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

October 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.

NOTE: Some Greenbelt hikes are intended for our members only. Other organizations or media outlets wishing to list our events should NOT use our mailed hike list in Footnotes for information; instead, please use this website or call our Office, 631-360-0753, and request our Media List.

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).  

Wed. Oct. 1 – INDIAN ISLAND WALK:

     1:00 PM – 3 miles – easy – flat – Info: Karen, 631-929-6590, before 8 PM.

Enjoy an afternoon walk in woods along the Peconic River; rain cancels; meet in Indian Island County Park parking lot, C.R. 105, Riverhead; park entrance is north of golf course.

Sat. Oct. 4 – PINE BARRENS DISCOVERY SERIES:

    1:00 PM - Info: Office, 631-360-0753, or Trails Center, 631-852-3449 the day of event.

Fire Tower Special: Join Larry Paul for a “living history” interpretation of the Flanders Hill lookout and Pine Barrens fire control in a fascinating annual “open house at the tower” at the T.I.C. in Manorville, ¼ mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70; a close-up of the workings of vintage instruments, a slide show (including some from 1956 at the tower), and tall tales, followed by an optional loop walk on El’s Wampmissick Trail (1 mile, easy, flat).

Sat. Oct. 11 – 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 an awesome view 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 the 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.

Sat. Oct. 11 – STUMP POND SINGLES HIKE:

     8:00 AM – 5.7 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Charlotte, 631-929-1035.

 A circular hike around scenic Stump Pond; not suited for beginners; rain cancels; bring water and $ for optional breakfast out after hike at local diner; meet at our Office (see directions at top of schedule).

Sun. Oct. 12 – BAYARD WALK AND DAHLIA SHOW:

   10:30 AM – 3.5 miles – easy – flat – Info: Terrie, 631-885-4543.

Enjoy an easy walk through woods, gardens and along the river’s edge at Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Great River; bring water/snack/lunch, or purchase lunch at the Café, opt to stay for free Fall Dahlia Flower Show and Photo Contest held in the lower level of the Carriage House; raffles to win a dahlia garden and a dahlia arrangement will be held, and all dahlias will be sold on Sunday at end of show; joint with NHOC; rain cancels.; from Southern State Pky. Exit 45E, go east on Montauk Highway 0.25 mile to entrance on right side (fee, or free with Empire Pass).

Sun. Oct. 12 –TRAIL VIEW & COLD SPRING HARBOR STATE PARKS:

     8:15 AM – 12 miles – fast – hilly – Info: Shari, 516-721-0223.
Great cardio workout!  Head up through the beautiful hills of the north shore to Cold Spring Harbor, pause to appreciate the harbor view with its fall foliage, and hop back down the hills again; hiking experience and good knees recommended; bring water and snack; meet at Trail View State Park, north side of Jericho Turnpike (NY 25), several traffic lights east of Seaford Oyster Bay Expy. (NY 135), and just past Stop & Shop; from the east, lot is just west of Woodbury Rd.   E: sharimit@yahoo.com.

Mon. Oct. 13 – FIRE ISLAND HIKE:

     11:00 AM – 3 miles – easy – 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).

Thurs. Oct. 16 – DWARF PINE SPECIAL:

     10:00 AM – 2-3 miles – easy – flat – Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.

Visit the globally-rare Dwarf Pine Plains for a loop walk and a chance to see endangered buck moths; also go across the road to the short new Dwarf Pines Interpretive Loop; bring water; rain cancels; meet in dirt lot at s.w. corner of NY 27 and C.R. 31 (Sunrise Hwy. Exit 63). E: 2caseys@optonline.net.

Fri. Oct. 17 – TRAILS CENTER SPECIAL:

    9:00 AM – 4 miles – easy to moderate – flat – Info: Vinnie, 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. Oct. 18 –TERRELL RIVER COUNTY PARK:

     9:30 AM – 4 miles – easy – mostly flat – Info: Ray, 631-764-1950. 

Hike a beautiful trail looping around to a beach on Moriches Bay with views of a marsh; rain cancels; bug spray is a good idea; meet at Terrell River parking area on south side of C.R. 80; take NY 27 to Exit 59, south on Wading River Rd, right on Railroad Ave., then left on Main Street; park is on the right on Main St. (C.R. 80).

Sat. Oct. 18 – A SPIRITED EVENT: 
     1:00 PM – Info, Office, 631-360-0753.  
Happy Halloween from the founding family spirits of Smithtown; come and visit two of Smithtown's historical cemeteries; meet at the Blydenburgh-Weld House (see directions at top of schedule) for an introduction to the Blydenburgh Family and then on to the cemeteries by car; take a walk on your own in beautiful Blydenburgh Park before or after.

Sun. Oct. 19 – CONNETQUOT LOOP:

    10:00 AM – 4 miles – easy to moderate – flat - Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.

Walk from the entrance to Connetquot St. Pk. Preserve to Bunce’s Bridge, up one side of the river and down the other; bring water; rain cancels; meet at main entrance to Connetquot 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). E: 2caseys@optonline.net.

Thurs. Oct. 23 – MUTTONTOWN MEANDER:

    9:30 AM – 4 to 5 miles – moderate – varied – Info: George, 516-249-5041.

Enjoy a weekday walk through the rolling terrain of the Muttontown Preserve, one of Nassau County’s finest; bring water and insect spray; rain cancels; meet at Nature Center in Preserve; go north on NY106, make a left turn at NY 25A, another left after one-tenth mile to Muttontown Lane; Preserve entrance is straight ahead.

Sat. Oct. 25 – HECKSCHER LOOP:

     9:30 – 4-5 miles – easy to moderate – flat – Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.

Walk the back woods of Heckscher State Park; 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.

Sun. Oct. 26 – FALL VISTAS ON THE WANTAGH NATURE TRAIL:

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

Grab a camera for spectacular peak fall foliage reflecting off continuous water views along the streams, ponds and wetlands of our newest Greenbelt Trail; 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.

Wed. Oct. 29 – WERTHEIM AND SOUTH HAVEN COMBO:

   1:00 PM – 2-1/2 or 5 miles – easy – flat - Info: Karen, 631-929-6590, before 8 PM.

Explore the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, then journey to nearby South Haven County Park for a walk in pine barrens; rain cancels; meet at the Wertheim parking lot; from NY 27 Exit 58, go south a short distance to Montauk Hwy. (C.R. 80); turn right to refuge sign at Smith Road; go left on Smith to refuge entrance.

Fri. Oct. 31 – TRAILS CENTER SPECIAL:

    9:00 AM – 4 miles – easy to moderate – flat – Info: Vinnie, 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.

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