North-South Trail - Hike #3

"Three Day Weekend" - that's how I titled my invitation to my potential hiking partners prior to the Memorial Day holiday.  Yes, there will be ample time for family and yard work, but let's get a hike in first.  The forecast called for sunny weather, albeit slightly cool.  Perfect for a hike.

"Late, late, late" - that's what I said to myself as we started this hike.  Alex & I didn't start walking until 12:42 this particular Saturday, so considering we intended to cover almost 11 miles, it was going to be late afternoon until we finished.

What was nice, though, was getting more family time by having more of them join me.

At the start at Baker Pines Road.  Alex & I will start walking while everybody else will be heading for a nearby playground.  Dominic will be able to play Chutes and Ladders with Grammy, Uncle Nathaniel and Mama.  We actually had a false start.  About 1/10th of a mile down the trail I realized I dropped my guidebook so we had to head back for it.

Our first obstacle is Boulder Field, "an extensive area containing a seemingly endless number of boulders."  Formed by glacial outwash, there were several times I thought we were through it, but it just kept going.

Here's a glacial erratic.  Not as impressive as the Midstate landmarks Balance Rock and Sampson's Pebble, but pretty cool, just the same.

At Roaring Brook Pond, we cross an earthen dam (with boardwalk) while soaking in a marvelous mirror view.

Most of this part of the hike was unremarkable.  Alex & I were hiking very fast to make sure we would meet the rest of the gang on time.

At the break,, we had hiked 5.77 miles in just 2 hours, even with traversing the Boulder Field where the going was very slow.

     

Now, the rest of the hikers join us.  Nathaniel is out front with Betsy's trekking poles.

     

Alex, Cassandra, and Dominic followed.  Dominic likes to hike, but with his little legs, he has to take many more steps than we do.

This 4' high, 3' diameter precast concrete ring is actually a landmark in the hiking guide. What's it doing here so deep in the woods?

We meander along Roaring Brook.  In the distance you can see Betsy and others crossing the bridge.

We found a troll bridge here - Alex & Dominic under while Nathaniel crosses above.

Someone's obviously thought that the natural crack in the rock needed eyes and nose.

     

Rocks and water framed by the trees.

     

Betsy spotted this lady slipper beside the trail

We finally arrive at Stepstone Falls where we dropped our car over 4 hours earlier.

Dominic couldn't resist cooling his feet in the chilly water.

Mileage today was less than our my previous days at only 9.67 miles in 4:02 (plus .2 "stupid" miles for dropping my guidebook). However, it did include some hiking for everybody, chatting opportunities with some local fishermen and, best of all, precious family time.

North-South Trail - Hike #2

Springtime comes to New England and there is just so much to do.  Especially after the exceeding harsh winter of 2015.  Nevertheless, I have chosen not to dedicate this particular Saturday no my yard, but instead to make some progress on my Rhode Island hiking goal.

I was getting some company on this trip, but since my partners would not be hiking the entire 11 miles with me, the logistics got really complicated.  Alex helps me spot my car at the end then drops me off at the start for the day.   The plan is for Betsy, Cassandra, and Dominic to join me about half way through after their morning activities.

It was a beautiful sunny day again with temps around 70°F. The drive down included a stretch on a scenic highway in Connecticut.

Here's the Meadow Brook Pond where I ended my last hike.  Like last time, lots of people are out fishing.  I'm smiling despite the fact that I forgot my water bottle in the car.  I will have a dry mouth for at least the next 5+ miles unless I find a convenience store or good Samaritan.

Apparently, this is the largest "field" on the North-South Trail.  Okay, then.

Here's the first of two historic Rhode Island cemeteries that I walked past today.  This one is in the middle of the forest and requires hiking boots to get to.

The hemlock path and the deep blue sky made for an enjoyable walk.

Just past the 5.6 mile mark, I take a lunch break.  Betsy and the gang are supposed to be meeting me here.  A quick phone call confirms they're a little behind schedule, so we arrange an alternate meeting place a mile or so down the road.

The guide book explains that the trail used to go through woodlands, but had to be re-routed along RI 138.  This is a very busy road and some the shoulder is not so wide.

We finally meet up.  Cassandra takes my backpack and I take on a little heavier payload.

We're still doing some road hiking, but at least it's scenic.  Cassandra, Dominic, and I stop by to chat with some cows.  Mooooo!

   

We passed this cute little pond, where someone obviously got creative and decided that some boats were needed.  They were tethered to the shoreline, but with the wind they actually moved around a bit.

There were no hills on this route until I put a 2-year old on my back. Clearly the steep hill we just climbed is composed of a substantial rock deposit, as this active quarry at the top attests.

Back in the woods, we give Dominic a chance to hike on his own.

We come out of the woods and pass under I-95.  Dominic's laughing because he thinks kicking Grandad from his perch in the backpack is funny.  Just 1/2 mile back to the car from here.

After retrieving the other car, we still have over an hour and a half to drive home.  The return route takes us by way of this turkey farm in Connecticut where we stop in for some homemade ice cream.  They even have a gluten-free waffle cone for Betsy.

Totals for the day:  11.01 miles for me and 3.93 for everybody else.  Overall trail time was 4:30.  While there was significantly more "road" time in this segment, we don't mind it so much; the ice cream is delicious.

North-South Trail - Hike #1

Upon completing the Midstate Trail two years ago, I discovered another trail that might be a good future adventure (see Midstate Hike #16).  The North South Trail begins where I ended that hike series and winds south through Rhode Island all the way to the ocean.  Over two years later, I've  finally time to take this trail on.  I bought the book (at right) and did some preliminary planning.  The challenge with this trek will be the fact that the starting points are much further from my home, so it will be much hard to be spontaneous and say "let's go hiking."  This second Saturday in April promised to be sunny, windy, and relatively warm day - not so good for skiing, but great for hiking.

Saturday morning is also my small group reunion morning, and almost everyone was there for a change.  Among them were several guys you've seen in previous blog posts actually hiking with me (James, Jim, Ed).  Unfortunately, no one is able to join me today, so I decide to do a little extra mileage since I have to drive so far anyway.  Originally, I was going to start the trail from where I ended in Massachusetts and head south into Rhode Island.  However, the descriptions in guide book are written from south to north and I decided that trying to read the instructions in reverse was just be too confusing.

From Dunkin, it was about a 1.75 hr drive down to my starting point at Blue Shutters Town Beach in Charlestown, RI.  To get there, I actually drive through Connecticut and pass Foxwoods Casino along the way.  Alas, I am out to hike not gamble, so I drive on by.

I park at the beach then climb over the sand dune to snap this photo.  See I really AM starting at the ocean.  (Actually it's Block Island Sound, if you want to get technical.)
I have a lot of ground to cover today so I will be hiking at "Leary speed" (very fast).

The blue blazes mark the path of the North South Trail.  The accompanying sign is proof.

Besides the blazes, I also liked these little trail markers.  They usually had a little arrow on them indicating the way to go.

   

The trail leads me through Burlingame State Park.  I actually skirt part of the campground.

   

Here's the standard picnic table and fire ring
(for site #543).

Parts of the trail are very boggy.  The AMC has constructed some elaborate boardwalks to help trail users get through.  The trail is also available to mountain bikers here, so ramps are provided to get on and off the boardwalks.

All I can think is that there must have been some strong wind to take down this old tree.

The trail coincides the the Gormly Trail as it goes around Watchaug Pond.  This covered bridge with benches was an unexpected surprise along the way.

I thought this was a hiking trail, but apparently, it's also part obstacle course.

   

After leaving the state park, I enter the Burlingame Wildlife Management Area.  There I am surprised to find some formidable granite cliffs.

   

In Rhode Island, no less.

I'm almost 2/3 the way though my hike and it's time to eat lunch.  This pond is actually not viewable from the trail.  Walking along, I wondered what lay beyond the embankment to my right, only to find this serene spot.

I've left the wildlife management area and am now hiking on the road.  Suddenly, it smells like cows. 
Too bad I already had lunch

This is the northeast rail corridor from Boston to New York.  Last year, I was on an Acela train traveling this very route for work.

My cousin Kevin graciously agreed to pick me up at a local fishing pond.  Little did I realize that it was opening day of the season, so the place was busy.

The only other hikers I net on the trail were Paul and Janet (at left).  Imagine my surprise when they finished their hike a few minutes behind me and the first person they greet is cousin Kevin.  I knew Rhode Island was a small state, but I didn't know it was that small.  They also related to me that they ran into the author of my guide book on their hike to the pond.  I guess Rhode Island is that small.

Once back at the car, I just couldn't resist going back out at the beach to capture a photo of a crashing wave.

It actually was a quite a long hike today:  11.93 miles in 3:56.  If I factor out the time I time I took for lunch, my average hiking speed was just over 3 1/2 mph.  It's no wonder I am a bit sore the day after.

Hope to see you on the trail!