Edward J. and Dorothy C. Kempf Preserve at Wading River

Location: Wading River, NY

Size: 104 acres

Date of hike: May 3, 2015

The Edward J. and Dorothy C. Kempf Preserve at Wading River is a small parcel comprised of wooded hills and a tidal marsh.  I tried to visit it twice this winter, but the volume of snow we received prevented me from parking since the preserve's little lot wasn't plowed.  There was also no room to park on the side of the road, unfortunately.  But now, with spring upon us and the sun brightly shining, it was time to try again.

Kempf Preserve is enclosed in a semicircle of wooded hills that reaches nearly 200 feet high and features one of the rare salt marshes on the 53-mile stretch between Port Jefferson and Orient Point, according to the Nature Conservancy's website.  "Wading River Marsh lies like an emerald along an otherwise unbroken coast of high bluffs," the website said.  "A majority of the area is tidal marsh, much of which floods only during spring tides (once every 14 days) or storm surges.  A portion is intertidal, subject to flooding twice a day."  In 1968, the Nature Conservancy moved to protect the region, with a woman named Dorothy C. Kempf donating 75 acres from 1971-1980 and most of the remaining acreage donated by 12 other residents.  Interestingly, Native Americans once harvested quahogs and periwinkles in the marsh, with archeological digs having found evidence of hunting and shellfishing by the Indians as early as 3,500 B.C.  In fact, the Wading River name came from the Indian word "Pauquaconsuk," which means "the river where we wade for thick, round-shelled clams," the website stated.

The preserve's entrance is on the west side of Sound Road just north of North Country Road, with a parking area that can accommodate about two or three cars.  I quickly encountered a "West Loop & East Loop" sign with green arrows pointing to two trails in different directions.  Following my instincts, I went right.  My pre-hike research told me that the east path loops through a mostly hardwood forest containing panoramic views of a greater marsh complex, while the west path passes a brackish pond and a coniferous forest filled with chickadees and titmice.  My hike began with the hardwood forest, which featured tree species ranging from oak to pine to spruce.  The highlight was a narrow gap in the tall grass that offered a gorgeous view of the marsh and the Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant.  Panoramic, indeed!  Also, just east of the marsh you'll find a two-acre freshwater wetland called Reppa Pond.

 

The east loop also had a few brazen deer who tiptoed within about 15 yards of me.  Overall, I'd say I saw half a dozen deer over the span of two hours, which is amazing considering the preserve's small size.  The conservancy's website said the property is also home to shellfish, crabs, snails and more than 100 species of birds – including osprey, which occasionally dive to feed on big fish.  "The preserve is a wonderful place to explore the world of the salt marsh, where plants and animals must survive in the extremes presented by the tide, salt and sun," the site stated.  After hiking the beautiful east loop, I explored the equally pretty west loop, which had a few adorable boardwalk sections and a boulder engraved with Kempf names.

To help set the mood, I retrieved my iPod and selected Voyager's 2014 album V.  Voyager is an Australian progressive metal band slated to appear later this year at the ProgPower USA Festival XVI in Atlanta, which I'm planning to attend.  I wanted to better acquaint myself with their music before then, so I've been checking them out recently.  It's safe to say this album scratches me right where I itch for prog with its heavy riffs and atmospheric keyboard parts.  If you're interested in checking out a track, I'd recommend "Summer Always Comes Again."

 

Looking back, I'd definitely recommend Kempf Preserve to those living in neighboring towns.  For me, it has a little bit of everything in a small and manageable package.  And if you only have time to hike one loop, I'd hike the east loop.  That panoramic view is too good to miss.

(Updated: July 21, 2019)

Map: Kempf Preserve at Wading River (Google Maps image)
Parking: 40°57'31.5"N 72°51'07.6"W
Video: Kempf Preserve at Wading River (360-degree view)  

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