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

September 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 this publication for information; instead, please 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).  

Fri. Sept. 5 – 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. Sept. 6 – WILDWOOD SINGLES WALK:
3:00 PM – 4 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Charlotte, 631-929-1035.
Explore this fine state park on the Sound; not intended for beginners; bring picnic food for dinner on beach following hike; parking fee or free with Empire Passport; take L.I.E. to Exit 68, go north to NY 25A, go east to a left onto Sound Avenue, then left onto Hulse Landing Road to park on right; meet in parking lot; rain cancels.

Sun. Sept. 7 – SUNRISE HIKE:
5:30 AM – 9 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Bill, 631-514-9487.
A beautiful time of day to see this park; get up early and walk the north end of the L.I. Trail to Smithtown Landing and back; meet at Field 3 near concession building in Sunken Meadow State Park (if #3 is closed, meet in Field 1); no dogs allowed; take Sunken Meadow Pky. north to the park; bring water, snack and camera.

Sun. Sept. 7 – PINE TRAIL PERAMBULATION:
10:00 AM – 4.2 miles – easy – flat – Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.
Take a walk on the Pine Trail Preserve section of the Paumanok Path from NY 25 to Sandy and Grassy Ponds and back; bring water; rain cancels; suitable for families and beginners. E: 2caseys@optonline.net.

Wed. Sept. 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. NY 25A/108.

Wed. Sept. 10 – WILDWOOD WANDERINGS:
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.

Fri. Sept. 12 – 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. Sept. 13 – BROADWAY END-TO-END:
6:00 AM – 12 miles – moderate – paved – Info: Bill, 631-514-9487.
Meet at the Ronkonkoma LIRR station at 6 AM (get ticket and Metro card) for train to Penn Station; we'll take subway to 215th St. and follow Broadway to Battery Park; side trips include Grant's Tomb, the “Seinfeld diner” (late breakfast), and the WTC site; optional dinner afterwards, return to L.I. in evening. Bring water, snacks and camera; all-weather hike.

Sat. Sept. 13 – WELWYN PRESERVE WALK:
10:00 AM – 3 miles – easy – varied – Info: Joe, 516-334-0076.
Explore a beautiful North Shore preserve not usually found on our schedule; bring water, rain cancels; from L.I.E. Exit 39 North take Glen Cove Road about six miles to its end in Glen Cove village; go right on Brewster St. and in 0.7 mile make a left on Dosoris Lane; proceed 0.7 mile and make left on New Woods Road; at end of road, make right  onto Crescent Beach Rd.; preserve entrance is  the first right.

Sun. Sept. 14 – CROSSING THE BORDER LOOPTY LOO:
8:15 AM – 12 miles – fast – hilly – Info: Shari, 516-721-0223.
Start the Walt Whitman loop in Suffolk, then head west to the Nassau-Suffolk Trail, loop around in Nassau’s Plainview area, and head back across the county border to complete the Whitman loop;  hiking experience recommended;  bring water & snacks; from L.I.E. Exit 49 or No. St. Pkwy. Exit 40, go north on NY 110; a mile north of pkwy, turn left at sign for Whitman Birthplace Hist. Site;  turn left onto West Hills Rd., left again at stop sign at Reservoir Rd.; meet at Jayne's Hill sign near top of Reservoir Rd.   E: sharimit@yahoo.com.

Sun. Sept. 14 – MOON WALK:
8:00 PM – 4 miles – moderate – flat – Info: Bill, 631-514-9487.
Bring a flashlight for a walk in the Pine Barrens under a full moon; meet at the Trails Information Center, 1/4 mile north of L.I.E. Exit 70; rain may cancel.

Wed. Sept. 17 – 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. NY 25A/108.

Sat. Sept. 20 – WALT WHITMAN LOOP:
9:00 AM – 3.8 miles – moderate – hilly - Info: Tom or Sherri, 631-567-9484.
Take a walk in West Hills Park, including Jayne’s Hill, the highest spot on L.I.; bring snack and water; rain cancels; from L.I.E. Exit 49 or No. St. Pky. Exit 40, go north on NY 110; a mile north of pky., turn left at sign for Whitman Birthplace Hist. Site; turn left onto West Hills Rd., left again at stop sign at Reservoir Rd.; continue to end of Reservoir Rd.

Sun. Sept. 21 – BAYARD CUTTING SINGLES WALK:
9:30 AM – 2 hours – easy – flat – Info: Charlotte, 631-929-1035.
A good walk for beginners in this lovely arboretum on the Connetquot River; meet at Great River LIRR station; meet at Great River LIRR station (NY 27 to Connetquot Ave., south to station; park on south side; rain cancels.

Sun. Sept. 21 – CALEB SMITH SPECIAL:

10:15 am – 2 or 4+ miles – easy – varied – Info: Terrie, 631-885-4543 or Dennis, 631-366-0985.

Let’s welcome autumn with easy paced walk on trail at Caleb Smith State Park Preserve in Smithtown; great hike for beginners in addition to those who may want a more moderate hike; we will explore its many different habitats including freshwater wetlands, ponds, streams, fields and upland woods; bring water/snack/lunch; joint with NHOC; rain cancels; from Sunken Meadow Parkway Exit SM 3, go east on NY 25, 3miles to park entrance on left, or take NY 25 west from Smithtown hamlet; fee, or free with Empire Pass.

Sun. Sep. 21 – WESTSIDE WALK:
7:00 AM – 8 miles – moderate – paved – Info: Bill, 631-514-9487.
Meet at the Ronkonkoma train station at 7 AM (get ticket and Metro card) for train to Penn Station; we'll walk along the Hudson up to and across the George Washington Bridge after passing The Little Red Lighthouse; we'll take subway near bridge back to Penn; optional dinner afterwards.

Sat. Sept. 27 – LONG POND CELEBRATION:

10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt invite you to join their annual Celebration of the Long Pond Greenbelt; this event features a scavenger hunt, puppet making and a puppet show for the children and interpretive hikes in the Greenbelt; hikes begin at 10:30, with sign-in at 10:15; return for sandwiches, cider and cookies; meet at the cul-de-sac on Round Pond Lane, off Madison St. in Sag Harbor; take NY 27 to Sagg Road in Sagaponack (near Wolffer Estate Winery), go north to Round Pond Lane (Sagg becomes Madison St.). 

Sat. Sept. 27 – CAUMSETT STATE PARK SPECIAL:

11:00 AM – 7 miles – moderate to brisk – varied –Info: Quyen (Quinn) 631-234-5486, AM of hike only.
An interesting hike through meadows and woodlands to an awesome view of freshwater pond against the backdrop scene of Long Island Sound,  then walk along the rocky shore with Connecticut on the horizon; bring water, lunch; rain cancels; from L.I.E. Exit 49, go north on NY 110 to NY 25A (Main Street, Huntington); make a left turn, go 3 traffic lights, and turn right onto West Neck Rd.; go about 6 miles to park entrance on left; joint hike with NHOC. E: qwpham@yahoo.com.

Sun. Sept. 28 – ANDY & LINDA’S 14TH ANNIVERSARY HIKE:
10:30 AM – 5.7 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Andy, 631-696-8089.
Help celebrate Andy and Linda Suntup’s 14th Wedding Anniversary as they lead a hike beginning at the spot on our L. I. Trail where they were married; a scenic walk around the 120-acre pond in the middle of Blydenburgh Park; meet at our Office (see directions at top of schedule); bring snack and liquid; heavy rain cancels..

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