Pittstown State Forest(Rensselaer County)

Got out for a nice, easy walk this afternoon at the Pittstown State Forest, east of Troy and just north of Grafton State Park, on an exceptionally warm spring day.  The State Forest is located on Ward Hollow Road and there are several different trails and parking areas available along the road.  I drove east to campsite 6 and parked there.

From campsite 6, I headed north on the red marked "Bonnie and Clyde" trail.

The trail winds north and then west, following old stone walls before eventually meeting up with and crossing the yellow trail, before meeting up with the "Knuckle" Trail.

There are ups and downs along the "Knuckle" Trail, with some screened views of nearby hills.

I had read that a Lean To on a hillside can be found tucked away in the state forest, a few hundred yards away from the trail.  I followed a stone wall northwest from a red marked section of trail, and soon arrived at the Lean To.

The view out from the Lean To.

Another view of the Lean To through the bare woods.

The stone wall near the Lean To.

After leaving the Lean To, I headed back out onto the blue and yellow trails, which head up to a plateau area, with more screened views of the surrounding hills.

Stonework along the trail.

Trail junction.

Headed back generally south through the woods, mixing some bushwhacking and trail walking along the way back to the car.  Walked about 3.5 miles total.  This small stream parallels the road for a little way.

Dry conditions are causing very dusty roads.  This is a quiet stretch along Ward Hollow Road.

After leaving Pittstown, I made a quick pit stop to White Lily Pond.  The pond is part of Grafton Lakes State Park and is accessed via a short trail from County Route 87(Babcock Lake Road).

Peaceful and serene White Lily Pond.