Central Princeton Trails

HIKE NAME: Central Princeton PLT Loop    DISTANCE: 5.0 Miles     DIFFICULTY: Moderate

Restrictions: No motorized vehicles allowed. Horses are not allowed on Hall Field, and dogs must be leashed. Please follow the markers and stay on the trail at all times.

Trailhead: Princeton. Park at Princeton Center.  https://goo.gl/maps/DHZQaqzLHSYK3TGU8 The hike can also start at Krashes Field or other parking areas shown on the map.

Hike Description: This hiking option is a tour through Princeton Land Trust properties to the east of Princeton Center. Starting at the common, the hike goes down Prospect Street to the Gregory-Alexander Trails. It then travels across Route 31 to the Cary and  Bullock-McElroy Trails, crossing Route 62 to the Russell Corner Trails. This route passes by several interesting features including the Gregory Spring, the esker by Krashes Field, the Beaver Pond, and Hall Field. Total elevation gain/loss is 440 feet.

Links: Large Kiosk and Map for Bullock Property

Hike Details: 

From the Princeton Town center, walk down Prospect Street and around the corner to the Gregory-Alexander Trail kiosk, which will be on your right. Proceed down the trail (blue blazes) and optionally take a left to a spur to visit Gregory Spring, which was the first water supply for the center of Princeton, 

Return to the previous junction and go left to follow the Gregory Loop over to the Alexander Trail, and proceed down to East Princeton Road (Route 31). This area may be wet at times.

Turn left on Route 31 and then right on Merriam Road, and approximately 200 yards up the hill, turn left onto the Cary Trail and follow it around the horse field and back through the woods and then out to the McElroy Field. When this trail hits the main path, turn left.

At the junction with the loop by a bench, turn left again, and follow the loop around, down by Krashes Field, and climb the ice-age glacial feature known as an “esker,” a high and long hill on which the trail continues. There is a lovely overlook at the end of the esker with a bench. The trail continues over small hills through a mixed forest. It leaves the woods into an open field. Cross the field  to reach a small opening through several trees that leads to another field.

Exit the Bullock-McElroy property past the kiosk and out onto Bullock Lane.

Take Bullock Lane to the right out to Route 62, and turn left for the short walk down to the Russell Corner Trail Area. The loop trail goes past the kiosk to the right, and continues down through a new-growth forest and to a lovely beaver pond. At the pond there is a spur trail off to the left that can be taken to go to the dam and another bench. Return and proceed back along the loop, keeping to the left along an impressive rock wall.

Continue down to the Hall Field Trail and walk through the Field (please stay along the border as this is an active hay field). Enjoy the views of Princeton Center. 

Exit onto Route 62, cross the road to Route 31, and proceed to the Gregory-Alexander Trail, which can then be followed back to the town common via Prospect Street.

Other Options to Consider: 

The hike can be shortened by taking a shorter path through Bullock-McElroy (for example the loop down to the esker can be bypassed) or the Russell Corner Trails (for example by taking the back side of the loop or the Poor Family Trail down to Hall Field (see map).

A simpler way back to the center after exiting the Hall Field is to walk up Route 62, on a path just beside the road on the Hall Field side.

Historical Notes:

The Gregory Spring was the original water source for Princeton Center, and on the way down the hill you may spot a pipe crossing the trail that was used to pump water to the town center. The spring is still running and has been used by neighbors in recent years.

Down by the Beaver Ponds in the Peabody Metcalf property within Russell Corner Trails, check out the large stone wall that is reputed to have been built by Revolutionary war soldiers who were working for local farmers after the Battle of Ft. Ticonderoga and before a prison was build in Rutland. 

Rev: 12/06/23

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The Beaver Pond at the back of the Russell Corner 

Princeton Hikers pose in the McElroy Field near the Land Trust dedication stone