WWoods

Difficulty: This is an easy two-mile stroll through the town of Westerly’s forest. The trail winds through the north slope of the town’s highest elevation, Mount Moriah. It has a few trails that wind through the woods and under power lines. There are sections that can be muddy in the spring or after rain. It is a fun but not particularly technical area for mountain bikes.

Directions: From I-95 take exit 92 in CT if northbound. Go left off the exit and head up to Rt. 184. Turn right on Rt. 184 and continue up to the top of a large hill where you will see Boombridge Road on your right. Turn right on Boombridge Road. From I-95 southbound take exit 93 in CT and turn right. You will have to take an immediate left onto Rt. 184. Go up the large hill past McDonalds and the motel and turn left onto Boombridge at the top of the hill.

Continue on the windy country road past an historic farm, crossing over the Pawcatuck River until you reach a four-way intersection. Turn left at the intersection onto Potter Hill Rd. Take the second left onto Laurel Road. Laurel resembles a paved driveway with lots of houses off of it. Shortly after the road turns to gravel you will see the parking area for the Westerly Woods on the left

Clues: The trail begins at the east side of the parking lot and is marked with a blue blaze. A few feet into the trail turn left at the “T” and head towards the powerlines. You will come into an open section under the powerlines that slopes down to the right. At the four way intersection under the power lines go straight (north) towards the woods. The trail will gently slope down before curving left and going uphill again. Shortly after the trail starts to rise you will go through a stone wall and hit a “T”. Turn right (east) along the stonewall and start heading back down hill again. Continue down the trail but keep alert for a sharp left turn in the trail. This will be indicated by a white arrow marked on a rock; if you keep straight the trail will quickly peter out so you will have to backtrack.

This next section of the trail winds downhill and can be wet, muddy and washed out after wet weather. You will come to a large blowdown that you will have to climb through. The path will cross a small streambed with a slightly larger stream off to the right. The trail heads right (north) through a stonewall. After crossing over small corduroy by the stream there will be another split. Keep heading straight. At the next “T” turn right (60o). The trail will cross the stream here. When we planted the letterbox the skunk cabbages were just coming out, the troutlilies were getting ready to bloom and there were three wild turkeys just on the other side.

The trail becomes a washed out path as it starts to head uphill. It goes through a break in a small, broken down stone wall where you will find the Westerly Woods letterbox. Look to your right (west). It is hidden under the first rock to the south. After stamping in continue on the path as it heads up hill. Ignore the small trails coming in from either side of the path. The trail will curve left and dip down slightly after which you will see another trail coming in from the left with an opening in the woods and a red house off in the distance. Keep going straight on the trail you are on.

You will come to what is almost a three way intersection with an early split to the right. Take the middle trail, keeping parallel to the powerlines that will be off to the left. When you finally come to a “T” go left and follow the trail under the powerlines up towards the top of the hill. There will be a four way intersection shortly before the top of the hill. A left (south) turn will take you back to your waiting vehicle.

Before setting off be sure to read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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