River Trail to Shelter Trail Loop

This is a variant on the many ways you can hike around Breakheart Pond and the Shelter Trail. You can start at the Frosty Hollow fishing area (parking there), and cross over Frosty Hollow Rd and follow the Shelter Trail clockwise (white blazes). Keep your eyes open for the blazes as they can be somewhat faded in spots. As the recorded map shows, this part of the trail heads towards the northwest but then switches south and twists back and forth before heading back in a northerly direction. It can feel confusing to anyone who keeps an eye on the sun for direction - but stick to the trail and the blazes and you'll enjoy the walk. Most of this part of the hike is very easy over pine needles. Near the end of this section you cross though a long open field until you reach Plains Rd. (a drive-able dirt road). Turn right and follow this road for a half mile, then turn left at the 4 way crossing with Frosty Hollow Rd. through a red gate onto Matteson Plain Rd. (trail). Don't mistakenly turn into the RI DEM Education Center, this trail is a few hundred feet after that entrance. Matteson Plain Rd splits after a short while to the east and becomes the Newman Trail, which you will follow easily for .7 miles to the Hicks Trail on the right. The Hicks Trail hugs the western side of Breakheart Pond and is very flat, wide, and easy hiking. At the pond parking area, cross the bridge at the dam and make a sharp right back onto the Shelter (aka River) Trail. This is the most interesting part of the hike, where the trail follows alongside Breakheart Brook. It gets slippery and can be difficult after very wet weather. Nothing dramatic, but be prepared for muddy shoes and a few steep ups and downs. At approx. 1/2 mile from the bridge the trail bears up and to the left then comes to a fence opening with a 3 way trail intersection just after. Make a sharp right and follow this easy walk back to the parking area (about 10 minutes). Aside from the piece along the brook, this walk is all very easy and can be done in just over 2 hours with a few breaks.