Crooked Creek Preserve

The Crooked Creek Preserve consists of 1250 acres of class I wetlands, uplands and forest along Crooked Creek in both Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties. It is one of the most significant wetlands on the St. Lawrence, providing habitat for countless species. Wetlands are also invaluable as both water filters and buffers when water levels fluctuate. Bald eagles regularly fly overhead and the creek meanders for miles of quiet paddling or putting in your outboard.

A highlight of the preserve is the Macsherry Trail, given to TILT by the children of Dick & Mary Macsherry in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. The trail has become a hugely popular destination for hikers and naturalists. Roughly three miles long, it begins at a trail head off of Indian Point Road in Hammond. Passing beaver ponds and meandering through woods, it leads to the creek itself with a wonderful view of Chippewa Bay, before circling back to the trail head.

TILTreks regularly visit the trail and the annual snowshoe trek, with or without snow, is an eagerly anticipated event.

The Macsherry Trail is mowed and trimmed throughout the summer. One of the two annual trail maintenance TILTreks is dedicated to this trail, and in recent years, volunteers have built footbridges of swampy areas, taken down falling trees and the like.

The land trust grants permission to hunt on the preserve in the fall (click here to apply for a permit). Participating hunters help with stewardship by observing and reporting any problems or issues they see in the woods. TILT asks hunters to volunteer some time to help maintain the preserve.