46. Long Pond

Distance:	Dayhike or overnight
Difficulty :	Easy for children
Distance :	2 miles, round trip
Hiking time :	2 hours
High point/elevation gain :	2190 feet, 210 feet
Hikable :	June-October
Map :	NY-NJ Trail Conference Map 43

Long Pond is a terrific destination for a family new to hiking or camping. The 2-mile, round-trip hike covers relatively level terrain and involves few trail junctions. Whether or not you plan to spend the night, the kids will enthusiastically investigate the well-built lean-to (it sleeps six) before racing to the pond in search of critters.

For a day visit, we recommend that you bring a sheer net for skimming across the surface of the pond (or an old nylon stocking stretched over a coat hanger), a book to identify the animal tracks you'll see along the bank of Willowemoc Creek and the shoreline of the pond, extra shoes for wading, towels for overeager waders, binoculars, and a picnic lunch. If you plan to stay overnight, bring along a flashlight covered with red cellophane. You can take a midnight stroll to spot wildlife: the subdued red light is less disruptive to animals, so you'll see more.

From New York City, follow the Thruway (I-87) north to Exit 16 and NY-17 west. Leave NY-17 at Exit 100 and follow NY-52 West to the center of Liberty. At the intersection of NY-52 and Sullivan County 176 in Liberty, take Sullivan County 176 north 4 miles to Parksville and the junction with Sullivan County 85. Head north on Sullivan County 85 (it becomes Sullivan County 84 approximately 3.5 miles from Parksville) to Willowemoc, a total of 7 miles from Parksville. Here, at the junction with Hunter Road, continue straight on Sullivan County 84 for 0.8 mile and turn sharply left (another road bears left) onto Flugertown Road. One and four-tenths miles from Sullivan County 84, pass a "ROAD CLOSED" sign (unmaintained road). In another 0.9 mile, pull off to the right near a distinct "LONG POND TRAIL PARKING AREA" sign.

From the trailhead sign, head southeast on a wide path, guided by the red blazes of the Long Pond-Beaverkill Ridge (LB) Trail and infrequent orange snowmobile markings. Cross Willowemoc Creek on a solid footbridge. (Even though the trailhead seems remote, it's obvious from the trampled path that many hikers have preceded you on this walk to Long Pond.) Trending northeastward, the trail flirts with the bank of the creek. Across the water, less than 0.1 mile from the start, a table waits in the shade to serve post-hike picnickers. Soon, the trail rises modestly and meets an unmarked trail that heads southeastward. Bear right, still following red blazes, to head southwest.

As you stumble over the roots of a massive hemlock, try to guess its age. Hemlocks, which can live for up to 600 years, tend to cluster in damp, shady locations, where they grow very slowly. A tree as thin as a chair leg can be a half-century old. When exposed to full sunlight, hemlocks grow much more quickly. Pause to examine these hemlocks closely. Look for white, woolly patches under the needles, an indication of woolly adelgids. These insects are invading the region and threatening to damage the hemlock population.

Hop over a seasonal stream and look to the right. Who can spot the bridge that you crossed near the start of the hike? The LB Trail has come close to making a complete circle.

At 0.25 mile, the trail sweeps left (south) on a rocky, eroded path and embarks on a moderate ascent; avoid a meager trail that leads straight. Sing songs with animals in them as you climb. (You know, "Three Blind Mice," "Old MacDonald Had a Farm," "Puff the Magic Dragon". . . . ) Cresting within 0.15 mile, the trail crawls under the branches of mature deciduous trees. Somehow, these giants escaped the loggers' saws.

Six-tenths mile from the start, the trail is soggy in the shade of hemlock trees; ferns press in from either side. At the 0.8-mile mark, reach an intersection near a registration box. Here, the red LB Trail heads left toward "east access and parking, 3.8 miles"; pointing behind you, the sign says "west access and parking, 0.8 mile." A third sign tells you that the Long Pond Lean-to is 0.1 mile away, accessed by the right-hand (southwest) path.

Follow the trail toward Long Pond until you reach a clearing where the stout shelter sits near a stone hearth. A short path leads left (south) to the edge of the tranquil pond. Rimmed with low berry bushes, the pond offers kids muddy shores with crisscrossing animal tracks to identify and clear, shallow water for frog and turtle hunting. If you want to find a salamander, carefully turn over logs near the water's edge; these amphibians have sun-sensitive skin and require damp, darkened conditions to maintain a critical level of moisture. (Be sure to replace the log after you've looked under it.)

Skim the water with your net. What will you capture? A whirligig beetle, water strider, water boatman, or dragonfly naiad? The dragonfly hatches from a small egg and lives in the pond as a naiad for two to three years. When it is large enough, the naiad makes its way out of the water onto the stem of a plant. Soon, pairs of wings split through its outer casing and the dragonfly takes flight.

Spend the night in the lean-to or explore the pond by day, and return to your car the way you came.