Hiking Meadowbrook in the Carolina Management Area

Looking for a local trail teeming with wildlife and a diverse mix of hardwoods, pinewoods and fields? The trails throughout the Meadowbrook portion of Carolina Management area may be the answer. The cultivated fields around and throughout Meadowbrook are full of turkeys, butterflies and the occasional red tailed hawk.

Trail Map

Courtesy Google Maps

This trail will take approximately 1-1 ½ hour(s) to complete. The trail footing is gravel, sand, packed earth, roots, creek bed and grass fields. Plan on wet feet if taking the trail after a hard rain.

There is tall grassy areas so hikers are advised to wear long, light colored clothing and insect repellant to try to ward off ticks. Don’t forget the dog. Make sure the dog is up to date on all flea and tick prevention methods.

This area is accessed from Pine Hill Road in Richmond, RI. I usually park at the red barn to get walking on the road out of the way. From the parking lot at the red barn walk right on Pine Hill Road to the next parking area on the same side.

Trail Footing

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

From here walk through the larger parking area and hit the trail. Here the trail is mostly pines and is wide. This area abounds with lady slippers.

Lady Slippers

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The trail connects with another trail ignore the trail on the right and stay on the main trail. From here the trail turns to hardwoods and passes a historical cemetery with a stone bench.

Take the first right after the cemetery and proceed down a hill to a creek. Follow along the creek to the trail begins to climb. In this area a few walking trails cross the path, stay on the main path. The path slowly climbs up and levels out at a large field.

Mixed-Use Field

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

 

The field has mixed-use, corn and turf. Here the grass can be very tall. Follow the edge of the field to a trailhead. This trail cuts through a small hemlock grove. The footing is sandy and can have running water at times.

Hemlock Grove

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Take the first right and follow this trail through cultivated fields. Keep your eyes up and look for  hawks and other birds in trees on the edges of these fields. Turkeys can also be spotted in the fields.

Butterfly in Field

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The fields give way to pine woods and ends at the red barn.

Good luck and enjoy a walk on this trail.