Bennett Hill Preserve(Albany County)

Visited the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy's155 acre Bennett Hill Preserve in Clarksville(in the town of New Scotland) after work today, on a hot and humid late summer afternoon.  The sun was shining brightly for my birthday walk.

 The trail begins by basically heading south along the edge of bucolic Bennett Hill Farm.

 A bit west of Bennett Hill Farm sits another farm at the base of Cass Hill.

I followed the green marked trail to the red trail, which has been recently been rerouted.  The red trail has a couple of switchbacks as it snakes its way up the northeast slopes to the summit plateau.  Once on the summit, I picked up the yellow marked trail which leads north to a couple of great viewpoints.

 Here is a nice view over Clarksville, some 400 feet below, with Albany's skyline in the far distance.

 

 Just a few yards past the Clarksville viewpoint, is another view, which looks to have been an man made since the last time I was here, back in late 2013.  This view provides a glimpse towards Wolf Hill to the northwest.

 A zoom look down towards Bennett Hill Farm from the 2nd viewpoint.

 Continuing south on the yellow trail, I glimpsed a view west down towards the nearby farms below through the trees.

 A light breeze made it feel a bit more comfortable as I strolled along the sun filled summit plateau.

 I headed just a bit off trail to find the true summit at an elevation of 1135 feet.  Unfortunately, it is completely wooded with no views.

 The "Tree Monster" on the descent of green trail, just below the summit.

 An early glimpse at some fall color.

Hiked around 3 miles RT on a nice, but warm 38th birthday.