Hiking Morristown Red Barn Preserve Trail
#1000islands #Thousandislands
Updated:
Hiking Morristown Red Barn Preserve Trail, June 15, 2019:
Last June we
were among the first to hike (and blog) the new Red Barn Preserve Trail in
Morristown.
The folks at
the preserve have been really busy over the past year. Patty described some of
their updates, and a little more of the preserve's history in an article she
wrote for Thousand Islands Life.
We won't
repeat any of that here (see below), but wanted to announce some of
the updates since our first blog. We
were excited to finally be able to go there in person, hike the new trails, and
see all of the new additions the Gateway Museum has added since our last visit.
We enjoyed the
new trail loop that takes you a little closer to the rookery.
Close up photo of blue herons in nest (above) sent to us by the president of the Gateway Museum in Morristown NY, Dean Shelato. This photo taken by Greg Perry. All other photos by Bob & Patty.
We noticed
several new benches put in various lovely spots along the trails, as well as a
strategically located half-moon house near one of the prettiest views in the
preserve.
But there are still a lot more additions planned in the coming days. We'll keep you posted!
Original Red Barn blog (June 15, 2018):
We interrupt this regularly scheduled hiking blog with a
brand new trail we hiked for the first time today. Though the Morristown Red
Barn Preserve Trail unofficially opened to the public on May 26th it has not
yet had its official grand opening and some of the trail markings aren't even
in place. But that said, we had to check it out and are so excited about this
new nature trail that we figured we would move it to the top of our list. The
Red Barn Preserve is located on River Road East, a short distance beyond the
village of Morristown. For those who would like it a little more exact, the
coordinates to the main trailhead are N 44 34.713 W 75 39.590. Though, coming
out of Morristown there is now a new parking area and a sign for the Blue Heron
Rookery Trail which ends up at the Red Barn. The trail is open from dawn to
dusk. The Gateway Museum in Morristown has been working closely with the
Thousand Island Land Trust (TILT) to develop a system of trails across the
property. This is only just the beginning.
And,
yes, the rookery is easily observable in the distance. One has the option of
walking back to the car just a short way down the road or turn around and do
the whole lovely walk in reverse (which is what we opted to do - it was just as
beautiful the second time). We estimate the trail to be about three-quarters of
a mile in one direction. Since some off the trail is over a marshy area, the
museum recommends wearing waterproof shoes. Again, the trail is so new that the
trail markers are still colored ribbons but by the time you visit we are sure
that a lot more progress will have been made.
No matter, though, since the natural beauty of this amazing trail is
already in place and just waiting to be hiked. But in the near future they will
be adding new signage, bench seating, and possibly an observation tower. I
guess we’ll have to go back soon! 
Addendum: After
blogging about our hike, we heard from the President of the Morristown Gateway
Museum, Dean Shelato, who shared the following update we thought we should pass
on:
The Gateway Museum is very excited about receiving a
Grant for $ 12,250 to do a second trail next Spring and to complete some
maintenance projects on the Red Barn. If we are successful raising money- we
plan to convert the Barn into a public use facility and host small events
at-this site including museum lectures,
quilt shows, artist shows and maybe even weddings. But it's
the hiking trail that excites us the most. Thanks to Eagle Scout candidate Evan Coslar from Troup 9 Heuvelton, on June
16th Evan and 15 other boy scouts and volunteers spent the day improving the
trail and building a small bridge over a stream. With these improvements and
the presence of 50 blue herons on the nesting site visible from our boardwalk we
now have the finest - if not the most interesting hiking trail in the North Country!
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
