Mt. Holly Preserve

The 250 acre Mt. Holly Nature Preserve, owned by The Nature Conservancy, was once a dairy farm, and has many stone walls dating back to the 1700's. Among the diverse physical features are a large stand of beech trees, 22 acres of meadows and rock cliffs. It is excellent bird watching territory. Indian Brook runs south along the eastern boundary and eventually into the Cross River Reservoir.  The  trail affords a moderately level and easy walk.  Like the other preserves of the Indian Brook Assemblage (Mildred E. Grierson Sanctuary and Marian Yarrow Preserve), Mount Holly is composed largely of upland  mixed hardwood forest. In the several acres of meadows at the preserve, look for wildflowers or look up into the sky for a glimpse of a red-tailed hawk searching  for prey. There is also a large outcrop of cliffs made of 6 million year-old  Fordham gneiss. 

 Directions: At the intersection of Rt. 121 N and Rt. 35, turn onto Rt. 121N. Follow Rt. 121 and turn left onto Todd Road. Turn left  onto Mount Holly Road. Take your second left onto Mt. Holly Road East. The park entrance will be approximately ½ mile on your left.