Gaia: Track Miles: 5.5mi  Duration: 2:20  Rating: 10/10

For half of the past 6 months, we’ve had rainy weekends, but we’ve learned to adjust and hike rain or shine. Thankfully, the rain had stopped when we arrived at the trailhead at Heritage Park in Chepachet, Rhode Island. But everything was still wet from the rain the night before. By the time we finished walking through a field of tall grass, we were soaked head to toe. Thankfully, the weather was warm, so being wet wasn’t a problem. Looking at the foliage, it felt like we may have hit peak leaf peeping season. Looking at the tree line, you can see the fall colors in the leaves as the leaves are changing color.

Our group hiked 5.5 miles from Heritage Park, over to Steere Farm, through Phillips Farm, and back to Heritage Park. It was our first time hiking in this area, and we were excited to see what awaited us on every trail. We came across a lot of deer scat on the trails, but no deer. The trails were wide and easily passable. We also saw a stone dam and many brooks with small waterfalls and sturdy bridges.

It’s always interesting to learn the history of the areas we hike. Heritage Park was once used for farming and logging in the 1800s. In the mid-1800s, a cotton mill was built on the property, but it was destroyed by a flood in 1867. In the early 1900s, the area was used as a summer camp for kids. Today, it’s a public park where people come to hike, picnic, and cross-country ski.

Both Steere Farm and Phillips Farm were established in the early 1800s. Over the years, the family farms have been used for a variety of purposes, including dairy farming, fruit farming, and logging. In the early 1900s, Steere Farm transitioned to a dairy farm and became one of the largest dairy farms in Rhode Island. In the mid-1900s, they transitioned to a fruit farm, which they continue to operate today. Phillips Farm transitioned from a dairy farm to a crop farm in the mid-1800s, but later closed because the soil was poor and the farm was no longer suitable for growing crops.

We enjoyed our hike through Heritage Park, Steere Farm, and Phillips Farm. The trails were well-maintained and offered a variety of scenery. We learned a lot about the history of the area and enjoyed the fresh air and just being outdoors despite the rainy weather. We would definitely recommend this hike to others.