L.I. Greenbelt Trail Conference

P.O. Box 5636

Hauppauge, NY 11788

Phone 631-360-0753       Fax 631-360-8127  
E-mail ligreenbelt@juno.com

June 2008 Hikes

To find the Greenbelt Office in Blydenburgh Park: from Route 25-25A in Smithtown, go south on Brooksite Dr.; at next light (New Mill Rd.), turn right and travel to the end of the road, making the last possible left.  At the end of Mill Road travel past a Blydenburgh County Park sign, through open metal cyclone gates.  Pass a sign indicating that the park is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  Continue past a sign indicating “Parking Area” with arrow and “Authorized Vehicles Only Beyond This Point”.  Don’t follow the arrow.  Pass by a wooden half-gate with the sign “Authorized Vehicles Only”.  Turn left up the long winding (very dark at night) driveway marked with a sign saying “Blydenburgh Weld House, Visitor Reception Center, Museum Shop, L.I. Greenbelt Trail”.  From Route 347, find Brooksite Dr. between the 347-454 junction and Rt. 111; head north on Brooksite to New Mill Rd.; go left onto Mill Road. Follow the paved path at the west end of the lot to the Blydenburgh-Weld House.

IMPORTANT:

The first line of each listing includes TIME, DISTANCE, PACE, and TERRAIN, in that
order. "Info" means no reservation is necessary; call only if you need more information. "CALL" means you must call the leader to reserve a space on the hike.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK: 

Certain risks are inherent in any hike or other L.I. Greenbelt Trail Conference, Inc. (the “Greenbelt”) activity. Each Greenbelt member, guest, or non-member participant agrees to accept personal responsibility for his or her safety and the safety of minors accompanying such persons. The Greenbelt cannot ensure the safety of any participant on hikes or activities. In participating in Greenbelt activities, each such person agrees to hold harmless and free from blame the activity leaders and the Greenbelt, its officers, directors, and members, for any accident, injury, or illness which might be sustained from participating in hikes or other Greenbelt activities.

Saturdays – BLYDENBURGH HOUSE AND HISTORIC TOUR EVERY SATURDAY:
                1:00 PM – 1 hour - easy – flat – Info: Office, 631-360-0753.

Learn the history of the 1821 Blydenburgh-Weld House and the nearby mill complex, and enjoy the paths along beautiful Stump Pond; tours run every Saturday; meet at the Greenbelt Office (directions at top of schedule).  

Sun. June 1 – BLYDENBURGH HISTORIC WALK:

10:30 AM – 3 miles – moderate pace – varied – Info: Office, 631-360-0753.

 Meet at our Office(see directions at top of schedule) for a walk in this premier  historic district, including a visit into Caleb Smith State Park; rain cancels. Leader: Nancy Manfredonia.

Wed. June 4 – LAKELAND POKE-AROUND:

10:00 AM – 3 miles – easy – flat - Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.

Take an easy walk in Lakeland County Park and the north section of Connetquot St. Pk. Preserve, seeing the headwaters of the Connetquot River and diverse woods; rain cancels; meet at Lakeland County Park (L.I.E. Exit 58, south on Old Nichols Rd. to Johnson Ave., left to park; or L.I.E. Exit 59, south on Ocean Ave. to Johnson, right to park). E: 2caseys@optonline.net.

Sat. June 7 – NATIONAL TRAILS DAY:

10:00 AM – CALL: Office, 631-360-0753, or Trails Center, 631-852-3449.

Help us renew the trail surface on the all-access El’s Wampmissick Trail, and we’ll provide refreshments and good company; call so that we can plan the day better; meet at the Trails Information Center, 1/4 mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70.

Sat. June 7 – ROW AROUND STUMP POND:

1:00 PM – Info: Office, 631-360-0753.

Rent a rowboat and join us on historic Stump Pond in the middle of Blydenburgh Park; rental fee is $7 per hour, with a $10 deposit; meet at our Office (see directions at top of schedule).

Sun. June 8 – PINE BARRENS IN SPRING:

9:30 AM – 7 miles – moderate to fast – flat – Info: Andy, 631-696-8089.

Enjoy a late spring hike in the western pine barrens, including beautiful Grassy, Sandy and Jones Ponds; bring lunch and liquid; heavy rain cancels; meet at the Trails Information Center, 1/4 mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70.

Tues. June 10 – NORTH END HIKE:

9:30 AM – 4.3 miles – fast – hilly – Info: Anneliese, 631-425-1445.

Get a weekday morning workout with a brisk hike on the very hilly  north end of the Nassau-Suffolk Trail;  not for beginners; bring  water; heavy rain cancels;  meet at Cold Spring Harbor State Park lot next to library on NY 25A, northeast of jct. 25A/108.

Sat. June 14 – MASSAPEQUA MEANDER:

10:00 AM – 4-5 miles – easy – flat – Info: Joe, 516-334-0076.

Explore the south end of our Nassau-Suffolk Trail in a diverse preserve; meet at Mansfield Park parking lot (So. St. Pky. Exit 30, south to first light, left on Linden St. to Lake Shore Dr., right to Walker St., right to park); bring water; heavy rain cancels.

Sat. June 14 – WILDWOOD SINGLES WALK:

10:30 AM – 4 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Charlotte, 631-9291035.

Discover the woods, beaches and bluffs of Wildwood State Park in Wading River; not for beginners; rain cancels; bring lunch to eat on the beach; swimming, weather permitting; take William Floyd Pky. north from L.I.E. Exit 68 to NY 25A, go east to Sound Ave, make left and then left onto Hulse Landing Rd.; park is on the right; meet in parking lot; possible parking fee, or free with Empire Passport.

Sat. June 14 – FLANDERS WATER VIEWS:

10:00 AM – 6-7 miles – moderate – mostly flat – Info: Nancy D., 631-744-9815.

Unmarked trails will take us to Flanders Bay, Goose Neck and Maple Swamp for lunch; hike the picturesque portion of the Paumanok Path between Maple Swamp and Owl Pond; bring lunch and liquid; heavy rain cancels; meet at NY 24 and Spinney Road (L.I.E. Exit 71, east on 24 through Riverhead, or NY 27 Exit 65, west on 24); Spinney is a closed road just east of Birch Creek Road.

E: nduffrin@optonline.net.

Sun. June 15 – UPPER NISSEQUOGUE WALK:

10:00 AM – 3.6 miles – easy – flat – Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.

Take the Long Island Trail from Smithtown through a red maple swamp, along McKinley Marsh and into Hidden Pond Park, tracing the Nissequogue watershed to its source; flowers may be blooming; possibly muddy footing; rain cancels; meet at Hidden Pond Park parking lot near The Rinx; from L.I.E. Exit 58, go north on Old Nichol’s Rd., turn left onto Terry Rd. to park entrance. E: 2caseys@optonline.net.

Fri. June 20 – NITE HIKE:

8:30 PM – 4 miles – moderate – flat – Info: Bill R., 631-514-9487.

Bring a small flashlight for a walk in the Pine Barrens on the Paumanok Path and connecting trails; meet at the Trails Information Center, 1/4 mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70; rain cancels.

Sat. June 21 – COLD SPRING HARBOR:

8:30 AM – 12 miles – moderate – hilly – Info: Bill R., 631-514-9487.

Be ready for hills on this hike from the harbor to NY 25 and back on the Nassau-Suffolk Trail; bring water and snack; rain cancels; meet at the trailhead on NY 25A east of NY 108, in Cold Spring Harbor State Park, just north of library.

Sat. June 21 – INLET POND:

10:00 AM – 4 miles – moderate – flat – Info: Dave, 845-626-2038.

Come for a walk at on of Suffolk County’s newer parks, located on C.R. 48 (the North Road) in Greenport, across from the KOA campground, followed by an optional second hike at Orient Beach State Park. bring lunch and liquid; rain cancels. E: Daviation61@aol.com at least 2 days in advance.

Sat. June 21 -- SUMMER SOLSTICE HIKE:

7:00 PM – 3 miles – easy – flat – Info: Rich or Lisa, 516-826-8339.

Join us on the longest day of the year for a sunset hike on Nassau County’s newest Greenbelt Trail, the Wantagh Nature Trail; enjoy continuous water views along streams, ponds and wetlands abundant with wildlife; bring camera; children 10 or older welcome; meet at gazebo on north side of Merrick Rd. in Mill Pond Park, ½ mile west of Wantagh Pky. Exit W6W; rain cancels.

Sun. June 22 - BAYARD CUTTING ARBORETUM FREE CONCERT WALK:

11:00 AM 3-4 miles – easy – flat – Info: Quyen (Quinn), 631-234-5486, AM of hike only.

Intended as a singles walk, but all welcome; take a leisurely walk around beautiful gardens, ponds and the Connetquot River, followed by a free outdoor concert in the shade of the majestic trees; bring water, lunch and a chair; rain cancels; meet at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, So. St. Pky. Exit 45E, east on Montauk Hwy. ¼ mile to entrance on right; parking fee, or free with Empire Passport; joint hike with NHOC. E: qwpham@yahoo.com.  

Sun. June 22 – PINE BARRENS DISCOVERY SERIES:

1:30 PM – Info: Office, 631-360-0753, or Trails Center, 631-852-3449.

Reptiles of Pineland Habitats: An illustrated talk and slide show by Peter Warny about snakes and reptiles, as well as live reptiles; this workshop is aimed primarily for adults and naturalists but kids are welcome; there will be a question and answer session. 

Sun. June 22 – HIKE FOR LIFE 2008:

6:30 AM – 32 miles – arduous – varied – CALL: Shari, 516-721-0223.

5:00 PM – 3.5 miles – easy to moderate – varied – Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.

Experienced, long-distance hikers only, please, for a traverse of our L.I. Trail for the benefit of New York Blood Center; hike begins at Field 7, Heckscher St. Pk.; hikers will receive ride back at the end; shorter hike meets at east end of Field 3, Sunken Meadow St. Pk. for a late-afternoon walk along the Nissequogue to Nissequogue River St. Pk. and back along the L.I. Trail; call to reserve for long hike and to see how you can help with pledges; second annual event for New York Blood Center – to raise awareness of the need for blood during the summer shortage; this year, NYBC will be looking for corporate sponsorship as well as individual pledges; they are also planning to put a Blood Mobile at Sunken Meadow that day for blood donors; check www.nybloodcenter.org. E: HFL08@nybloodcenter.org.  The web link through the NY Blood Center (http://nybloodcenter.org/hike-for-life.htm)  has downloadable forms and info.

Fri. June 27 – TRAILS CENTER SPECIAL:

9:00 AM – 4 miles – easy to moderate – flat – Info: Vinny, 631-209-0030.

Start the weekend early with a walk from the Trails Information Center in Manorville (1/4 mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70) to Wading River-Manor Rd. and back; bring water; rain cancels.

Sat. June 28 – SMITHTOWN SPECIAL:

9:00 AM – 3.7 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.

Walk the L.I. Trail from Summerset Drive through Caleb Smith State Park and on to Blydenburgh Park; diverse scenery and loads of history; meet at our Office (see directions at top of schedule); parking fee possible; bring snack and liquid; rain cancels. E: 2caseys@optonline.net.

Sun. June 29 – HECKSCHER STATE PARK WALK:

9:30 AM – 5 miles – moderate – flat – Info: Terrie, 631-885-4543.

Enjoy this summer morning on easy flat trail; wear hat, bring suntan lotion and insect repellent, water, snack and lunch; joint with NHOC; rain cancels; take Southern State Pky. east to the end at Heckscher Park; follow park loop road to Field 7; meet at Greenbelt sign at S.E. corner of field; (parking fee, or free with Empire Pass).

Sun. June 29 – HITHER HILLS HIKE:

9:00 AM – 10 miles – moderate – mostly flat – Info: Bill, 631-514-9487.

Meet at the Patchogue LIRR station for train to Montauk (arrives 11AM); spend the day hiking, with great scenery; bring towel for swimming, snacks and water; heavy rain cancels; take NY 27 or the L.I.E. to Nicoll’s Rd; go. south to the end, left on Montauk Hwy. about 3 miles to West Ave, right onto West to Division St., left on Division to station).

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