Sucker Brook Preserve North Blue Trail

This blue-marked out-and-back starts at the North/Warrick Road lot and follows the preserve's north Blue Trail to a seasonal dock on Lake George. The mapped corridor is about 1.4 miles each way, or 2.8 miles round trip; allow 1.5 to 2 hours with a stop at the shore. The trail map also gives 1.8 miles but does not say whether that includes the return, so plan by the longer mapped route. The trail is described as easy to moderate with varying terrain, a modest woods walk rather than a summit climb.

Cross Warrick Road from the lot to reach the main trail system, then follow the Blue Trail toward the lake. It ends at the seasonal boat dock, and you return the same way. A short spur off the route leads to a separate lake overlook; it is not included in the 2.8-mile estimate. The 0.4-mile Andia-ta-roc-te Red Trail is another loop that branches from the Blue Trail, not part of this dock walk.

The dock is one small part of a 1,078-acre preserve that includes 240 acres of wetlands and more than a mile of Sucker Brook streams flowing toward Lake George at Glenburnie. Stay with the blue markers where the other preserve trails branch away. At the short overlook spur, keep some of the near shoreline in the frame to give the lake view depth.

The preserve is free and open from dawn to dusk. The north lot is on Warrick Road, about 0.6 mile after the turn from County Road 1; use designated parking. Water levels vary with season and beaver activity, and sections can flood. Dogs must be leashed. Hunting requires a preserve permit, and visitors are advised to wear bright colors during hunting seasons. The parking lots are not plowed in winter and may be inaccessible after snowfall.