Our last walk heading east on the Paumanok Path (PP) took us across Napeague Harbor Road into Hither Woods, a 3000 acre State, County, and Town preserve.  We walked south of the lowlands and the Walking Dunes, and then headed up a steep rise to the panoramic view from Nominck’s.  This part of the Path is named after Stephen Talkhouse, a Montaukett Indian.  On this walk we rejoin the Stephen Talkhouse Path, traveling a total of five and a half miles; four miles along the PP, northeast to Fresh Pond and then along the bluffs with magnificent views of Block Island Sound. 

The Hither Hills Overlook parking area is located on the north side of Rte. 27, eight tenths of a mile east of where Montauk and Old Montauk Highway split.  Pick up a free map from the kiosk located at the northeastern corner of the parking area.  Most people overlook this kiosk, because the newer kiosks and water views to the west capture their attention. 

Walk towards the trail signs and map at the entrance to the Petticoat Hill Trail by the northwest corner of the parking area.  This trail splits a couple of times, then joins back together.  At Old North Road (a wide dirt path), turn right; after one hundred feet turn left onto Elisha’s Valley Trail.  Turn right onto the Old Tar Road;  a quick left takes you across the railroad tracks.  After crossing the tracks, there’s a sudden transition from low growing sumac and bayberry, to oak, hickory, and maple. A right turn takes you onto the white blazed PP. 

As you approach Fresh Pond several short spur trails lead to its edge.  The trail is extremely well marked here, so if you see no blazes, you are not on the trail.  Enjoy the scent of sweet pepperbush as the trail cuts across the boat access at the end of a woods road; this is a branch off of Fresh Pond Landing Road. The trail heads north along the pond’s eastern edge, then east as it angles towards the bluffs overlooking Block Island Sound. At Fresh Pond Landing Road, a left turn would lead to Napeague Bay; instead the trail turns right and follows the woods road a short distance, then leaves it, turning left, up an incline. The PP cuts across another dirt road.  You will want to take a left turn off the trail here, for a short excursion to the Waterfence Overlook.  The next mile of trail runs between the train tracks and the bluffs, but you see neither. The tracks are far down slope and there is a buffer of woods between the hiker and the bluffs.  After a copse of beech trees and a badly eroded section of trail, there’s a spur trail heading in the direction of the bluffs.  This trail leads to a circle of rocks around a depression; the remains of an Indian house, and then rejoins the PP a short distance further east.

After visiting the ruins, the trail turns towards the bluffs breaking out of the oak canopy skirting Flaggy Hole; a freshwater marsh.  Rose mallow is now in bloom, you’ll also see cattails, beach plum and rosa rugosa.  The absence of trees provides an excellent view of Block Island Sound and Gardiner’s Island; there are no blazes in this sandy area.

The trail travels into woods, stunted by salt spray, before turning south.  Soon, a left turn brings you onto Old North Road.  Head east on this wide, dirt woods road. The trail that you soon pass to the left, Quincetree Landing, offers a pleasant, five minute walk through a grove of ironwood and maple to the rocky shore.  The next trail opening you pass to the left gives awkward access to the “Notch.”  After three quarters of a mile, the trail splits off of Old North Road back towards the bluffs through lush woods. In one place, a carpet of fern flanks the trail, and then a cut in the bluffs called the Key Hole looks out onto the sound.  Once again, the trail takes you along the edge of the bluffs.  A blaze on a rock leads right, away from the bluffs; after 100 feet turn left.  The trail bears left, and you are back on Old North Road.  Bearing south by Rocky Point, pass a short spur trail to the left leading to the shore at Dyer’s Landing.  Soon after, a sharp turn to the right would continue our excursion on the PP.  Continue straight along the coast heading towards the navy pier in Fort Pond Bay and the nearby parking area. To drive here, travel three miles past Hither Hills Overlook, turn left onto Second House Road and follow it for one mile. Where the road curves, continue traveling straight onto Navy Road. Cross over railroad tracks. Take the next left and follow this road to its end.