459.     Hiking Critters on "Wanda's Wanda-rings"
A sweet lollipop loop through the Bald Hill portion of Arcadia to find four adorable hiking animals carved by Bluegoatz of MA

This little group of cute Burgess/Cady critters with hiking sticks was carved by Bluegoatz to come join the trail fun on the "Wanda's Wanda-rings" series presently in Exeter, RI. However, for those who have already done that series, or for those who prefer sampling a much shorter loop (less than 2 miles round trip), this animal troupe can also "stand on its own two feet"!

Start at the same place off Bates g Road as for the "Wanda-rings", pass by the gate, and hike up the old road. Where the yellow trail forks right for AT#1, continue straight on the blue trail all the way to where the blue trail forks right, and a little brown loop sign points left. (This is the area we call "great triangle island", and PCT#2 can be found nearby.) Continue walking left to another fork with a 25-foot snag at its head. Bear right here and go about 35 steps to a small cross trail (at which AT#5 is just a bit north off to the right). To find the little animals, turn left here so that you are now following the "Wanda-rings" series, past the Catamount Trail near two mossy rocks on either side of the trail.

From that trail point adjacent to the two mossy rocks, continue about 300 feet to stand on a low rock in the trail, then a dozen more steps to a rotting log on the left parallel to the trail. Standing on the far side of the log and using a bit of imagination, the root end could almost be said to resemble the head of a short-eared rabbit. So, look behind the left ear of the rabbit to find "Peter Rabbit" snugly tucked into the log, having just finished hiking the Allegheny Trail to its terminus on Peter's Mountain in WV!

Now, just 32 steps further down the trail, find a long green mossy covered log on the right side of the trail. Follow it along to where it branches and look in the crotch, which is almost directly below a second fallen tree, for "Buster Bear'" taking a nap after hiking along the sweetly flowing Greenbrier River Trail"!

Continue to the next junction (near the Superior Trail), and go left until you reach an old dirt road. Cross the road and take 12 steps off trail into the woods angling slightly left to where "Mr. And Mrs. Whitefeet the Wood Mice" have made a nest in the root end of a decaying log to rest their feet after their long haul on the Ozark Highlands Trail. (Please reach in from behind so as not to disturb their fragile nest too much!)

Return to the dirt road and turn right. After about 170 feet, you will see a 4-foot stump on the right side of the road. Across from the stump on the left side of the road are 3 pine trees in a crooked row. Behind the third tree, under two stones, find "Digger the Badger", digging in under the pine needles and resting up from a bad bout of chiggers on the Ouachita Trail!

Now you are ready to complete the lollipop loop (near PA Trails/ Keystone Wanda-rings), turn right, bear right back at "great triangle island', and return to your car. Hope you enjoyed hiking the loop along with these cute little critters!!!

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