outdoors and fitness	« biking & hiking
Updated: November 17, 2009, 10:08 pm	Share    Print    Email

The weather was perfect and the trail conditions were too for a hike through Laurel Valley County Park, whether one was an expert or beginner. Photos by Brett Mauser

Southampton - On the list of ways on which one could spend their Sunday mornings, there's sleeping in, coffee and donuts, the Sunday paper, maneuvering your fantasy football roster, your weekly religious ceremony, and then there's this - a brisk and thoroughly enjoyable hike through the Laurel Valley County Park in Noyac. A pack of 25 or so hikers - some men, some women, some well traveled, some novices - took part in the first leg in a series of organized hikes led by Jeff Thayer of JT Personal Fitness Studio in Southampton, which combined with a brunch at Wildthyme in Water Mill made for a great beginning to the day.

The leaves showed off a rainbow of colors during peak foliage season.

This reporter, for one, has been more apt to pick up a basketball or golf club in the past rather than wander into the woods, but the experience may lead me to, as the saying goes, turn over a new leaf. Between the two spots, it was a two-hour session that centered around providing a solid foundation for the day, while also benefiting Women in the Hamptons Care (WITH Care), which hosts events and dedicates those funds to local families in need. The hike, stemming from the opening opposite Deerfield Path, was 2¼ miles long with a steady incline to get the blood flowing.

The first half went along the Paumanok Path on the southern border of the preserve, with a ravine funneling hikers to the southeastern most point where they can bend left onto the Laurel Woods Trail or right to remain on Paumanok, which continues over Middle Line Highway and east to Montauk. The masses went the former route, ambling north and slaloming brush and trees, either upright or downed. You had to marvel at the forces of nature, whether it was last week, last year or last century, that caused these proud and peaceful oaks, birches and others to be uprooted. From a selfish perspective, the carnage nevertheless made for beautiful scenery.

Nutritionist Nicole Rubenstein fielded questions from the crowd that re-assembled at Wildthyme after the hike.

The leaf cover made for somewhat of a slippery track. You had the choice to forge ahead while watching your step, admiring the foliage in full bloom, or carefully alternating between the two. We shot north on Laurel Woods Trail to a sparser region that overlooked Noyac Golf and Country Club - another fine choice for Sundays such as this, days hovering around 60 degrees with barely a cloud in the sky or a wisp of wind. With the help of a well-placed markers on trees, we navigated our way south, back through thicker forest and scaling modest hills and valleys en route to our original meeting point.

As a whole, the path was equal parts challenging and relaxing, enough to satisfy a first-timer and not completely bore a seasoned hiker. We caught it at the perfect time, when the leaves came in all kinds of yellows, oranges and reds. It's also worth noting that the trails were in remarkable shape thanks to its caretakers who don't get enough credit for their work that goes unseen.

And it gets better. Brunch at Wildthyme was divine - whole wheat French toast with warm apple-pear compote, vegetable frittata with shiitake mushrooms, peppers and onions, and yogurt parfait with fresh berries, honey and pecans. Now that's a breakfast you can feel good about. Nicole Rubenstein, a registered dietitian based in Riverhead, addressed the satisfied crowd post-meal about the importance of eating a healthy breakfast in order to provide a strong foundation for each day. She stressed the value of balancing whole-grain carbohydrates (healthier bread, oatmeal, et al) and low-fat proteins (egg whites, low-fat yogurts and cheeses) before taking questions from those on hand.

Fallen trees made you marvel at the forces of nature that caused them to be uprooted.

That the morning was focused on health led to light conversation about the subject - one man's shedding of 60 pounds, due in large part to a healthier diet; my new friend Sarah's workout regimen at JT's place down the street from the house into which she and her husband Rick had just moved full-time.

Trails this alluring and challenging aren't outside everyone's front doors but you could probably find a comparable version a short walk or drive away. One day I'll head back for a lads-and-dads type of day - bring the little man when he can walk and the behemoth of a pup for a supreme sniffing session. It was an eye-opening experience. I'm thankful I went.

Jeff Thayer has at least one more scheduled hike this fall, that taking place on Saturday, November 28, at 10 a.m. Everyone has the option of doing one or two 2.25 mile loops. There is no charge for this event but donations will be accepted for the Southampton Trails Preservation Society. For additional information, call 631-287-5156.