We will have our first hike Friday, October 25, at the Mianus River Gorge. The Gorge is a 750-acre preserve of old-growth forest that was established sixty years ago as the first land project of The Nature Conservancy.
The trails roughly parallel the river at a higher elevation. Among the interesting features is an abandoned quarry where mica, quartz, and feldspar were mined in the 19th century. For more details see www.mianus.org/visit-the-gorge/planning-your-visit/.
The Mianus River Gorge is located nearby in Bedford, NY, not far from the Stamford border. To reach it:
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- Take Exit 34 from the Merritt Parkway.
- Drive North on Route 104 (Long Ridge Road) towards Bedford for 7.5 miles.
- Turn left onto Miller’s Mill Road. If you hit Route 172 and the Mobil gas station, you’ve gone too far.
- Left on Mianus River Road after crossing the bridge.
- Drive about ½ mile on dirt road. Entrance to the parking lot is on the left – just across the street from 167 Mianus River Road.
Be cautious! It is easy to miss Miller’s Mill Road. Check your odometer when you exit the Merritt so you will know when you have traveled 7.5 miles. A helpful landmark on the right is Twin Lakes Drive, which comes just before Miller’s Mill Road.
The hike is about 4½ miles, and will take us 2½ – 3 hours to walk it.
We will meet at the Gorge parking lot at 9:50 and begin the hike at 10:00. Afterwards there will be an optional lunch at the Lakeside Diner in Stamford.
For more information contact Scott Hutchason at 203-322-5025 or shutchason@sbcglobal.net.