Keep Coming Back
I’ve hiked this wildlife refuge many different times for over twelve years. I found this trail around 2008 while living in Providence. I don’t remember if I found it online or by accident while riding the Rhode Island back roads on my motorcycle. All I know is that back then I could easily spend half a day hiking out to the cliffs and the home foundation, along the ridge over the river and be completely free of any and all stresses in my life.
The last time I went I hiked the two outermost looped trails, the whole thing took about three hours to complete. I felt great after getting in a hike like that. The other day I was telling a friend about the trail and basically realized I could recount almost the entire trail by memory.
Trail Talk
The woodlands boast seven miles of trails starting with a descent into a swampy area. Orange blazed trail. The boardwalks that cross the creek are well kept. Once across the swamp the trail becomes rocky and you start to realize what you’re really in for. Here is where you find the beginning of your first loop. Turning left will take you through a small pine thicket, along some rock walls, and toward an old foundation. Typically, I like to bear right and get to the foundation toward the end of my hike.
Going right if I remember correctly takes you along a ridge overlooking a river, through an open space dotted with ancient rock cairns, and through some very large glacial boulders. about halfway through this first loop you’ll find the yellow blazed connector to the second loop. Unfortunately, I can’t exactly recall much of the second loop at the moment. But since this loop is far from the main parking lot on Maple valley road what you won’t find is a lot of other hikers.
Easily Accessible
Easily done in a morning or an afternoon, it’s just as easy to enjoy the interesting views and sights along this trail and spend a day. Several times I’ve headed out after a snow fall and had an amazing experience. The forest becomes quiet in fresh snow or glistens in the morning sun though ice covered tree branches. Spend a morning, spend a day, but you will not be disappointed by this stunning trail.
Update
So, I went back for a hike here recently, brought a friend who had never been here to show him the trail. One thing I had forgotten was that wildlife refuges in RI are mostly dog free, I remembered only when I got there and saw the sign. Of course he had brought his puppers along and we decided to break the law. YOLO!
Two Loops
The last hike we did together was close to seven miles so I had every confidence that we could do both loops. Earlier in this blog post I mentioned that I could recall most of the trail, that statement was proved false, at least for the second loop. You travel halfway around the first loop from the main parking area and take the yellow connector to the second loop.
First I had forgotten how cool the short connector was. It runs along the river along overhanging rock ledges. They looked like giant bricks and blocks stacked against the small river. Then the trail climbs back up into the woods. Next there was what looked like the foundation of a cowshed along with more stone walls and a small house foundation. The last forgotten part was table rock. Literally a rock suspended by smaller stones that is roughly the size of a dining room table.
Low traffic day
I was the first car in the lot with Rob coming in a close second. And we ended up only seeing three people on the trail. Good thing considering the aforementioned lawlessness we assumed. But upon arriving at the lot around 3:30 it was found to be packed with auto’s. I was only surprised that they hadn’t been there as early as we had. The only trial I’ve found similar to this is the Pilferdshire abandoned town in CT.
Great trail, another great day
The George Parker woodland wildlife refuge seems to never disappoint, fall, spring, summer or under a blanket of winter snow, my advise is go, then go again.
See you on the trail.
