Walkabout Trail, George Washington Management Area

In June of 1965 while waiting for the delivery of three U.S. built destroyers, 300 Australian crew members of the H.M.A.S. "Perth" were usefully employed by helping develop the George Washington and Pulaski State Forests. This was named 'Operation Black Swan' and the result was The Walkabout Trail.

The trail consists of a main 8 mile loop (Orange) with connecting trails to break it up into 2 (Blue) or 6 miles (Red). The North South Trail also runs through this area. We had hiked the 2 and 6 mile loop last season, but since we were trying to condition ourselves for the Seek-the Peak event on Mt. Washington this year we wanted to go the 8 mile distance.

We accessed the trail in the George Washington Campground where we found a wooden engraved map of the trail loops with a box on top containing paper maps with the Walkabout story printed on the back of them.

Cristy at the trail head

This was Rusty's first time out hiking with us. We brought along his collapsible water bowl (square) and he also loves Cliff bars! I think this was a bit of a long hike for his first time, but we kept his pace and took advantage of the brook crossings to cool him down.

Brook crossing on the Orange loop 

The trail has mostly easy grades but there are a few inclines that will get your heart pumping. Not much scree but lots of roots, rocks (baby heads) nothing to difficult to step over or in between but large enough to keep your attention on foot placement. A few swampy spots on the return section of the red trail that can be really fun after a good rain, one misstep will have your shoe encased in swamp goo, fortunately for us it was very dry this time.

Bridge crossing, Orange loop section, Pulaski State Park

Signs of wildlife, Woodpeckers.

Another break & map check. It seemed like Orange section of the loop went on forever! While hiking through here we could hear cars racing at Thompson Motor Speedway.

Back at camp (Angell Loop #3) Rusty was knocked out! He completed the 8 mile loop and was fourth out of five off the trail. It took him about three days before he could perform any of his usual tricks again.

Ramen Noodles refuel after the hike

Hiking the Walkabout Trail gives you another one of those experiences that is tuff to find in Rhode Island, where you feel like your miles deep in the woods far away from civilization, that is until you see a car pass you about 200ft in the woods traveling on one of the 3 or 4 dirt roads that run through Pulaski State Park which the trail crosses at various points, you'll feel like your out and alone but you'll never be far from a vehicle access point.