Saturday, June 24, 2023

Red Lake Preserve (IRLC)

 


Indian River Lake Conservancy (IRLC) has done it again, and just in time for the summer and fall hiking season. They just had their grand opening on a brand-new preserve and hiking trail. And we felt it was our civic duty to go and be among the first to check it out. We are so glad we did! We discovered a beautiful mile-long trail through a wide variety of terrains that led us to the stunning rock ledges and all-natural shoreline of Red Lake! 


The Red Lake Preserve is located at 41315 Honey Hill Road in Theresa NY.  The one-mile walking trail leads to a scenic waterfront area on Red Lake that, at least on our visit, was bursting with wildlife. IRLC has plans to add kiosks (perhaps even by the time you read this) but the trail is already marked with blue trail markers. 


Let your GPS get you to the preserve in Theresa. When you arrive at the trailhead you will see a small parking area (room for about two cars) and a beautiful brand new sign with the name of the preserve.  You will immediately see the trail head down and into the thick woods. But even though it is only a mile long it takes you through an amazing variety of terrains, deep woods and a winding path (beware of one small area of poison ivy on the trail) following aside impossibly high rock ledges on one side, and a drop off on the other, then through open meadows, and finally to the shores of Red Lake. We were greeted by a blue heron and an eagle that quickly departed on our arrival. 


The shore area itself ranges from tall rock ledges to a stony and shallow inlet. The area is very remote. We never saw another person on the trail or on the lake. It was serenely beautiful and we enthusiastically recommend the trip! 



Be sure to see in this blog...
Hiking the Thousand Islands...Introduction

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Abbé Picquet Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Carnegie Bay Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Cerow Recreation Park Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Chaumont Barrens Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Chippewa Bay Preserve Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Coyote Flats State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Downybrook Nature Reserve 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Foster Blake Woods Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...French Creek WMA 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grand Lake Reserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Grass Point State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Jacques Cartier State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Kanik Nature Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Keewaydin State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Lonesome Bay State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Macsherry Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Maple City Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Morgan Island

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Morristown Red Barn Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Otter Creek

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Pulpit Rock State Forest

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Red Lake Indian River Trail 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Redwood Hill Preserve

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Rock Ridge Trail 

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Sissy Danforth Rivergate Trail

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Wellesley Island State Park

Hiking the Thousand Islands...Zenda Farms Preserve