Southampton Trails Preservation Society
SOUTHAMPTON TRAILS PRESERVATION SOCIETY
We Are A 501(C)(3) Not For Profit
P.O. Box 1171
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
631-537-5202
info@southamptontrails.org
We Are A 501(C)(3) Not For Profit
P.O. Box 1171
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
631-537-5202
info@southamptontrails.org
| Trailhead by Val Shaffner House Generously Contributed by Ken Kindler |
The parking area is close to the house; a good place to begin my explorations. I walked around
the post and rail fence and could see Crooked Pond in the distance. I crossed over the churned-
up tread of the Old Railway Trail; a discontinued and dismantled railway connection between the
Bridgehampton train station and Sag Harbor’s Long Wharf. This trail travels on a raised
embankment offering some nice views into Crooked Pond, and Little Long Pond, but walking on
the churned up trail tread is unpleasant.
Heading through a post and rail kissing gate that runs along the east side of the RR Trail, I
continued down a short incline to the Crooked Pond Trail. I turned right, heading south, Crooked
Pond to my left, the railroad embankment to my right. At the next crossroads, I turned left, past a
bench overlooking the pond and navigated a small network of trails around the southern portion
of Crooked Pond. Here I intersected Widow Gavitts Trail, where I turned left along the eastern side
of Crooked Pond. The trail gradually turned into Widow Gavitts Road which is paved. I passed
Sprig Tree Path on my right, and searched to my left for where this paved road continues as a
hiking path. On the left side of the road, I found an overgrown trail bisecting a driveway and Widow
Gavitts Road.
I followed it into wetlands, and had to work my way around a large puddle and across a narrow
brook before I found the path again. A little further north on Widow Gavitts Road, on the right side,
there is a wide boat launch road that also leads to Sprig Tree Path. I followed Sprig Tree Path past
where it intersects Crooked Pond Trail, over the LIPA ROW. Here Sprig Tree Path has the white
blazes of the Paumanok Path.
When I crossed over the Railroad Trail, instead of turning right and continuing to follow the Sprig
Tree Path, I turned left and walked the Little Long Pond Trail out and back. It heads towards Lily
Pond, but doesn’t reach it. I then walked the Sprig Tree Trail north to the Round Pond Trail,
crossing over Ligonee Brook and stopped to look out over Round Pond. Then I took the Round
Pond Trail back to the RR Trail. In a hurry, I followed the RR Trail south to where I had begun the
walk.
The Long Pond Greenbelt is a great experience, especially when you share it with friends.
Directions: Turn right, north on Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike (CR-79) for approximately 2
miles. Pass Scuttlehole Road on the left and immediately to the right, find a small Nature
Conservancy sign by a gated dirt driveway with the faded house number 1061.” The driveway is
to the Val Shaffner House. It is on the east side of Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Tpk. about 100
yards north of the Scuttlehole Road intersection. It is a .3 mile, bumpy ride to the house. Before
reaching the house, I pulled off into a small parking area on the right side of the driveway. There is
a very attractive Nature Conservancy sign, and a split rail fence across the Trailhead, blocking
motorized traffic, but allowing easy access by foot.
the post and rail fence and could see Crooked Pond in the distance. I crossed over the churned-
up tread of the Old Railway Trail; a discontinued and dismantled railway connection between the
Bridgehampton train station and Sag Harbor’s Long Wharf. This trail travels on a raised
embankment offering some nice views into Crooked Pond, and Little Long Pond, but walking on
the churned up trail tread is unpleasant.
Heading through a post and rail kissing gate that runs along the east side of the RR Trail, I
continued down a short incline to the Crooked Pond Trail. I turned right, heading south, Crooked
Pond to my left, the railroad embankment to my right. At the next crossroads, I turned left, past a
bench overlooking the pond and navigated a small network of trails around the southern portion
of Crooked Pond. Here I intersected Widow Gavitts Trail, where I turned left along the eastern side
of Crooked Pond. The trail gradually turned into Widow Gavitts Road which is paved. I passed
Sprig Tree Path on my right, and searched to my left for where this paved road continues as a
hiking path. On the left side of the road, I found an overgrown trail bisecting a driveway and Widow
Gavitts Road.
I followed it into wetlands, and had to work my way around a large puddle and across a narrow
brook before I found the path again. A little further north on Widow Gavitts Road, on the right side,
there is a wide boat launch road that also leads to Sprig Tree Path. I followed Sprig Tree Path past
where it intersects Crooked Pond Trail, over the LIPA ROW. Here Sprig Tree Path has the white
blazes of the Paumanok Path.
When I crossed over the Railroad Trail, instead of turning right and continuing to follow the Sprig
Tree Path, I turned left and walked the Little Long Pond Trail out and back. It heads towards Lily
Pond, but doesn’t reach it. I then walked the Sprig Tree Trail north to the Round Pond Trail,
crossing over Ligonee Brook and stopped to look out over Round Pond. Then I took the Round
Pond Trail back to the RR Trail. In a hurry, I followed the RR Trail south to where I had begun the
walk.
The Long Pond Greenbelt is a great experience, especially when you share it with friends.
Directions: Turn right, north on Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike (CR-79) for approximately 2
miles. Pass Scuttlehole Road on the left and immediately to the right, find a small Nature
Conservancy sign by a gated dirt driveway with the faded house number 1061.” The driveway is
to the Val Shaffner House. It is on the east side of Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Tpk. about 100
yards north of the Scuttlehole Road intersection. It is a .3 mile, bumpy ride to the house. Before
reaching the house, I pulled off into a small parking area on the right side of the driveway. There is
a very attractive Nature Conservancy sign, and a split rail fence across the Trailhead, blocking
motorized traffic, but allowing easy access by foot.