The Story of the Yawgoog Trails
Trail and Map Discrepancies
There are several minor discrepancies between the Yawgoog map of 1998 and actual trail conditions. Suggestions for resolving the inconsistencies are included.
Blue Trail
The map shows the Blue Trail as drifting off to the northwestern corner; the trail should be redrawn so that it connects with the Freeman Trail. A dashed line could lead into the northwestern corner of the map, with an arrow and "To Green Fall Pond."
Green Trail
The map shows the Wo-Jack and Wilcox branches of the Green Trail as being marked in double-dotted side trails. In the field, the trails are actually marked with single markings. It is recommended that the next revision of the map show the two paths with single markings as part of the main route. The main route would start near Hemlock Ledge and run to the Sawdust Pile, then proceed on the Wo-Jack Trail, and then on the Wilcox Trail. The main Green Trail would then end where it begins, near Hemlock Ledge. It is also recommended that the vertical bar on the map that marks the trail end near Hemlock Ledge be changed to a star, as the beginning of the trail. A path, unmarked in the field and not shown on the map, leads westward into Connecticut from the Sawdust Pile; signage is needed at the Sawdust Pile, incuding a "No Horses" sign facing Connecticut.
The map shows the Symbol Rock Trail in single dots. The Symbol Rock Trail is a side-trail and, in the field, it is correctly marked in double dots. The map should be revised to show the Symbol Rock Trail in double dots, as well.
The Twelve-man Shelter, at the juncture of the Death Valley and Wilcox trails, is missing from the map; it is recommended that it be restored.
Orange Trail
A somewhat rusted "Lizard Ledge" sign is incorrectly placed near Old Baldy, after the Orange Trail leaves Toad Rock, but before it reaches the Protestant Cathedral. "Lizard Ledge" is behind the ceremonial site near The Glen; a dot should be placed on the map for Lizard Ledge, near the symbol for the Ranger's cabin. "The Glen" should also be added to the map, near "Lattner Cabin."
Red Trail
The map shows single marks from the beginning of the Rim Trail, over to North Road (Long Bridge Road), then on to Long and Ell ponds. Because the main Red Trail now runs to the Sawdust Pile, the map's single markings from the Rim Trail to North Road should be changed to double markings. It is recommended that the map's Red Trail markings running down Long Bridge Road to Long and Ell ponds be removed, as the AMC Narragansett Trail marks that section in yellow markings in the field. The vertical bar marking the end of the trail at Long and Ell ponds can be removed from the map, and a dashed line can illustrate the trail, along with the existing arrow. The "To Long Pond" should be changed to "To Long and Ell ponds." In the field, the trail between the Rim Trail juncture and North Road is unmarked; double-red markings are recommended. It is recommended that the star where the Rim Trail and George Utter Trail meet be removed; it used to mark the beginning of the Green Trail.
The Red Trail currently ends at the Southwest Marker. It is recommended that it be extended slightly to the Sawdust Pile. This would keep the main Green Trail as a loop on the Wo-Jack and Wilcox trails. If the extension is made, the single green markings on the map between the Southwest Marker and the Sawdust Pile should be changed to single red markings. A vertical bar could be placed beside the Sawdust Pile on the map to mark the end of the Red Trail there. In the field, that same short section currently has few color markings, apart from metal property line discs on trees; color markings should be added.
The map shows the double marks of a side path to the edge of Old Settler's Point. The trail is now overgrown toward the end; the trail should be cleared and marked in the field, or it should be removed from the map.
A dot for Snapper Rock should be added to the map between "Wells Fargo" and "Eagle Trail." "Glacier Rock Park" should also be added to the map in the same area.
White Trail
The map lists an unnamed campsite near Smuggler's Cliffs; it is recommended that "Atlas" be added for the campsite name.
Yellow Trail
A few double-yellow markings are recommended for the map to show the way from the main Yellow Trail to the Deer Cove campsite. Old, double-yellow markings are present in the field. Signage is needed in Cooning Orchard, especially signs pointing the way for the AMC Narragansett Trail.
Cove Trail
The Cove Trail is not marked on the map, due to overgrowth in some areas and because it runs through several campsites. Some thought should be given to clearing the trail and marking it in the field and on the map; it would make for a pleasant walk during the off-season. A dot should be added to the map for Toenail Rock between campsites Scott and Zuccolo. "Chief's Grove" should be placed where "Grand Canyon" is currently. "Grand Canyon" should be moved closer to "The Fortress."
Galkin Trail
It is suggested that an arrow be placed near the Anthony Shelter symbol on the map with "To Beach Pond."
Horses are prohibited in Yawgoog, which is posted private property. In the past, trespassing horse entered the property on the Red Trail from North Road. If horse riders, hoof prints or feces are observed on trails, please contact Narragansett Council; the Hopkinton Police Department may be contacted at 401-377-7750. Horse feces may contain the parasites giardia and cryptosporidium; infected horses may not display symptoms (Lloyd pp. 508-509). This becomes an additional threat to Yawgoog's water quality. Furthermore, leaving feces behind may constitute littering and vandalism under Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-15-3(4) and § 11-44-1(a)).
Hunting is prohibited in Yawgoog at all times; the perimeter of the property is well-posted. If a hunting stand is found, please contact the Hopkinton Police Department at 401-377-7750.
Illegal hunting stand
While Yawgoog operates a GeoScouting program for its campers in summer, someone outside of Scouting has placed a cache on the property. The cache is "Who's [sic] Line is it Anyway?" (GC11XBM) and its description does not indicate landowner permission. The cache is located under a boulder on Dinosaur Rock on Yawgoog's Blue Trail at N 41° 32.104 W 071° 47.458.
Illegal dumping is an occasional problem along North Road. If debris is found, please contact Narragansett Council.
Unofficial