Block Island, Mohegan Bluffs

Posted By on October 6, 2018

Block Island, Mohegan Bluffs

4.3 miles; Block Island, RI

The annual PCHC Block Island Hike was nearly cancelled because the person who usually leads it pulled up lame with a bad knee (get better soon, Ernie!). Well yours truly stepped up and offered to lead it instead, so a small but merry band of hikers embarked for the Block on the 9:30 am ferry. We had great weather and a fantastic hike. Lots of fun, and I didn’t even lose anybody!

Leaving Point Judith

Leaving Point Judith

Arriving at Block Island

Arriving at Block Island

It was a gloomy, overcast day when we left Point Judith, but by the time we got to the island, the sun was out and the sky was blue. Great hiking weather.

First Stop, Southeast Light

First Stop, Southeast Light

I inadvertently walked the same route as last year backwards, so instead of finishing up with Southeast Light, we started with it. They were running tours to go up into the light, but they were kind of pricey, and most folks don’t carry too much money in their hiking gear, if at all, so we all passed.

Incredible Color Gradient

Incredible Color Gradient

The color gradient on the water from the Southeast Light lawn was amazing. I wonder if the lighter blue is caused by sand brought down by the Rhode Island glacier? Any geologists out there?

Wildlife

Wildlife

When we got to the steps down to the beach, we saw these Mallards or perhaps Rouen ducks in the parking area. They were quite tame, which makes me think they may be Rouens, which 1) are not great flyers and b) are commonly domesticated. They were pretty mellow.

Last Beach Rose of Summer

Last Beach Rose of Summer

There was still some life left in the beach roses, interspersed with lots of bright red rose hips.

The Group Hikes Down

The Group Hikes Down

I was not really too interested in a visit down to the beach at the bottom of the steps (142 total, I think), but the rest of the crew headed down.

Chicory

Chicory

There were still plenty of wildflowers around.

Llamas. Or Vicunas. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Llamas. Or Alpacas. Or Vicunas. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Whatever they were, I kept out of range—I wasn’t sure if these guys would bite. I mean, seriously, look at the teeth on that guy in back! We stopped to visit with the animals at North Light Fibers, which uses all kinds of exotic fibers (they even have a camel and a couple emus!) to make small batch artisan yarns. Check them out.

You can find out more about hiking on Block Island from this Visit New England website. As always, click the image above for details about this hike and to download the gps track.

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