Заповедник Дэвид Уэлд in Saint James

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comments 5

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  Natalie DiTrapani

  :: 11 April 2018 20:24:33

  It's so peaceful here. All you hear is the nature surrounding you. The paths lead you to some incredible views.

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  Fred Smith

  :: 05 December 2017 17:21:52

  It's a very pretty and usually peaceful place. Parking is limited and the gates close at 5 - unhappily there's been vandalism here and now the rules are stricter. Other reviewers suggest that the trail is rather short, but if you are observant and adventurous you can follow the longer loop trail which is indicated on the map at the trailhead. You walk north then east, where there is a poorly marked trail leading north, which then goes west parallel to Long Island Sound, eventually rejoining the main trail. However this is the short loop trail. To do the long loop trail instead of turning north to take the poorly marked trail, you should head south in a direction that's not marked at all and where initially there is no apparent trail at all. It helps to look at the Preserve on Google Maps: it has an "n" shape, and most people don't venture beyond the first vertical of the 'n'. You are therefore going to be heading steeply uphill towards the inner core of the "n", which is private property. However, as you get near the private property northern boundary, you will now turn east again, along the top of the "n". If you look carefully you will see a faint trail and white blazes. You just follow this white blazed faint trail all the way south (down the second vertical of the "n") to a gate which leads onto Boney Lane. You then walk back along Boney to the Nature Conservancy parking lot, which is actually on Short Beach Rd. I don't know why the crucial part of the trail linking the first part of the "n" to the second and third parts has disappeared but as long as you walk south steeply uphill at the apparent end of the initial trail (close to the northern end of Triple Oak Rd), you should be able to find the marked trail again. It might be easiest to start at the parking lot but walk east along Boney Lane until you see the old gate on its north side, and then follow the trail anticlockwise. Either way it's a beautiful walk, and of course on 2 thirds of it you will see no-one (unless a lot of people read this review!).

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  Rex D

  :: 28 November 2017 12:28:40

  It's a beautiful place to hike. It's so tranquil once you hike a few yards in. The trails are a bit confusing, and I found it somewhat easy to get on a path that takes you nowhere near the parking lot. Parking is scarce, at only 6 spaces, but I think it helps keep the site peaceful.

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  Andrew Tumilowicz

  :: 21 November 2017 23:04:11

  Perfect hideaway of mature estate woodlands leading to beautiful LI Sound waterfront. Easy and quick nature walk.

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  Chris Stolz

  :: 17 October 2017 10:12:39

  Beautiful hiking trails, although only one side of the loop trail is clearly marked. A lot of bugs on the "swamp trail", but the view of the shore at the bluffs is amazing. I didn't find a way down to the beach that looked safe, although I know you can get there. 4 stars because parking is impossible. 6 spots total, no street parking, and no other parking anywhere in the town.