Schiffendecker Farm Preserve(Bethlehem)

It was simply much too nice outside today to not get out for a small walk after work.  On my way to do some Christmas shopping, I stopped off at 39 acre Schiffendecker Farm Preserve located in the hamlet of Glenmont, in the town of Bethlehem.  The property was the site of the former Schiffendecker Farm from the 1800's and was given to the Conservancy in 2007.  A small parking lot is found on the north side of Bender Lane, which can be accessed off Route 32(Delmar Bypass).

 Just beyond the kiosk at the trail head are a set of steps heading down a small hill.  This is the start of the preserve's main trail, marked with yellow blazing.

 A small, unnamed tributary of the Normans Kill winds quietly through the preserve.

 A sturdy foot bridge along the yellow trail crosses the small creek.

 Hazy sunshine shrouded in clouds.

 The contours of the land can be easily made out this time of year.

 Although the preserve is fully surrounded by a hardwood forest, the sites and sounds of suburbia are almost constant.  Along the east end of the red trail there is even a clear view of Lowe's.

 Wal Mart's parking lot and building can be easily seen through the bare trees as well.

 There are three small marked trails at the preserve, with only slight elevation change along the way.

Walked a bit over a mile total on an another unseasonably mild December day.  Hard to complain with mid December temperatures in the upper 50's.