Rebecca Crosby Southern Rhode Island Real Estate: Exeter West Greenwich

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Hiking Breakheart Loop Trail

Looking for a diverse trail that offers steep inclines, rocky footing and beautiful scenery of hardwoods? If so, Breakheart Loop Trail may be a great trail to try. The trail is located on the north half of Arcadia State Park in West Greenwich, RI.

Breakheart Loop Hiking Trail

Great Swamp Press Map

The trail takes approximately 4 hours. It crosses creeks that eventually feed into the Wood River. It borders Camp E-Hun-Tee and Alton Jones Campus.

Hill

The trail rambles through mostly hardwood forests but there are pine woods dotted throughout and fields of blueberry bushes.

Field of Blueberry Bushes

The footing is smooth at times; it can get a little “swampy” in some areas and goes up and down like a roller coaster. None of the hills are particularly challenging but there are many of them.

Drive down Frosty Hollow Road and take a left at the end onto Austin Farm Road. Take the first right and park at the beginning of the Shelter Trail.

Then, walk along Austin Farm Road to Matteson Plain. It will be the old dirt road that was at the end of Frosty Hollow Road.

Walk up Matteson Plain and take the second left. That is the beginning of Breakheart Loop Trail. There are connecting trail throughout this trail. Generally, staying right will keep you on the trail.

Follow the trail back to Austin Farm Road (note that this road is open to vehicular traffic), or try taking some of the shelter trails, or Penny Hill trail back to the car (for those who hate hiking dirt roads).

Monday, May 20, 2013

Mountain Bike Report: Breakheart Loop Trail

Breakheart Loop Trail, it seems it has been the “holy grail” of local trails. Local mountain bikers like to talk about the trail. Everyone knows a biker who “went over the bars” on this trail. It is slippery, frustrating, tricky and a technical trail. Which is why I wouldn't recommend it for most beginners. It is also beautiful and challenging; a tempting combination for mountain bikers.

Penny Trail Before Breakheart Loop Trail

How did I prepare for the “holy grail” of local trails? I didn’t, I actually took it on accident; which is why I am not including a trail plan, just the trail location. The trail goes behind Camp E-Hun-Tee and Alton Jones Campus.

Breakheart Loop Trail on Great Swamp Press Map

2 weeks ago I posted a Mountain Bike Report on Shelter Trail. It was such a smooth and fast trail I decided to try a new trail off Shelter trail. Unfortunately, the trail map did not specify that the trail I needed to take to get back was for hikers only. It had boards and a sign on the start of the trail stating that it was for hikers.

Shelter on Shelter Trail

I could have backtracked and been on the trail back to the car in less than 15 minutes. However, I am apparently incapable of backtracking. The only way back was Breakheart Loop, which I had to do in the rain.

Most mountain biker's take the trail counter-clockwise, I took it clockwise. The trail is rocky, hilly, has lots of roots and some gorgeous scenery. It has 2 wooden bridges across creeks. There are low hanging branches, and did I mention it was peppered with rocks, stones and roots.

Hill on Penny Hill Trail

If it wasn’t raining the footing would have been tricky. In the rain after a long ride before taking the trail it was slippery and at times frustrating.

Downhill on Shelter Trail

The trail took about an hour to complete. At the end on Matteson Plain Road I wanted to jump off my bike and kiss the dirt, but I was too exhausted.

It was a great ride that challenged my abilities and my patience. The terrain was everything riding in pristine and untouched Rhode Island woods should be. There were some beautiful areas lush and green. When I finished I thought, “I am never doing this again” but I am already planning my next trip.

Field of Blueberry Bushes