The Town of Plymouth's Little Island Pond Conservation Area lies just north of Great Island. Hiking within the conservation area is moderately easy along a winding, rolling foot path with a few steep slopes here and there (view topo). The 1 2/3 mile (350 foot vertical) hike will take you about an hour. You can start and end your hike from within the community at the Great Pointe Path.
Aerial Photograph (Spring, 2006)
Click on the image to see an enlarged version showing the major turns along the route.
The route in the image above (in red) allows you to walk the entire conservation area on a well established foot trail. The Town of Plymouth has placed trail markers at the Island Pond Road entrances (#1 and #4 above) and along the entire length of this trail.
Because of it's winding nature, the trail appears to have been laid out (rather than occurring naturally) and is kept open by dirt bikes. The entire trail is under a thick white pine canope and is quite attractive although you encounter some trash along the way. The trail segment on the east runs along the pond and is protected from road noise by the steep slope between it and Beaver Dam Road. Your travels along the trail to the west, although more challanging, will be disturbed by road and transfer station noise and (during leaf off) a view of the landfill.
Below are some photographs taken in April, 2007 along the conservation area trail. The picture on the left shows the landfill in April as it can bee seen from the trail. The picture on the right shows a half-dozen washing machines that some-how landed along the trail although it's hard to guess how since there's no road near-by.
Click to Enlarge
Click to Enlarge
HINT: This is an unimproved trails so waterproof hiking boots are advisable during wet periods. However, walking shoes would be perfectly suitable when it's dry.
