Bear Swamp

Went to Bear Swamp Preserve near Westerlo with Benny this evening. Parked at the trailhead on Bear Swamp Road (CR 404). We followed the Perimeter trail clockwise around the swamp. The last 1/4 of the loop was flooded by a beaver dam. We had to cut back to the road and follow that back to the car. Next, we went across the road and followed the Little Bear trail. It was a short walk to a memorial and another wooded swamp. Supposedly, the rhododendrons here (Rhododenron maximum) bloom in late June/early July, but I didn't see anything blooming. Had a nice, leisurely stroll though. Walked about 2.5 miles altogether. Unfortunately, we both picked up a couple ticks.

Bear Swamp

Robert Woodruff

On Wednesday, I stopped on the drive back home at the Robert Woodruff Outdoor Learning Center in Van Hornesville. There was a short guided nature trail that lead you to an old saw  mill site, limestone caves and some waterfalls and cascades. A neat spot to visit in the middle of nowhere. Walked about 1.25 miles on another lovely day.

Robert Woodruff

Guppy Falls

On Sunday, I walked the Charlie Major trail in Skaneateles with my Dad, sister and beagle Benny. There was a strong flow in the creek that flows out of the lake. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera. About a 1.6 mile walk round trip.

On Tuesday, I went back to Skaneateles with my sister and we visited Guppy Falls in the Skaneateles Conservation area. From the trailhead on Gully road, we did a clockwise loop on the yellow and red trails. The view of the falls was obscured by leaves, but still nice. We walked about 1.5 miles today. Could have walked more, but the mosquitoes were pretty bad ...also, Benny was pooped out from all his adventures.

Guppy Falls

Chimney Bluffs

While visiting family in Central New York this week, I did some easy walks and hikes. On Monday, I went to Chimney Bluffs State Park near Sodus Point on Lake Ontario with my sister (and beagle Benny). We did a counter-clockwise loop on the East-West, Drumlin and Bluff trails. The natural sand formations were neat to see. Surprisingly, neither of us had been here before. On the drive back, we stopped at Wolcott Falls Park. A short trail lead down to the base of the 50 foot tall waterfall. Walked around 3 miles altogether on a beautiful day.

Chimney Bluffs

Third Brother

Went for a short bushwhack hike in the Eastern Adirondacks this morning. I climbed the Third Brother near Brant Lake. I had already climbed the first two on a previous trip. I parked on Route 8 near the culvert for Spuytenduivel brook. I entered the woods and followed along the left bank of the brook. There was a path of sorts (marked with faded white paint). The brook had decent flow and there were several small cascades. I left the brook and followed a branch that heads up to the col between the Second and Third Brother. But first I had to get around a small beaver pond near the start of it. After going around the west side of the pond, I headed up northeast toward the peak. It was a moderately steep climb most of the way, but there were no terribly tricky parts. The woods were also very open and I started to get views about half up the mountain. I soon reached the top and explored around for more views. I headed down west and picked up the Camp Reed path which I followed to the col. Then, I dropped down the south side of the ridge and picked up the branch brook. Went around the beaver pond further to the west over a little knob (elev. 1020). before reaching the main brook. Felt nice to soak my feet in the cool waters of the brook. Had lovely weather for a quick hike. Only a few mosquitoes were out and biting.

Summit Elevation: Third Brother 2003 ft
Round-trip Distance: 3.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1140 ft

Third Brother

Christman

Went for an easy stroll at Christman Sanctuary this evening with Benny. Did a loop on the blue trail and the yellow spur trail that leads to the main falls. Benny got a lot of attention from some teen girls at the lean-to. Walked about a mile.

Christman

I'm OK

Went for a short hike today to OK Slip Falls in the Central Adirondacks. Parked in the lot on Route 28 between North Creek and Indian Lake. Had to walk up the road a short distance to the trailhead. The trail was wet and muddy in spots, but overall nice. There were a lot of little ups and downs though. At one point, the trail crosses the dirt road that leads to Northern Frontier camp. Then, it was about another mile to go. I reached the first viewpoint of the falls and the second viewpoint shortly after - it had a more screened in view. The falls are nice, but you are so far away up on the opposite wall of the valley to truly enjoy them. I opted to turn back instead of following the trail that continues down to the Hudson River. Saw lots of other hikers out on this relatively new (to the general public) and popular trail. About 6.0 miles roundtrip on a warm, sunny day.

OK Slip

Hannacroix

Visited Hannacroix Creek Preserve this morning with Benny. Wanted to check out a waterfall after the heavy rainstorm last night. We followed the trail to the falls (including the blue trail) and also did a loop on the red trail. Walked around 2 miles. Trails were damp and there were some mosquitoes out, but still a pleasant stroll.

Hannacroix Creek

Thacher

Went for a short walk this evening with Benny on the Indian Ladder trail at Thacher Park. About a mile walk.

Rensselaerville

Went for an easy walk this afternoon with Benny at the Rensselaerville State Forest. Parked near the start of the CCC road. Did a short clockwise loop on the truck trail and returned via Cheese Hill road. Also, took a side trip to an unnamed pond that was accessed via another truck trail. On the drive back, stopped at the Huyck Preserve for a short trek to the waterfall. Walked about 2.5 miles on another beautiful sunny day.

Rensselaerville

Dead Horse

Did some exploring in the Southern Adirondacks today. Drove north on Powley-Piseco road (a long gravel road) until just before the bridge/culvert over Brayhouse brook. I parked there and then followed the unmarked woods road west (leads to Brayhouse Gore). Passed a couple of hunting camps on the way. I reached Bowers Vly and then headed north off-trail up to the eastern cliffs/ledges on Dead Horse mountain. The woods were open and mostly deciduous, but there was a lot of hobble bush to make it more difficult. Reached the base of the cliffs and then found a steep slope to climb up. One ledge in particular had a nice open view to the east and south. I continued west to find the high point and then dropped down to the woods road and back out. I also made a short side trip to the Potholers (cascades) on East Canada Creek (about a 5 minute walk).

Summit Elevation: Dead Horse mountain 2412 ft
Round-trip Distance: 6.5 mi
Elevation Change: 1000 ft

Afterwards, I drove north for about five miles. I parked and then climbed West Notch mountain. Went up its north side and the followed the ridge to the high point. I tried, but didn't find any decent views, but there were open areas and some views through the trees.

Summit Elevation: West Notch mountain 2344 ft
Round-trip Distance: 2.0 mi
Elevation Change: 550 ft

Dead Horse

 

Pisgah

Did some exploring in the Central Adirondacks today. From Lake Abanakee, drove Chain Lakes Road to the former Gooley Clubhouse. Parked in the small lot there. The gate was closed at this point, so I hoofed it along the Gooley club road for about a mile. Then I headed north off trail and reached Big Pisgah mountain after a short climb. Woods were fairly open, and there no ledges or cliffs to contend with. I explored around the burned over areas that provided views to the south and west.  After tagging the true summit, I headed over to Little Pisgah which had similar views. I returned back to the Gooley club road using one of the logging roads that I had crossed. It lead me right to the parking area used by hunters in the fall. I also checked out Clear Pond via the marked trail (yellow DEC markers in addition to the original markers), before returning to the car.

Summit Elevation: Big Pisgah 2211 ft, Little Pisgah 2200 ft
Round-trip Distance: 6.0 mi
Elevation Change: 1100 ft

Pisgah

I drove a little bit back down the road and parked at a roadside campsite. I checked out some low cliffs that are just 1/4 mile west of the road. Had decent views for the little amount of climbing involved.

Round-trip Distance: 1.5 mi
Elevation Change: 400 ft