Mileage: ~7.2 miles one way or about 14.5 miles out and back
Sightings: deer, lake, pines and oaks
There is a noticeable shift in seasons. The colder air is taking presence, the insects are silent and the leaves are browning and crunching beneath my feet. A few trees proudly display their colorful leaves that are still in the process of turning and these occasional bright colors pull your attention their way. But the forests aren't brimming with life and greenery the way it once was. Here I present the beauty of the transition from fall to winter.
"Wide central tracts of pine and scrub-oak, monotonous and sterile. But many a good day or half-day did I have, wandering through those solitary cross-roads, inhaling the peculiar and wild aroma."
-Walt Whitman
This section of the hike starts at Suffolk Community College - Eastern Campus. You can park in the green marked spots of Field 1. The directions said the yellow access trail starts behind a kiosk, but there was no kiosk. After a little searching the three yellow blazes were spotted to the right corner of the parking area facing northwest. The access trail isn't too long and you'll reach the road where the white blazes cross.
The yellow trail passes through this tunnel.
When you reach the road don't cross it and turn right to follow the white blazes towards the Sarnoff Preserve. If you cross the road you'll head towards Bald Hill.
Here are a few of the trail highlights.
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| Wildwood Lake |
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| I like to photograph mushrooms. |
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| Two Cones on a Pine |
I tracked the hike separately each way. I got lost once or twice the first way and came up with a mileage of 7.67. The way back tracked 7 miles. According to the map it should be 7.2 miles between CR51 and Route 104.
Near Wildwood Lake the trail intersects with the preserve trails and it is easy to lose the blaze. I became distracted at looking at the lake and missed my turn. Oops.
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| LOST |
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| Correct Way |
TRIP DETAILS
Overall the hike had some nice areas. The trails closer to the college were a lot rougher and had some ATV damage. I was also surprised at how hilly it was in this section. I thought Long Island was flat? After the lake was my favorite section. It is also a section maintained by the DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) where you must obtain a permit and I do notice these sections tend to be the nicest areas.
Watch the video here: My Vimeo - Paumanok Path - Riverhead
Music credit goes to my Boyfriend Jesse, covering Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues.
Links:
http://sbmp95.ess.sunysb.edu/Maps/NewYork/LongIsland/LongIsland.html
Map
A guide to walks on Long Island
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