With snow flying, we head out for Diamond Hill and the start of our Warner Trail hike. The trail starts in Sharon, Mass and runs southwest to Diamond Hill Park in Cumberland, RI . The trail first conceived just after World War II by members of the AMC has seen many changes to its route do to development in recent years. The plans for this group are to hike six plus miles a trip and complete the 30-mile trail in 5 Sunday excursions. Of course this is a Blackstone Valley Outfitters trip so we're hiking the trail in reverse, starting in the south and hiking north.

Mark and I meet up with the group of nine two legged hikers and three four legged hikers in the parking lot. I warn them about the debris left by the Town of Cumberland's October Haunted Hill event and one of the hikers suggests that we get a group together one weekend and clean it up, leaving it in the middle of the parking lot near the ball fields. I like the idea. Once again hiking by the debris, we leave the trail for a short while to get by the junk. Returning to the trail as it parallels Diamond Hill Road south till it switchbacks up the west slope of Diamond Hill to the top of a ridge. Here we head over to the old quarry. Standing on the rim I point out the ghostly image of Beacon Hill through the snowfall. The highest point in Cumberland got its name during the Revolutionary War. Colonist placed a signal beacon on the hill to warn the area when the British were advancing. Following the ridge north, the trail normally offers some excellent views to the valley below, but the snow is coming down harder blocking out the view. The trail crests the summit around the water tank. Here you can find the concrete remains of the chairlift and towrope anchors from the hills ski slope past. Passing the water tanks and concrete anchors we start descend on a icy trail into a hard wood forest of birch and oak eventually ending on Fisher Road. Turning east (right) follow the paved road a short distance to a cul-de-sac and reentering the woods on the left, opposite house number 15.

Leaving the Diamond Hill Park, the trail now traverses the Diamond Hill Reservoir property. After a steep but graded descent the trail heads north once more along the shoreline of the reservoir. Unlike my last hike on this trail no wildlife is seen. They must be bedded down for the storm, I guess a lot smarter than we are. Walking quietly the snow starts to slow down offering good views across the reservoir. During the hike one of our trekkers talks to the group about her two dogs that are used for search and rescue. Just before reaching Tingley Road we start our return trip along an old abandon cart path. The trail parallels a long forgotten stone wall and we talk about how this was once fields and farmland. Following the cart path and wall the group climbs up a hill and passes a small cave before descending back to the reservoir. Once there we leave the trail and follow the waters or I should say ices edge. Everyone gets a kick out of the dogs as they race around the open area, hardly showing any sign of fatigue. Returning to the trail and back to the cars I watch the group and listen to their small talk of exchanging e-mails, planning kayak or cycling trips for the spring and forging new friendships.