High Falls Conservation Area(Philmont)

Took a short walk this afternoon at the Columbia Land Conservancy's 47 acre High Falls Conservation Area in the village of Philmont on a bitterly cold winter day.  Actually, we are in the midst of a bitterly cold stretch of weather that is forecast to last well over a week.  Air temps were in the single digits with wind chills far below zero as I stepped out onto the trail.  The sun may have looked nice, but did very little to warm things up.

 Dropping down to a bridge crossing over a frozen tributary.

 I followed the green trail to the eastern blue trail, which drops down to the wintry Agawamuck Creek.

 As I walked beside the creek, you could almost see the water freezing into ice before your very eyes.

 Icy reflections.

 Although these dark and cold winter days can be uncomfortable, there is a pure beauty to this season that is unmatched the rest of the year.

 Passing by "mini" High Falls, a drainage that has turned into a beautiful cascade.

 Looking up the gorge cut out by the Agawamuck.

 High Falls, mostly frozen, but with a bit of open water rushing down, draped in its winter best.

 Frozen pretty much sums up the weather, as any kind of breeze at all made it dangerously cold.

 I looped up to the view of High Falls from higher up, along the green trail.

Took the half mile red trail through the wintry woods and back to the green trail, which leads to the parking area. 

Walked about 1.25 miles total at a brisk pace to keep the cold at bay.  Even with the frigid weather, the fresh air sure felt good.