Thursday, November 7, 2013

11/2/2013 Pawling Nature Reserve

     It's always a little interesting getting there.  It's kind of hidden away and there is a Quaker Hill Rd, North Quaker Hill Rd and Quaker Lake Road.  To make it more interesting my directions said North Quaker Lake Road [the map was correct though,,it's North Quaker Hill Rd.].  I'm really trying to get the directions to walks accurate and appreciate any help offered from others.  Nine of us managed to get there.

     The day was damp-chilly with lots of clouds and spotty sun.  A sign announced that we should be careful since it's hunting season [Shaupeneak also warned us last week].   Nicely, a box at the entrance to the trail provided orange vest.  Some of us chose to wear them and we returned them at the conclusion of the walk.  We walked briefly on the yellow, went to the red, then to the white [Appalachian] and back to the yellow. 

     There is a lot of up hill involved for the first half of the walk and we spend a little bit of time on the Appalachian Trail.  But it's a nice trail and a pleasant walk in the woods...good for the cardio for sure.

     I hate to admit it but, while I enjoy the walk,  my favorite part of the walk is dining at McKinney & Doyle in Pawling after.  Five of us enjoyed an excellent lunch there.  It's our favorite place to eat.



tiny purple flowers at beginning of trail

we cross the bridge and head uphill

view in one direction from the bridge

we've walked up a portion of the hill and looked down on the creek
we cross a bridge bordered by two fallen trees

interesting stump

I'm trying to show how high we've already come but it's not very easy to see just how far down the view goes...and we've got a lot more to uphill to go

as we walked higher the leaves became more colorful

a little closer

and much closer
moss and ferns

more moss and ferns

some pretty leaves


and more
more trees

and again

the trail is really pretty

a large part of the Appalachian Trail has boards which aren't that easy to walk on

John says this is a mushroom spoor

trail-side foliage


leaf collage on the boardwalk

more nice scenery

a downed tree and checking the map

I think it was at Norrie Point where we discovered that people had put rocks on downed trees to indicate that they were there.  So, naturally, we've continued the tradition.  WE WERE HERE!!!

moss surrounding a tree

an interesting stump produced two more interesting pix [or so I say]

partridge berries below

and some fungi on the stump

It was a really nice walk

more pretty tree views

the trees at the bottom of the hill the leaves were less interesting

close up composition

more fungi

back to the bridge

and another brook view

pretty trees view from the parking area

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