About this Event
Day 1: First House to Second House, October 17, 10 am to 1 pm, approx. 5 miles - moderate pace - varied terrain.
The Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference, joining with the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society, honors America on our nation’s 250th Anniversary with a pair of hikes linking Montauk’s historic cattle keeper’s houses. For two-and-a-half centuries, Montauk was a 10,000-acre pastureland with thousands of cattle and sheep roaming the peninsula’s grassy hills each summer. Montauk’s cattle days lasted almost as long as the United States has existed: approximately 240 years, or from roughly 1655 to 1895. On Saturday we’ll hoof it from the site of the westernmost herdsman’s house - known as First House - to Second House. Along the way we’ll hike through Hither Woods, passing famous Split Rock, the Devil’s Cradle, Ram Level, and Panorama. First House, built in 1798, burned down in 1909. The current Second House was built in 1797 and is now a museum. Meet 10:00 a.m. at the parking lot for Kirk Park Beach, south side of Route 27 in downtown Montauk. We will bus to the hike start point. Bring snacks & liquids. Hike end time is approximate. Refreshments will be provided after the hike. The hike concludes with a tour of Second House Museum led by the Montauk Historical Society.
Day 2: Second House to Third House, October 18, 10 am to 1 pm, approx. 5 miles - moderate pace - varied terrain.
Sunday’s hike is another paean to American history, and especially to the history of Montauk. Today we’ll hike from Second House (current version built 1797), through downtown Montauk, then eastward on the Paumanok Path to Third House, also known as the Further Field House. The present Third House was erected in 1806, replacing a dwelling built in 1747. It is owned and maintained by Suffolk County. Along the way, today’s hike will detour to the remains of part of the Old Stone Wall, a 1.4-mile-long cattle barricade built between 1823 and 1833. It was the only rock wall of its kind on Montauk. Later in the hike we’ll take a side trip to visit picturesque Steppingstones Pond. Meet 10:00 a.m. at Montauk County Park (Third House Nature Center), north side of Route 27 about 2,000 feet east of East Lake Drive. We will bus to the hike start point. Bring snacks & liquids. Hike end time is approximate. Refreshments will be provided after the hike. The hike concludes with a tour of Third House led by the Third House Nature Center.
Event venue & nearby stays
Kirk Park Beach Parking Lot, South Emerson Avenue, Montauk, United States
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