Hiking Long Island - EAST HAMPTON TRAILS PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Quote of the month
Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature.
It will never fail you.
Frank Lloyd Wright

For general information about hiking in East Hampton, go to www.ehtps.org or write to . The next general meeting will be held on Monday, January 5, at 7:30 PM in Ashawagh Hall,780 Springs/Fireplace Rd. in Springs, between Parson Place and Old Stone Highway. All are welcome!

JANUARY 3,Saturday 10 A.M. HITHER WOODS 20TH ANNIVERSARY NEW YEARS HIKE (12 miles)
Your fearless leader has led a New Year’s Weekend hike in Hither Woods for twenty years running. Why? Come along and find out. Hither Woods in winter is still the only place of its kind on Long Island - big, remote, wild. Be prepared for a long and vigorous day. Weather never cancels! Meet at Rod’s Valley, end of Navy Road, Montauk. Bring water and snacks.

The hike leaders will take us along the enchanting loop trail through the Jacob’s Farm Preserve offering a pleasant, restorative walk to prepare for the day ahead. Those who would like more exercise may want to do the loop again in the opposite direction for a total of 4 miles. Meet on Red Dirt Road, off Accabonic Hwy in the Springs.

Walk along trails lined with large beech, tupelo, American Holly, oak and black birch trees to the bluffs overlooking the Atlantic – you’ll come back invigorated and refreshed. On the return we will pass Battery 113 in Camp Hero. Meet on Camp Hero Rd. off Route 27 in Montauk, about a mile east of Deep Hollow Ranch.

Striking winter vistas of Oyster Pond, Block Island Sound, Big Reed Pond and Lake Montauk reward the intrepid hiker. Include the rolling hills of Deep Hollow Ranch, a pretty woodland path and the spectacular overlook from Startop Ranch and you have a “not to miss” seasonal walk. Meet at the public parking area of Theodore Roosevelt County Park, 2.5 miles east of downtown Montauk.

In January 1989 the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society opened its first “greenbelt” trail. From the beginning its White Pine Forest and secluded ponds were a treat. Many more miles of trails have been opened to the public since, but the Northwest Path is still a beauty! A moderate to a brisk paced hike. Bring snacks and water. Meet at end of Alewive Brook Landing Rd. on Northwest Harbor, for carpool.

JANUARY 14, Wednesday 10 A.M. BARCELONA NECK ( 3 miles)
Rich in history, ecology, and panoramic views, Barcelona Neck is a gem of a place to explore. With nearly 700 acres in which to ramble about, the wet lands, wooded swamps, and oak and hickory forest offer a wonderland of hiking. Meet at the Sag Harbor Golf Course clubhouse off Rt 114 (Sag Harbor Turnpike) between Swamp Road and Sag Harbor village.

JANUARY 17, Saturday 9 A.M. PAUMANOK PATH #1 (13.5 miles)
This challenging hike is the first leg of a five part winter/spring event that will traverse more than 50 miles of The Paumanok Path. This segment features Southampton’s beautiful Laurel Valley. Meet at Northwest Woods Kiosk on Rt. 114 and Edwards Hole Rd. in East Hampton, 1.5 miles north of Stephens Hands Path and car pool to the trailhead. Rain date is January 24th.

JANUARY 17, Saturday 10 A.M. GRACE ESTATE/CEDAR POINT PARK (3.5 miles)
A moderately paced walk on flat terrain in Northwest provides interesting views of a number of interconnected bodies of water. Meet at the schoolhouse plaque on Northwest Rd. about 3/10 mile from the intersection with Alewive Brook Rd.

JANUARY 21, Wednesday 10 A.M. SHADMOOR STATE PARK (3 miles) This spectacular hike includes a newly cut woodsy trail, close-up views of WW II bunkers, and one of the most awesome views on the East End along the dramatic Montauk bluffs. Portions of the trail can be muddy after a rain; wear proper footgear. Meet at the Shadmoor parking lot on the south side of Rt 27, about ½ mile past Montauk center. A large sign marks the entrance.

Sinister sounding names like Serpent’s Back Trail and The Devil’s Cradle belie a beautiful hike, passing stands of native Mountain Laurel and Sumac among other attractions. Meet at the Scenic Overlook on Route 27 in the Hither Hills area of Montauk, about one mile east of Montauk Hwy/Old Montauk Hwy split.

Join us for a walk through one of Long Island’s most beautiful historic villages. We will see houses old and new and still existing farmlands. Included are views of Wainscott Pond and an exhilarating walk along the wintry ocean beach. Meet in the beach parking lot at the end of Beach Lane.

Named after an early East Hampton settler, Chatfield’s Hole is a beautiful glacial kettle hole surrounded by stately pine trees. Purchased for preservation in 1976, the area around the hole is one of the town’s first open-space acquisitions. Meet at the kiosk parking area on Rte 114 at the intersection of Edward’s Hole Rd in East Hampton (2 miles north of Stephen Hands Path).

HIKING LONG ISLAND Copyright © 1999/2000/2001/2002/2003/2004 Hike-LI.com All rights reserved.		Ken Kindler Open Space & Trails Advocate
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