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.
MONDAY MAINTENANCE ON THE PAUMANOK PATH: 10:00 AM – Info: Nancy D., 612-584-8594 or Janet, 631-288-6884.
Help clip back and clear the trails. This is a regular Monday activity in the Pine Barrens anywhere from Rocky Point to Hampton Bays, dependent upon the weather and leader availability. We will also have maintenance opportunities on other days when needed. If you want to receive e-mail notification of the location and details for each week’s event, send e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Otherwise, call one of the numbers above.
Hikes:
Sat. May 18—MASSAPEQUA PRESERVE STROLL: 2:00 PM – 3 miles – easy – flat – Info: Rich or Lisa, 516-826-8339.
Join the Friends of Massapequa Preserve on an easy hike through some of the quiet back areas of Nassau County’s most popular preserve; bring camera and snack if you wish; children 10 or older welcome; meet at kiosk at trailhead of Nassau-Suffolk Trail, corner of Merrick Road and Ocean Ave., Massapequa, 4 blocks east of NY 107; rain cancels.
Sat. May 18—WILDWOOD WANDERING: 10:00 AM – 4 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Charlotte, 631-929-1035.
Walk this state park on Long Island Sound, and enjoy the beach afterwards, weather permitting; rain cancels; bring snack and liquid; from L.I.E. Exit 68, take William Floyd Pky north to NY25A, go east, bear left onto Sound Ave., then left on Hulse Landing Rd. to park entrance (possible fee, or free with Empire Pass); meet in lower parking lot.
Sun. May 19—PINE BARRENS FIRE HIKE: 9:30 AM – 7 miles – moderate to fast – mostly flat – Info: Andy, 631-696-8089.
Visit the scene of last spring's Pine Barrens fire and see how the area has changed since; also see Grassy, Sandy and Jones Ponds; not for beginners; rain cancels; bring lunch and liquid. Meet at Trails Information Center (1/4 mile north of LIE Exit 70).
Sun. May 19—RED TRAIL RAMBLE: 10:00 AM – 6 miles – moderate – hilly – Info: John, 631-574-8844; 631-745-1323 cell.
Visit the pine barrens of the D.E.C. Sarnoff Preserve’s Red Trail; meet at D.E.C. lot on C.R. 104, ½ mile south of Riverhead traffic circle, first right after McCloud’s Trailer Park.
Sun. May 19—BAYARD CUTTING ARBORETUM WALK: 10:45 AM – 3 miles – easy – flat – Info: Terrie, 631-885-4543.
Primarily a singles hike, but all welcome; hike at one of Long Island's jewels, with open meadows, lawns, marshy refuge and its conifer collection from all parts of the world; bring water, snack and a smile; opt to stay for lunch (bring or purchase at the Café); rain cancels; from So. St. Pky. Exit 45E, go east ½ mile to entrance on right; fee $8, or free with Empire Pass; park to far left side of parking lot; joint with NHOC.
Sun. May 19—AVALON AND BEYOND: 11:30 AM – 4 miles – moderate – hilly – Info: Dave, 631-675-6128.
Try to beat the weekend crowds to this wonderful 10-year-old park and preserve in Stony Brook; highlights include the Monet bridge, Paul Simons sculpture, a barn built by Mennonites using only wooden pegs, acorn trail, Nature Conservancy trail to harbor wetlands (low tide 12:30 PM), finishing at the Harmony Vineyards tasting room (opens 1:00 PM); walk back to car 1/4 mile on road; meet by mill pond opposite Grist Mill in Stony Brook; parking on road there, or if full, in nearby Stony Brook village center shopping parking lot; only severe rain or wind cancels. E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Mon. May 20— MONDAY MAINTENANCE ON THE PAUMANOK PATH: See top of page for details.
Wed. May 22 – CAUMSETT CAPER: 8:30 AM – 7 miles – brisk – varied – Info: Chuck 516-906-2733, AM of hike.
Not for slow hikers; see this beautiful, diverse park and walk the shoreline; meet in parking lot; from L.I.E. Exit 49 or No. St. Pky. Exit 40, go north on NY 110 to NY 25A (Main St., Huntington); turn left; at third light, turn right onto West Neck Rd. and continue about 6 miles to park entrance on left; bring water and snack.
Sat. May 25—UPPER NISSEQUOGUE WALK: 9:30 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; muddy footing possible; rain cancels; meet at Hidden Pond Park parking lot near The Rinx (follow park road to right turn, continue to far lot opposite playground); from L.I.E. Exit 58, go north on Old Nichol’s Rd., turn left onto Terry Rd. to park entrance. E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Sat. May 25—STONY HILL WOODS LOOP: 10:00 AM – 8 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Rick, 631-267-6608 or 631-275-8539.
This wide-ranging hike through Amagansett's Stony Hill Woods is a reprise of a January 12 hike; we will start in the farm fields near Town Lane, but we'll hike through Peconic Land Trust's Stony Hill Preserve and Accabonac Preserve, as well as Jacob's Farm; meet on the east side of Abraham's Path, 1/4 mile north of its intersection with Town Lane; bring food and liquids; bad weather does not cancel.
Sun. May 26—RED TRAIL RAMBLE: 10:00 AM – 6 miles – moderate – hilly – Info: John, 631-574-8844; 631-745-1323 cell.
Visit the pine barrens of the D.E.C. Sarnoff Preserve’s Red Trail; meet at D.E.C. lot on C.R. 104, ½ mile south of Riverhead traffic circle, first right after McCloud’s Trailer Park.
Sun. May 26—TRAILS CENTER LOOP: 10:00 AM – 5 1/2 miles – easy – mostly flat – Info: Ray, 631-764-1950. Hike a beautiful trail starting at the Greenbelt’s Trails Information Center, connecting to the Paumanok Path and looping back; rain cancels, bring water and bug spray; from L.I.E. Exit 70, go north ¼ mile to the Trails Center parking lot on the right.
Thurs. May 30— 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 or snow 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: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Sat. June 1—PINE TRAIL HIKE: 9:00 AM – 4-5 miles – moderate – flat – Info: Charlotte, 631-929-1035.
See classic pine barrens and ponds, plus the fringes of last April’s wildfire; from L.I.E. Exit 68, go north on William Floyd Pky. to NY 25, then east 0.6 mile to Pine Trail Preserve lot (unpaved) on right; rain cancels.
Sat. June 1—PINE BARRENS DISCOVERY DAY: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Enjoy trail walks, exhibits and workshops for all ages at the beautiful visitor center at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge; fun and informative; free; presented by the Central Pine Barrens Commission; rain date June 2; see www.pbdiscoveryday.org for details.
Sat. June 1—NORTHWEST WOODS TO HEDGES BANK: 10:00 AM – 14 miles – moderate pace – varied – Info: Rick, 631-267-6608 or 631-275-8539.
Hike the beautiful Northwest Path, East Hampton's first "greenbelt" trail, from the White Pine Forest to the bluffs at Hedges Banks and back; this is a special hike, with ponds and pines, but it is long and occasionally hilly; bring lunch and liquid; meet at trailhead parking area on NY 114, just south of Edwards Hole Road (between East Hampton and Sag Harbor); bad weather does not cancel.
Sat. June 1—WALT WHITMAN WANDERINGS: 1:45 PM – 3.8 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Shari, 516-721-0223.
An afternoon excursion to the highest point on Long Island along the Walt Whitman Loop in West Hills; appropriate for families and scout groups; bring water and snacks; from L.I.E. Exit 49 or N. State Pkwy, Exit 40, go north on NY 110; a mile north of parkway, 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: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Sun. June 2—RED TRAIL RAMBLE: 10:00 AM – 6 miles – moderate – hilly – Info: John, 631-574-8844; 631-745-1323 cell.
Visit the pine barrens of the D.E.C. Sarnoff Preserve’s Red Trail; meet at D.E.C. lot on C.R. 104, ½ mile south of Riverhead traffic circle, first right after McCloud’s Trailer Park.
Mon. June 3— MONDAY MAINTENANCE ON THE PAUMANOK PATH: See top of page for details.
Sat. June 8—COOLING OFF AT CAUMSETT: 8:15AM – 7 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Shari, 516-721-0223.
Beat the summer heat on this beautiful hike along the sand and pebble beaches of the LI Sound; bring water and snacks; meet at Caumsett State Park parking lot; from L.I.E. Exit 49, go north on NY 110 to NY 25A (Main Street, Huntington); make a left turn and go 3 traffic lights; turn right onto West Neck Rd. and go about 6 miles to park entrance on left; possible parking fee without Empire Pass. E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Sun. June 9—BELMONT SPECIAL: 10:00 AM – 6 miles – moderate – flat - Info: Terrie, 631-885-4543.
A singles hike, but all welcome; take a hike around the lake, then explore a flat hiking trail to Southards Pond; bring water, snack and lunch; we will eat at picnic tables after the hike, weather permitting; rain cancels; from So. St. Pky. Exit 38, follow signs into Belmont Lake State Park (fee $8, or free with Empire Pass); meet on west side of cashier’s booth by comfort stations; joint with NHOC.
Mon. June 10— MONDAY MAINTENANCE ON THE PAUMANOK PATH: See top of page for details.
Sat. June 15— 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; also go across the road to the short Dwarf Pines Interpretive Loop; this is a harsh environment in warm weather, so bring adequate water; rain cancels; meet in dirt lot at s.w. corner of NY 27 and C.R. 31 (Sunrise Hwy. Exit 63). E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Sun. June 16—RED TRAIL RAMBLE: 10:00 AM – 6 miles – moderate – hilly – Info: John, 631-574-8844; 631-745-1323 cell.
Visit the pine barrens of the D.E.C. Sarnoff Preserve’s Red Trail; meet at D.E.C. lot on C.R. 104, ½ mile south of Riverhead traffic circle, first right after McCloud’s Trailer Park.
Sun. June 16—LAKELAND POKE-AROUND: 1:00 PM – 2 ½ to 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; a good beginner’s walk; 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: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Sat. June 22—HITHER WOODS SOLSTICE: 10:00 AM – 7 miles – moderate – varied – Info: Rick, 631-267-6608 or 631-275-8539.
Mountain laurel should be blooming for this circuit hike of Hither Woods; from Montauk's highest elevation, we will hike through Midland Junction, thence to the Block Island Sound coast and back; bring food and liquid; meet at Montauk Recycling Center parking lot, NY 27, Montauk; bad weather does not cancel.
Sun. June 23—RED TRAIL RAMBLE: 10:00 AM – 6 miles – moderate – hilly – Info: John, 631-574-8844; 631-745-1323 cell.
Visit the pine barrens of the D.E.C. Sarnoff Preserve’s Red Trail; meet at D.E.C. lot on C.R. 104, ½ mile south of Riverhead traffic circle, first right after McCloud’s Trailer Park.
