Hopkinton RI: Canonchet Preserves

Sign on RT 3 greeting visitors

About 1 mile off Exit 2 of Highway 95 is Canonchet Preserves. The preserve parking area is off of RT 3 and is clearly marked. The recently designated preserve has two main trails, both clearly marked. Here's the map:trail map

Sign warning about coyotes

Stairs on Lawton Foster RD North that lead to the Blue trail. 

The Blue trail (the Hoxsie trail) is about 1 mile long is on the north side of the preserve. It traverses  along the back side of Canonchet Farms. There are many stone piles along this trail.  These stone piles are evidence of colonial land clearing. There are many people that people these are from indigenous people; however, the amount of stone foundations, stone fences, and dams in the area show the amount of land clearing that was occurring in the this area.

The blue trail

One of the many rock piles on the blue trail

Old colonial dam on yellow trail

Not very visible because of the leaf litter is a man made trench that circles the hill. 

The Yellow trail (Canonchet trail) is also about a mile long and traverses along the south side of the preserve. The yellow trail offers some interesting colonial ruins, a mill, dam, house, and a pretty interesting man made cave that creates for some interesting stores.

Both of these trails connect at Lawton Foster RD, so it is possible to hike one trail and return on the other. If you are more adventurous you can cross Lawton Foster RD and continue hiking on the Yellow trail and eventually connect the Long and Ell pond trails by Ashville pond and Hike for hours! If you continue accross Lawton Foster you will see many more foundations and see what a large 1700 colonial village Canonchet was.

Foundation of a colonial house across from the mill on the yellow trail

Canonchet Preserves is not a technically advanced hike. It is pretty easy. There has been reports of aggressive coyotes on the trail, so if you bring your dog, it is best to keep it on a leash.Keep your eyes open for turkeys, deer, owls, woodpeckers, foxes and fishers.

Inside the foundation of a colonial mill on the yellow trail

Outside the foundation of the colonial mill

Small man made cave between the colonial house and mill. Many stories have been told about hiding riches, or children from colonial criminals have been told about this place. 

Bring a hiking stick because there might be a few muddy spots.