Hiking the Thousand Islands:
Otter Creek Preserve
1000 Islands #1000islands
Update: 6/29/2019:
When we first wrote about the Otter Creek Preserve, we
had primarily described the Northern Loop that crosses the suspension bridge
and heads over to Otter Creek. We don’t
want you to miss out on the whole southern side of Otter Creek which includes
the lovely southern loop with its most impressive view being at the wetland
overlook.
The original Hiking Otter Creek Preserve blog post:
The next Thousand Islands hiking trail that we would like to
introduce you to is the network of trails at the Otter Creek Preserve.
Otter Creek is just a short distance outside
of Alexandria Bay. The main entrance is located on State Route 26 (or
Church Street). Heading away from town,
the Preserve is less than a half mile on the right and is open to the public
from dawn to dusk.
Once again, we have Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) to thank
for this beautiful preserve. There are
nearly two miles of trails that meander through a variety of terrains ranging
from open fields, to deep woods, to rock ledges overlooking the water. Also of note is that some of the trails were
created to be accessible to anyone with a handicap including the trail to the
observation deck. One of the first
things that struck us was how beautiful, new, and meticulously cared for the
trails are. When you first enter the
preserve there is a large kiosk which has a map showing all of the different
trails. Make sure that at a minimum you
take the short hike to the amazing suspension bridge that takes you over Lynch
Creek. This professionally designed
cable suspension bridge is a work of art (and engineering). It connects entire the trail system and also
provides the experience of being in the deep woods.
The story of Otter Creek's 115 acre preserve began when the Butts
family donated an island that can be seen from the Northern Loop Trail. In
2000, TILT was then given 25 acres and in 2012, it received a grant to purchase
the 75-acre Sweet property . That same
year it received a grant through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical
Preservation to design and build a trail. In 2015, TILT received a Land Trust
Alliance Conservation Partnership Program grant to complete the ADA (American
Disabilities Act) sections of the trail, including the accessible lower
portion of the observation tower.
The trail design and engineering was completed by Aubertine and
Currier. They are the company also responsible for the pavilion and new yacht
house in Clayton. TILT describes the Otter Creek trail as
"A beautiful mosaic of 1000 Islands habitats within walking distance of
the Village of Alexandria Bay". How
appropriate!
Thank you Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) for your very kind post on your Facebook page:
Be sure to see...
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
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
