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.
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| 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.
