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The Story of the Yawgoog Trails

Quick Reference Summary: Connecticut Countryside

Total distance: 11.6 miles (18.6 kilometers)
Total hiking time: approximately 5 hours

Caution: Hikers should be very careful, by wearing at least 400 square inches (2,580 square centimeters) of blaze orange material, such as a vest, when hiking in Connecticut during the state's hunting season. The hunting season starts on September 1 and runs through the end of February. The portion of the Narragansett Trail between Route 49 (Pendleton Hill Road) and Tom Wheeler Road in North Stonington is on land owned by the Groton Sportsmen's Club; hiking is prohibited on that stretch of trail from October through March. Hunting is prohibited in Yawgoog.

From Ryder Road, the blue blazes of the Narragansett Trail head northeast to immediately climb Cossaduck Hill. The trail eventually descends to a 4-way intersection. Unmarked paths lead right (south) and straight ahead (east), while the blue blazes lead left (north). Within a few yards, the blue markers veer right (northeast) -- avoiding a more obvious, but unmarked, path that leads to an area of the forest that has been subjected to logging.

The trail soon descends to Yawbucs Brook and crosses it 3 times before reaching an unnamed pond. The trail continues northeast near and along the pond as it tapers off into the brook; the trail then hugs the brook briefly before crossing it. Hikers will soon cross a dirt road and cross the brook one last time before reaching the boat launch on Wyassup Lake.

The trail follows Wyassup Lake Road northeast very briefly and turns left (north) onto a dirt road at a gate. At a three-way intersection of dirt roads, veer right (northeast). The trail's footpath soon leaves the dirt road by turning left (north), then crosses a stream and a right-of-way for a fiber optic cable. Hikers will soon climb High Ledge, then descend to cross a stream in a ravine. The trail turns right (east) onto the dirt Legendwood Road. After passing a deteriorated, stone-lined foundation hole of an old homestead off to the right (east), the road soon arrives at a three-way intersection of dirt roads; the trail turns left (northwest) onto a road that descends to the base of a rock outcrop called Bullet Ledge. The trail briefly leaves the road by veering left (west) and climbing the ledge, then descending it to meet the road again at a three-way intersection of dirt roads. The trail follows the road straight ahead (east) and then quickly veers left (north) from the dirt road onto a footpath. The footpath parallels a very long rock formation, seen to the left (northwest). After walking among stone walls, the footpath reaches another intersection of dirt roads, near two foundation holes.

From the intersection the trail/road goes east and quickly bends left (north). After a few yards, the trail leaves the road by turning sharply to the right (southeast). The trail meanders through the forest, turning north, then east, then south, and following Myron Kinney Brook upstream. The trail climbs Pendleton Hill to an intersection with a dirt road near a private cabin, turning right (south) onto the road. The blue blazes follow on or near the dirt road until a three-way intersection of dirt roads is reached. The trail follows Legendwood Road left (east) into a residential area at the intersection with Johnson Road. The trail, on the now paved road, veers right (east) to meet Route 49 (Pendleton Hill Road). The trail turns right (southeast) onto Route 49. Please walk carefully in single-file on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic. The trail soon leaves the road by turning left (east), opposite the First Baptist Church.

The next stretch of Trail is on land owned by the Groton Sportsmen's Club; hiking is prohibited from October through March. Please be sure to stay on the marked trail. Leaving Route 49, the trail descends on a grassy road to cross a stream on a large, flat stone slab, then rises and continues along the edge of the adjacent farm, another foundation hole can be seen just off the trail to the left (northeast). The trail runs through the forest to emerge at the Club's fishing pond; public fishing is prohibited. The marked trail crosses the earthen dam and climbs a dirt road to meet an intersection of grassy roads, then turns left (north) to reach the Babcock Cemetery, seen to the right (east). Just after the cemetery, the trail leaves the road by turning right (north), reaches another grassy road, turns left (north) and then turns right (east) to leave Club property on the paved Tom Wheeler Road.

Turn left (north) on the road and follow the blue markings on utility poles. The footpath soon veers right (east) from the road, returning to the forest. The trail crosses a stream, descends a rock formation and then crosses an intermittent stream 3 times; the Patch Trader geocache is near the third crossing -- a small waterfall. The trail crosses one more stream before reaching Green Fall Road. The trail turns right (northeast) onto the road, which descends to Green Fall River. At this point, the blue blazes of the Narragansett Trail leave the road by turning left (north) and following the river upstream to Green Fall Pond. This hike, however, continues east on the road to camp; please walk single-file on the left side of the road.

Green Fall Road crosses Peg Mill Brook, then rises to meet Denison Hill Road (also known as Laurel Glen Road and Laurel Hill Road), which enters from the right (south). Continuing northeast on Green Fall Road from the intersection with Denison Hill Road, the hike finally returns to Camp Yawgoog at the Rhode Island-Connecticut border -- the start of the Blue Trail, which overlaps the Narragansett Trail. Metcalf Lodge is farther east down the road.

For the full description of this hike, please see Connecticut Countryside.