you'll come out at an entrance/exit on the grounds of the YMCA. Still, these are minor distractions from what is easily my favorite new hike in Rhode Island; the Nature Conservancy is continuing to assess the crossings, and perhaps a bridge over the remaining one will soon be in the works.

Mary Mowry Conservation Area

It's a modest but lovely area -- in many ways the very heart of all the Smithfield Land Trust properties -- originally set aside for conservation when the land's donors, S. Burton and Mary Mowry, were still alive, in 1979. It was Mary, who survived her husband by twenty-one years, who donated all her remaining property to the town of Smithfield in 2008; this land includes what is now the Revive the Roots organic farming collective, much of Wolf Hill Forest Preserve, and even the land on which the Smithfield Police Department's headquarters now stands. Indeed, my favorite way to access the Mowry conservation area is to start at Revive the Roots's parking area on Farnum Pike.

From the parking area, follow the signs that point to "TRAILS" -- you'll walk past the community garden and through a grassy meadow, where the trail takes a left turn; ahead to your right you'll see the yellow clapboards of Mary Mowry's original home, where the current curators of the farm reside. As you enter the woods, bear left onto the trail marked "Lonnie's Loop"; you'll skirt the forest perimeter, then descend to a small stream. A log bridge there will take you to a popular fishing rock, ornamented with colorful artwork; return from the rock and continue up the right-hand side of the stream until you reach Old Forge Road. Crossing and walking up the road a short distance, you'll come to the conservation area entrance, where the stream passes under mossy ledges, and is crossed by a lovely arched wood-and-steel bridge. On a ledge to your right, you can see a plaque placed when the land was first preserved.

Once across the bridge, bear right and follow the yellow blazes; you'll pass through a grove of stately pines, and cross over a small tributary, before ascending a modest ridge. The climb is modest -- it's a great hike for small children -- but full of nooks and crannies of beauty. In the spring, look for Pink Lady's Slipper -- you'll see many in this area. After following the ridge for a brief spell, you'll descend to your left, coming to an intersection with the red trail. Take it to your right, and walk along a magical pine-swathed valley before ascending another ridge. And then -- all too soon! -- you'll be back at the bridge. Crossing the road and returning, you can bear left and return by another trail that will take you a bit closer past Mowry House and the farm, before rejoining the trail you came in on. The whole hike can easily be managed in half an hour -- but take time, and pause, and consider the beauty around you -- and think on Mary Mowry and her singular act of civic generosity. A greater gift to the community of Smithfield, and to everyone in Rhode Island -- is hard to imagine.

Olivia's Forest

Lower Bridge at Olivia's Forest, April 16th, 2021

It's one of the smallest trail systems of any Land Trust lands -- and yet also one of the sweetest. With just 31 acres of land and .68 miles of blazed trails, it's pretty easy to walk the whole thing in 20-30 minutes -- but I'd advise you to to take longer -- or, if you're a fast walker or a trail runner, go 'round the orange trail loop more than once -- there's much to repay your time and attention here.

Situated between Ridge Road and Cross Street in Smithfield, the land centers on a small stream that flows into the Woonasquatucket River near the old Georgiaville Mill. A green-blazed trail from Ridge Road will take you to the orange loop; since the loop is also part of the white trail, a bull's eye blaze of orange within white is the mark you'll follow on the trees. I recommend starting to your right if you've come from Ridge Road; your path with take you down a brief stony decline to the upper of the two river bridges. Cross and continue, climbing back out of the creek valley to a rounded hill with a stand of mature pine trees. 

As you continue, you'd descend a rocky cart path, coming to the spot where white goes off to your right. Following this, you'll come to a parting of the ways: white heads left, while an unblazed trail (shown as black on the trail map) continues down  and meets up with the end of Shamrock Lane; continue down the lane (more of a driveway than a lane) and you'll arrive at Cross street.

If you follow white, you'll go back once more to the stream, a rough crossing, and come out at the lower bridge where the orange trail crosses. If you continue on the orange loop, you'll come to the bridge first, and see white going off to the right on the far side. The white trail is a little rough and tricky to follow, but it definitely adds a little something to your experience of the woods. And, speaking of adding something, the trails offer an educational bonus: as part of an Eagle Scout project by John Fontaine of Troop 1 Georgiaville, interpretive signs on posts identify many of the trees you see. The signs are placed atop sturdy wooden posts, and at a good height so that both children and adults can see them.

Cemetery on Ridge Road

If you're looking to extend your walk, you can continue to your right after reaching Cross Street; you'll pass along a narrow road and come to a steel footbridge on your left that crosses the Woonasquatucket; ascending Stillwater Road you'll arrive at Georgiaville Pond. There, you can go out on the town beach (there's an excellent new interpretive sign at the edge of the parking area there), along the pond dam and have a peek at the stony rapids near where the Woonasquatucket flows from the pond, then return by taking a left on Higgins and another left on Whipple. Or, if you're coming the other way and arriving at Ridge Road, there's a lovely walk to be had to your left, passing historic homes and cemeteries on the left-hand side of the road, and a small farm where llamas are being raised on your right. Further along on the left, at the Mowry Barn, you can cross over and return.

Tillinghast Pond

It's one of the most extensive trail systems in Rhode Island, beautfully laid out and maintained by the Nature Conservancy -- and yet, at times, it seems a well-kept secret. Only about 40 minutes from the Providence area, it seems almost another world away; as one drive down Plain Meeting House Road and begins to gauge its vast expanse, one begins to wonder whether, just perhaps, one has stepped back in time to an almost-unsettled era.

Starting at the parking area on Plain Road, you'll find yourself at the center of more than twelve miles of trail. If you have a full day to spare, pack a lunch and explore them all -- here, I'll just point out a variety of options, any one of which will yield a couple of hours of forests and fields, stones and streams. 

Cathedral Pines Trail

The main loop trail around the lake is the gateway to these; start to the right of the parking lot (facing the lake) and you'll soon come to your first decision -- follow white around the lake, or the yellow "Flintlock Loop." Take yellow, and descend a gradual hill through old forest; on your right you'll pass an historical cemetery, then arrive at the corner of a wide field. Take a right here onto the cathedral pines trail, which takes you down between rows of stately trees to a crossing at Plain Meeting House Road. Cross directly over -- you'll soon see red blazes, and find yourself at the corner of two stone walls; this is the Bates Homestead Loop (1.9 miles). It's a fine, narrow trail through a variety of forests, featuring a stream crossing with a rustic bridge and two benches, and a goodly variety of ups and downs.

Returning via the cathedreal pines, you can complete the Flintlock loop by following the yellow blazes, returning to your start along the eastern side of the lake. Many of the oaks here have been killed by past infestations of gypsy moths, but some persist, pushing new shoots out through their living parts; the sudden allowance of sunshine feeds a lush flourish of blueberry bushes. Or, if you're still looking to wander further, the Wickaboxet Trail beckons early along the way, with four miles of rambling through an adjacent area managed by the DEM. You'll see rocky outcroppings and the remains of a number of abandoned farmsteads, with barn walls and cellar holes; at the far end, there's a further opportunity as the trail connects with the West Greenwich Land Trust's Pratt Preserve.

Along Coney Brook Loop

And still, with all this, there remains nearly half of Tillinghast yet to be seen. The Coney Brook Loop may be the most scenic of all; starting from the parking lot it crosses the road, passing up a stream and an old mill dam. A lovely side-trail descends into the valley there via stairs at each end; don't miss it. Then continue through airy oak forest, around and over hills and hummocks, until you emerge at the far end of a large logged area. Though the loss of the trees at first seems painful, in summer you'll see the lush understory, with tall blueberry bushes along the border; a bristling rush of young pines, crowding each other in search of sunlight, rises from between the few lone sentinels of the old deciduous forest; some day they will become a forest of their own. A spur trail here leads alongside a cedar swamp to a small parking area on Hazard Road. It seems there will always be more routes and variations to explore -- so save a few for your next visit -- and do remember to wear orange during hunting season.

Fort Nature Refuge

While my central focus here on my blog is on Rhode Island's Land Trust lands, there are also a number of wonderful hikes to be had in some of the state's other conserved lands. The two largest groups of these are managed by either the Nature Conservancy or the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and it's  a reserve of the latter organization that I'd like to describe today.

The Fort Nature Refuge is in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, just off the Providence Pike north of its intersection with Route 104. A small sign indicates the refuge, and the entrance is via the driveway of an adjacent property owner.  There's fairly ample parking, but if the lot is full, please choose a different hike; this is one of the sites that -- particularly due to the increase in trail use during the pandemic -- is threatened by overuse.

You'll see a large friendly kiosk with all manner of signs and information, and one of particular note: No Dogs. This is the policy at all Audubon preserves in the state; after all, they're operated first and foremost as refuges for birds and wildlife. While some Audubon properties in other states allow leashed dogs, those in Rhode Island don't -- so please respect this policy. They also don't allow mountain bikes, or even trail running (this last prohibition seems a little odd -- but so be it).

Beavers at work

Abiding by these rules will make one welcome in a variety of their remarkable trail systems, and the one at Fort is among the best. The main loop that you'll start on from the parking area is the Blue trail; by itself it makes for a pleasant half-hour walk through stands of mature pine mixed with oak and other hardwoods. There are also two trails that cut through the loop to offer a little variety. However, the real gems of the Fort preserve are its lakes, and to see those you'll want to head off on the yellow trail, which branches away near the far end of the blue loop. Crossing the cut of a power line, yellow takes you down a dirt road and then into a dense pine forest, silenced with thick needles, to a beautiful beaver pond. If you want to see the evidence, chewed stumps abound.

The path crosses on a low bridge near the dam, and there's a lovely viewpoint with a wooden bench where you can take in the prospect. Continuing on, you'll come to the red trail, which like blue forms a loop. Partway along that loop, you'll see a spur trail, also blazed red, which will take you to a secnd pond, where two plastic chairs offer a place for fresh reflections on the beauties of this place. The spur trail ends a little past this point; the blazes vanish and you'll come to a muddy crossing rutted by ATV tracks. Turn back, and see the same sights with a different eye. On returning to the main red loop, take a right, and you'll pass along a ridge which forms a berm between the two lakes, then descend to close your loop. Follow yellow again to blue, and take the rest of the loop trail; all together, these paths offer more than an hour of modest hiking. There are vaster Audubon lands -- one of these days I'll post about Parker Woodland in Coventry -- but none lovelier.