Posted By auntie on October 28, 2014

1.85 miles; lincoln, ri

i had to be in lincoln for personal reasons, so while i was there, i stopped in to visit the nature conservancy’s limerock preserve. i had been here once before on a rhode island wild plant society walk, but many many years ago. the main thing that stuck in my mind for lo these many years was that most of the trail was on an old railroad bed, and in one spot it had been built up spectacularly high with the reservoir on one side and a steep drop off on the other. this is still the case. it boggles the mind to think that this was all done in the days before giant power excavators and such.

the railroad bed

the main path is a short lollipop loop, and most of it runs along the old railroad bed. the nice shiny sign at the trail head says it was an electric trolley line. i ain’t buying it, and here’s why…

clinker

this is most decidedly a coal “clinker,” which is the conglomeration of minerals and other stuff left after coal is burned off. and this trail is littered with them. so no, i don’t think it was an electric trolley line. at least not for some stretch of time.

manton reservoir

here is the reservoir that the trail loops around. really pretty… we’ve had some amazingly long-lasting color here this year.

limestone

and if you were wondering about the name “limerock,” wonder no more. this area is full of limestone, and there is a vast limestone quarry just up the road from here. interestingly, because this parcel is atop a big limestone vein, the flora is unusual for rhode island, and new england, for that matter, because the lime in the soil increases the soil pH so much. if i recall correctly, this parcel is home to a lot of sugar maples, which aren’t usually found in this part of the world. i think i’m remembering that correctly… it’s been a long time since that riwps walk!

i have added the limerock preserve to the hikefinder.

Categories: Easy Walks, Rhode Island, Walks and Hikes
Tags: 2 miles or less, Lincoln RI, RI