Burrillville, Rhode Island
After passing a couple of side trails to the north, Old Starr Road turns into a small footpath continuing to the southwest and starts to descend along a rocky course. Crossing a frozen brook with running water visible under the clear ice, the hikers come across the largest deer tracks I’ve ever seen. Yes where was snowmelt to enlarge the tracks. Even so there is ether a giant deer out here, or we have a moose wandering around the northwest corner of Rhode Island. The tracks were that BIG! Entering a low growth cleared area in the woods, the trail comes to a fork and an upright stone slab with a RI carved into it. We’ve reached the RI/Conn. state line. Taking the northbound fork, the trail parallels the two state’s boundary on a steep and rocky route. Reaching a cleared area on a small knoll, we find the four foot stone tri-state marker in the center. The marker sports each of the three states it represents and the date 1883 carved at the base of it. Once we do the usual things like trying to stand in all three states and take pictures, we head east along the Massachusetts/Rhode Island State line. The trail climbs the rocky slope passing a couple of state line markers and descends to the intersection of another trail. Heading north first through a white pine wetland, our vagabonds’ pass a tree long ago hit by lighting and emerge onto another historic travel lane. This area with it’s stonewalls and foundations are now engulfed by giant pines and oaks. Retracing our steps south and emerging onto Old Starr Road once more. Heading east now in till we take a break at the foundation remains of a house that is rumored to have been the home of the first white settler in the area. Continuing along the old travel lane the trail dwindles out to an animal trail before merging with the North South Trail. Following the North/South Trail south the group takes a break at an old stone fire pit in the middle of the woods. With Wallum Lake in view the trail weaves through rocky woodland sometimes squeezing around monolithic boulders. Passing a pond, its icy shield now suspended two or three feet above the water, held in place by rocks and brush. Climbing up a rocky slope the snow dissipates and the smell of pine starts to fill the air. After a fine day in the North West corner of Rhode Island we arrive at Buck Hill Road and hike along it to complete our loop back to the vehicle. Live the Experience!
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The day started out cold and clear as we
headed to Burrillville, Rhode Island and our start of the
North South Trail section hike. Today we start our hike
with a side trip to visit the tri-state marker before
heading to the N/S Trail. Arriving at the 1,800 acre Buck
Hill Wildlife Management Area we leave the parking lot
and follow the old farm road north. After a short
distance the icy conditions force the group to put their
Stabilicers on. During the trek north we talk about tree
identification and check out the many deer tracks now
incased in the ice crusted snow. At one point the trail
enters a new logging area, opening up the old farm fields
and offering excellent views to the east. The farm road
intersects with Old Starr Road, one of the first travel
ways in this area. We head west along this old cart path
lined by stonewalls which shows you the determination of
the settlers that came here to farm this rocky woodland.