Saturday, September 25, 2010

Walt Whitman's Trail to Jayne's Hill

Walt Whitman Trail to Jayne's Hill (Long Island's highest peak, at an elevation of 400 feet) at West Hills County Park in Huntington.

OK, so I’m a little hesitant to tell you all about this place because it feels like a wonderful little secret and you know that feeling when all of a sudden your favorite band blows up and becomes totally famous and you’re left bitterly defending the fact that you heard them first?! It’s kinda like that. But I get that part of my obsession with the Walt Whitman Trail has a lot to do with the fact that I Love Love Love (big “L”) Walt Whitman. Even if you don’t, however, it’s a pretty rad place to visit, so let me tell you about it.

It is, of course, called the Walt Whitman Trail because the great American poet was born in a farmhouse right around the corner, and often walked this path for inspiration. Ten years before his death he visited the area one last time and wrote,

"I write this back again at West Hills on the high elevation (the highest spot on Long Island?) of Jayne’s Hill, which we have reached by a fascinating winding road. A view of thirty or forty, or even fifty or more miles, especially to the east and south and southwest; the Atlantic Ocean to the latter points in the distance–a glimpse or so of Long Island Sound to the north."

He has also described West Hills as “a romantic and beautiful spot [and] the most hilly and elevated part of Long Island.”

The trail is actually part of a much bigger park: West Hills County Park. The park boasts “youth group camping, picnicking, playground, meeting hall, bridle paths, dog run, and horseback riding facility” and if you’re into that stuff you can access the park’s main entrance at Sweet Hollow Road. Personally, I’ve always gone in the back way because when I go there, I want to walk where Whitman walked.

I wouldn’t call it a “secret entrance” but you certainly wouldn’t stumble upon it accidentally. Here’s the route: take the LIE or the Northern State East to 110 North. Make a left onto Overhill Road. Make a right onto Ridge Drive. Make a left onto Reservoir Road. There used to be a parking lot there, but now you can just kinda park on the side of the road. When you walk onto the trail, you’ll see what used to be a public bathroom, as well as a one of the most melancholic swing sets you’d ever want to see. Once these sad reminders of more prosperous times are out of sight you enter another world.

There are many paths to choose from and while they range in difficulty, I would say that anyone in decent shape can tackle the most challenging trails as long as they have a good pair of sneakers or boots and a bottle of water. I always start off following the Jayne’s Hill Trail to the top—you’ll know you’re there when you see a giant boulder with a plaque on it. This is me sitting on it -->

The way down is a lot more fun. I like to jog down the steep dirt and wooden steps to the trails below, but beginners might want to take it a bit more slowly (one word of warning: getting back up the steps is one of the most difficult pieces of the entire park, primarily because of how steep it is. Your burning thighs will thank you later). No matter which trails you take you can expect to hike at least 3 or 4 miles.

The paths are primarily dirt and crushed foliage, but there are some sandy areas as well, and since there are bridal paths, many of which cross over the hiking trails it’s not unusual to find ample amounts of horse manure. (Personally, I don’t mind the smell so much; it’s oat-y.) It’s easy to want to keep your eyes on the ground—there are large branches, plants and rocks to trip over—but you’ll miss the best parts if you do this! The trail is home to towering trees, lush greenery, and surprising bursts of colorful flowers. While there, you will hear a variety of birds and may see chipmunks, squirrels, foxes, and horses.

Take the time to explore the different trails and don’t worry about getting lost. There are trail markers on the trees and all of the paths intersect at some point. If you don’t explore you’ll miss a lot. The last time we visited, we came across this bizarre stretch of the trail that looked like scenery from The Lord of the Rings. I can only describe it as a land of creepy, leafless bushes (trees? plants? shrubs?) but they were pretty awesome looking and I totally wanted to sport a tunic and have a sword fight.

I will leave you with these words:

Have you reckon'd a thousand acres much? have you reckon'd the earth much?

Have you practis'd so long to learn to read?
Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?
Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems, You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are millions of suns left,)
You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books,
You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me, You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self.

5 comments:

  1. I am very much enjoying your writing. As soon as I am not pregnant, I plan to hike those trails, you have inspired me.

    Thanks Professor! ;)
    Elise

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  2. Those trails are a lot of fun. I actually live 2 minutes from them and used to walk them quite a bit. Don't worry, I think it's just one of those secrets that people never realize.

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  3. Thank you for writing and sharing this info. One would never have known this was here and I had a fantastic time on the trails (even dodging all the horse souvenirs). Getting back to the entrance we came in was the toughest part!

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  4. Thanks so much for sharing your secret spot! Means a lot will be heading up there today!

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  5. Thanks for sharing the entrance! I hope to find it!! We were in West Hills from Round Swamp road last week and only saw a red dot trail.

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