Apalachin Marsh
Quick Bits
Main Activities - Hike
Distance - ~1.5 miles of trails
Quiet - road noise from Routes 86 and 4343
Surface - dirt trails, some roots, very wet at times
Elevation - very flat
Pets - no pets
Address - 5400 Route 434 Apalachin, NY
In a Nutshell
The Apalachin Marsh is a very unique preserve that was saved from destruction when Interstate 86 was built (Route 17 at the time). The Marsh is home to unique flora and fauna. And you get it via a foot tunnel under the eastbound side of Interstate 86.
Location and Parking
This Preserve doesn't have a large sign and the parking area looks more like just a wide shoulder on Route 434, partly because that's what it is. The pulloff is located about a half-mile west of Hilton Road. Park in this are and near the right side of the pull off is the trail which shortly enters a tunnel to get under the highway.
"5400 Route 434" is sometimes listed as the address, though some GPS systems map this to a towing company. The parking is on the north side of Route 434, which would be an odd-numbered address.
The map to the right is from a pin drop (42.086728, -76.168953).
More details
To hear the full history of this Preserve, check out the Harriet Marsi video. The short version is Harriet Marsi and friends saved the Marsh from destruction when Route 17 (now known as Interstate 86) was first proposed in 1964. Today the area is owned by the NY DOT and managed by Waterman Conservation Education Center. I estimate it to be about 28 acres and there is about 1.5 miles across the three trails.
As a true marsh area, the Apalachin Marsh Preserve offers unique wild flowers, animals, and birds. I often wonder if the people driving by on Route 17 realize this is here. The Marsh sits in the median as the two directions are split so as the westbound lanes go to the northern side of the Marsh, while the eastbound lanes are up to 1200 feet to the south giving the Marsh room. To get to the Marsh, you'll take a foot tunnel under the eastbound lanes. How cool is that?
From the parking area off Route 434, the trailhead is to the right end. Taking the trail through the tunney, you'll come to the kiosk sign and the main loop trail (Yellow), called the Marsh Trail. An additional trail (Blue), Northpoint Trail, breaks off the Marsh Trail and then rejoins it after wandering up to the northernmost point of the preserve. The newest trail is Harriet's Crossing, named for the woman who saved the Marsh. Marked in red, this trail bisects the Marsh loop.
There is a bird blind off the western edge of the Marsh Loop. Unfortunately it is closed due to damage and safety (July 2023 - will update if I hear it is back open). But there are some benches and other places to pause and watch the birds. Do note that the tunnel will require those of a certain height to duck. Additionally, at times of the year, the Marsh can be very wet and muddy (it is a marsh!). And I should also point out that there is poison ivy here so exercise caution as appropriate.
Wander & Ponder Videos Recorded Here
Rule #7 Pick Up the Phone
January 28, 2024