|
 |
Just east of Lake Montauk on
the northwest corner of Theodore Roosevelt County Park, there is an adventure
awaiting you through what I like to refer to as “Montauk’s Rainforest.” The Big
Reed Pond Nature Trails at Theodore Roosevelt County Park run adjacent to Big
Reed Pond and through much of the wetlands that feed it. Every year just as
summer begins, I walk these well-maintained trails with their expertly built
boardwalks and bridges. Time seems to stand still while I visit these
picturesque freshwater ponds, swift running brooks, red maple swamps, the salt
marsh and the hardwood forest.
Several years ago, after
studying Charles Whalen’s Montauk Point Trail Guide*, I decided to set
out on an adventure to visit Block Island Sound from the Big Reed Pond trailhead
on East Lake Drive. Whalens’ map shows a woods road that runs to the isthmus
that separates the Sound from Oyster Pond. This is a heavenly destination for
anyone who loves the water. |
The first time I decided
to visit the Sound via the Big Reed
Nature Trails, I followed the map furnished by Suffolk
County Parks**, and decided to take the trail that skirts
the Pond to the east, and then branches north to the beach.
I couldn’t find the trail to the beach. Using my compass, I
followed several trails headed north towards Shagwong Point,
but all of the trails disappeared
into the dunes. The dunes are fragile and walking through
them, especially where there is no path, unduly stresses
them so I turned
back. Luckily, in addition to the County Parks map, I had
also brought along Charles Whalen’s map of
Montauk
Point.
It showed
a trail to an area called “The Songbirds”, located right
near the Sound. This is the trail that I have become
accustomed to using to get to the beach. Unfortunately, a
portion of it was washed away by last winter’s storms, and
this week, when I walked
it again, I found that it now dead-ends on a bluff. I
wandered
around until I found a route to the beach on a newly built
horse trail. By the way, it’s important to know that people
on horses often use the trails adjacent to Big Reed Pond
Park. When you encounter equestrians, it’s a good idea to
greet them and then move off the trail and allow them to
pass; the horses may get spooked if you move too quickly and
do not give a friendly greeting first.
If you
are into adventure and willing to take a risk, I recommend
that you give this beach hike a try. If you want a more
tame experience, I suggest you obtain a map from Suffolk
County Parks and walk the three loop trails. These loop
trails are well blazed, the maps are displayed on kiosks
throughout the trail system, and easy to follow. The trails
are each marked
with a different color: blue; green; and brown. You must
hike the blue loop trail in order to get to the green loop
trail. You may hike only the blue trail loop if you wish; it
is a complete circle that will bring you right back to the
trailhead. Approximately half way around the blue loop
trail, you will see where the green loop trail begins. You
can take the green loop back to the blue loop, or if you are
looking for a longer hike, you can follow the green loop
trail to where it intersects with the brown loop trail. The
blue loop trail is 0.9 miles. The green loop trail is 0.5
miles. The brown loop trail is 1.3 miles. If you decide to
walk all three loops, it’s important to know that in order
to get back to the trailhead, you must follow the brown loop
to the green loop trail and the green loop trail back to the
blue loop trail. The blue loop brings you back to the
trailhead.
Directions to the Big Reed
Pond Nature Trails:
Montauk
Highway to East Lake Dr. Go north on
East
Lake Dr.
for approximately two miles. The trailhead entrance is on
the right. Follow the dirt road to the parking area.
*
Charles Whalen’s maps are available at most east end cycling
and outdoors stores.
Another
excellent resource for exploring this area and the lands
adjacent to it is
Charles Whalen’s East Hampton Trail
Guide.
**Suffolk County Parks Administration Office: (631) 854-4949
or Theodore Roosevelt County Park Office: (631) 852-7878 |
