Thursday Hike: Bradford Preserve, Bradford

A hidden treasure along Rt 91 in Bradford. The trail is in fact a cross country trail for the Westerly High School but open to the public when not in use by them. The trail is blazed orange but be sure to keep an eye for them at turns and intersections. To access the trailhead from the parking area you must cross the large grass field to the right. You will find the trailhead at the back end of the field. A short entrance trail will be the first part of the hike. Turn left at the intersection to do the orange blazed loop. The trail climbs slowly and steadily uphill for a bit passing stonewalls, a vernal pool and a fern covered forest first heading northerly before turning to the south. Ahead a trail to the left will lead you into the Woody Hill Management Area. We will go into Woody Hill Management Area then return to continue straight to follow the blazes. When you reach the southern end of the loop you will come upon a large open field filled with tall grass and wildflowers. A path to the left will lead you back into the woods. Turn right here and follow the path along the edge of the woods keeping the field to your left. Take your time here and enjoy the sights. Soon the field path enters back into the woods and the trail starts it long descent downhill. Keep an eye out for a spur trail to the left. This trail leads you to a monument in the woods built in 1886 in honor of the Vars family who first came to the colonies in 1680. After stopping by the monument continue along the orange blazed trail, still descending to the entrance trail. Here you will want to turn left and cross the field once again to the parking area. Directions from Westerly: Take Rt 91 heading toward Bradford.

To sign up, contact hike leader: Sally Hanson, (401) 348-9109 (h), (401) 932-5295 (c), and email: [email protected] 

Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Hikes leave promptly.

PLEASE NOTE:

• Ending times are estimated as it difficult to ascertain when it will finish due to number of people, how fast/slow the hikers walk, etc.
• Please sign up with leader so that person will know how many are coming. If no one signs up the leader may not show up.
• Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
• If you wish to bring a dog please contact the leader as some properties do not allow them. However, if a dog is present, they must be leashed at all times.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:

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