Plotter Kill Preserve Series LbNA #16764 (ARCHIVED)

***Updated July 30th, 2010*** Some preserve signs have been changed. I have corrected the clues accordingly.

Hike Length: 5.35 miles (allow around 4 hours)

NOTE: This is a long hike with some parts that are quite steep. There are creeks to be crossed that may have small log jams or washouts. I do NOT recommend this trail for young children. But the area is beautiful and worth the hike for the hardy.

The Plotter Kill Nature Preserve covers 632 acres. Here you’ll find the Plotter Kill that runs through the entire Preserve, as well as an impressive gorge, woodlands, and three beautiful waterfalls. The Upper Falls drops 60 feet while the Lower Falls and the Rynex Creek Falls both drop 40 feet. The gorge was cut by melt waters from the late ice ages. Spring is best with more water running over the falls, but summer is still nice.

To view a map of the Preserve, go to: http://www.crisny.org/government/capreg/schdyco/Planning/plotter_kill_nature_preserve.htm

DIRECTIONS
Take I-890 to Campbell Rd. (Exit 2a). From Campbell Rd., turn right onto Putnam Rd. Go 1.7 miles to State Rte 159 (Mariaville Rd.). Turn right onto Mariaville Rd. and go about 2 miles to the Preserve. The first parking lot is the Coplon Rd. entrance. The second entrance (which you want) is just after on the right.


CLUES:
Park in the main parking lot on the right side off Mariaville Rd. (just after the Coplon Rd. entrance). From the kiosk start on the main (red) trail, crossing over a wooden foot bridge and coming to descending stairs. STOP!

BOX #1 PLOTTER KILL WATERFALLS:
Stop at the top of the steps and take the trail to the right, which goes along the gorge. At the first trail intersection continue straight ahead. You will come to red metal posts on the left. About 25 steps past the posts and to your left is another nice view/overlook of the Upper Falls. After seeing the falls return to the trail and continue on. At the next intersection where the trail splits, take the trail to the right. It will slope downward and you will cross over a creek bed. You will pass a blue trail intersection that turns sharply to the right. Do NOT turn right, but continue straight ahead. This is the orange trail, but the markers are very faded and hard to see. Just before the path reaches an overlook for the Lower Falls, you will find a path that bears right. (You might want to view the falls before continuing on.) Go ten steps on the trail to the right. You should be between two trees, a two trunked oak on the left and a small pine on the right. They each have a very, very faded orange mark. Standing between these two trees, look straight ahead about 110 degrees to a tree. Walk about 22 steps (around a fallen tree) to the base of this tree where the box is hidden behind a rock. Please replace box and rock. Head back out the way you came in until you come to the steps again.

BOX #2 THIRSTY HUMMINGBIRD:
Go down the steps and cross over the bridge (& the Plotter Kill). After crossing the bridge, turn left (& up) onto the red trail into the Preserve. The trail will head uphill. Do NOT take the yellow trail to the right. Continue on red trail crossing over four wooden foot bridges. The trail will begin to head downhill, somewhat steep, (don’t miss the pin-head turn to the right) until you come to the Rynex Creek. Do not cross the creek, but stay on the right and continue on the path along side the creek. It will end at the top of the Rynex Creek Falls. On the hillside on your right you’ll notice a large rock cavity. About 4 feet further is a smaller rock cavity with a rock in front of it. Behind this rock is the second box. Please replace box & rock as best you can. Now you can cross the creek & turn right for another great view of the waterfall and gorge. The first time I came here there was a hummingbird darting in and out in front of the falls.

BOX #3 WILD TRILLIUMS:
After you cross over the Rynex Creek, continue on the red trail going up a steep flight of stairs. You will come to a sign for the North Rim – continue straight ahead. After a while you will pass under power lines. There will be another sign reading: Private and North Rim Trail. Eventually you will come to a sign on the right reading: To Coplon and To 159. At this sign, continue straight ahead for about 8 steps. Turn to your left and walk in about 33 steps to a tree with a hollow in the trunk’s base, with two rocks over the hole. This tree is about midway alongside a fallen tree, between two dead trees. Please replace the rocks and carefully rehide the box after you have stamped in. Return to the trail.

BOX #4 HIKER’S HAIKU:

Hiker's Haiku
Live to hike the trails;
Here the heart finds contentment –
Where Spring brings new life.
by Sahalie

At the sign for Coplon and 159 take the trail heading steeply downhill. Continue down until you come to the creek. Do NOT cross over the creek. Continue along the edge of the creek. This trail will be very overgrown and possibly washed out in spots for a short distance. Stay alongside the creek and you will soon pick up an open red trail again. The trail will come to a rock wall and cross through it. Continue on the trail which will cross over the creek. This may be higher in the spring and there may be log jams to maneuver, but I’ve always been able to get across. You will pass by an old, unused kiosk. Next you will come to a sign for: North Rim Trail and Route 159. Cross over the creek. After you cross the creek and go up a short incline, look for a tree with a mass of interesting roots, at 210 degree. Look around the side, behind a rock, under the roots for box #4. Please replace well hidden.

Now continue on the red trail to the right, ascending steeply upward until you come to a “T” intersection (where the loop began). Go left on the trail and descend down the steep steps. Cross back over Rynex Creek. Follow the red trail back out the way you came in, back over the bridge, up the stairs, and out to the parking lot.

HHIKE LENGTH: 5.36 MILES