Browning Mill Pond, Arcadia

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Our winter hike tradition goes back before my time in scouts, which is at about ten years. The first winter hike I ever went on was around Browning Mill Pond, and about that long ago. It was cold that day. Seriously cold. Our hot chocolate was barely room temperature when we were done. I didn't check the temperature, but I've never been that cold on a hike, before or since. Cub hike or otherwise. This year five scouts and a sister braved the weather.

Browning Mill Pond is absolutely stunning in the winter. There was a fair amount of snow on the ground to give us a workout but not enough to ruin the fun. There was no wildlife to see but small rodent tracks were in evidence. We went clockwise around the pond. The path was well marked and fairly easy to follow despite the snow. Most of the way around is a covered picnic area where we paused for snacks.

Along the way we met up with a Rhode Island hiking club called "Walks and Rambles", apparently named after the Ken Weber series of books. We had a nice chat and went on our way.

There is an optional leg of the hike to make it a bit longer, but after a quick discussion the scouts decided to head on to the hot chocolate, still piping hot I have to say. A boy's enthusiasm for an activity can be quickly diminished when it goes just a little bit too long, so off to the parking lot we did go.

A good time was had by our group, but it's too bad we don't get more participation. If you prepare, a little cold is no barrier to fun. I'll leave you with the best advice we got that day:

Wickaboxet Management Area

Saturday, August 6, 2011

See, I'm catching up!

No pictures again. Sorry.

This was the second summer hike I invited my Cub Scout Pack to attend, and once again I got a low turnout. In fact, two scouts. Partially because of this I didn't plan any summer hikes for 2012. Besides, my youngest transitioned over to Boy Scouts earlier this month. I'll be finishing up my stint early next year and saying goodbye to the Pack I called home for about ten years.

Anyhow, the two scouts and two parents made a leisurely stroll around the property, menaced not by neither ATV riders nor mound ants. We made it to rattlesnake ledges and the boys wanted to climb up and down all day. After a brief Leave No Trace talk that included the abomination of leaving behind cans of lousy beer in makeshift (illegal) fire pits, we progressed on our way.

I've said it before but it bears repeating: it is so important to bring youngsters into the outdoors, even if for a short while. A simple day hike can do wonders for the child who sees the outdoors only as the small spaces between the chain link fences. They don't need to go survivorman, certainly not at Cub Scout ages, but we must not foster the world view that wild spaces are irrelevant. Our drinking water does not come from chemlawn runoff. Or at least, it shouldn't.

Escoheag Trail, Arcadia

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Rule 1 of Leave No Trace: Plan Ahead and Prepare.

This rule is first for a variety of reasons. It highlights the intersection between protecting the environment and protecting yourself. Most people who get into trouble in the wilds do so because they do not plan ahead. A hiker in trouble does not concern themself with low impact camping. If there is anything I can impart on my young scouts, it is the importance of this rule.

I've faulted myself on occasion for being too prepared. I've gone on a two mile day hike with a medical kit, extra food, clothing, and water, flashlight, and gotten weird glances from fellow hikers carrying a half liter of water and a banana. So why do I bring this up? On a well planned cub scout hike, I forgot the book. Weekend Walks in Rhode Island somehow never made it back into my pack or the car.

Using my crappy work-issued blackberry, I manged to find direction to the trail head and took extra time to locate it. Once there, of course, I didn't have a trail map. We did things by committee. "Which way do you want to go?" Three cub scouts, two other parents, two siblings, and I made our way through the woods for a couple hours.

Due to my bad planning, we missed many of the highlights of the trail, most notably the Steppingstone falls, my favorite Arcadia feature. I can't help but see my misstep as a knock on my outdoors trail cred, but still, the boys, and the siblings (teenage girls) enjoyed themselves. I did better the next time. And I may add a photo or two once I find my camera's data cable.

How do you pronounce "Escoheag", anyhow?

Powder Mill Ledges, Smithfield

Sunday, January 9

On a clear and snow-filled day, I took 15 cub scouts and siblings, along with 9 or so parents to the Audubon Society's Powder Mill Ledges wildlife refuge for our annual winter hike. I gave them my brief Leave No Trace lecture as well as spoke about the importance of the buddy system. The property is cut in two by power lines and because of some National Grid construction going on, the second half (the yellow trail) was off limits.

We saw signs of animal life including animal prints, woodpecker holes, and a few birds. Afterwards, there was hot chocolate. I believe the children really enjoyed themselves.

We took many photos but I've decided not to include them here for privacy sake. I'll get parental approval to use photos to promote the Pack in the local media, but not for this blog. It's been a while since my last post because it's been a while since my last hike. And with the recent and predicted snow fall, it may be quite a while until my next.

John B. Hudson Trail, Arcadia

July 24, 2010

Only a couple photos this time. I didn't ask for permission again. Seven cub scouts and two boy scouts joined five parents for a walk on the John B. Hudson trail in Arcadia. It's only three miles and the weather was fine. A little hot, but cooler in the damp forest.

The trail is well marked and an easy stroll for little ones and urbanite moms alike. It passes by a historical graveyard (town of Exeter 101) where the boys took a brief break. The trail loops near the end and passes by Breakheart Pond.

We dallied by the pond. The boys appeared to be having a great time. The path back towards the graveyard was muddy much to the delight of the boys. A couple of the moms weren't quite as pleased. It dried up soon enough and we were back on the same trail that took us out. If you read my blog, you know how important I feel it is to get kids into the outdoors. A simple thing like a 45 minute drive, a 1 1/2 hour walk, and a light snack can do wonders. And we got a few scout requirements out of the way.

Fisherville Brook, Exeter

Sunday, January 10

Fisherville Brook was clearly my most hiked property in 2009. It's beautiful, convenient, and accessible. When I first walked it in May I knew it would make a great Cub Scout hike. And it did.

Every year we do a January hike, and every January there is a boy who thinks a spring jacket and tennis sneakers are appropriate winter hiking attire. Last year it was a fifteen year old sibling. I have a warning in the flier, but this year I decided to emphasize the point. The high temperature was expected to be 27 and I cautioned the parents to make sure they were prepared. They responded in droves. By not attending.

Five boys, my three and two others, hiked the Blue and Orange loop on the south side of the property. The weather was crisp, clear, and cold, but luckily there was little wind. The snow was not too fresh so animal prints were not as clear as they were last January, but the going wasn't as tough either. There was some complaining, but no real problems. The scouts that attended were prepared and everyone enjoyed themselves.

I made a ton of hot chocolate because I didn't know how many to expect. Suffice to say, we had a ton left over. Shortly after returning to our car, some people with small children exited the trail. One boy came up to us and asked for hot chocolate. He told him to ask his parents, who said no. I approached them and said how we had way more than we could use and offered hot chocolate to everyone. Happily they took us up on it.

These winter hikes teach some important lessons. First, it give a child practice in preparing for the weather. A Boy Scout is told he must "Be Prepared", but before that can happen, he needs practice. Also, all of us are tempted to spend the winter indoors, sheltered from the world. There is no need for this. Winter blues effects many of us, myself included. An excursion like this allows us to engage winter, and not fear it. And getting children into the outdoors is so very important. It's very disheartening that so many chose to stay indoors.

Cub World, Pascoag

Saturday, November 7th

It's been a while. Back in the spring my schedule changed so that I got out of work at 2:30 and had until 5:30 to walk a natural place. Well, my Karate was rescheduled to 6:30 and my son's was moved to 5:30, which meant I had to drive home to Cranston, then back to North Kingstown with my son. This left little or no time for hiking.

This past weekend was our pack's annual sleepover. Cub World, a theme style overnight camp in Burriville, has become a favorite. This year we slept at Pease High Seas, with two pirate ship style cabins. A heated lighthouse provided a place for breakfast. Only eight scouts attended. This year we left for camp the same day as Scouting for Food bag pickup, which meant we got a late start. I was the first to arrive around 2:00 pm.

Part of my agenda is a quick hike. Running short of daylight, five scouts and a sister followed me around the campground. I took no pictures. We spoke of the buddy system, the ten essentials, and the six points of Leave No Trace. Yea, I know, there are seven points, but for cub scouts there are only six.

If the walk was more than a half mile, I'd be surprised. I haven't found a good marked trail that crosses Cub World. If somebody knows of one, I'd like to do a couple miles. Assuming, of course, that I manage to book the site before daylight savings time ends.

Cub Scout Hike, Parker Woodland, Coventry

January 25, 2009

In my last blog entry, I mentioned my Cub Scout Pack's annual winter hike. This year it was held at the George B. Parker Woodland in Coventry. Later that day I actually walked the hike with my 12 year old son, Peter. I met the caretaker (what a sweet gig!) after he locked me in. We ended the hike about a quarter to five and the parking lot closes at 4:30. He suggested I let ASRI know that I was going to have a large group, which I did. I was guessing about 20, adults included. He was real nice. I wish I remembered his name.

That hike was today. There was talk of below zero wind chill, but I don't pay much attention to weather forecasts. It wasn't going to rain, and that was good enough for me. Eleven scouts, plus assorted parents and siblings caravaned down to Coventry, with one family meeting us there. I started by giving them regular Leave No Trace speech. Then, off we went!

The plan was to follow the standard path to the Caleb Vaughn farm site (now just a cellar hole), then follow Biscuit Hill Road about half way to a side path, which leads towards parking lot #2. When that trail hit the brook, we banged a right towards the mysterious cairns. Then we meet up with our original trail, bang a left, and head to the car. Two miles total, maybe. We, in fact, followed this plan.

The way to the Vaughn farm took way longer than I expected. The snow, even though packed down from foot traffic, made the going slow and difficult. Deer tracks were everywhere. Tracks made by field mice and squirrels were also present. Scat with fur was found very near the trail. The scouts yelled "Poop!" with excitement. I cautioned them not to take souvenirs. Fox or coyote, I would guess. Coyote prints were also in evidence.

Part of my leave no trace bit was to talk about planning ahead. One thing I found out in planning was that dogs were not permitted, and I mentioned that to them. When we reached the Vaughn farm, the other family arrived, along with their family dog. The boys saw them and shouted "No dogs allowed!" Wow, they listened! The family is a very responsible bunch and the oversight was easily forgiven. They managed their dog very well, which is another LNT principle.

Back in December, I continued the regular trail, but in order to shorten the hike a bit, I decided to take the cubs down Biscuit Hill road, so named because a cart of biscuits destined for General Rochambeau's army supposedly overturned there. Biscuit Hill road is less a road and more a slightly wider, straighter foot path. In fact, due to the lack of maintenance and that no previous foot traffic to flatten the snow, the regular trail may have been easier. One benefit of the road was that it avoided some ridge walking that would have been treacherous with ice. I was concerned for a bit that I would not find the right turn, but it was quite clear once we came apon it.

We walked down to Turkey Medow Brook, which we had crossed early in our hike. The boys paused to take a look. We turned right towards the cairns. There was a hike put on by the RI Wild Plant Society that talked about these structures, but I was busy that weekend. I did my best to explain what I knew of them.

A couple from our group sped ahead. I decided to walk so that I could still see the last member of our party, so my speedy friends left my sight. I learned later that a 15 year old sibling was wearing thin sneakers and had some major foot freeze going on. Ah, the lessons nature teaches us. No harm done.

Back in the parking lot we had hot chocolate with marshmallows. Near boiling hot chocolate was put into my car back home and two and a half hours later, it was still too hot to drink.