In an effort to bring the members of the different trail groups closer, the Southampton Trails Preservation Society (STPS) and the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference are participating in cooperative hikes starting at 10 a.m., the first and third Saturday of each month. The hikes will start from the Sarnoff Preserve’s D.E.C. parking lot on west side of C.R. 104, 2.5 mi. south of traffic circle in Riverhead, about 1 mi. north of NY 27 Exits 63 or 64. For more information, check the www.hike-li.org website or e-mail John at virg4@optonline.net.

East Hampton Trails Preservation Society (EHTPS) and STPS are also working together to plan cooperative hikes. By the time you read this, I will have led a hike for Valentine’s Day. Whenever you lead a hike, it is necessary to do a prior “dry run” on your own. This way, you’ll be familiar with the route you’re going to take and can avoid any awkward sections of trail. I checked the website to see how the two groups described this hike. EHTPS: “... join members of the Southampton Trails Society on a hike through the Long Pond Greenbelt, followed by light refreshments at the Val Schaffner House in Bridgehampton.” On a cold clear day last week, I set out to prepare myself for “Cupid’s Hike.” I grabbed my map of the Long Pond Greenbelt (to obtain one, call 631-537-5202) and headed east on Montauk Highway. As usual, I spoke into my tape recorder as I drove: “turn right, north on Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike (CR-79) for approximately 2 miles. Pass Scuttlehole Road on the left and immediately to the right, find a small Nature Conservancy sign by a gated dirt driveway with the faded house number 1061.” The driveway leads to the Val Schaffner House. It is on the east side of Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Tpk., about 100 yards north of the Scuttlehole Road intersection. It is a .3 mi., bumpy ride to the house. Before reaching the house, I pulled off into a small parking area on the right side of the driveway. There is a very attractive Nature Conservancy sign and a split rail fence across the trailhead, blocking motorized traffic, but allowing easy access by foot.

The parking area is close to the house; a good place to begin my explorations. I walked around the post and rail fence and could see Crooked Pond in the distance. I crossed over the churned-up tread of the Old Railway Trail; a discontinued and dismantled railway connection between the Bridgehampton train station and Sag Harbor’s Long Wharf. This trail travels on a raised embankment offering some nice views into Crooked Pond and Little Long Pond, but walking on the churned up trail tread is unpleasant. Heading through a post and rail kissing a gate that runs along the east side of the RR Trail, I continued down a short incline to the Crooked Pond Trail. I turned right, heading south with Crooked Pond to my left and the railroad embankment to my right. At the next crossroads, I turned left, past a bench overlooking the pond and navigated a small network of trails around the southern portion of Crooked Pond. Here I intersected Widow Gavitts Trail, where I turned left along the eastern side of Crooked Pond. The trail gradually turned into Widow Gavitts Road, which is paved. I passed Sprig Tree Path on my right and searched to my left for where this paved road continues as a hiking path. On the left side of the road, I found an overgrown trail bisecting a driveway and Widow Gavitts Road. I followed it into wetlands and had to work my way around a large puddle and across a narrow brook before I found the path again. A little further north on Widow Gavitts Road, on the right side, there is a wide boat launch road that also leads to Sprig Tree Path. I followed Sprig Tree Path past where it intersects Crooked Pond Trail, over the LIPA ROW. Here Sprig Tree Path has the white blazes of the Paumanok Path. When I crossed over the Railroad Trail, instead of turning right and continuing to follow the Sprig Tree Path, I turned left and walked the Little Long Pond Trail out and back. It heads towards Lily Pond, but doesn’t reach it. I then walked the Sprig Tree Trail north to the Round Pond Trail, crossing over Ligonee Brook and stopped to look out over Round Pond. Then I took the Round Pond Trail back to the RR Trail. In a hurry, I followed the RR Trail south to where I had begun the walk.

The Long Pond Greenbelt is a great experience, especially when you share it with friends.

Ken Kindler is a Trails and Open Space Advocate working to help the trails groups and land managers care for our “Natural Island.” If you would like to learn more about our trails or help care for them, visit the Hiking Long Island website. www.hike-li.org