rolling – moderate pace. Reservations required: Call Jane 631-689-1568. A first-time-in-a-long-time hike on this route from the pull off at the North end of Spinney Road (on the south side of route 24 in Flanders), to Owl Pond, then west along the Paumanok Path to Maple Swamp (or shorter) and back. The path runs through predominantly oak and pine. We should find some sand loving plants along the way such as bear berry, trailing euonymus, wintergreen, reindeer moss, sheep laurel, and more, even if there is snow, as long as it’s not too deep. Closest bathroom from the west is at the McDonalds on route 24 just east of the traffic circle in Riverhead. Unknown from the north or east. The parking lot is West of Red Creek Rd. which goes north off Rte. 24 and east of Birch Creek Rd. which also goes north off Rte. 24. If using GPS, the parking is east of number 2800 Rte. 24, Flanders. Rain, wet snow, or more than 5 inches of snow on the ground cancels this event. Hike end time is approximate.