| Crossing Over (2) Exeter, RI |
| Difficulty: Clues and Hike - Easy, approximately 2 miles over slightly hilly terrain with well marked paths Background: This is located at wonderful piece of land in the southern part of Exeter . Considering its charm it is not very well visited. Most who do visit it only hike the trails on the south side of Pardon Joslin road. On this hike you will be "Crossing Over" and taking the less traveled paths of the north side. The Mercy Brown letterbox has been relocated to this side. The Knight at Dawn and Mummies in the Morning are located on the other half of the property. Directions: Take Rt. 102 in Exeter, R.I., to Widow Sweets Road, (4 miles east of Rt. 3, 3.2 miles west of Rt. 2) From 102 southbound (from I95) turn left onto Widow Sweets Road. It is opposite Anderson Furniture and just before the Exeter town hall. Turn right on Pardon Joslin when the road comes to a "T" and follow the sign to the refuge. PJ is a narrow dirt road and you will see the sign and the parking area on the right. Clues: Cross over Pardon Joslin Road and look for the trail leading off to your left (west). Make sure that you follow the path, as continuing straight will lead to a private residence. The trail leads almost immediately over a series of small bridges over wetlands and runs parallel to the road. Shortly after it will turn right (north) and gradually start to rise. The landowners have thoughtfully placed several benches throughout the trails in the refuge. The first bench that you come to will mark the split between the two trails. On the way out you will be taking the outer (red) loop. On the way back to your car you will finish on the inner (white) loop. As you proceed on the red loop keep you will cross over another small foot bridge. Keep alert for a small path leading off to the right. The path is not marked but is outlined with thin logs. This trail leads up a small rise to the largest erratic to be found in the area. It is adjacent to an old stone wall. I am assuming that the early settlers decided to put the wall there since it would have been impossible to move the rock. The side path will shortly lead back to the main red loop. The trail continues to wind slowly uphill as the terrain changes from evergreens to hardwoods. You will see a large rock to your right and a bench shortly after to the left before you cross through the first stone wall. Proceed through an area filled with mountain laurel that can be sublime in late spring when they are all in bloom. The undergrowth will clear out and you will enter an area with several small piles of rocks. One of these piles would surely be a home for a little hedgehog. While standing on the trail find the large forked tree with a pile of rocks immediately to the left (due north) of the trail. Locate another large pile of rocks at 35o and 8 paces from where you are standing. This pile should make a nice little hidey hole for a little hedgehog. Continue on the trail as it returns to white pines and briars. After a while the trail will take a sharp turn to the right (west) with stone walls leading off to the left. The stone walls enclose an old cemetary but no headstones are left. At the next bench you come to the trail splits again. If you decide not to continue for the 2nd letterbox you can continue straight and return to your car. If you are adventurous and willing to buck the rising winds you can take the inner (white) trail to the right. Are the skies growing dark and the wind increasing? Violent weather may be in your near future. Quickly hike up the trail throught the first stone wall and proceed to the bench at the next stone wall. Take a break and evaluate your chances in braving the elements at the next box. At the west end of the bench spy the section of the wall at 320o and 10 paces. If it's Tuesday a small twister may be found there. When your pursuit of atmospheric disturbances is complete continue on the white trail. The trail passes another bench and stone wall and leads back to the junction with the red trail. At the intersection go left and you will retrace your initial steps back to your car. Before setting off be sure to read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer. LBNA Homepage Kurdziel Homepage |
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