Hiking the Thousand Islands:
The Macsherry Trail
1000 Islands #1000islands
Since the Macsherry Trail was our introduction to hiking
in the Thousand Islands it seems like an appropriate place to start in
introducing trails to our fellow hikers. This intro will be a little longer
than others because this trail and its namesake have come to have a special
place in our hearts. The trail is
located on the 1,525 acre Crooked Creek Preserve in the town of Hammond. You can find it by taking Rt. 12 to the Kring
Point State Park exit, and turn north toward the river. Take an immediate right
onto Indian Point Road, and you will find a parking area in less than a mile on
the right. That is where you will find
the trailhead. A short way in, you will also find a kiosk with more trail
information. The Macsherry Trail consists of a 1.5 mile and a 3 mile loop through
wetlands and woods, passing a beaver pond, crossing several bridges and
ending at Crocked Creek with a
magnificent view of Chippewa Bay before looping back to the parking area.
Link to TILT - https://tilandtrust.org/explore/preserves-trails/crooked-creek-preserve
The trail was built on the site of an old Boy Scout Camp and was first opened to the public in August, 2000. However, it wasn’t until a few years ago that Bob and I discovered the Macsherry trail for ourselves. We opted for the full 3-mile trail which took us through what seemed like an unending variety of environments, twists and turns following the well-marked trail. The prize, for us, came when we suddenly stepped out of the thick woods and arrived at the edge of Crooked Creek. An obvious photo op!
We were curious about who the Macsherrys were since this
a name we frequently hear up in the Thousand Islands. We very quickly
discovered that the Macsherrys are extremely well known throughout the North Country
for their generosity and their life of philanthropy. Richard Macsherry passed
away in late 2017 at 99. He and his wife left a legacy of charitable giving
that has touched countless lives. Here are a couple of articles that celebrate
the life of Richard Macsherry.
http://www.clevelandfuneralhomeinc.com/notices/Richard-Macsherry
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Macsherry for your example of generosity to us all. We hope to meet you one day at the trail’s end. In the meantime, we’ll be hiking the Macsherry Trail!
Thank you Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) for your very kind post on your Facebook page:
Be sure to see...
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Introduction
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Foster Blake Woods Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grand Lake Reserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Kanik Nature Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Lonesome Bay State Forest
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Red Lake Indian River Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Redwood Hill Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Foster Blake Woods Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grand Lake Reserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Kanik Nature Trail
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Lonesome Bay State Forest
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Redwood Hill Preserve
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail
