Trails

Trails

 

            We have added a new hiking trail in the northeast section of our property. We have never had a formal trail in this area before. What it means for hikers is that now it is possible to make a complete circuit around the monastery starting and ending at the same point whether that starting point is the kennel areas or our Guest House [Emmaus House].

          As many of you know, the earliest trails were to the south of the monastery buildings. There is one large circuit that is identified as the red trail. That trail is bisected on a north-south line by a yellow trail. The yellow trail also divides in the middle into a high trail and low trail. The low trail connects eastward via two short orange trails to the east wing of the original red trail. Within the last decade we added a blue trail that goes down to our stream which runs down in a valley on the east side of New Skete Lane. Even more recently that blue trail was extended south along the stream and then exits opposite Emmaus House on New Skete Lane.

            Many years ago we had a rugged trail that went up the face of Two Top Mountain. That trail deteriorated and no longer exists, but in its place are two new trails. One is an extension of the red trail and follows an old logging road on the east side of Two Top. It is possible to access that trail beginning at Emmaus House or beginning behind the monks' monastery. A second trail with yellow blazes splits off from the red trail not far from Emmaus House and then parallels the red trail but goes all the way up to the top of Two Top Mountain. From its highest peak it then descends down the mountain until it connects with the end of the red trail and returns to the back of the monks’ monastery. 

            The newest trail, however, allows the hikers who are on the Two Top yellow trail to continue to the east on this newly extended red trail. As you go down the east side of Two Top you cross one branch of the upper portion of our stream and then descend down into a valley that opens up behind Holy Wisdom Temple. It is possible to exit the trail there, but it is now also possible to continue on that new red trail up a hill to the northeast and circle around that lower peak. As you descend from that vantage point you will have the option to follow the red trail in a southwesterly direction behind the puppy kennel. But you have a second option to take a short orange trail further to the east where you will walk along the eastern edge of our property next to a slight cliff. That orange trail reconnects with the red trail and at that point it is possible to get a side view of a remarkable cliff rock formation that is one of Brother Stavros’ favorites on our property. Shortly beyond that point the new red trail connects with the old red trail next to a rock fence. And at that point the circuit is complete.

            This new trail has become a favorite with my three dogs. Not so much because I take them there, although they were with me as I laid out this new trail. I also had help from David Freiler, our candidate, and Ralph Karow, our Resident Volunteer. But since the trail was finished Ralph, who now has added to his skills with computer and music, a love for our dogs, takes my trio on walks on that new trail at every opportunity.

            During the pandemic our trails have been closed to visitors, but now that the State of New York seems to be emerging from the worse part of the pandemic, we are able to open the trails once again to visitors. However, certain precautions need to be taken. Hikers must carry with them masks so when needed if encountering other hikers the masks can be worn. Hikers also need to keep mindful of social distancing. And unfortunately, the monastery buildings and churches are still not open to visitors so coming into and leaving the trails one still needs to observe these restrictions. But with that caveat, the trails themselves are available and for those of you who enjoy hiking, we welcome you to use our trails.