Makamah Nature Preserve Location: Fort Salonga, NY
Size: 160 acres
Date
of hike:
July 17, 2015
Makamah Nature Preserve is a hill-filled forest that's known for birdwatching and its beautiful views of the adjacent wetlands. I found it on Google Maps by zooming in on patches of green to see what local parks and preserves I might have missed. My eyes instinctively drifted to Long Island's North Shore, which is where some of my favorite trails are located, and one of the first green areas I saw was Makamah. Since I'm not one to question my instincts, I used a day off to visit this little preserve. And I loved every inch of it.
Before exploring, I did some research to learn about the preserve's history and habitats. Apparently, Makamah was originally called Crab Meadow Park East Watershed and was once owned jointly with what is now known as the Crab Meadow Golf Course before being bought by the county in 1973, according to the Suffolk County Parks Department's website. "It contains dry and wet woodlands, as well as marshland," the website said of the preserve. "It also contains heavily wooded hills with one rising 60 feet in its center and others rising to 100 feet." In addition, Makamah's easterly section has a valley that drains the surrounding area as well as a main stream that was once dammed to form two ponds and a few feeder streams, the website said. Other interesting facts are that 94 species of birds have been recorded in and around the preserve, which is considered a "prime habitat" for owls and woodpeckers, according to the county. Lastly, leashed dogs are allowed in the park.
Makamah's entrance is on the northern side of NY Route 25A, just west of Makamah Road. This parking lot is relatively new, as the land was just purchased by the Town of Huntington in 2011 to create a "small, safe parking area," according to Newsday. Another trail access point can be found on Makamah Road south of Breeze Hill Road, but there's no parking lot. The trail system includes a 0.3-mile yellow path that leads to a white loop that is two miles, according to a trail map posted at the entrance. "Due to severe erosion and unsustainable conditions, the use of unmarked trails is not recommended," the map warned. The hike's highlight had to be the beautiful views of Makamah's northern neighbor: Jerome A. Ambro Memorial Wetlands Preserve. Some openings in the tall grass offer extra scenic views.
The entire hike took about two hours and I appreciated the trees and wildlife with every step. The preserve's tree species range from American beech to black birch to red oaks, while its birds include American redstarts, common yellowthroats and eastern towhees. In addition, there are 12 types of mammals including a "healthy network of predator-prey relationships," according to a 1970 report by the Town Conservation Advisory Council. I should also note that near the parking lot is a trail to Makamah's western neighbor: Fuchs Pond Preserve. But I decided to save that park for another day. I was hot out and one hike was enough.
My music of choice was Threshold's 2001 album Hypothetical, which I bought last year but have only started to sink my teeth into this summer. "Every time I try to climb a mountain, all I find are steeper ones ahead," the late Andrew McDermott belts out on "Oceanbound." Sometimes it can take a while for progressive metal to click with listeners, and this disc definitely fell into that category for me. It's a big-time grower. And I've grown to adore it.
Looking back, I'd estimate I hiked about 80 percent of Makamah's trails. It's hard to know which I'd hiked and which I didn't, as unmarked trails seemed to shoot off without warning. But I liked the trails I did hike. And I have no doubt most local hikers would like them too.
(Updated: Oct. 19, 2019)
Makamah Nature Preserve is a hill-filled forest that's known for birdwatching and its beautiful views of the adjacent wetlands. I found it on Google Maps by zooming in on patches of green to see what local parks and preserves I might have missed. My eyes instinctively drifted to Long Island's North Shore, which is where some of my favorite trails are located, and one of the first green areas I saw was Makamah. Since I'm not one to question my instincts, I used a day off to visit this little preserve. And I loved every inch of it.
Before exploring, I did some research to learn about the preserve's history and habitats. Apparently, Makamah was originally called Crab Meadow Park East Watershed and was once owned jointly with what is now known as the Crab Meadow Golf Course before being bought by the county in 1973, according to the Suffolk County Parks Department's website. "It contains dry and wet woodlands, as well as marshland," the website said of the preserve. "It also contains heavily wooded hills with one rising 60 feet in its center and others rising to 100 feet." In addition, Makamah's easterly section has a valley that drains the surrounding area as well as a main stream that was once dammed to form two ponds and a few feeder streams, the website said. Other interesting facts are that 94 species of birds have been recorded in and around the preserve, which is considered a "prime habitat" for owls and woodpeckers, according to the county. Lastly, leashed dogs are allowed in the park.
Makamah's entrance is on the northern side of NY Route 25A, just west of Makamah Road. This parking lot is relatively new, as the land was just purchased by the Town of Huntington in 2011 to create a "small, safe parking area," according to Newsday. Another trail access point can be found on Makamah Road south of Breeze Hill Road, but there's no parking lot. The trail system includes a 0.3-mile yellow path that leads to a white loop that is two miles, according to a trail map posted at the entrance. "Due to severe erosion and unsustainable conditions, the use of unmarked trails is not recommended," the map warned. The hike's highlight had to be the beautiful views of Makamah's northern neighbor: Jerome A. Ambro Memorial Wetlands Preserve. Some openings in the tall grass offer extra scenic views.
The entire hike took about two hours and I appreciated the trees and wildlife with every step. The preserve's tree species range from American beech to black birch to red oaks, while its birds include American redstarts, common yellowthroats and eastern towhees. In addition, there are 12 types of mammals including a "healthy network of predator-prey relationships," according to a 1970 report by the Town Conservation Advisory Council. I should also note that near the parking lot is a trail to Makamah's western neighbor: Fuchs Pond Preserve. But I decided to save that park for another day. I was hot out and one hike was enough.
My music of choice was Threshold's 2001 album Hypothetical, which I bought last year but have only started to sink my teeth into this summer. "Every time I try to climb a mountain, all I find are steeper ones ahead," the late Andrew McDermott belts out on "Oceanbound." Sometimes it can take a while for progressive metal to click with listeners, and this disc definitely fell into that category for me. It's a big-time grower. And I've grown to adore it.
Looking back, I'd estimate I hiked about 80 percent of Makamah's trails. It's hard to know which I'd hiked and which I didn't, as unmarked trails seemed to shoot off without warning. But I liked the trails I did hike. And I have no doubt most local hikers would like them too.
(Updated: Oct. 19, 2019)
Map: Makamah Nature Preserve (Google Maps image)
Parking: 40°54'32.5"N 73°18'51.3"W
Video: Makamah Nature Preserve (360-degree view)
Parking: 40°54'32.5"N 73°18'51.3"W
Video: Makamah Nature Preserve (360-degree view)
Parks are liked by the people of essay writer online. Many people use to spend some time in this park as routine. A visit to make huh park is the healthy activity. There eared boo of grassy area. The tree is pared in the park. Oriole can sit on benches which are place for sitting purpose.
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