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Handy Pond

Lincoln, Town of Lincoln

4.0 miles of trail

Moderate

Close

Very Easy

Trails that are smooth and relatively level with no steps, no roots, stones or uneven ground. These may be paved, crushed stone, continuous boardwalk and similar surfaces. These trails have a route that is quite obvious such as a single point to point trail or an easy loop or network of trails.

Easy

Relatively flat and smooth trails with a route that is quite obvious such as a single point to point trail or an easy loop or network of trails.

Moderate

May have a few hills or steep sections and multiple surface types including rocks and roots. Trails are generally well-marked but following them requires a trail map.

Difficult

Strenuous trails, trail systems that mostly involve multi-mile loops and trails that are narrow and may have obstacles such as stream crossings or rocky areas, some trails are less well marked.

Click on the "Trail Map (PDF)" button to download a PDF of the trail map that you can print and take with you on the trail.

Avenza maps are special, free maps that you can use in the Avenza app on your smart phone. These maps let you see your location on the map as you walk. Download the Avenza App for free in the Apple App Store or on Google Play

Click on the Avenza Trail Map button to "purchase" the free map for this trail from the Avenza map store. If this is your first time, Avenza will ask you to set up an account to check out. However, all Avenza trail maps listed on ExploreRI are free.

In Rhode Island the primary hunting seasons typically run from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and from the third Saturday in April to the last day in May, however this can vary from year to year and depends on what game is being hunted. During hunting season you should wear at least 200 square inches (a hat OR a vest) of blaze orange. During shotgun deer season, which is typically in December, you should wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange (a hat AND a vest). For more information see the RI DEM website.

The Big Sign at the TrailheadThe Sign Marking the Start of the Trail

What’s There:

Visitor Rating: starstarstar2/3 starempty star

Based on 4 reviews with ratings

See what other people have said

The Handy Pond trails are located on a relatively hidden piece of open space in Lincoln, sandwiched between the villages of Manville and Albion on Old River Road. Locals will know the area for Rochambeau Pond: a popular largemouth bass and trout fishing spot stocked by RI DEM. Beyond the pond, hikers will find miles of cleared trails winding up and down small hills past the pond and feeder streams. Walk to see the old cemetery, stone walls, and cart paths that illustrate the history of the land. Look for the rock outcropping that, after a quick scramble up in winter, will afford views of the high points in nearby Cumberland.

The trails are color coded (see the map), which is helpful to observant hikers, but there is no information about the lengths of the trails. Please respect abutting neighborhoods and private property.

This description is adapted, with permission, from Trails and Walks Rhode Island.

Dogs: Yes, Please keep dogs leashed and pick up waste.

Skiing/Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing is viable if the snow is deep

Other Amenities: Fishing for largemouth bass and trout is very popular in Rochambeau Pond. The RI DEM annually stocks the pond with Trout.

Getting There:

Trailhead Across from Crestwood Lane Trailhead

Google Maps is the mapping system used on the new ExploreRI maps and shows the trailhead located on a terrain view, a street map or an aerial photograph. Clicking on this link will take you to the full Google Maps website, which is not part of ExploreRI.org.
Acme Maps shows the trailhead located on a topographic map. The Acme Maps website is not part of ExploreRI.org.

Driving Landmarks: The trailhead is on Old River Road, 150 feet north of Crestwood Lane. There is a small pullout with space for 2-3 cars but more cars can park on the shoulder of Old River Road. Look for a sign that says "Town of Lincoln, Handy Pond Preserve."

Parking: Yes: , no overnight parking

Coordinates: 41° 57.244' N    71° 28.144' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Acme Maps


 

Handy pond trail

Submitted by: Teri; June 8, 2020; 2:08 pm

Not very well maintained. Trails ate not clearly marked. Lots of bugs. So sad, it is a nice place.

Rating:

starstar

Great place

Submitted by: Luke; April 7, 2020; 6:22 pm

I grew up down the street from these trails hiked them every week and always found something new now that I am older thinking about going back to bring back memories side note wondering if that old beat up car is still buried in the woods guess I’ll have to find out

Rating:

starstarstarstarstar

Nice Woods - Map Needs Improvement

Submitted by: Brian Maynard; March 28, 2020; 7:36 pm

I would have given this preserve 5 stars but for the map, which has serious problems. It is very hard to follow - the colors do not always match the blazes - and the trails are poorly marked. How hard is it to get the colors right? The "pink" trail is marked with red, navy blue and sky blue paint - like what? The "green cart" trail is marked with blue? Very confusing. Turns in the trail are not marked at all. We got really lost a few times and luckily met a hiker that directed us back to the trailhead.

Enough complaining - the woods and power lines are wonderful. This is a typical rich woods site with black birch, red oak, black oak. shagbark hickory and more. We were there in late March and hope to come back in May during the spring ephemeral bloom. Lots of nice moss covered rocks too!

It is obvious that there are lots of deer in here - so we will be checking for ticks tonight. Only one more negative - Rt 146 and I-295 are very noisy at the south end of the hike - but only for a bit and not a huge deal. We highly recommend this hike - despite the drawbacks.

Rating:

starstarstarstar

Handy Pond

Submitted by: Steve; October 13, 2019; 10:09 am

Great place for a short hike.

Rating:

starstarstarstar

Photographs:

Photo Credit: Steve

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This site report was last updated on February 27, 2019

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