Hike of the Week 7/14/2005

Jim's Walk, Constitution Marsh Audubon Center and Sanctuary - Boost your constitution on great river ramble

Location:  East side of Hudson River, two miles south of Cold Spring.

Length:  Less than one mile round-trip.

Rating:  Easy. Extraordinary.

Dogs:  No dogs allowed.

Map:  You won't need one.

Features: A unique opportunity to walk out into a vast, peaceful Hudson River marshland on a beautifully constructed, 700-foot boardwalk.

Watch out for: Insects could be a nuisance sometimes. Bring repellent. Hiking boots, a sun hat and water are good ideas. The walk back up the dirt road is more strenuous than it was on the way down.

Background:

Constitution Marsh Sanctuary provides refuge for breeding and migrating birds and offers irreplaceable habitat for the plants, fish and other wildlife of the Hudson River estuary. It has been designated an Important Bird Area by Audubon and a Bird Conservation Area by New York State. The mission of the sanctuary is to provide stewardship of the wetland and to teach others about it. A very interesting and informative Education Center is on the grounds. A variety of programs are available for school groups of all ages. A guided public interpretive canoe program is offered (reservations, fees). Contact Connie Mayer, program director, at 845-265-2601 or e-mail cmayer@audubon.org for information. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

Hike Description:

Jim's Walk, a 700-foot boardwalk out into the heart of the marsh, was built in memory of the late manager and warden James P. Rod. From the road, pass the Education Center on the left, then pass a big pine tree and ascend stone steps to a bench overlooking the marsh and West Point. The trail becomes rocky from here down to the boardwalk. Walk out onto the boardwalk and be amazed and astounded. There are several benches, informational signs and a boat landing. This is an extremely peaceful place, and you might want to spend a good amount of time here, soaking it all in, reflecting or meditating to your own rhythm or to the rhythm of the tides. They change every 12.5 hours, and rise and fall 3.5 feet.

How to get there: 

Route 9D south to Cold Spring, a quarter-mile past Boscobel turn right onto Indian Brook Road, then four-tenths of a mile to the parking area. Parking is limited and fills up fast on weekends. Follow signs and light blue, diamond-shaped trail markers down the dirt road three-tenths of a mile. Turn right at the "Marsh Walk" sign just before the Education Center and follow the blue diamonds.

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: July 16, 2005   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.