Ell & Long Pond Preserve

Hike Name: Ell & Long Pond Preserve Location: southwest RI Length: 6 Submitted by: Jim Porter Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Rhode Island trail reviews Rhode Island national parks Rhode Island state parks
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Description
This preserve which is owned in a unique partnership between The Nature Conservancy and The Department of Environmental Management is one of the most strikingly beautiful hikes in Rhode Island. The yellow-blazed Narragansett Trail which is maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club runs through the preserve and approximately 3 miles of hiking later ends at Ashville Pond to the ESE. The trail is quite steep and often slippery. After traversing through the jungle-like atmosphere of the rhododendron forest and walking over many and various rock formations you end up with a beautiful panoramic view high atop a glacial bedrock cliff. After fully exploring the scenic vistas and bold bedrock playground you can continue down a steep chasm with sheer walls and rocky steps to the floor of a cedar forest and wooded swamp. This path continues the Narragansett Trail. It winds through various unique vegitative zones, strange rock heaps, bogs, cedar, red maple and old growth forests. Deer, mink, otter, red fox, raccoon, opossum, cottontail rabbits, snowshoe hare, grey squirrel, red squirrel, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, woodcock, owl and hawk all are common sights at Ell Pond - a testimony to its pristine nature. The bobcat and coyote have also been reported in the area. Although this trail is relatively short it is moderate to difficult in its terrain. A normal, sure-footed adult should have no problems here though. This is not a place for very young children. Be ready to climb up and down many steep hills and rocky slopes.

NOTE: The Narragansett Trail starts far north of Ell Pond in the Arcadia Management Area. The southern half of this trail is profiled here.

IMPORTANT: RI state law requires all users of management areas to wear at least 200 square inches of day-glo orange visible from all angles during hunting season. Parts of the Narragansett Trail pass through hunting lands in the Ell/Long Pond preserve. Wear an orange hat or vest to avoid looking like a white-tailed deer.

Directions to Hike
Interstate 95 to exit 3B (Route 138 West toward Wyoming)

Keep following 138 West until a traffic light where 138 intersects with Route 3.

Bear slightly left onto Route 3 South.

Travel on Route 3 South for just over 3 miles.

Turn right onto Canonchet Road.

Follow Canonchet Road for 3.3 miles until you come to a sort of "T" intersection with a right turn arrow in front of you.

Turn left at this "T" intersection. That is Rockville Road although as of this report there is no sign.

Follow Rockville Road for about a mile when the road turns to dirt.

After the road turns to dirt look for the parking area for the preserve on your left.

There is enough space for two cars in the main parking area and is often already filled. There is additional parking along Rockville Road on the right just past the preserve entrance.

Keep an eye out for the yellow blazes. Sometimes they can be elusive.

Contact Information
http://www.tnc.org/ (go to Rhode Island Preserve Profiles - Ell/Long Ponds)

mrose@tnc.org (direct human contact)

http://www.huntri.com/wma.shtml (get a zipped file with maps of most wildlife management areas in RI. A topographical map of the Ell/Long Pond Preserve can be found in the Rockville Management Area map.

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