A Spider and a tale of two hikes on Staten Island

Perhaps not quite as hard as finding a Pygmy Seahorse in a haystack, but still a challenge.  Hiking Mount Moses on Staten Island over the weekend.  Part of our Greenbelt.  Ran into this tiny spider species I never saw before.  Mount Moses is one of the highest points in the city and makes a nice short hike especially on the evening of the full moon.  Play the game and try to find the spider.

http://johnares.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/INSECTS-SPIDERS/G0000_66n_J7qzp0/I0000iydkkdhnJk4

BONUS HIKE:  Egbertville Ravine.  This trail starts right where the car was parked near Meisner Road and Manor Road.  Happy Accident.

Staten Island: SERPENTINE COMMONS

Staten Island is a lot of things, and has many "Secret Places."  We discovered a place today that is a little gem.    It is called Serpentine Art and Nature Commons (SANC) .   It is not a city park, but privately owned.  Check the web link for more info in its fascinating history and wildlife opportunities.



























DETAILS:

Park near 589 Van Duzer Street.  The entrance is directly across the street through a door in a chain link fence.  The park is open from Dawn to Dusk.

• Class II hike.  Gain 225 feet in elevation.  Wear hiking shoes or sneaks.  Here is the map of the Serpentine Commons.  This may be the only one on the net. 

• Three trails, one is a the "9/10 of a mile" Orange trail with a spectacular view of NY Harbor and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.  The Red trail goes to Howard Avenue.  We did not do the Yellow Trail.
• Takes about an hour or so to do the Orange Trail loop.
• The entrance fools you.  There is no blaze and you think you need to go straight somehow.  WRONG  - MAKE A HARD LEFT and walk along the fence until you come up to the start of the ascent.

• Like anywhere in New York State, the state flower, POISON IVY is everywhere, so know your 100% ORGANIC, PURE AND ALL NATURAL TOXIC WEED.
• The Area is named for the SERPENTINE Rock formations in the area (see below)

• Enjoy the reward from the Orange Trail. - JA