Green Lakes

On the way home, I stopped at Green lakes state park near Syracuse. Did a quick two mile walk around the main lake. Trail was smooth and mostly level. Lots of other people there trying to burn off calories from stuffing and pies.

Green Lakes SP

Carpenter Falls

On Friday, I did a short hike with Howie at Carpenter Falls Ravine on the west side of Skaneateles Lake. Followed the trail all the way down to the lake and then back. Also, I checked out some unmarked side trails - one of which led down to the top of the second falls. At the upper falls, there was a special message. Covered about two miles on this cold, cloudy day.

Carpenter Falls

Something new

After the beagle meetup this morning, I checked out some small nature preserves nearby that were new to me.

The first stop was Normanskill West preserve. Parked at the end of Normanskill Blvd (turn is off Delaware Ave near Delaware Plaza). The narrow foot path was marked with white blazes. It went down to the creek, the 2000 Delaware Ave landslide area, and then back up to the trailhead. It crossed several foot bridges along the way.

The second stop was at the Phillipinkill Preserve. Parked at the designated parking spot at the "Mansions" housing development (entrance is at Fisher Blvd off Delaware Ave). There was a short loop trail and a cross trail which bisected the loop.

The third sstop was at Normanskill Preserve. Parked at Bagdon Environmental lot. Walked the trail down to the creek across from Stevens Farm, and then back up to the trailhead.

After the walks, Howie was unfortunately crawling with ticks.

Albany County Preserves

Head in the clouds

I headed up north to Lake George with Howie today. We did a loop over Pilot Knob ridge. It was a cloudy day with fog on the lake. When I got to the first lookout, I couldn't see Jack ... or Jill for that matter. This wasn't a good hill to find water on anyway. I continued on the path to grassy sub-peak. I was just above the fog on the lake, but below the high clouds overhead ... kind of like the meat in a cloud sandwich. There was a brief window of clarity to the west across the lake. I took some pics and then sat down to enjoy my ham sandwich. Of course, I had to share some with Howie. I then followed the drainage back down to the main trail and then returned to the car three hours after I started.

Round-trip Distance: 5.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1460 ft

Pilot Knob Fall

Cole Hill

This afternoon, I went for a short hike with Howie at Cole Hill state forest in Albany county. Parked at the trailhead on Cole Hill Rd. Followed some forest roads in the east section. There was some loggin activity going on there. Looped back to the car and then took the Long path (aqua markers) through the central section. Passed a marsh, a beaver meadow and signs of past settlement - stone walls and an old cemetery. Continued until the quarry on Irish Hill Rd and then returned back to the car. Walked around 4-5 miles altogether.

Cole Hill SF

Crunchy leaves

I took the afternoon off and went on a short hike with Howie at Plotterkill Preserve. Parked at the trailhead on NY Route 159 and did a loop on the red trail. Howie was busy sniffing out chipmunks. Most of leaves were down which crunched underfoot. We covered about 6 miles on this warm November day.

More trail work

I went out today to maintain the section of the Escarpment trail I adopted in the Spring. Parked at the trailhead on NY Route 23 and started out. I brought a small rake so I could clean out the diversion channels (waterbars). There was not much else to do. Cut a few downed limbs out of the way and snipped some low shrubs and branches. I continued past the lean-to (the end of my section) to the summit. It was a warm, sunny, blue-sky day. Quite a few other people on the trail (and dogs). This marks the third time I have climbed Windham this year.

Summit Elevation: Windham 3524 ft

Round-trip Distance: 6.4 mi

Elevation Change: 1740 ft

Trail work

I went out to do some maintenance on my adopted section of trail (Mink Hollow). The trail was mostly clear. I trimmed some undergrowth along the sides of the old road. Got to the the lean-to and had a PB&J sandwich. Somewhere along the 3 mile stretch, I managed to lose my clippers.