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Hiking at Israel Wittman Sanctuary |
ISRAEL WITTMAN SANCTUARY |
![The Israel Wittman Parking Area off Old Sawmill Road](./images/bluestone/IWS-01-900.jpg) |
This is the Israel Willman Sanctuary Parking Area. It is directly off the end of Sawmill Road. It holds about 10 cars. In the summer months it does fill up. You cannot park on the side of Old Sawmill Road.
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![the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Kiosk](./images/bluestone/IWS-02-900.jpg) |
This is the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Kiosk at the trailhead to the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Trail System.
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![rules for using the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Trail system](./images/bluestone/IWS-03-600.jpg) |
![main access trail to the Israel Wittman Sanctuary](./images/bluestone/IWS-04-600.jpg) |
These are the rules for this particular public hiking trail system. It is different from the New York DEC rules. |
This is the access trail from the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Parking Area to the 3 loops. |
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LOOP "C" |
![](./images/bluestone/IWS-10-900.jpg) |
After hiking about 450 feet on the main access trail from the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Trailhead, you will to the first Loop. This is Loop "C".
Most people like to hike (or Mtn Bike) Loop "C" in a clockwise direction. To hike it is clockwise direction, take a LEFT at the sign you see on the left side of this image.
If you want to hike it in counter-clockwise direction, continue STRAIGHT. If you look at the sign on the right side of the image, the trail continues straight from the sign.
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![east side of Loop C on the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Trail](./images/bluestone/IWS-11-600.jpg) |
![west side of Loop C on the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Trail](./images/bluestone/IWS-12-600.jpg) |
This is the trail on the east side of Loop "C" in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary. The east side is hilly and rocky. It runs near an old quarry. |
This is the west side of Loop "C" in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary. It is easy hiking or mountain biking. |
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![Trail Junction of Loop C and Main access to Loop A and Loop B in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary](./images/bluestone/IWS-13-900.jpg) |
When you come to the end of Loop "C", you will come back to the trail junction from the Main Access path from the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Parking Area and Trailhead. If you want to continue to Loop "A" and Loop "B", continue STRAIGHT.
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MAIN ACCESS TRAIL |
![access trail to Loop A or B in Israel Wittman Sanctuary](./images/bluestone/IWS-20-600.jpg) |
![bridge over a small stream on the main access trail in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Trail](./images/bluestone/IWS-21-600.jpg) |
If you want to access Loop "A" or Loop "B", you want to continue down the section section of the Main Access Trail. If you are coming from the Parking Area, take a RIGHT. If you finishing Loop "C", then take a LEFT or STRAIGHT (depending which direction you take). It is a little less then a 1/2 mile before you reach Loop "A" or Loop "B". |
After a short distance you will have to cross this small wooden bridge. |
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![trail junction to Loop A or Loop B on the main access trail in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary](./images/bluestone/IWS-22-900.jpg) |
After about 1/3 of a mile, the Main Access Trail will branch off to the left to Loop "A" or right to Loop "B". Both loops are about 650 feet away from this trail junction.
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![wet spot on the trail to Loop A in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary](./images/bluestone/IWS-23-900.jpg) |
The Access Trail to Loop "A" has a small swamp directly off the trail. It often floods the trail. So, there is a small bridge just off the side of the trail. The trail after the wooden bridge is quite rocky and rooty. In the dry months, the trail is dry.
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LOOP "A" |
![beginning of Loop](./images/bluestone/IWS-30-600.jpg) |
![Near the end of the eastern side of the Israel Wittman Sanctuary Trail](./images/bluestone/IWS-31-600.jpg) |
Most hikers and mtn bikers hike Loop "A" in clockwise direction. The trail starts off easy to hike and follow. |
As you get further along Loop "A", the trail climbs in elevation and becomes grassy. Once you get around the loop, the trail becomes easy again.
Once you have completed Loop "A", go back down the Main Access Road. When you reach the trail junction for Loop "A" and Loop "B", take a LEFT if you want to take Loop "B". If you don't want to take Loop "B", then continue down the Main Access Trail. |
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LOOP "B" |
![trail junction for Loop A and Loop B in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary](./images/bluestone/IWS-40-900.jpg) |
RIGHT will take you to Loop "B" in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary. If you are coming from Loop "A", then take a LEFT to get to Loop "B".
The beginning of Loop "B" is about 650 feet away.
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![beginning of Loop B in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary](./images/bluestone/IWS-41-900.jpg) |
650 feet down the Access Trail, will bring you to the beginning and end of Loop "B"
Most people like to hike Loop "B" in counter-clockwise direction. Just beware that the loop makes a 90 degree sharp turn at the end of the loop. Some people have walked off the loop.
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![Loop B in the Israel Wittman Sanctuary](./images/bluestone/IWS-42-900.jpg) |
This is the typical view of Loop "B". It is a nice trail. When you get to the end of loop, the trail drops in elevation on the eastern side. When you are close to completing the complete loop, the trail climbs in elevation back to the beginning of Loop "B".
Once you get done with the loop, get back on the Main Access Trail for the next 1/2 mile.
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RETURN to the ISRAEL WITTMAN SANCTUARY |
![trail junction for Loop C Israel Wittman Sanctuary](./images/bluestone/IWS-43-900.jpg) |
You will come back to the trail Junction to Loop "C". Take a LEFT to get back to Israel Wittman Sanctuary Parking Area. The parking area, about 450 feet away from this trail junction.
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S E C T I O N S
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W E A T H E R
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O T H E R
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