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

March 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 to park entrance at end of road. From Route 347, find Brooksite Dr. between the 347-454 junction and Rt. 111; head north on Brooksite to New Mill Rd.; go left to the park. 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).
 

Sat. Mar. 1 – COLD SPRING HARBOR HILL HOP AND MEMBERS’ MEETING:

11:30 AM – 2 miles – moderate – hilly – Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.

Take a short but hilly walk on the north end of the Nassau-Suffolk Trail to warm up for our Members’ Meeting, which begins at 1:00 PM; BYO lunch for the meeting, and we’ll have other refreshments for you; bring water; rain or bad footing cancels the walk; meet in Cold Spring Harbor Library parking lot, NY 25A, between NY 108 and the shopping district of Cold Spring Harbor.  E: 2caseys@optonline.net.
 

Sun. Mar. 2 – LAKELAND NORTHWARD:

8:15 AM – 12 miles – fast – varied – Info: Shari, 516-721-0223.
Explore the middle section of the L.I. Trail from Lakeland Park to NY 111, with all of the cool trails
and ponds in between; head north from Lakeland, with a reversal of direction at Uncle Giuseppe's in
Smithtown; the quick pace will warm the body, even if the temps are chilly; hiking experience and layered clothing suggested; bring water & snacks; icy trail cancels; meet at Lakeland County Park (L.I.E. Exit 58, south on Old Nichols Rd. to Johnson Ave., left to park).
 

Sun. Mar. 2 – ON THE HIGH GROUND:  

10:00 AM – 5 to 6 miles – moderate – hilly – Info: Rick, 631-267-6608.

The high, rolling woodland straddling the boundary between East Hampton and Southampton Towns is known as Miller's Ground; hilly and secluded, with a thousand acres of preserved land, this is a beautiful area for a late winter's walk; bring lunch and liquid; meet at the trailhead parking lot on the east side of East Hampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike (NY 114), just south of Edwards Hole Road.
 

Wed. Mar. 5 – WILDWOOD WANDERING:

1:00 PM – 5 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Karen, 631-929-6590, before 8 PM.

Explore the woods, beaches and bluffs of this beautiful state park on L.I. Sound; rain cancels; take Wm. Floyd Pky. (C.R. 46) to its northern end, then east (right) on NY 25A, left onto Sound Ave., left on Hulse Landing Rd. (C.R. 54) to park; meet in parking lot; if there’s snow, we’ll cross-country ski (BYO skis).
 

Fri. Mar. 7 - 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  or snow cancels.
 

Sat. Mar. 8 – STUMP POND CIRCULAR:

9:00 AM – 5.7 miles – moderate – varied - Info: Charlotte, 631-929-1035.

Plenty of water views on this hike around the pond in the center of Blydenburgh Park; not intended for beginners; singles welcome; hiking boots a must;  rain or heavy snow cancels; bring snack and water. meet at our Office (see directions at top of schedule).
 

Sun. Mar. 9 – SIGNS OF SPRING/WELCOME DAYLIGHT TIME HIKE:

10:00 AM - 2 to 3 miles – easy – flat – Info: Office, 631-360-0753.

Take an easy walk to the hatchery and back in beautiful Connetquot Park Preserve; ice or heavy rain cancels; meet at main entrance to Connetqout Park (north side of NY 27, west of Oakdale-Bohemia Rd.; from the west, take Exit 47A, follow signs to u-turn for park; fee, or free with Empire Passport). Leader: Nancy Manfredonia.
 

Sat. Mar. 15 – HECKSCHER PARK PERAMBULATION:  

10:30 AM – 5+ miles – moderate, flat – Info: Terrie, 631-885-4543.

Moderate-paced hike through the trails of Heckscher State Park which had 1 million visitors last year; bring water and snack; joint with NHOC; rain or ice cancels; take So. St. Pky. east to the end at Heckscher Park; follow park loop road to Field 1 near park office; meet at n.w. corner of field.
 

Sun. Mar. 16 – PALM SUNDAY SPECIAL:

If anyone is interested in going to Harriman State Park for a short hike and then joining the annual Palm Sunday Hikers’ Service (all welcomed) at St John’s in the Wilderness, please call Bill at 631-859-1794.

The service is at 3PM and the hike there is to start 9-10AM.
 

Thurs. Mar. 20 – WELCOME SPRING:

2:55 PM – 4-5 miles – easy to moderate – flat – Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.

An unusual start time: the minute spring begins! Walk the back woods of Heckscher State Park on a loop hike; foul weather cancels; bring water; meet at Timber Pt. Pk. West Marina (So. St. Pky. to Exit 45E, right at first light onto Great River Rd.; follow straight to park; follow park road past clubhouse and driving range to head of canal). E: 2caseys@optonline.net.
 

Fri. Mar. 21 - TRAILS CENTER SPECIAL:

7:00 AM – 4 miles – easy to moderate – flat – Info: Vinny, 631-209-0030.

Start the weekend early—very 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 or snow cancels.
 

Sat. Mar. 22 – SHU SWAMP SPECIAL:

10:00 AM – 2 to 3 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Joe, 516-334-0076.

Visit a fine little preserve in Nassau County; bad weather cancels; bring liquid; from NY 25A in Old Brookville, go north on Wolver Hollow Rd. to end, go right on Chicken Valley Rd. 1.6 miles to Frost Mill Rd., right to parking area just south of LIRR overpass.

Sat. Mar. 22 – SPRING AT QUOGUE:

10:00 AM – 3 to 5 miles – moderate – flat - Info: Charlotte, 631-929-1035.

Singles are welcome as we usher in spring at pristine Quogue Wildlife Refuge; rain or heavy snow cancels; bring lunch to eat at Nature Center following hike; from NY 27 Exit 63, go south on C.R. 31 to Montauk Hwy. (C.R. 80); go left on Montauk ½ mile to left fork onto South Country Rd.; at end of road, turn left; preserve is straight ahead.
 

Sat. Mar. 22 – SPRING STROLL IN MASSAPEQUA PRESERVE:

1:00 PM – 3 miles – easy – flat – Info: Rich or Lisa, 516-826-8339.

Join the Friends of Massapequa Preserve on a leisurely hike through the pine forests, streams wetlands and ponds of this enchanting 423-acre preserve; children 10 or older welcome; rain or snow cancels; meet at kiosk on corner of Ocean Ave. and Merrick Rd., Massapequa, four blocks east of NY 107.
 

Sat. Mar. 22 – PINE BARRENS NIGHT HIKE:

7:45 PM – 4 miles – moderate – flat – Info: Bill R. 631-859-1794.

Meet at the Trails Information Center, 1/4 mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70, for a walk on the trails behind the center and the Paumanok Path; rain cancels, clouds don’t; if weather is iffy call 631-514-9487 on the eve of hike; bring flashlight.
 

Sun. Mar. 23 – EASTER BUNNY HIKE:

9:45 AM – 5.7 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Bill R. 631-859-1794.

Meet at our Office (see directions at top of schedule) for a walk around Stump Pond and possible bunny sightings; jelly beans and Peeps provided; rain cancels; bring water.
 

Sun. Mar. 23 – HAMENTASHEN HIKE:

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