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

May 2008 Hikes

T

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).  

Fri. May 2 – 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. May 3 – SOUTHERN GREENBELT SAUNTER:
                9:30 AM – 11 miles – moderate to fast – flat – Info: Andy, 631-696-8089.
Hike the southern third of the Long Island Greenbelt Trail, touring Heckscher, Connetquot and Lakeland Parks amid very diverse scenery; bring lunch and liquid; heavy 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).

Sat. May 3 – FLOWERS IN THE PINE BARRENS?:
                10:00 AM – 8 miles – moderate – flat – Info: Nancy D., 631-744-9815.
Search for dogwood and other flowering trees on a hike from Rocky Point to Shoreham; hike in two large tracts of preserved woods, Rocky Point DEC preserve and Brookhaven State Park, connected by a narrow swath of preserved land; bring lunch and liquid; heavy rain cancels; meet at Shoreham-Wading River HS, NY 25A, just E. of Wm. Floyd Pkwy at far right corner of parking lot.
E: nduffrin@optonline.net.

Sat. May 3 –FORT CORCHAUG PROGRAM:

                10:00 AM – Info: Dave, 845-626-2038, at least 2 days in advance.
Bring the whole family for a Long Island Native program with Tipi Ted’s Wilderness Museum at the Downs Farm educational center, followed by a walk through the historic Native American site; optional second walk in Laurel Lake Preserve; bring drinks and snacks; located on Main Road (NY 25) in Cutchogue, ¼ mile west of the Cutchogue Country Club. E: Daviation61@aol.com.

Sat. May 3 – PINE BARRENS DISCOVERY SERIES:
                11:00 AM – Info: Office, 631-360-0753, or Trails Center, 631-852-3449.
Beginner Birding: Join Brian O’Keefe from Eastern Long Island Audubon Society for a perfect family outing that starts with a discussion about birding and ends a short hike on El’s Wampmissick Trail to identify birds.

Sun. May 4 – BAYARD CUTTING SINGLES WALK:
               11:00 AM – 2 hours – easy – flat – Info: Charlotte, 631-929-1035.
Spring is a great time to explore this beautiful arboretum on the Connetquot River; meet at the Great River LIRR station (NY 27 to Connetquot Ave., south to station, park on south side), OK for beginners, rain cancels.

Wed. May 7 – WILDWOOD WANDERINGS:
                1:00 PM – up to 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 entrance meet in parking lot.

Sunday, May 11 - Mothers' Day Morning Mania   JUST ADDED
                6:30am - 20 miles - fast - varied - Info: Shari, 516-721-0223
Celebrate the day with Mother Nature first by hiking the entire Nassau-Suffolk Trail!  Hike should be completed by approximately 2pm, leaving plenty of time to spend with the kids or mom.   This hike will be fast and is great training for the big 32 miler in June;   hiking experience recommended; bring water & snacks;   meet at south trailhead at Merrick Road and Ocean Ave., Massapequa (Seaford Oyster Bay Expwy/NY135 south to exit 1E/Merrick Road, proceed one mile and turn left onto Ocean); car shuttle to north end.

Sun. May 11 – FIRE ISLAND HIKE:

             11:00 AM – 4 miles – moderate – flat – Info: Lynne, 631-585-3040, evenings.
Visit the Fire Island Lighthouse, then walk through the beach communities of Kismet and Saltaire; stop for lunch on the bay; bring lunch, water; rain cancels; meet at Robert Moses State Park Field 5 at the lighthouse boardwalk entrance on the east side of the parking lot (fee or free with Empire pass). 

Mon. May 12 - PINE BARRENS PERAMBULATION:
             9:45 AM – 4+ miles – moderate – varied - Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.
Walk the Paumanok Path from Pleasure Drive to Birch Creek; a great trip for newcomers to the Pine Barrens; bring water and repellent; rain cancels; meet on NY 24 at Spinny Rd., a closed, gated road opposite Birch Creek Rd. (from NY 27 Exit 65, north on 24; from L.I.E. Exit 71, south on 24 through Riverhead to Spinny). E: 2caseys@optonline.net.

Sat. May 17 – PINE BARRENS DISCOVERY SERIES:
                1:00 PM – Info: Office, 631-360-0753, or Trails Center, 631-852-3449.
Join Eric Burke for a program about the distinctive quail; meet at the Trails Information Center, 1/4 mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70.

Sat. May 17 – MAY MADNESS SINGLES WALK AND WINE TASTING:
                1:00 PM – 1 ½ hours – easy – flat – Info: Charlotte, 631-9291035.
A walk at Indian Island County Park along the Peconic River, followed by optional wine tasting at a local vineyard; fee for wine tasting; rain cancels hike; meet at Indian Island Co. Park parking lot, C.R. 105, south of NY 25, Riverhead; OK for beginners; no need to call for hike, but please RSVP for wine tasting.

Sat. May 17 – CARPENTRY DEMONSTRATION:
               1:00 to 3:00 PM – Info, Office, 631-360-0753.
Ron Gradowski gives a live demonstration of old-fashioned carpentry techniques in the newly-repaired outbuilding at the historic complex in Blydenburgh Park; meet at our Office(see directions at top of schedule); $3 donation per person requested; take a walk in Blydenburgh before or after!

Sat. May 17 – 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.

Sun. May 18 – PINE BARRENS DISCOVERY SERIES:
             1:00 PM – Info: Office, 631-360-0753, or Trails Center, 631-852-3449.|
Living with Wildlife on Long Island: Meet a variety of local wildlife, learn about their unique adaptations and explore their role in our local ecosystem; get the inside scoop on why these animals end up needing care from Volunteers for Wildlife’s premiere wildlife hospital facilities; recommended for 3rd graders and up; $3 donation per person requested; meet at the Trails Information Center, 1/4 mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70.

Sun. May 18 – BROOKHAVEN TRAIL HIKE:
            8:30 AM – 12 miles – moderate – mostly flat – Info: Bill R., 631-514-9487.
Hike from HS to Grassy and Sandy Ponds and back, using the Brookhaven Trail and Paumanok Path;     bring water and snack; rain cancels; meet at s.w. corner of Shoreham-Wading River H.S. parking lot (Wm. Floyd Pky. north to NY 25A, east short distance to h.s.).       

Sun. May 18 – STONY HILL HIKE:
           10:00 AM – 6 miles – moderate to brisk – moderately hilly – Info: Rick, 631-267-6608.
From the farm's edge to the beech forest canopy, Stony Hill is a fine place for a hike; you can thank Peconic Land Trust and a few generous benefactors for preserving this splendid area; bring lunch and liquid; meet on the east side of Abraham's Path, about 1/4 mile north of Town Lane intersection, Amagansett. 

Sun. May 18 – BAYARD CUTTING ARBORETUM HIKE:
10:15 AM – 3+ miles – easy – flat – Info: Terrie 631-885-4543.
Hike on this 690-acre former estate on the banks of the Connetquot River with paths thru woods, gardens and along the river’s edge; bring camera, flowers are blooming! Bring water and snack; opt to stay for lunch at Café; joint with NHOC; parking fee, or free with Empire Pass; rain cancels; from So. St. Pky. Exit 45E, go east on Montauk Highway 0.25 mile to entrance on right side.

Sun. May 18 – SPRING IN MASSAPEQUA PRESERVE:
           1:00 PM – 3 miles – easy – flat – Info: Rich or Lisa, 516-826-8339.
Join the Friends of Massapequa Preserve on an afternoon walk taking in the forests, streams, wetlands and ponds of this enchanting, 423-acre preserve; bring camera and snack if you wish; children 10 or older welcome; rain cancels; meet at kiosk at corner of Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue, Massapequa, 4 blocks east of NY 107.

Wed. May 21 – 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. May 24 – QUOGUE REFUGE WALK:
           10:00 AM – 3 miles – easy, interpretive – flat - Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.
From wetlands through lowland pines to dwarf pines, this gem of a refuge has a little bit of everything you’ll find in the pine barrens; rain cancels; from NY 27 Exit 63, go south on C.R. 31 to Montauk Hwy., then left to a left fork onto South Country Rd.; continue to the end of the road, and turn left across the LIRR to the refuge; park in open area across street from refuge. E: 2caseys@optonline.net.

Sun. May 25 –NISSEQUOGUE RIVER SPECIAL:
            11:00 AM – 6 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Quyen (Quinn), 631-234-5486, AM of hike only.
Hike along hilly bluffs to Sunken Meadow with awesome views of the Nissequogue River and L.I. Sound; bring water and lunch; rain cancels; meet at Nissequogue River State Park (Sunken Meadow Pky. north to Exit SM4; head east on Pulaski Rd., which changes into Old Dock Rd.; at 4th traffic light, make a right onto St. Johnland Rd.; park entrance is about 1/2 mile on the left); joint hike with NHOC. E: qwpham@yahoo.com.  

Fri. May 30 – 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. May 31 – PINE BARRENS DISCOVERY SERIES:
          1:00 PM – Info: Office, 631-360-0753, or Trails Center, 631-852-3449.
Animals Around Us: Naturalists from the Museum of Long Island Natural Sciences, Stony Brook, will use mounted specimens to introduce some of the woodland animals found on Long Island; see them “up close and personal” and then make a track picture of their feet to take home.$3 donation per person requested; meet at the Trails Information Center, 1/4 mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70.
 

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