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Princeton Land Trust Russell Corner Trails Hike

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 2+ Miles          
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Restrictions: No Motorized Vehicles

Trail Head

  • From the center of town, take Route 62 east just past Merriam Road.
  • The parking area is on the right (south side of the road) by the Princeton Land Trust sign.
  • Google Maps Link

Trail Description

A well-used trail through a new growth forest and down to a beaver pond (Jones Meadow), looping back up and around a pine forest. A spur trail at the pond leads over to the beaver dam.

Route Details

1. Start

  • From the parking lot, follow the blue blazes on the Peabody-Metcalf Loop out through the woods to a new growth wooded area, and then back into the woods.
  • The trail splits but stay to the left. You will return on the trail to the right.
  • The trail proceeds down the hill and curves to the right and down the hill to a stone wall.

2. Beaver Pond

  • Turn left at the stone wall to follow a trail down to the edge of the beaver pond.
  • This Beaver Dam Spur Trail can be followed over to the beaver dam.
  • There is a spot near the dam that is always wet and somewhat overgrown.
  • Follow the trail around to the right to the brook.
  • Turn around and return to the main trail.

3. Peabody-Metcalf Loop

  • Continue on the west side of the property along a wide path, following the blue blazes.
  • Turn right to follow the main trail and head up the hill.
  • The trail proceeds past the Poor Family memorial rock and then joins the original trail.

 

4. Return

  • Turn left to return to the parking lot. The 2-mile distance includes the walk to the beaver dam.

Other Trails in the Russell Corner Area:

The hike can be extended by following two additional trails:

  • The Poor Family Trail loops from the bottom of the hill around to the dedication stone to meet the main loop.
  • The Hall Field Trail goes out to the Hall Field property, with a pretty view of Princeton Center. It makes a nice out and back from the Peabody Loop.

The ‘Central Princeton Loop’ is a five mile trail that visits all three of the Princeton Land Trust properties in the area using the connections to PLT Gregory-Alexander and PLT Bullock-McElroy.

Map

Historical Notes

This hiking area brings together three beautiful properties preserved by the Princeton Land Trust:

  • Peabody–Metcalf: Donated by descendants of John and Mary Peabody.
  • Hall Field: Donated by the Bice Family, and once owned by Charles and Jane Hall.
  • Poor Property: Donated by the family of Hustace and Katheryn Poor.

Features of the Land

  • Stone Walls: The property is known for its impressive stone walls, especially those on the east side of Jones Meadow.
  • Local Legend: Stories passed down suggest these walls may have been built by captured soldiers after the Battle of Ticonderoga during the Revolutionary War.
  • Drainage Channel: According to legend, the same prisoners also constructed a drainage channel that now follows the Peabody–Metcalf Loop, leading downhill toward the beaver pond.

 

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