Princeton Land Trust Gregory-Alexander

HIKE NAME: PLT Gregory-Alexander    Distance: 1 Mile     Difficulty: Easy

Restrictions: No motorized vehicles

Trailhead: Princeton. There is a small parking area on East Princeton Road (route 31) between Merriam Road and Gregory Hill Road (route 62), near the kiosk. It is also possible to park at the town common and walk down Prospect Street to a smaller kiosk at the top of the property. Elevation gain is less than 100 feet. https://goo.gl/maps/WoJaXj4ezBkqBZ3VA

Hike Description: Princeton Land Trust owns two properties in the central area of Princeton, which connect Prospect Street (near the common) with East Princeton Road (Rte 31). Trails have been constructed to allow hiking through this area, and also to connect to the Cary Trail and the PLT Bullock McElroy and Russell Corner trail areas. A five mile 'central Princeton hike' can therefore be made with only a small bit of road walking. Total elevation is 80 feet.

The Gregory-Alexander hike includes a short half-mile loop around the Gregory Property and spurs through the Alexander Property and back up to Prospect Street. There is also a spur trail down to the Gregory Spring and cistern. The trails are rocky but short, and so even though the elevation is slight, hikers going up from East Princeton Road will feel the effort.

Links: Gregory-Alexander Kiosk

Hike Details: 

Starting from the East Princeton Road Kiosk, take the Alexander Trail into the woods and step over the break in the stone wall and onto a trail through a stand of mountain laurel. There is a wet section of trail with stepping stones and then the trail heads up the hill to connect to the Gregory Loop.

At the intersection with the Gregory Loop, take a left and proceed around the top of the loop. This continues on the high side of the property and intersects with the trail coming from Prospect Street. This left-side trail can be taken to walk up to the common if desired.

To continue around the loop, turn right at the intersection, and follow the trail down through the woods until the intersection with the Gregory Springs Spur. 

Explore the area by taking a left at this point and going downhill to the Gregory Spring. Return to the main loop and bear left to take the lower part of the loop back to the Gregory Trail.

Return to the trailhead by taking a left on the Alexander Trail.

Other Options to Consider: 

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 Peabody and PLT Bullock-McElroy from the trailhead on East Princeton Road.

When hiking up from East Princeton Road, consider taking the spur trail up to Prospect Street and walking up to the common. There are some places to buy food on the other side of the common.. Then enjoy the downhill hike back to the trailhead.

This hike can also be done from the trailhead on Prospect Street, starting at Princeton Common (where parking is plentiful!)

Historical Notes: 

Gregory Spring is the original water source for the center of Princeton. The spring is still flowing, and pipes from the spring can be found while walking down the trail from Prospect Street.

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Gregory-Alexander Kiosk Off East Princeton Road