The John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary is located on. Burroughs Drive at Floyd
Ackert Road, West Park,. NY, just 90 miles north of New York City and ten.
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ASSOCIATION
— Enriching lives through nature —
“ At a very early hour I am
John Burroughs (1837-1921) was one of the most popular and influential authors of his day and is considered the originator of the modern nature essay. The inspiration for many of his essays was the wild land around Slabsides, which he called “Whitman Land” after his good friend Walt Whitman. Through works written at Slabsides about nature close at hand there, Burroughs had a profound impact
on the emerging conservation movement and inspired generations of readers to head out of doors and national leaders to preserve land and its wildlife. The John Burroughs Association owns and maintains Slabsides and the Nature Sanctuary where it brings to life the legacy, writing, and natural world of John Burroughs. Become a member of the JBA to support Slabsides, the Trails, and its literary awards program. Join other outdoor enthusiasts who have discovered Burroughs’ personal and insightful observations of nature and the timelessness of his essays. Visit us online.
quite sure to hear the hermit thrush singing in the bushes… how quickly I am transported.
The John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary is located on Burroughs Drive at Floyd Ackert Road, West Park, NY, just 90 miles north of New York City and ten miles south of Kingston.
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From I- 87, exit 18, New Paltz, east on Rte 299. Left on Rte 9W for 3.7 miles. Left on Floyd Ackert Road to Burroughs Drive. Parking for trails and Slabsides is on Burroughs Drive or alternately on Floyd Ackert Road (Pond Entrance).
— John Burroughs “Wildlife About My Cabin,” Far and Near
Hours
The trails are open dawn to dusk everyday. No admission fee. Donations are welcome.
Open House
• Slabsides Open House with guest speakers: 3rd Sat. in May, 1st Sat. in October. Also open during NY Ramble in September and NY Heritage Weekend in May, and by appointment. Check our website for additional openings. • Groups are welcome. Call to set up a visit.
John Burroughs Association www.johnburroughsassociation.org
15 West 77th St, NY, NY 10024 -5192 Office: 212.769.5169 • Nature Sanctuary: 845.384.6320 Email:
[email protected] This trail map and the expansion and restoration of the trails was funded in part by a Federal Recreational Trails Program grant administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The new trails were designed by Eddie Walsh, Tahawus Trails, LLC and built by the generosity of hundreds of volunteers. To be a trail volunteer email
[email protected] The John Burroughs Association is an independent, membership-based non-profit 501(c)3 organization.
Design: Pen & Ink Creative. John Burroughs Association ©
The John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary is a pristine and rugged 200 acre oasis set in the Mid-Hudson River Valley. It is where John Burroughs built his rustic cabin Slabsides, a National Historic Landmark and a Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area site. Trails, rated easy to moderate, take you among rocky ridges and out a peninsula in a stunning eight-acre pond enabling you to experience the same forest, waterfalls, fern valleys, wildflowers, and wildlife that Burroughs reveled in over a hundred years ago.
Nature Photography by David Johnson
Directions
Trail Guide
Unmarked Trail
Dirt Road Trail
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1. Carry out all trash. 2. Stay on the marked trails. 3. Do not remove or destroy plants, wildlife, or artifacts. 4. Respect the boundaries of adjoining properties. 5. Hunting is not allowed. 6. Deer ticks, which can carry Lyme disease, are known to be in this area. Take precautions and check for ticks.
Please Remember
Contour Interval 10’
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Coordinates: N 41 47916’ • W 73 58555’
Traverses two cliffs that lie between the Ridge Trail and the Chodikee Trail in deep woods.
Ladder Trail . . . . . . . . . 0.2 mile, easy/moderate
Winds through dense hemlock woods and rock cliffs. Follow it into the Black Creek State Forest and to Black Creek, skirting a waterfall that once powered a barley grist mill. Burroughs called this area the Shattega. It is rich in wildlife.
Ascends the cliff face in front of Slabsides. This trail is abandoned but plans to restore it are pending.
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Delightful walk from Floyd Arkert Rd. through hemlock forest to and along the eight-acre Pond. Don’t miss stunning colors of the maples turning in fall.
Pond Lane Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.6 mile, easy
Julian’s Rock Trail (pending) Connects the Slabsides area with the Pond and takes you along a stone pathway past several cascading waterfalls, vernal pools and beaver habitat. Enjoy it after a heavy rain or as the winter snow melts. You may hear the plink of frogs seeking cover as you cross over two streams.
From Burroughs Dr. loops through mixed woods and offers an eastern view toward the Hudson River.
Follows the narrow rock ledge that extends into the Pond. A favorite picnic destination.
South Pond Trail . . . . . 0.3 mile, easy/moderate
East Overlook Trail . . 0.3 mile, easy/moderate
Peninsula Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.1 mile, easy
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Chodikee Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.7 miles, easy
Traces the often sunny northern end of the Pond where stone boulders invite you to linger. It connects Pond Lane with Burroughs Drive.
North Pond Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3 mile, easy
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Loops around the former homestead of Amasa Martin, who worked in Burroughs’ celery swamp. His stone walls from the late 1800’s still stand.
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Amasa Martin Trail . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4 mile, easy
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Explores the southern area of the Nature Sanctuary following the contours of broad, wooded ridges. It passes the spring Burroughs used, crosses over his former celery swamp on a boardwalk and also features a steep stone stairway along a dramatic cliff.
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Ridge Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9 miles, moderate
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This 200-acre Nature Sanctuary features dramatic cliffs, dense hemlock forest, fern valleys, vernal pools, waterfalls and 4 miles Pond of trails winding through the landscape that inspired the Entrance writings of literary naturalist John Burroughs.
John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary
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