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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