Neutaconkanut Hill

Posted By on June 1, 2019

Neutaconkanut Hill

2 miles; Providence, RI

Back in the day (early to mid 70s), the staff and families of Channel 36 in Providence used to come up here for their summer picnics. It’s been that long since I was here. And I must say I’ve never met a more welcoming group than the Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy, who sponsored this hike. Very nice folks and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend you join them on at least one of their First Saturday hikes (see their website, link below, for details).

Excellent Signage

To begin with, there is excellent signage, and the blazing is also very complete. And there is a nice system of trails here.

Hay Scented Ferns

Early summer is in full swing, and the woods are alive and lush.

Carcases. Get it? CARcases?

We were told by our hike leader that these were (probably stolen) Camaros. M-kay. Couldn’t prove it by me. He said it was just too expensive to remove them. I kind of like the idea of them rotting in place.

Wild Geraniums

The wild geraniums were in full bloom, and there were spots where they were abundant.

Exploded Boulder

This was a glacial erratic boulder that was supposedly threatening to tumble down on a couple of local businesses, and (this was back in the 40s) they decided to remove the threat by exploding it. Pretty cool.

View from the Meadow

View from the Meadow

Naturally the views from the top of this hill, the highest point in Providence, are somewhat obscured by the summer foliage, but we are told that in winter you can see for many miles. Even with the trees in full leaf this view was pretty impressive.

WPA Legacy

WPA Legacy

There is a cement walkway and an extensive stone stairway here that is the legacy of the Works Progress Administration. Over 80 years later and we’re still using their handiwork.

You can find out more about this urban gem of a park and download a trail map from the website of the Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy. As always, click the image above for details about this hike and to download the gps track.

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