Hikes with a Tyke: Rice Nature Preserve

Date: 7/8/2020

Editor’s note: This series focuses on local hiking and nature trails visited by the author with his wife, 2-year-old daughter and the family dog to showcase outdoor excursions that are family-friendly and/or comfortable options for someone who identifies as a novice hiker.

In a previous feature, I mentioned hikes with waterfalls were the best hikes for the Maza family.

Well, hikes that end with ice cream are pretty darn good, too.

The Mazas have a goal of visiting as many local ice cream spots as possible this summer (perhaps another feature?), but to earn that ice cream, we have made an effort to find a hike or other physical activity to go along with it.

Rice Nature Preserve was the perfect spot to get started.

Formerly the property of Wilbraham’s Rice Fruit Farm, the 150-acre preserve is now part of the Minnechaug Land Trust and features a system of hiking trails, the trailhead for which is located just off of Main Street on Highmoor Drive. The parking is limited to the end of the street, which forms a cul de sac; please respect the neighbors by obeying the signs.

Rice Nature Preserve’s trails provide a slow but steady ascent on the Wilbraham Mountains Range. For our trip, the Highmoor Trail starts things off at the trailhead and we followed it to the Rachel Phelps Trail and eventually to the Sunrise Peak Trail.

While initially wooded, the Highmoor Trail opens up to a clearing where it meets up with the Rachel Phelps Trail, offering a beautiful view westward over Wilbraham, including Minnechaug Regional High School. On a clear day, the Springfield skyline and the Connecticut River come into view as well as the mountain ranges west.

Large swaths of tall grass and wild flowers flank you on both sides as you continue your ascent and small birds (sparrows?) swoop around fearlessly.

Re-entering the woods, we connected with the Sunrise Peak Trail and found another terrific lookout spot. Sunrise Peak itself is not part of the Rice Nature Preserve, but rather part of the Sunrise Peak Conservation Area, which is owned by the town of Wilbraham. Rice’s connectivity to abutting conservation land is another perk.

The majority of the trail is packed earth and rock with the grassy area providing a softer surface. While there are a few steeper spots, the vast majority of the trail is extremely passable. The great views at the Rachel Phelps Trail/Highmoor Trail junction make even a short hike worthwhile.

Oh. And I mentioned ice cream. Rice Fruit Farm, located almost directly across the street at 757 Main St., is the picture-perfect spot for a frozen treat. Pick up some cider donuts, muffin tops and maybe a pie while you are at it. You won’t be sorry.

For more information on Rice Nature Preserve and a trail map, visit http://minnechauglandtrust.org/rice-nature-preserve/. For more information on Rice Fruit Farm, including their hours and operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit https://ricesfruitfarm.com/.