Day #12 on the Paumanok Path...

Although the forecast was calling for rain all day, Rosa and I decided to continue on the trail today. We felt really good about our progress, and wanted to keep the momentum going.  We decided to head out even earlier this morning because the drive to get to the trail is now an hour away! We left by 6:30, and were on the trail by 7:38.

We parked on Middle Line Highway, right near the Paumanok Path sign, and were on our way. We were hoping the rain would hold off until we at least got started into the woods, and our prayers were answered. It remained overcast until about 15 minutes into our hike and then remained raining steady for the duration of our walk.

About a half mile into our walk, we came across this interesting, almost perfectly circular pond, with an equally circular formation of lily pads in the center. According to Google maps, I believe it is named Camps Pond. It was a really beautiful little area to begin our day. We were able to enjoy the smooth look of the water surface before the rain began.

Still south of Middle Line Highway, the next mile and a half had us winding around patches of twisted trees and crossing over Noyac Path before making our way north to cross back over Middle Line Highway.  We walked behind and around some absolutely beautiful houses, walking up upon some pretty random things, like a skull and bones of an animal, to random structures, that seemed to be no where near anyone's home to be utilized.


We came upon plenty of deer today, startling them way before I could get any pictures of them.



At about two and a half miles in, we were directed out onto Millstone Road for about a half mile, until the trail brought us back into the woods and had us walking north. The trail was very slippery by this time, as the leaves and branches were soaked by the rain that was steadily coming down.  Thankfully, neither of us were bothered by it, and welcomed the coolness that it brought.

The trail become extremely hilly at this point as well.  We would ascend, slowly, and need to take a second's breath at the top before continuing.  We got quite a workout today! About 4 miles in, we came across a path that would take us to Trout Pond Park. From the maps, it looked like it would be 1+ miles off of the Paumanok Path, so we admired the sign posted, and continued on our way.

It would be another 2 . 5 miles before we would cross another paved road, but we were kept busy by all of the turtles we came across in our path.

 

 photo by Carole Warren

Five to be exact! Each with such a beautiful pattern on their shell, and each so very different from each other. Some retracted immediately into their shell, yet others just stood, head still out, waiting for us to pass.  We tried to move past them quickly, as to not disturb or frighten them.  The last one we saw, however, was either ready for his close up or ready to battle, as he just stood there, glaring at the camera, not budging at all.  We got our picture, and went on our way, thankful for all that we saw today.

 We had just passed the 6 mile mark, and crossed over Stony Hill Road. We had decided that we would call Mike for our ride home, knowing we would reach our exit point in a little over a mile.
The homestretch to our endpoint, to our shelter from the pouring rain, to our seats and a hot meal.  We were happy to be finishing up today.

I came across this fallen tree, which when it fell, snapped into what I saw was the letters N Y.

This section of trail had a huge cluster of glacial erratics.

This last stretch of woods would take us out to the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, and would have allowed us to complete 7. 6 miles of the trail.  We were very happy with how much progress we have made.  We were even more excited when we immediately located the blaze and Paumanok Path sign to direct us where we would be beginning next time.

 You can check out our progress on the map below.





Until next time,

Rosa & The Thruhiker's Wife