Thursday, June 18, 2015

Hike 10: Route 114 to Soak Hides Dreen, East Hampton

Paumanok Path Inventory Hike #10


Route 114 to Soak Hides Dreen

On Wednesday 05/27/15 Carolina, Bob, Jim, and I walked the tenth installment of the Paumanok Path Inventory Hike. We started at the trailhead parking and kiosk on Route 114 and finished at the Soak Hides Dreen Preserve. This 10+ mile section of the Paumanok Path is very well blazed and maintained, and Jim said at least twice that this is the nicest part of the trail we have walked so far. I noticed that the trail tread is more stable, and a lot of the issues I remembered from years ago have all been attended to.
This section of the Paumanok Path first shares the trail corridor with the Northwest Path marked with yellow triangle blazes, and later with a section of Foster’s Path marked with orange blazes. It is obvious from some double blazes that East Hampton Trails Preservation Society is in the process of adopting the convention of placing the PP blazes on top, indicating that it is the main hiking route. I also particularly appreciate that someone did a very neat job of moving all the blazes to the right side of the trail. The blazing is excellent, although I find the change in convention for turns two thirds of the way through the trail a bit disturbing. Jim calls them tetras pieces, but it is obvious by looking at them, what direction the turn is.
Not far into the trail we encountered an excellent climbing turn re-route that was a definite improvement over the old trail.
This is a popular mountain biking trail. I think that the bicyclists, in conjunction with the hikers and runners, have pressured the dirt bikers off of the path. The impact of the heavy mountain biking is insignificant compared to what I was seeing the motorized bikes doing to the trail tread a decade ago. I believe that the more friendly we make the trail for gentle users, the less inconsiderate people will be on the trails. That will make our task of keeping the trail pleasant and sustainable much easier.
After crossing Two Holes of Water Road, we enter Chatfield’s Hole Preserve, following the PP around the pond to the left, being careful not to follow Foster’s Trail that runs to the right. We passed the Woodcutter’s Well kiosk. We walked through the huge white pines of Wilson’s Grove, noting the Peconic Land Trust signs. Then we pass the blue blazed trail leading to Joshua’s Hole. I noticed that the little white pine seedlings of a decade ago are doing remarkably well under a deciduous forest canopy. They are now fifteen feet tall. We pass by a huge amount of high bush blueberry, and then pass by Samp Mortor Hollow and Buffalo Waller, stopping for lunch on Standing Rock.
For a short distance we note that the Northwest Path triangles are missing, but later they reappear. We leave the white pine forest and then enter a hickory and oak woods.
When we reach five corners there is no confusion following the PP. Then after turning right we see Scoy’s Pond to our left. This section of trail used to be badly chewed up by motor vehicles. The trail’s tread is now much more stable.
We cross Northwest Road, pass the Van Scoy Cemetery and School House Ruins and head towards Grassy Hollow. The four of us walk some check steps, built by EHTPS many years ago, that are holding up well. We see a hiker’s crossing sign as we cross Blueberry Knolls Lane. After we cross over Timber Lane we make a right turn near Scoy’s Path (the trail) and then travel an overly long distance before we see another blaze. The trail could use some minor clipping here also.
We continue straight along the Jump Trail, and Foster’s Path heads off to the right.
After we cross Hands Creek Road, we reach Scoy’s Path (the road) there needs to be better blazing to pull the hiker onto the path. Jim started walking the road. I remember doing the same thing many years ago. The trail tread on this section of trail, starting at Jump’s Path used to be badly “chewed up”; it is a lot more stable now. After passing over a couple of driveways, we turn right onto Middle Highway and then veer to the left into the woods.
We crossed River Road, and then walked past Buck’s Path. There used to be a blazing issue by Bucks Path, but the trail now is easy to follow. Where we cross over River Road a second time you cannot see the blaze on the other side of the road; there is need for better blazing at this point.
Soon we found ourselves at our cars parked by the Soak Hides Dreen Preserve just south of Three Mile Harbor.

For the next 12 mile installment of the Paumanok Path Inventory Hike we will meet on Nappeague Harbor Road. Traveling eastbound on Montauk Highway (Route 27) east of Napeague State Park, just past Nappeague Meadow Road with the Art Barge sign. Turn left (north) onto Napeague Harbor Road. This is the last left turn before the fork for Old Montauk Highway, directly across from the Sea Crest Condominiums and just past "Sharkey's" and the Hither Hills Racquet Club on the corner. Follow Napeague Harbor Road across the train tracks and past the first road on the left. Park on the shoulder and look for the white rectangular trail blaze on a utility pole on the right. This marks the trail entrance.

at

No comments:

Post a Comment

We appreciate all comments!

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)