Quick Hike Details

This is a two-section hike of about 5.5 miles rated moderate, which incorporates a short car shuttle to connect us to different parts of the Roy H. Park Preserve.

We will meet at 4pm at the North preserve parking area on Irish Settlement Road in Dryden. Dress in layers appropriate for the weather, wear sturdy boots, and bring water and a snack.

Our destination is the Roy H. Park Preserve in Dryden, and its two sections of trail. Note that the two sections are not connected, so there will be about 0.9 mile of car shuttle on this hike, but it’s worth the small inconvenience.  Because of this shuttle, our hike will be divided into a 2.2 mile first section and a 3.3 mile second section.  Those wishing a shorter hike can just do the first section.

After meeting in the North parking area (larger lot, with kiosk), we will car-pool down to the South parking area for our first hike.  The first section of trail (from the southern parking area) features an easy route that leads hikers around the perimeter of meadows and woodland and then off on a spur to wonderful small waterfalls on Six Mile Creek.  We will return to our carpool and return to the north parking area.  Our second hike section will start there, and uphill through a section of Hammond Hill State Forest. We then retrace our steps downhill and back to the cars.

From the land trust website: the primary natural feature of the 217 acre Roy H. Park Preserve is Six Mile Creek, its hemlock-studded gorges, waterfalls, cataracts and pools. The creek flows out of a wetland that is intermittently occupied by beavers who have constructed an extensive series of impoundments. Herons have used the wetland as a rookery in the past. Nearby is a large meadow and a beautiful plantation of 1,000 spruces and red pines, supplemented by self-seeding white pines.

The Roy H. Park Preserve is one of 45 Finger Lakes Land Trust preserves.  Adjacent to Yellow Barn State Forest, Hammond Hill State Forest, and the Cornell Botanic Gardens Old 600 Natural Area, this preserve is an important connector in a larger array of some 8,000 acres of protected land.

Directions: Set your navigation app (e.g., Google Maps) to the address: 800-948, Co Rd 162A, Freeville, NY 13068.  (Note: Co Rd 162A is more familiarly known as Irish Settlement Rd.)  This is the NORTH entrance for the Roy H. Park Preserve, with a well-marked parking area and kiosk.

If you will have questions, email the hike leader.