Hike of the Week 6/9/2005

Snap to it! Turtle Walk at Boscobel is a fascinating stroll

Location:  Boscobel Restoration, Route 9D, Garrison

Length:  Snapping Turtle Walk: a short walk across the grounds; Woodland Trail: about a mile

Rating:  Fascinating

Dogs:  No. Not a good idea to have dogs and snapping turtles in close proximity!

Map:  Pick up a Visitor Map and a Trail Guide at the Reception Center

Features: A restored 1800s mansion. Beautiful grounds, with an herb garden, an apple orchard, a formal rose garden and a magnificent view south of Constitution Marsh, the Hudson River and West Point. And of course: 40-pound snapping turtles laying eggs! A pleasant walk on a woodland trail with several views of the marsh and the Hudson.

Watch out for: Deer ticks in warm weather

Background:

11th annual Boscobel Restoration Snapping Turtle Walk, June 11, Frances Stevens Reese Woodland Trail Walk. Hundreds of snapping turtles live in the 270-acre Constitution Marsh, just below the Boscobel grounds. Each June, female snapping turtles leave the marsh and climb a steep, 150-foot slope to lay eggs on Boscobel's lawn. They each lay 20 to 60 eggs, the size and color of ping pong balls. Boscobel and the National Audubon Society will present an educational program at 7:30 a.m., discussing the history and habits of the turtles. Coffee, juice and doughnuts will be served at 7 a.m. Reservations are required. Call 845-265-3638, ext. 115. Logging on: www.boscobel.org. Admission: $10 for adults, $7 for children 6-14, children under 6 are free.

Hike Description:

Walk down to the left from the back of the mansion to the entrance to the Woodland Trail. Pass a spring house and a welcome sign and trail map on the right. Go through the entrance and descend past the gazebo to a foot bridge. On the left is a short path to a beautiful grotto and a waterfall. Ascend gently on a smooth, nicely graded trail to a trail intersection. Turn right to the Summerhouse Pavilion, with a view down to the Hudson River. Continue to the James P. Rod Memorial Bench, with a fine view of the marsh and across the Hudson. A little further on is the South Overlook, a rock outcropping where eagles may be spotted. Around the corner is a trail to the left to the Wildflower Meadow, where thousands of wildflower seeds have been planted to attract birds and butterflies. Continue back to the trail intersection and turn right to return to the trail entrance.

How to get there: 

Route 9D south to Cold Spring. Boscobel is on the right, just south of Cold Spring.

About the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference : The NY-NJ Trail Conference is a federation of hiking clubs, environmental organizations and individual members who volunteer their time and resources to build and maintain hiking trails and protect related open space in the bi-state region.

Information : For a more detailed description of this hike including a map, visit www.nynjtc.org and click on Hike of the Week. For information on NYNJTC activities, call 201-512-9348 or email info@nynjtc.org.

Hike of the Week is a regular feature in the Poughkeepsie Journal Players section, call 845-437-4848. This hike is contributed by Ralph Ferrusi of Stormville.

V3 Last updated: June 17, 2005   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.