Galway Nature Preserve(Galway, Saratoga County) & Mill Pond Park(Charlton, Saratoga County)

Did a couple of easy walks in rural Saratoga County this morning on what turned out to be a very hazy summer day due to smoke from Canadian wildfires filling the air.  My first stop was the Saratoga PLAN's 49 acre Galway Nature Preserve located off Crane Road in the town of Galway(Elevtion 745 feet).  I was the only car there when I arrived and enjoyed a nice and peaceful walk on the mostly level trails.

Yellow blazes head off in two separate directions from the trailheads, so you have an option on which way you want to start.  I headed east(right), where the trail quickly brings you to a large pond and wetland.

From the pond, I took various trails throughout the preserve, meandering my way through a quiet woodland.  Along the way, you may find remnants from the former land owners such as an old cabin, garage and stone fireplace(pictured below).

Peering out into a wetland.

Although it doesn't appear to be much more than a tiny stream, this unassuming little brook is actually part of the headwaters of the Mourning Kill, which drains into the Kayaderosseras further downstream in the town of Milton.

Hiked a little over 2 miles RT at the Nature Preserve and then decided to make a second stop just a few short minutes away at 10 acre Mill Pond Park, which is located along Crane Street in the town of Charlton.  There is a small unmarked pull off just south of a bridge crossing over the Alplaus Kill that provides access to the trails, which are also unmarked.  

I followed the well maintained, mowed path down past Mill Pond, which was a man made pond built way back in the late 1800's.

The park is quite small, but makes for a very nice pit stop, with unmarked paths heading through the woods and down to the Alplaus Kill.

There are several nice opportunities to enjoy the Alplaus Kill, which winds its way south from here, eventually emptying into the Mohawk River.

A quiet resting spot along the creek.

Walked about a half mile at this small, but lovely little park on a warm-but dry-summer morning.