The Westerly Land Trust News & Events
             

 

Trail Walks Series 2012

Please join us for our free-guided trail walks on Thursdays. All walks are at 10 AM unless stated to the contrary. We will visit various local conservation properties, including some of our own Westerly Land Trust preserves. Walks are between 1 ½ to 3 hours and are open to all ages with our target group being agile seniors. Please keep in mind that these are wooded trails with stumps, roots and rocks so be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. Be aware that our hikes leave promptly so be on time!

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
  • If you wish to carpool contact Sally Hanson at 401.348.9109 (home) or 401.932.5295 (cell) or sally.hanson@verizon.net

In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from the third Saturday in October to the last day of February and the last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Ryan Park is around Bellville Pond, a very pretty and little known pond in North Kingstown. The walk is approximately 5 miles long with flat easy walking. From Westerly take Rte 1 to Rte 4. At the second stop light after merging onto Rte 4 turn right on Oak Hill Road. There are two official entrances to the park on Oak Hill. We will meet at the first entrance on the left. From the north, take Rte 4 south then left on Oak Hill and follow above directions. Leader: Mary Hagen, 401.294.2741, cell 508.277.1384, and email: mary.hagen1@btinternet.com
April 26 Bluff Point, Groton, CT
One of the few undeveloped stretches of Conn. Coastline; Bluff Point is a treasure with a rich history. For the 5-mile walk, bring warm clothing and sturdy shoes. Some sections may be muddy. From Rte 95S, take Exit 88. Turn left on Rte 117 and right on Rte 1 at the second light. Then, at the next light, turn left on Depot Rd. Follow this street past Industrial Rd. and under the railroad tracks. A dirt road leads ahead to the large parking lot and closed gate. After the walk we will have a picnic on site so bring lunch. Leader: Geoff Sewall, 401.377.2826
May 3 Browning Farms Woods Trail, South Kingstown
Well marked 2.5 miles forested trail loop with remains of the Browning homestead and another long abandoned cellar hole. Directions: From US Rte 1 take Perryville/Post Road Exit. Proceed to intersection of Rte 110. Continue west on Post Road to Gravely Hill Road (0.9 miles). Take Gravely Hill Road 1.6 miles to STOP sign at Shannock Road. Proceed 0.25 miles to a small gravel parking lot on north side of road. Since the lot is small we will park as close as possible, front to rear. For those coming from Rte 91 take Rte 112 south to Shannock Road. At the Charlestown line on the left is the parking lot. If you pass the Stop sign you have gone too far. Leader: John Lanik, 401.783.4932. PLEASE NOTE: since parking lot is small would suggest carpooling.
May 10 Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, Westerly
A walking tour of the WLT’s Glacier Park preserve featuring wooded trails with gentle hills and some rocky sections. This site’s unique geological features are worth the trip. Meet at the trailhead off of Tom Harvey Road just outside the entrance to Winnapaug Cottages. Please park in the designated area outside of the Winnapaug Cottages gate or in the parking lot across the street. Leader: Paul Meyer, 401.596.7394, and email: pemeyer@cox.net
May 17 Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown **Note carpooling time
Join us for a new hike in this 300-acre nature preserve in Middletown. The Sanctuary is offering us a discounted admission price of $3.00 for use of its' trails and facilities. We will carpool from the Park-n-Ride lot at the intersection of Rte 1A and Rte 138. Meet there for a 9:30 AM departure to the Sanctuary. Drivers should have an EZ Pass for the Newport Bridge toll. Bring a lunch to enjoy in the picnic area. Leader: John Lanik, 401.783.4932
May 24 Crandal Family Preserve, Westerly
This flat walk in WLT’s preserve is through an interesting variety of woods, which are surrounded by extensive Atlantic White cedar swamp and open peatlands. Hopefully, swamp laurel and Rodies may be in bloom. Park at the gate at the end of North Pound Road, which is off Rte 91, Bradford Road in Westerly. Leader: David Prigmore, 401.348.2855, email: davidwprigmore@verizon.net
May 27 Veterans Cemetery, Exeter
This is an AMC Hike with the WLT walkers and YT invited to participate. Meet at the entrance to the cemetery at 10:00 AM for the hike. The cemetery is very impressive on that day (Memorial Day) and I'm sure many people would like to see it with all the flags that will be on display. Leader Dick Sullivan, 401.338.2880
May 31 Green Falls, Voluntown, CT
This walk of about 4.5 miles is moderate to strenuous. A hemlock-wooded gorge leads to a 60 ft waterfall, then along a lake to a deciduous forest, past the remains of a spool mill, over interesting rock formations, one of our best walks. From Liberty Street in Pawcatuck or Exit 92 on I-95 take Rte 49 North. After crossing Rte 184 go 6.7 miles (.5 miles beyond the Voluntown town line) to Sand Hill Road. Turn right on this small road and continue 1.6 miles to the trailhead where there is adequate parking. Leader: Tom Moore, 860.535.9052
June 7 Copp Preserve, Groton, CT
Trails here lead through a diversity of habitats, including brushy fields, dense Mountain Laurel thickets and wooded ravines. With the exception of a couple of short steep spots, this is an easy-moderate hike. Entrance is directly off route 184, on the left (east) side just south of intersection of Gungywamp Road (traffic light). Easiest route is I-95 South to exit 88 (Rte 117). Take a right on Rte 117 to Rte 184, go left (South/West) on Rte 184 and continue through light at Gungywamp. Entry and parking on left. Leader: Maggie Jones, 860.572.9130 and email: mjones@dpnc.org
June 14 Browning Mill Pond Pavilion, Exeter ** End-of-season get-together
We will begin our hike at the boardwalk off Arcadia Road, continuing up the Arcadia Trail and over to the Tefft Hill Trail loop. Waterfalls, ponds and Roaring Brook make it a pretty, relaxing hike. After the hike we will return to the pavilion for a picnic – bring your own lunch. Directions: From I-95, Exit 3B; go west on Rte 138 .5 miles, to traffic signals at Wyoming. Go north on Rte 3, 1.0 mile, to large cemetery. Just past cemetery angle left onto KG Ranch Road. Continue north 2.2 miles, you will pass the large lot for Browning Mill Pond Recreational Area on left and park in area where the lower pavilion is (just past the pond on the left). Leader: sally Hanson, 401.348.9109 (home), 401.932.5295 (cell), and email: sally.hanson@verizon.net
N 41º 33.544’ W 071º 41.214’
 
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