Sunday, October 28, 2012

Dunham

Went for an easy hike this afternoon at Grafton Lakes state park. Did a loop around Dunham Reservoir. Parked on Johnson Road near the canoe launch. Followed the Double Bit trail around the west side of the reservoir. Crossed the outlet just below the spillway and continued across the dam. Took the Dunham trail back around the east side. Climbed a small hill just off the trail and scared off two deer. Eventually made it back to car. Walked about 3.5 miles under grey skies.
Dunham Reservoir

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Schiffendecker

After Howie's beagle meetup, went for a short walk at Schiffendecker Farm Preserve. Trailhead is on Bender Lane in Delmar. Walked all the trails (yellow, red, blue) in this small, fairly new nature preserve. Some noise from nearby highways (it's behind Walmart/Lowes on 9W), but a nice enough walk.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Howard mountain

I have had this mountain on my hiking radar for a while - mainly because of the name. Maps showed no marked trails to this small peak, and it wasn't mentioned in any guide book. Aerial images showed a series of cliffs on the south side with the possibility of good views. Today, I decided to give it a go. Parked at the trailhead on Tracy Road (CR 8) in North Hudson. Started out on the Crowfoot Pond trail. At a little over half mile, left the trail and headed south toward the peak. Crossed over a small sub-peak (elev. 1520), and then up to the main summit. Spent some time checking out the different ledges along the south side of the peak. There were nice views, but unfortunately the skies were dark and cloudy. Headed back down. Passed a small beaver meadow and then reached the trail at about the same spot. By this time, the skies of course had cleared and the sun was shining brightly. Continued on the trail to Crowfoot pond. It was easy walking on the old road which doesn't seem to get much use. Reached the pond and noticed a small road heading uphill. Decided to follow it for a ways. It went partway up Stiles Hill, and then petered out. There were some openings in the cliffs where you could get some views. But, we were only a couple hundred feet above the pond, so couldn't see too far. Turned around and headed back to the car.

Summit Elevation: Howard 1713 ft
Round-trip Distance: 8.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1400 ft
Howard

Monday, October 22, 2012

Mohonk Preserve

Played hookie from work and did a hike with Howie today. Went to the Mohonk Preserve near New Paltz, NY. From the visitor center, did a loop hike on various trails (Overcliff Road, Old Minnewaska Road, Short Woodland Drive, Humpty Dumpty Road, Laurel Ledge Road, Undercliff Road). It was easy walking on the old carriageways. Covered around 8-9 miles on this warm, sunny and breezy day. Other than the exorbitant day hiking fee ($12 per person), it was a nice hike.

Mohonk Preserve

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Tech Park

Went to Rensselaer Technology Park south of Troy for an easy hike this afternoon. Parked at the Children's Museum lot, crossed the road and walked along the sidewalk. Before the culvert, turned onto a mowed path which lead to a marked trail. The trail went along a small creek, crossed it on a footbridge, and then went back uphill before dropping into another ravine. Continued along the trail and crossed another small creek on a footbridge. Eventually reached the railroad tracks down by the river. Followed the tracks north and then bushwacked back up along the first creek. There were some small waterfalls and cascades. Eventually reached the first foot bridge and took the trail back to the car. Next, I drove over to the PBS television station (WMHT) building and parked in visitor lot. Followed the mowed path through a field to the woods and then the marked trail down to check out more waterfalls. Explored both sides of the ravine. Walked about 4 miles altogether. Howie picked up a few ticks.

Rensselaer Tech Park

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Stewart

Did a short walk/hike this afternoon at the Stewart Preserve near Sand Lake. About 2 miles of trails - one main loop (orange) and a side loop (blue). Many leaves already down, but some yellows remain.


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Cedar

I did a hike in the southern Taconics with Howie today. Parked at NY trailhead on Rte 344 in Copake Falls. Started on the Cedar Brook trail and then headed off trail and up hill toward Cedar Mountain. It was open woods most of the way up. My destination was the cliffs at around 1750 ft elevation and not the actual summit. The cliffs were well-protected by scrub oak and mountain laurel. Had to nearly get on hands and knees in some spots in order to push through them to get to the ledges. There were nice views from several different vantage points to the west, south and east. Could look down on Bashbish falls which was a unique perspective. After a snack and picture-taking, headed back down toward the road. Crossed the road and jumped on to the trail to Bishbash falls. There were lots of people about. Returned by the trail back to the car.

 Round-trip Distance: 3.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1000 ft
Cedar

Friday, October 12, 2012

Leaf Peeper

Went to Thacher Park after work this afternoon to check out the Fall colors. Milled around for about an hour.

Monday, October 08, 2012

Lil Cat

Did a hike in the southern Adirondacks today. Parked along Benson road and then followed the unmarked trail to Woods lake. There was a sole fisherman out on the water. Continued around the southeast side of the lake. Then, went off trail and headed uphill (since this mountain has no trail to the top). The woods were mostly open. Reached the summit and took a short break. Checked out several ledges below and west of the summit (around 1800 ft) that had nice views. Headed back down to the car. Was lucky to have some nice breaks of sun on this cloudy, cool day.

Summit Elevation: Little Cathead 2090 ft
Round-trip Distance: 3.5 mi
Elevation Change: 730 ft

Little Cathead

Sunday, October 07, 2012

Partridge Run

Went for a quick hike this morning with Howie at Partridge Run WMA in Albany county. Parked on Beaver Road and did a loop on the cross country ski trail (marked with yellow discs). Passed four ponds along the route. Saw a rabbit and some deer. Next, I drove over to Kingfisher Road and explored the Gulf. Went to the cliffs on the east side, and then went over to see the views from the west side. Some nice fall colors today, but leaves already are coming down.

Round-trip distance: 4.0 miles
Partridge Run

Friday, October 05, 2012

Huckleberry

The sun made a brief appearance this afternoon after a week-long hiatus. I ducked out of work early and headed down to the Catskills. Howie and I hiked to Huckleberry Point from Platte Cove road. The trail was a bit wet after all the rains, but not too bad. The skies were hazy, so not great for picture taking once we reached the ledges. Fall colors seemed subdued.

Round-trip Distance: 4.9 mi
Elevation Change: 1100 ft

Huckleberry Point