A Walk in the Park

     Attention hikers: are you ready for higher, harder, further? In Washington County that means hitting the trails on the east side of Lake George. These are the Adirondacks with bigger mountains, more remote ponds, deeper forests and craggier cliffs. All that plus views of the lake that will take what breath you have left away.

Lake George from Buck Mountain

     The Towns of Putnam and Dresden and much of Fort Ann lie within the Adirondack Park. State lands here are designated 'forever wild' Forest Preserve and it is on these public lands where many of the trails are located. Many, but not all. The Lake George Land Conservancy has a number of preserves in the lake's watershed and many of these holdings have their own trails. Go to their website where you can access brochures with maps and descriptions. The Sucker Brook Preserve in Putnam is over 1000 acres with 6 miles of trail. Anthony's Nose includes a climb up Record Hill and the Leeming Jelliffe property in Huletts features a short walk to a scenic view. Finally, the Schumann Preserve near Pilot Knob hosts a gazebo with a view of the south basin and a seasonal waterfall. 

In this web image Sucker Brook is on the right while Anthony's Nose

and Record Hill lie just beyond

 

Icons show some of the preserves around Lake George

       One way to get a handle on the spaghetti tangle of Lake George trails is to list them by trailhead and destination. Let's start with the Pilot Knob parking area near the end of Co 32. This is the beginning of the trail up Buck Mountain, one of the most popular of Adirondack peaks. To the east is Sly Pond Road where there is a pull off for Inman Pond. This trail also gives access to Pilot Knob Mountain and a rock climbing ledge on the south shoulder of Buck. Drive a few more miles to a T intersection and a left will put you on Shelving Rock Road where there is a major parking hub leading to Dacy Clearing, Sleeping Beauty Mountain and a number of upland ponds. Descending Shelving Rock Road towards the lake will bring you to trails for Shelving Rock Falls and Shelving Rock Mountain as well as walks along the lake shore. 

Hiking a Lake George trail

     Another popular starting point is a parking area on Pike Brook Road uphill from Huletts Landing in the Town of Dresden. This leads to Black Mountain and alternate access to a number of ponds. That is a vastly oversimplified introduction to the forest preserve trails that connect and branch off in a sometimes confusing maze. Maps and guidebooks will get you where you want to go.

     

DEC map of Lake George Wild Forest 

     * Spruce Mountain is an adventurous hike not connected to the DEC trails just described. From Rt. 22 in Dresden look for a left turn onto North Road. At the end of the road there's a trail that starts on private property. Follow the blazes to Spruce, Hogback and possibly down to the shore of Lake George, keeping in mind it's a long steep climb back up.

View from Spruce

(photos from Off on Adventure blog)

     * Two private camps deserve mention. CampWakpominee is owned by the Boy Scouts and covers over a 1000 acres including Sly Pond. I have heard of occasions when members of the public have been allowed to hike here with special permission. A little further up the road is Camp Little Notch where there was a tradition of access to the historic iron furnace when the Girl Scouts owned it. The new group managing the property may have different policies. Best bet is to contact them before hiking in to this popular landmark.

     * Two State Forests in the Town of Whitehall are interesting destinations. Access to both is off Rt. 4 between the Villages of Fort Ann and Whitehall. Dolph Pond consists of 726 acres of former Finch land with skid roads and snowmobile paths rather than marked trails. The Saddles State Forest is bigger at 2471 acres and wilder with rugged terrain stretching up and over a ridge and down to South Bay. Access may require a hi-clearance 4x4. Tim Ward has done some amazing stone work on the trails in the area. Snakes may be seen but not touched (duh).

From a recent hike at Dolph Pond State Forest

A view of The Saddles from a canoe on South Bay

     * Death Rock and Skene Mountain have been popular Whitehall destinations in the past but I'm not aware of any access currently. Indeed, the entire range from Battle Hill in Fort Ann extending up thru the state forests and on down to Rt. 22 near South Bay could be an outstanding trip if granted private landowner permission. Back in the day Art Stiles let us go up thru his gravel pit and Christmas tree plantation to enter Big Notch and gain the high ridge. I'ld love to see the view from The Pinnacle one more time. Opening up trails on private land is something the CATS organization has done so well just to the north in Essex County.

Big Notch, Orebed Hill and The Pinnacle beyond a barn in Welch Hollow 

     * East Bay Wildlife Management Area and the Lower Poultney River Natural Area may appeal to the intrepid. These DEC and Nature Conservancy preserves are located northeast of Whitehall Village along Co. 10. They are perhaps best explored by boat. Hikers might want to cross the Poultney River into Vermont to check out TNC's 3800 acre Buckner Preserve.  

Green trails are in TNC's Buckner Preserve

     * Carvers Falls and the William Miller homestead are two Town of Hampton locations good for short walks. Carvers Falls is a hydroelectric facility on the Poultney River with scenic grounds and a stone power plant. You can also launch a canoe here to explore the lower river. The Miller property includes Ascension Rock which is interesting from both a geological and a historical perspective.

Ascension Rock

     That wraps up my three post overview of hiking opportunities in Washington County. Enjoy what I've included and let me know what I've missed.

Walk on

      Last post we looked at hiking options in the lower part of Washington County, including the four towns south of the Battenkill: Easton, Cambridge, Jackson and White Creek. This time let's see if we can find some trails in the county's mid-section and then, sometime in the future, we'll finish up with a post focusing on the huff and puff hiking in the northern mountains. 

Sitting on a Hudson Crossing trail. You are also allowed to walk here.

(web image) 

     * Schuylerville feels like cheating (because it's on the wrong side of the river in Saratoga County) but there are some walks here that are too good to ignore. Hudson Crossing Park's two miles of trail are popular for their views of the canal and river. I've been running here for some 60 years (since way before it was a park) and it never gets old. Nearby is Starks Knob, a short, stiff climb to a sweet view. Connecting Hudson Crossing to the Village of Schuylerville, the Empire State Trail and Canalway Trail overlap and lead to a connection with the Victory Woods Trail System.

   

These three maps give you some idea of the Schuylerville area trails

     * Denton Preserve is located north of Schuylerville. Drive across the Hudson on the Rt. 4 bridge and look for a small pull-off with a sign on the right. Walk across the old Champlain Canal thru a shale pit area to a trailhead with several diverging paths. The 330 acre property has unique shale hogbacks with vernal pools in between and sections of an abandoned trolley line. There is also a section between Rt. 4 and the river that's best seen by walking along River Road. If you've got a small boat there's a pond that can be paddled here in the spring.

     * The Empire State Trail enters Washington County from Hudson Crossing Park via the Dix Bridge. From there it extends all the way to the northern border with Essex County (and beyond). Only parts of it are attractive for walking with some sections along busy Rts. 4 and 22 best avoided. River Road, both north and south of the hamlet of Fort Miller, is very pleasant with minimal traffic and lovely views. Another desirable segment begins in Fort Edward and extends to Fort Ann. You can also connect to the Feeder Canal Trail that leads up past the Five Combines locks, thru Hudson Falls and on to Glens Falls. Beyond Fort Ann there is town road walking with no shoulders to reach a nice but short stretch on abandoned Quarry Road. Best to use these maps to find parking and parts to explore. 

     The Empire State Trail from Fort Edward to Fort Ann

  

     * Several sites that may become available in the future or have been popular in the past include: 

- ASA's proposed Argyle Community Forest on Saunders Road which awaits trail development.

- Battle Hill just north of Fort Ann is slated to become a park commemorating the Revolutionary war engagement there.

- Egg Mountain, outside of Salem  (in Vermont), with its archaeological resources may be open to the public at some point in the future.

- The Thunder Mountain Recreation Area in the Town of Greenwich off North Road has been popular in the past but I've heard that logging operations have made it less desirable.

   

- Bald Mountain, also in the Town of Greenwich, used to be fun to explore. I can remember skiing all over it back in the day. To the best of my knowledge there is no longer any public access.

- Pumpkin Mountain, rising above Hartford is another lost area. It was formerly a very popular outing for locals but there is no longer any access.

Then...

...and now

(image from Green Mountain Dronography on facebook where you can watch a neat video)

     * Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area is noteworthy for its wheelchair accessible trail and viewing platform. The 446 acre parcel features the pond and adjacent wetlands with trails at the southern end of the parcel. Several parking areas and a canoe launch add to the appeal. It's located in the Town of Greenwich on Co. Rt. 49.

 

     * Several dirt roads in Greenwich and Salem are appealing destinations for a quiet walk. Try Riddle Road for great views and Binninger for tree shaded serenity. Hickory Hill and Roberson are also nice and a little exploring will turn up others.

The Owl Pen Book barns are located on Riddle Road

(web image)

     * Salem Art Works offers a unique hiking experience as you walk amongst monumental sculptures on Cary Hill (where the Taconic views compete with the art).

(web image)

    * The Pember Nature Preserve is located between Salem and Granville on Rt. 22. The 125 acre property has several miles of trails on either side of Black Creek. Access is from the quaint Porter Schoolhouse which is used as an environmental education center.

     * Slate Valley Trails is a non-profit that manages 60 miles of multi-use trails in the Castleton, Poultney, Wells area of Vermont just over the border from Washington County. Visit their website for maps and trailhead locations. Also available for hiking and biking is the D&H rail trail running from Castleton to Rupert. Unfortunately, the section that extends to Salem has never been completed. Further into Vermont but definitely worth checking out are the trails at Merck Forest and the hike up Haystack in Pawlet. 

A Slate Valley Trail leads to this viewpoint

 

     * Fort Edward is a good place to wrap up this tour of hiking options in central Washington County. As previously mentioned, a section of the Empire State Trail extends north from the village. Also worth exploring is Rogers Island with its history stretching back to pre-colonial times. A little to the east of the village are several parcels of preserved grassland bird habitat with trails and observation areas. 

     

  

     After doing some (or all!) of these trails you deserve to sit a spell and catch your breath. Up in the next post is the tougher Adirondack Mountain terrain of northern Washington County. Sleeping Beauty here we come...  

Beer & Pizza & Traitors & Scoundrels

     Watching the Argyle hills get painted sunset gold is one of life's little pleasures. It gets even better when you have a mug of Scotlander beer in hand and the aroma  of Bab a Dew's wood fired pizza in the air. Such was my luck a few days ago when our family took the short drive up corkscrewing Co. 47 to hear a talk about Benedict Arnold at the Farm to Tap brewery.

 

     It was a congenial, standing room only crowd that enjoyed Garrett Cloer's (Head of Interpretation at Saratoga Battlefield) talk on traitor Benedict Arnold, scoundrel James Wilkinson and a recently discovered letter that sheds light on events at Saratoga during the Revolution. The evening was sponsored by the Washington County Historical Society, part of a series celebrating the 250th anniversary of the country's founding. Maybe, if we served pizza and beer in high school history class, we'd produce more citizens who know that this country was founded by those who did not want to live under a kings iron fisted rule and fewer who want a 21st century maniacal tyrant calling the shots. Anyone see a problem with that plan?

     Sarah and Matt Puhl have created a welcoming place to enjoy a brew (Hint: try a Boreas IPA), to chew the fat with friends and neighbors and to play a few games (calling all pinball wizards). Their site also serves as a Harvest Host and if you need to work up a thirst, the surrounding backroads of Argyle are great for biking. Let's make up for all those lost years of the town being dry. See you there.

Evening in the Hop yard

  

Take a Hike

     You know the drill.

     It starts with "It's a nice day. Let's go for a hike."

     "Great. Where do you want to go?"

     And then things start to go downhill with a lot of "I don't knows",  "Didn't we just do that. Like twenty years ago" and "Are you kidding? That place has bears, rabid chipmunks and tourists from New Jersey!" 

     Ugh. It's enough to drive one to TV sports. Prompted me to put together a list of places to hike in Washington County. Comprehensive and recommended? Not necessarily. Just some places I've heard about, visited or plan to. If they're too long, short, steep, muddy, buggy or just plain boring don't shot the messenger. It's gotta beat sitting at home staring at a screen. So, stare at this screen for a few more minutes and then get out there. See you on the trail.

     For no particular reason we'll start in the south and work our way up county with just enough information to whet your appetite and get you to the trailhead. This doesn't exactly start with a bang because there isn't a lot of public land in the lower end of the county. But not to worry, we'll just poach a few places from northern Rensselaer County to get going. And do consider simply walking or biking some of the backroads in Easton and Cambridge. They can be almost as quiet and relaxing as a trail hike.

     * Lock 4 Canal Park is located across the river from Stillwater on Canal Road off Rt. 67 in the Town of Schaghticoke. Short level nature trails where the Hoosic River joins the Hudson. Picnic area, shale bluffs, interesting botany and the canal lock in season (May 1 to Nov. 15). If Canal Road is gated you should still be able to walk in.

At Lock 4 Canal Park

     * Featherweald Preserve is actually in Washington County but it is owned by the Rensselaer Land Trust which, after a merger,  is now called Hudson Taconic Lands. Confused yet? The 44 acre property is located on Co. 59 not far from the Buskirk Covered Bridge at the southern edge of the Town of Cambridge. It features several walking trails, some of which are closed for Great Blue Heron nesting season. Noted for good birding and diverse ecology.

 

     * Bennington Battlefield is further east on Rt. 67 past Walloomsac. Drive up a steep hill to a visitors center, several monuments and a 2.7 mile trail system. Most of the 276 acre site is in Rensselaer County but on one of the trails you'll cross into southern Washington County. Quiet now but like a storm out of Hell on the day of the battle. Open from May 1 to Veterans Day but if the gates are closed you can always park at the bottom and walk up.

   

     Further east near the Vermont border we hit the hiking jackpot with several state forests and a number of other attractive options:

     * Mt. Tom State Forest is the big kahuna in this neck of the woods with over 1700 acres of public land and nearly seven miles of roads and trails. Access to this White Creek parcel in the southeastern corner of Washington County is off Lincoln Hill Road via Shaker Hollow or Notch Lane with an additional parking spot on Chestnut Hill Road. A good place to start is with a hike thru The Notch on a rough 4x4 road. Then search for the old lime kiln to the east of The Notch. With experience this becomes a great place for those comfortable with trailless rambling. Also check out the nearby conifer seed orchard on Lincoln Hill Road for additional terrain. 

 

This abandoned lime kiln hides deep in The Mt. Tom State Forest

     * Chestnut Woods State Forest hugs the New York/Vermont border with two access points on Chestnut Hill Road. It features 800 acres of open woods and old logging roads but no marked trails. If you are comfortable with bushwhacking a good loop would be from the lower parking lot up to the top of the ridge, then following the high ground north over several small summits and eventually descending a rough lane back to Chestnut Hill Road with a short road walk back to your car. Alternately, it is fun to locate the monuments that mark the border between the two states but this involves going over the top of the ridge and part way down the other side. 

 

A Vt/NY border monument on the edge of Chestnut Woods

From the P at bottom hike up to top of ridge generally following the height of land

north to a summit before dropping down to the fish hook lane and Chestnut Hill Road

     * North Bennington is not far from the southeastern corner of Washington County and offers several nice trails including the Mile-Around Woods and the Robert Frost trail. Also in Vermont is access to the Green Mountain National Forest with a trail that leads from Shaftsbury Hollow Road to the summit of Grass Mountain.

     New Skete has a great trail system created by the Brothers with options ranging from mostly level woods walks to a relatively strenuous climb over Two Tops. Access via New Skete Lane off of Chestnut Hill Road, everyday except Monday.

 

The view from Two Tops on New Skete's trails

     Goose Egg and Battenkill State Forests are adjacent to each other and often treated as one unit but they have separate access points. While many are familiar with the parking area on Rt. 313 near Eagleville where the Folded Rock Trail begins, fewer people use another access point at the end of Bates Road. Goose Egg doesn't have a trail but once you're up on top of the ridge it's an easy bushwhack out to a scenic view of the White Creek Valley. Also note that if you drive to the end of Black Hollow Road into Vermont there is another Green Mountain National Forest access point with trails leading to Big Spruce and Grass Mountains.

Goose Egg Ridge

Grass Mountain from Goose Egg

     Cambridge Community Forest has a number of trails across White Creek at the end of Rockside Drive. Also consider some 'urban hiking' with a stroll around the Village. It's a pleasant way to spend a summer evening. On the north end of town is Woodland Cemetery with diverse trees, fascinating monuments and a stiff slope that will get your heart pumping  (good to have a pumping heart if you're in a cemetery).  

Trail work at the Community forest

(from their Facebook page)

The Philip Embury monument at Woodlawn

     Eldridge Swamp State Forest located along Rt. 313 outside of Cambridge doesn't have any trails and can be impassably wet in places but it can also be a great place for botany and wildlife viewing. Several small parking spots along the road.

     Lake Lauderdale County Park is located on Rt. 22 north of Cambridge. There are a number of trails on the hillside above the picnic/beach area. Towering pines line the entrance road. The park doesn't fully open until later in May but you can leave your car out by the road and walk in anytime. 

     Christ the King spiritual retreat has extensive hiking trails on its campus in the Town of Easton, just outside of Greenwich. Check out my recent blog post for more info and remember, the Village of Greenwich also offers tree shaded streets and quiet cemeteries for short strolls. 

At Christ the King

     Dionondahowa Falls is a favorite short hike off Windy Hill Road near the fairgrounds and Ice Cream Man. Look for a pull-off for several cars and a trail leading downhill to viewing platforms and the areas most spectacular waterfall. 

     Willard Mountain is hard to beat for winter skiing and sliding fun but I've enjoyed the summit view after hiking up in the summer. It is private and I'm not sure what their current policy is so you should check before tackling the bunny slope.

Fall view from Willard

(web image)

     There's my sampling of hiking destinations in the southern part of Washington County. The next time ambition strikes we'll move a little north and hit the trail again.