Punked by a pond
When a watery oasis becomes an ordeal
Every organization that creates and maintains walking trails has its Big Bad—a trail that’s tough enough to merit a warning like, “This is the most challenging trail in our network; tread carefully.” But the Big Bads that really intrigue me are the ones found under the banners of organizations that aren’t reputed for offering rigorous trails. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is a good example. Their mission, “to protect birds, other wildlife, and their habitat through conservation, education, and advocacy,” does not revolve around rock hoppers and adrenaline junkies. Most Audubon Society trails are gentle and meandering enough to make a walk in the woods feel like meditation.
But when it comes to scenic footpaths, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island has a sting in its tail. You see, they’re the primary land steward for the Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge, which is sequestered away from the din of Providence and Newport in the leafy hills of southwestern Rhode Island. And if you spend any time trawling the various subreddits dedicated to life in Little Rhody, you eventually come to learn that the hike to Long Pond is considered to be one of the most grueling hikes in the state.
