13. Pawling Nature Preserve

Distance:	Dayhike
Difficulty :	Easy for children
Distance :	1.8 miles, loop
Hiking time :	1.5 hours
High point/elevation gain :	1050 feet, 200 feet
Hikable :	March-November
Map :	USGS Pawling

It's not panoramic views that excite most kids, but boardwalks and bridges, cascading brooks, and chance encounters with wildlife. Within the Pawling Nature Preserve that blankets Hammersley Ridge, we found a short, easy route encompassing a variety of natural habitats: a hemlock ravine, a woodland swamp accessed by a boardwalk, and once-farmed fields that have been reclaimed by the forest. Although some of these trails are quite popular with local hikers, the preserve still feels remote and unexplored, perhaps because its 1000 acres are bordered by 2000 acres of undeveloped, private property. Indeed, many endangered species of animals (as well as more common creatures) thrive within the preserve, making it likely that kids will spot a real live woodpecker, porcupine, deer, or—gulp—bear along the trail.

From New York City, take I-95 north to Exit 12. Continue on I-287 west to Exit 9, and take I-684 north. Depart I-684 at Exit 20 in Brewster and follow NY-22 north approximately 12 miles to the junction with NY-55 in Pawling. Continue north on the combined NY-55 and NY-22 for 2.5 miles and turn right (east) onto Dutchess County 68 (Hurds Corners Road). Drive 1.4 miles on Dutchess County 68; turn left (north) onto Quaker Lake Road, which turns to gravel in 0.6 mile. Turn left into the parking area for Pawling Nature Preserve 1.5 miles from Dutchess County 68.

From the northern side of the parking lot, follow the wide yellow-blazed trail that ducks into the woods, heading northwest. Quickly, the trail rises to the top of a gorge wall. A side trail leads right, tracking along the edge of the ravine, with views of the dark water cascading through this narrow, rocky canyon. Point out the predominance of hemlocks, reflecting this species' preference for shady, damp conditions.

Back on the Yellow Trail, walk to the western end of the rugged gorge. As you watch Duell Brook plunge into the ravine, imagine how this tireless stream of water carved the 25-foot-deep chasm over thousands of years. Don't allow the kids to venture too far from the path, because the boulders lining the gorge floor are moist, moss-covered, and slippery. How many different types of ferns can you count? (There are at least six, including bladder fern, walking fern, and fragile fern.)

From the edge of the gorge, the Yellow Trail curls left (west), following the bank of Duell Brook to a springy footbridge 0.1 mile from the start. Turn right and cross the bridge, and gaze into the water at the mica chips sparkling in the pebbly shallows. (Notice the Red Trail splitting right here; you will return on this trail.) Continue straight (northwest) on the Yellow Trail, now ascending gradually. The trail curls westward and, at 0.3 mile, sidesteps an imposing rock overhang that forms a broad cave. Make this your first rest stop, allowing time for the kids to duck under the ledge ceiling and pretend to be the Indians who took refuge here thousands of years ago. Hunt for arrowheads. Look closely at the layered rock; it is mica schist and is part of a major schist formation that extends southward to Manhattan.

Follow sharp yellow blazes along terrain that heaves and swells for 0.2 mile, rolling through hemlock and spruce groves, mixed hardwoods, and patches of mountain laurel. Who can tell spruce trees from hemlocks? (Spruces have sharp, square needles and hemlocks have flat, short needles.) At an apparent junction, bear right (north) following yellow blazes, as the side trail quickly dissipates. At 0.5 mile, the Yellow Trail meets the renowned, white-blazed Appalachian Trail (AT). Turn right, stepping onto an extensive boardwalk that spans a swampy area.

Can you see signs that this was once an open meadow, cleared and farmed by the Quakers in the late eighteenth century? Some clues lie in the species of trees that dominate this area. The gray birches were the first trees to grow in the open field, thriving in the hot, dry conditions. In the moist environment under their branches, oaks and sugar maples took root and outgrew the gray birches, eliminating the sunlight they require and causing them to die out. You may also notice barberry shrubs, which were often planted along field borders in Colonial times.

Near the end of a section of boardwalk, a red-blazed trail joins from the left. The boardwalk ends abruptly, within a tunnel of overhanging vines. Follow the Red Trail as it exits right (east), leaving the AT behind. Kids may have a hard time avoiding prickly undergrowth on this section of trail in the summertime. They can take turns riding piggyback. The trail curls right and begins descending the eastern side of Hammersly Ridge.

Many woodland bird species are found in the preserve. Can the kids imitate or recognize any of the birdcalls they are hearing? In the spring, listen for the fluted ee-o-lay call of the wood thrush. You might also hear a distant bup-bup-bup that sounds a lot like a motorcycle starting up. It's really a male ruffed grouse, making the noise with his wings. The bird in the treetops that endlessly repeats "Here I am. Where are you?" is the red-eyed vireo.

At 1.3 miles, balance on a log to cross a seasonal stream. Look for animals tracks in the muddy banks; animals known to inhabit the preserve include deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, bobcats, and beavers. Embraced by lowbush blueberries and mountain laurel, the ribbonlike Red Trail snakes along rolling terrain. See if you can spot a wintergreen plant, a small evergreen that looks a little like a dwarfed mountain laurel. Gently tear off the end of a leaf and let the kids take a sniff.

At 1.5 miles, the overgrown trail comes to a hemlock grove, where it leaves the intrusive underbrush and becomes much easier to follow. In another 0.1 mile, a lookout on the left provides pretty views to the adjoining ridge. Drop down a wooded hillside, cross more seasonal streams, and return to the Yellow Trail 1.7 miles from the start. Turn left onto the Yellow Trail and follow the blazes across the familiar footbridge. Pass the hemlock gorge and soon return to your car.