The Story of the Yawgoog Trails
The Beachgoer
Total distance: 11.2 miles (18.1 kilometers)
This hike starts at the state line on Camp Yawgoog Road and follows the AMC Narragansett Trail to Green Fall Pond in Voluntown, Connecticut. The route follows the CFPA Pachaug/Narragansett Crossover to the beach at the pond, then takes the CFPA Pachaug Trail to the former swimming area at Beach Pond in Exeter, Rhode Island. The AMC Tippecansett Trail is followed into Yawgoog until it meets Yawgoog's Galkin Trail. The hike travels on the Galkin Trail and then the White Trail to Metcalf Lodge, the dining hall for Camp Sandy Beach. The hike ends at the Sandy Beach waterfront.
Caution: Hikers should be very careful, by wearing at least 400 square inches (2,580 square centimeters) of blaze orange material, such as a vest, when hiking this route during hunting season. The hunting season starts on September 1 in Connecticut and on the third Saturday of October in Rhode Island; hunting season in both states runs through the end of February. Orange is also required in Rhode Island from the last thursday in April through May 31. Hunting is prohibited in Yawgoog.
Readers should consult the descriptions for the Blue Trail and Green Fall Pond Area for the first part of the journey. The Beachgoer route follows the red-on-blue blazes of the Pachaug/Narragansett Crossover to a dirt road that services the beach area of Green Fall Pond; from the same spot, the solid blue blazes of the Pachaug Trail lead north from the road, and soon pass through a narrow rock split.
Split rock in Pachaug Trail
After the split, the trail crosses a stream and later reaches a three-way intersection with a wider bike path on a rock ledge. Proceed left (north) at this first intersection to a second three-way intersection of dirt roads a few feet away. Bear right (northeast) and follow the road (Tar Kiln Road) until the Pachaug Trail leaves it by turning right (northeast). Hikers will cross streams (some intermittent) and travel among farmer cairns until Route 138 is reached.
After carefully crossing Route 138, hikers will cross a stream bed and arrive at an intersection with a dirt road; turn right (east) and keep an eye on the blue trail markers. As the road bends to the right (southeast), the trail abruptly leaves the road by heading left (east) and crosses a stream.
The route climbs to meet a grassy road. To the right (southeast), is a Pachaug-Tippecansett Crossover, marked in red-on-blue blazes; the crossover meets the yellow-blazed Tippecansett Trail at the Rhode Island-Connecticut border in 0.6 mile (1 kilometer). The solid blue blazes of the Pachaug Trail head left (northwest) from the intersection and soon reach another intersection; bear right (northeast). The trail enters a muddy area damaged by vehicles, then crosses a stream.
Some of the Pachaug Trail damage caused by vehicles
The Pachaug Trail meets a dirt road a few yards from Route 165 (Beach Pond Road). Proceed to Route 165 and cross it very carefully, turning right (southeast). Walking single file on the left side, facing oncoming traffic, walk downhill toward Beach Pond. Hikers will soon be able to walk behind the guard rail, then use the sidewalk after entering Rhode Island. Route 165 is known as Ten Rod Road in Rhode Island.
Panoramic view of southern Beach Pond from Ten Rod Road/Route 165
Larger image, 56 kilobytes
The Pachaug Trail meets the yellow-blazed Tippecansett Trail at the former swimming area at Beach Pond. The Beachgoer route returns to camp by crossing Route 165 and following the Tippecansett Trail, the Galkin Trail and then the White Trail to the Sandy Beach dining hall; hikers should review the detailed descriptions for these trails. The hike ends at the Sandy Beach waterfront.
Trail-related Links
- Maps
- Green Fall Pond Area (JPG, 345 kilobytes)
- Beach Pond Area (JPG, 482 kilobytes)
- Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP)
- Fall Foliage Report
- Fishing
- Hunting
- State Parks and Forests
- Park and Forest Regulations (PDF)
- Park and Forest Maps
- Pachaug State Forest
- Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Park and Management Area Regulations (PDF)
- Wildlife Management Area Maps (Arcadia, Rockville, etc.)
- Arcadia Wildlife Management Area
- Beach Pond Recreation Area
Unofficial