Falls Brook Magnetite Hike

Mike Corey, Naturalist

Saturday, May 23rd | 10 am – 3 pm

The full length of the trail from John Brannon Road to Hewitt Pond is just about 8 miles, but we’ll only be hiking around 2 miles or so along this well-marked trail. The first ½ mile crosses private land, then continues on NYS land. The trail slopes gently up throughout. It passes through mostly hardwood forest, crossing Falls Brook at one point, either on an old bridge or by hopping rocks over the brook. We’ll bushwhack at around the two-mile mark to find the site of an old exploratory iron mine, where there are tailings piles of magnetite.

The soils in the area support both conifers and hardwoods; underlying bedrock includes both granitic gneiss and marble. The diversity of calciphilic wildflowers and shrubs is impressive.

Bring a lunch, water, and snacks – we’ll look to have a return to the trailhead by around 3pm. Don’t forget good footwear (sturdy sneakers are fine) and a poncho, just in case there’s a little rain.  

We will meet at a location that will be communicated to those who register.  

If you have any questions about the trip before registering, contact magnetite@nyflora.org.

All NYFA field trips are free and open to all.

NYFA relies on the generous support of its members to offer free Field Trips and Learn 10 workshops. If you are able, please consider a donation to help support these efforts. Suggested Donation is $10.