Black Creek Preserve
Location- Winding Brook Rd, Esopus, NY 12429
Trail- Black Creek Preserve Trails: Yellow, Red, Blue
Trail Length- Yellow (.5 miles) Red (1 mile) Blue (.5 Miles)
Duration- 1 hour
The Black Creek Preserve:
Black Creek Preserve is characterized by many distinct land features. A beautiful ecologic tapestry woven together by vernal pools, great pines and hardwoods, a network of stone walls and a river side view that would inspire any artist. The creek was never tamed for industry as many of the other waterways have been. And the solace one finds here is a testament to the attributes it holds.
Fight for Survival:
While the surrounding forest consists of many species of trees, the mighty Eastern Hemlock is a star in this land. These trees release tannic acid which has an effect on the color of the water flowing in the creek. The result is a dark hue. Upon crossing the suspended bridge, a visitor may first notice this and remark that the preserve is aptly named.
There is a cause of concern in this forest. Many of the hemlocks have been infected with a tiny pest called the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. These insects are invasive and have killed many of the trees they infect, sucking them dry of their sap. The hemlocks release their needles that then litter the forest floor. The abundance of this shedding upon the ground may have an adverse effect on the nearby ecosystem.
A Stunning Forest of Diversity:
The Preserve’s Forest also consists of other arboreal species, some of which are red maple, eastern white pine, and black birch.
When some of these trees die their trunks may end up with holes that look like they have been drilled in them. This is a tell-tale sign of woodpeckers. In the preserve the Red-headed Woodpecker dwells (Melanerpes erythrocephalus).
Also flying around are birds of prey that hunt and live within the confines of the forest as well. Hawks circle above looking down for a tasty meal such as an Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus). Osprey may look for one of the spawning herring (Alosa aestivalis) that come back every spring. But standing at the edge of the trail you may see a mammoth flying up and down the Hudson River, the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus).
Another feature within the preserve are vernal pools. The pools are home to Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica). During the winter they sleep. But come spring they will be chirping and creating a cacophony of sound in the forest.
The creek itself is a remarkable water feature. The waters are filtered through wetlands. In the spring conservationists use fykes to count the number of glass eels that travel into the tributary from the Hudson. The eels will return to the ocean and become full grown. But while they are in the Black Creek, they will be tiny, almost see through creatures.
Also, blueback herring (Alosa aestivalis) still spawn in the creek. These fish come in spring to lay their eggs. A month after hatching, the baby herring will swim to the ocean and grow up there. Repeating the cycle its ancestors have done for generations.
These are just a few of the many species you’ll encounter at the preserve. And now for the Black Creek Preserve Trail. Not only is the Preserve full of natural diversity but later I will tell you about the diverse history associated with this place and its connection to a prominent family.
The Trail:
The trailhead for Black Creek Preserve sits on Winding Brook Rd., just to the right of 9W. The parking lot is not huge. On the day I hiked I went early and there was only one other car.
The trailhead has a welcome sign which shows the three trails. They are colored yellow, red, and blue. In total, it is about 2 miles worth of trails. Next to the welcome sign is a “leave no trace” warning and QR code for the brochure. A nice feature to prevent any unnecessary trash.
Another sign shows some interesting facts about the water that I think is an enjoyable read before your hike. There is also a Scenic Hudson sign showing other preserves and parks in the area in case you’re interested.
Into the woods:
Yellow Trail
As you follow the road from the parking lot there is a tree to the right with three yellow markers denoting the start of the path. The trail here is well groomed and flat. There is a wooden fence along the river side and an arch at the start.
Bridges
The first wooden bridge goes over a small ditch that discharges into the Black Creek. The creek itself was rolling on the day I went and quite peaceful to watch and here as I hiked. In the distance I could see the suspension bridge which was my first one I have crossed on a hike.
The 120-foot suspension bridge is the only way across the Black Creek. It is sturdy, about 20 feet above the water, and a great spot to take a picture of the creek. As I went to cross, a man approached from the other side with his dog. They were nice. The bridge is tight for two-way traffic, but manageable in case you happen to cross at the same time as someone else.
After crossing the suspension bridge, I started to see little metal tags at the bottom of trees. They were small markers that I assume is part of some research and would find out a little about the trees in the area further into the hike.
The Hill
The hill starts after crossing the bridge. It reminded me of the hike at the Blue Mountain Reservation. It’s manageable but may be something to think about when bringing children or people not ready for elevation.
There are points where wood is placed like steps. Further up the hill, there is a long stretch of wooden planks that carry you up. Here too I saw the formations of rock walls. There’s a few more spots where you come across more substantial versions as well.
Hemlocks and Pests
You come to a point where the trail levels out. There is a signpost that has another map you can review. But what I found interesting was the flier that talked about why the trees were dying. Turns out the Eastern Hemlock that give the Black Creek its dark hue, are blighted by a pest called the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. Perhaps that’s what the markers were indicating on the way up the trail.
Another flier shows a list of Invasive Species. I found this interesting too as you could see how many are in the area and where they typically grow. Most of the vegetation was sparse as the time I hiked was winter, but during the spring I bet you could spot a lot of these plants here and on future hikes.
The yellow trail continues through a forest of tall hemlocks and other species. Also, I passed a vernal pool that was frozen over. In the spring these will be homes to croaking wood frogs that will sing a chorus while you hike along.
Toward the River:
Red Trail and Blue Trail
Another wooden bridge takes you over a small stream. Not too far from there you come to the intersection of the red trail. Here a sign is posted that calls the section the Vernal Pool Trail.
It’s a bit rocky here but otherwise well maintained. There were quite a few vernal pools I passed as well as a nice patch of moss that grew atop a rock edge.
Here was another section of Stone Walls that was sturdier than the previous section. The Red Trail (Vernal Pool Trail) goes alongside the rock wall. After the rock wall, there is a “T” intersection with a bench. This is where the Blue and Red trails meet. Going left brings you to a crossover and back toward the yellow trail. Going right is the Hudson River portion.
The river is very visible in the winter from atop a small hill on the blue trail. Continuing down will bring you even closer and eventually to a beach area. As I continued, I passed a half trunk of a tree that had many holes drilled all over which is a telltale sign of a woodpecker presence.
The Mighty Hudson:
Blue Trail
As you get to the bottom next to the Hudson River, there are a few lookout points. They are very good spots to take some nice photographs. On the day I went, the sun was shining in a partly cloudy sky which gave some nice effects to the area.
There’s a beach at a section here but it is not for swimming. But it is a nice photo-op with views to the north. The rocks are also interesting, I think they may be shale from the way they break.
Back on the blue trail, there is another bench on a green moss section of the river side. The path heads down slightly to another beach which is also a no swim zone. But I wondered if anyone used to dock kayaks or canoes if they did venture this way.
Invasive Species
I found an invasive species here that I remembered from my youth when I visited Hudson Clearwater. The species is a type of water chestnut. They are originally from Eurasia and Africa but now are in many parts of the northeast.
After seeing the Water Chestnut, I took the blue trail back up a slight incline. I passed through the sparse forest and a tree marker, to the intersection of the Blue- Red Crossover trail. I followed the red section past a few trees that had more markers at their base. Each one indicated the species and an interesting fact. These are cool features that I appreciate on any hike.
The Return:
Red Trail
The red trail came to an old road which was aptly named Old Farm Road. The sign pointed left to where the bridge and crossing area. Another tree marker indicated the tree type.
I followed the trail past the stream and over the small bridge. Past the hill trail marker with the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, then down the long plank stretch, and to the suspension bridge where I had to take another picture.
The Black Creek rolling gently by on my way out was a great way to finish the trail. As I made it across the road to the parking lot, I saw another car had parked, and I wondered if that hiker was now enjoying the vistas of the river and shale beach like I had just a few miles ago.
The Tail:
Introduction:
While the surrounding area is known for the great trails of the Shawangunk Mountains, John Burroughs’ Slabside, and the City of Kingston (New York’s first capital); many people would be shocked to know about a hidden preserve and rumbling creek that contains a vast forest, plethora of species, and history connected to one of New York’s prominent landowning families.
The Black Creek Preserve sits to the east of 9W in the Town of Esopus. On route to the preserve, you pass a few cemeteries, an old farm, and a monastery. Dutch settlers from Albany, then called Fort Orange, decided to establish a settlement in the area to the south. At this time the Black Creek was known as, “Kline Esopus,” or little Esopus by the Dutch (SCENIC AREAS OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE).
The Esopus People:
But Esopus was not an empty place. Native Americans who were called the Esopus people lived in the area. The Esopus tribe consisted of five bands. Two of which are the Catskill who lived near the Esopus Creek, and the Warranawokongs who lived in Shawangunk and Wawarsing. According to, Augustus H. Van Buren, their wigwam, was located near Kingston. The Esopus tribe themselves are a portion of the greater Munsee Lenape. In 1830, a man, who lived in a cabin just outside of Kingston near the Rondout Creek died. It was believed he was the last Esopus who still lived in New York (Augustus H. Van Buren).
The Europeans Arrive:
In 1677, the area from the Hudson River to the Shawangunks encompassing the Black Creek Preserve was part of the Paltz Patent under Governor Andros (SCENIC AREAS OF STATEWIDE SIGNIFICANCE). In the early 1700s the Beaver Family arrived in Esopus; their cemetery is still visible across from the entrance to the Preserve (Marist Heritage Project · Neighbors of the Estate). Black Creek was known as Beaver Creek after the name of the family who owned the property for many years. In 1811, the Town of Esopus was formed (Marist Heritage Project · Early Esopus History and Geography).
Connection to the Pells:
I wrote about the Pell family in my post about the Siwanoy Trail. The Pells was a wealthy family that owned property in what is now called Pelham in the Bronx and Pelham Manor in southern Westchester.
Around the late 1820s, Alfred Sans Pell purchased over a hundred acres in Esopus and a little over 140 acres north of West Park, NY (Marist Heritage Project · Neighbors of the Estate). Alfred’s son, Robert Livingston Pell inherited the land and nearby Esopus Island in 1831 (Marist Heritage Project · Neighbors of the Estate). Robert built the Pelham Farm in the area. He was a premier apple grower and exporter in the 1840s, his produce was sold all over Europe as well as China (Marist Heritage Project · Neighbors of the Estate). The Pells would not be the only famous name to live near the Black Creek.
A Naturalist’s Heaven:
The Black Creek continues to flow south from the preserve. If you follow it, you will end up at a nature sanctuary called, “Slabside.” The cabin belonged to naturalist John Burroughs. In his life, he hosted Walt Whitman, Theodore Roosvelt and many others (John Burroughs’ Association).
Preservation:
The Black Creek Preserve is operated by Scenic Hudson. The vast forest and Hudson tributary has many points of interest which I hope I highlighted well here in this post. I touched upon a few key points that I felt were closest to the Preserve. But as I try to keep this succinct, I undoubtedly miss some history. I hope this blog piques your curiosity in the land, the people, and stories of the Black Creek Preserve. The only way to continue its legacy and preserve nature is to know where we walk and take care how we walk it.