George Washington Management Area – February 2, 2022

Frank at Bowdish Lake

With rain and sleet in the forecast, I decided to take some time off to join Henry, Earl and Frank for a snowshoe hike in the George Washington Management Area.

With over 4,000-acres, the George Washington Management Area is Rhode Island's second largest state property. The land was acquired during the 1930's by the US government and developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. During WWII the land was turned over to the State of RI. There are two blazed trails on the property. The white blazed Angell Loop follows the shore of Bowdish Lake and then passes through a section of the campground.

Henry, Frank, Earl and Erik

The longer Walkabout Trail was created in the late 1960's by Australian Navy sailors on temporary duty in Newport. The trail consists of a series of three loops blazed Orange (8-mile), Red (6-mile) and Blue (2-mile). Some of the Walkabout Trail is also the route of Rhode Island's North-South Trail.

We started at the parking lot, headed up the Washington Trail and bush-wacked through the woods to Wilbur Pond before heading back. From there we went down to check out the snow-covered beach on Bowdish Lake. Not a long trip – probably 1.5 to 2-miles, but it sure beats working.

Links:

My Pictures
George Washington Management Area Trail Map
George Washington Management Area
North-South Trail
George Washington Management Area from Explore Rhode Island

Older George Washington Management Area Trail Map