The Gal Pals have been coming out to Block Island for over 20 years and "there are over 25 miles of hiking trails that are open to the public, free of charge, to provide everyone with the chance to enjoy the island's natural beauty, heritage, and wildlife." The Nature Conservancy has named Block Island one of the "Last Great Places" in the Western hemisphere.

 

Directions- To reach the trail entrance, look for a post marker about 3.5 miles on the right hand side of Corn Neck Road. Turn down the dirt road and go straight about 1/2 mile until you reach a parking area where you will see the CLAY HEAD sign and information board.  Please note that mopeds are NOT allowed on dirt roads ( Islanders despise them) and bike riders should leave and lock bikes in the parking lot.

 

The Hike- easy and enjoyable and the time depends on whether you wish to do the complete hike of the Clay Head Trail or get the letterbox and retrace your steps. It is recommended that you stop in at the Nature Conservancy and pick up a walking trail map for $1.50. It goes to a great cause and the folks are wonderful. You will also get an idea as to how long a hike you would like it to be.

The trail runs east toward the ocean about 1/3 of a mile. (Here's a hint- Count your wooden planks.) You will pass Clay Head Swamp on your right, with scenic Littlefield Farm in the background. Soon you will reach an intersection in the trail. Turn left rather than heading toward the beach.  The Trail winds up above the clay bluffs for which the trail was named. You will spot many bank swallows who live in the bluffs during the summer. Take the time to stop for beautiful scenic overlooks of farm, pastures, beaches and ocean-it's worth it and so are you ! Continue along the main trail which is marked. Periodically, you will see other trails which join up heading away from the ocean and are unmarked. These are a part of Clay Head known as the "Maze". Stay on the Main Trail as it winds up and over the cliffs and passes through an open field on your left and dead tree snags throughout the background. Although tempting, do not drift off the Main Trail. Keep heading north. At the 4th set of wooden planks ( we told you to count) you will see a washout area on your right (east). Go 6 steps due west to the pond's edge and from there count 6 large boulders to your left.

The Block Island Vacation Letterbox is tucked in between the 6th and 7th boulders. Replace carefully when stamped in as many hikers use this trail.

You may retrace your steps back or continue on down to Sachem's Pond and the North Light. (There is a letterbox at North Light as well.)

The Gal Pals love Block Island and hope you enjoy the hikes as much as we do. Remember to leave this beautiful treasure better

than when you entered- by this we mean that we hope you will respect the land and its creatures and pick up a piece of trash that others might have left and we also hope that you will leave this place a better person for having been here. Blessings, The Gal Pals

 

Some of the birds spotted this vacation: Black crowned Night Heron, Northern Harrier, Great Egret, Little Egret, Eastern Towhee,Yellow Warbler, Yellow throated Warbler, Oyster Catcher, Great Blue Heron.