Press & Media
Trail Ambassadors Announce Spring Hiking Series
Volunteer Trail Ambassadors with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor have planned a spring hiking series. Volunteer Phil Johanson offers hikes in the Massachusetts portion of the National Heritage Corridor, and Ernie Germani covers the Rhode Island portion. Massachusetts hikes are at 10 a.m., and Rhode Island hikes are at 9 a.m.
You can RSVP to receive event updates at https://bit.ly/bhchikes2025.
Saturday, March 8
Douglas State Forest Midstate Trail Hike
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Douglas State Forest,107 Wallum Lake Road, Douglas, MA
Hike Leader: Phil Johanson
This hike is 4.5 miles with rocky footing. We’ll hike along the Cedar Swamp Trail, Coffee House Loop, and Midstate Trail to the Rhode Island state line.
Meet at the boat ramp. Parking fees do not apply.
Saturday, March 22
Cormier Woods Hike
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Cormier Woods, 217 Chapin Street, Uxbridge, MA
Hike leader: Phil Johanson
This is a three-mile wooded hike to visit the ruins of an 1890 White Homestead. Interesting granite work. Listen for lions roaring from nearby Southwick’s Zoo.
Meet at the parking area near 217 Chapin Street.
Sunday, March 30
Cumberland Monastery Hike
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Cumberland Library Parking Lot, 1464 Diamond Hill Road, Cumberland, RI
Hike leader: Ernie Germani
DISTANCE: 2-3 miles +/-
DIFFICULTY: Fairly easy
The Blackstone Heritage Corridor Trail Ambassadors welcome you to visit the Cumberland Monastery for a fairly easy, two-to-three-mile hike. This site, a former Cistercian monastery, now owned by the town of Cumberland, is home to the oldest war veteran’s memorial in the United States. The memorial, Nine Men’s Misery, lies toward the beginning of the trek, which will lead to the Monk’s Quarry Trail. From there we will do a loop through the property.
Orange is not required. This hike will be done at a leisurely pace, so be sure to bring your camera! Also, be sure to wear bug spray and to bring some water.
Saturday, April 5
Waters Farm Hike
10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
53 Waters Road, Sutton, MA
Hike Leader: Phil Johanson
This is a new hike at the Waters Farm living history homestead. It will be a 2.5-mile wooded hike where we’ll visit the Indian Praying Snake Trail and view a glacial gorge and boulder field. The hike will include a tour of the 1700s farmhouse and a steep downhill hike to the shore of Manchaug Pond. Wear proper footwear.
Meet at the Darling Barn in the lower lot of 53 Waters Road, Sutton, MA.
Saturday, April 12
Camp Shepard
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
71 Colwell Road, Greenville, RI
Hike leader: Ernie Germani
DISTANCE: 3 miles +/-
DIFFICULTY: Moderate, some hills and rock scrambling
The Blackstone Heritage Corridor Trail Ambassadors welcome you to visit Camp Shepard for a moderate three-mile hike. This site, a former Boy Scout Camp, now owned by the the Town of Smithfield, offers a loop around Sprague Upper Reservoir as well as many streams and trickling waterfalls. It is one of the newest trail systems in Rhode Island (and in Ernie’s opinion, one of the nicest).
Orange is not required. This hike will be done at a leisurely pace, so be sure to bring your camera! Also, be sure to wear bug spray and to bring some water.
Saturday, April 19
Castle Hill Farm
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
72 Castle Hill Road, Whitinsville, MA
Hike Leader: Phil Johanson
This is a nice 2+ mile hike with water views, granite quarry, wooded trails with sections of open field. Rich in mill history. We’ll have a guest speaker to talk about the site.
Saturday, May 3
Mendon Town Forest
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
2 Southwick Street, Mendon, MA
Hike Leader: Phil Johanson
This wooded hike is 3.5 miles long. Things you’ll see include 1830s ruins of Taft homestead and 1876 rock art. Hear stories of the dance hall and the legend of Caleb the Indian.
Parking is at the very back of Southwick’s Zoo lot. Meet at the kiosk near the trailhead.
Saturday, May 17
Warren Brook Conservation Area
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
16 Oak Knoll Road, Upton, MA
Hike Leader: Phil Johanson
This is a new hike! This 4-mile wooded hike has some good downhill and uphill areas. This will be during mud season, so plan accordingly.
Meet at the cul de sac near 16 Oak Hill Road, Upton, MA. Do not block driveways or mailboxes.
Sunday, May 18
Hawkins Pond
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Putnam Pike, Glocester, RI
https://www.glocesterlandtrust.org/properties/hawkins-pond
Hike leader: Ernie Germani
DISTANCE: 1.5 miles +/-
DIFFICULTLY: Fairly Easy.
The Blackstone Heritage Corridor Trail Ambassadors welcome you to visit Hawkins Pond for an easy mile and half mile hike. The pond itself is created by an earthen dam along Mary Brown Brook. The dam also has a spillway making for a nice waterfall. The orange loop on the east side of the pond is traversed by a green-blazed trail that leads to Pulaski Road. On the west side of the pond is the mile-long pink-blazed trail that reaches into the stretches of the woods. The dam offers a bench and there are remnants of yesteryear at the bottom of the dam.
Saturday, May 31
Stowe Meadows Conservation Area
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
48 Carleton Road, Millbury, MA
Hike Leader: Phil Johanson
Phil will introduce a new trail on this 2.5-mile hike. Visit the almost forgotten Riches Mill Dam (an impressive structure), the Indian Burial Site, and Ramshorn Brook.
Park near 48 Carleton Road, Millbury. Limited parking at this site. Carpool if possible.
Saturday, June 7
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Mercy Woods
0 Sumner Brown Road, Cumberland, RI
Hike leader: Ernie Germani
DISTANCE: 3 miles +/-
DIFFICULTY: Fairly easy
The Blackstone Heritage Corridor Trail Ambassadors welcome you to visit Mercy Woods for a fairly easy three-mile hike. Mercy Woods is a Cumberland Land Trust property wedged in the Northeast corner of Rhode Island. We will climb some hills, cross a few streams, pass several stone walls, large boulders, and outcrops, walk along a ridge, through a forest floor of ferns, and a field. This property offers a bit of everything.
Saturday, June 14
Douglas State Forest Mountain Laurel Hike
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
110 Wallis Street, Douglas, MA
Hike Leader: Phil Johanson
This is a three-mile hike to Bad Luck Pond. It will be gorgeous if we hit the Mountain Laurel in bloom.
The dirt parking area is near 110 Wallis Street, Douglas, MA