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Spencer Property: Ponagansett River Trail and Pot Luck Trail
Foster, Foster Land Trust
1.3 miles of trail
Moderate
Hunting is not allowed here but it is permitted on nearby land. Wear blaze orange during hunting season. More information
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.
Foster Land Trust's Spencer Property on Old Danielson Pike is home to a trail network for hikers hoping to experience the beauty of rural western Rhode Island. Find the trailhead for the Ponagansett River Trail at the parking area off Old Danielson Pike. This trail is yellow blazed and leads walkers to the Ponagansett River. The walk is easy with little elevation gain, however watch for rocky and muddy patches while walking. There will be other trails, including a red blazed trail leading to DEM land, coming off the Ponagansett River Trail. Be sure to follow the yellow blazes to get to the river. This trail is particularly good for cross country skiers after fresh snow.
To add to the hike, look for the blue blazed Pot Luck (or Eagle Loop) Trail nearer to the entrance of the Spencer Property. This trail can be muddy after wet weather and is much rockier than the Ponagansett River Trail, but does add some adventure as it travels around and through glacial boulder deposits and up to Pot Luck Rock. The hike should only take about 15 minutes extra but certainly adds some excitement to a visit to the Spencer Property.
There is a bench at the junction of the Ponagansett and Pot Luck Trails
Note that the trail map has two pages, one for the Ponagansett River Trail and a second showing more detail of the Pot Luck/Eagle Loop Trail.
Foster Land Trust web page for the Spencer Property
Dogs: Yes, on leash. Please pick up after pets.
Skiing/Snowshoeing: Yes, very good for cross country skiing.
This is a Creature Challenge site. The creature is on the Boulder Field Trail (Orange Trail).
Learn more about the Creature Challenge.
Parking Area Off Danielson Pike Trailhead
Driving Landmarks: From the east, follow Danielson Pike/RI-6 into Foster. Turn left onto Anthony Rd. If you reach the intersection of RI-6 and RI-95, you’ve missed the turn. Once on Anthony Rd, take the first right onto Old Danielson Pike. Almost immediately, look for the green 'Property of Foster Land Trust' sign across the street between poles #64 – 65 on Old Danielson Pike. There is a parking area for several cars there.
Parking: Yes: Parking lot, 5 spaces, no overnight parking
ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? Yes
Coordinates: 41° 49.183' N 71° 42.853' W See this location in: Google Maps Acme Maps
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Trailhead
Only trailheads related to this trail system are shown on this map. To see all trailheads go to the main map.
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The data on this website come from many sources, including volunteers and organizations across the state of Rhode Island and nearby parts of Massachusetts. We have done our best to make sure the data are accurate and up to date, but any information critical to the success of your trip should be confirmed before you start. The maps and information on this website should not be substituted for topographic maps or other more detailed maps and guides. We welcome corrections and additions. To send a correction or provide other feedback, please use our feedback form (see link above).
This site report was last updated on September 21, 2023
Comments:
Boulder field
Submitted by: Robb; August 25, 2024; 6:44 pm
Boulderfield Trail is a good name for it. But more like Boulderfield forest. Lots of climbing. Lots of boulders, but an enjoyable walk. Grooming is fair.
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We thoroughly enjoyed hiking this property
Submitted by: Anonymous; June 10, 2023; 8:38 pm
We thoroughly enjoyed hiking this property. We traveled along all except the red trail. The varied plants, birds and butterflies seen and heard along the way provided us with a most pleasant experience.
The map provided and the clearly marked trails were most helpful. The Boulder Trail was a little challenging for us, as there were many rocks along the trail as well as several areas where we had to cross streams that were dotted with slippery, moss covered rocks and branches. The yellow trail was fairly easy to traverse and seemed to have been less traveled than the orange or blue. We found the grass along the trail to be very high, especially along the pond, as well as throughout the rest of the trail all the way to the river.
It took us (3 adults and 1 dog) about 2 hours to hike these trails. It was a lovely day. The only negative part of this day was that we left with 34 ticks, despite the fact that we all had applied our tick repellent!
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