Unnamed Rounds Mountain North Summit(Misery Mountain WMA/ Taconic Ridge State Forest-Berkshires/Taconics)

With a just turned two year old toddler and an 8 month pregnant wife at home, my opportunities to get out hiking are very limited these days, but I was able to take advantage of a rare afternoon free to do a little exploring close to home in the nearby Taconics.  I decided to explore an east ridge of Rounds Mountain from Kittle Road on the Massachusetts side of the peak, up to an obscure summit north of the named peak.  Parked in an unmarked pull off on the north side of the road(Elevation 1500 feet) and headed north through an open meadow with nice views back towards Jiminy Peak's ski slopes.

Above the meadow I slowly gained elevation heading north through an open hardwood forest.  Once I gained the ridge, I turned NW and continued my climb towards the New York state border.

Hitting the yellow blazes of the NYS DEC at the state line, around 2080 feet elevation.

Once in New York, I continued my ascent NW high above the drainage of Jones Brook, with filtered views east towards Brodie Mountain.

I headed due west below the summit, crossing momentarily over the Taconic Crest Trail in search of some peek a boo views out over rural Stephentown, NY.

West views from a small break in the trees towards the Rensselaer Plateau.

 

The west side of the summit was pretty exposed through the bare trees and being battered with strong winds, making it feel quite a bit colder than it actually was.  The true summit sits at 2458 feet and sits unassumingly a few feet off the marked Taconic Crest Trail, which traverses the peak north to south.

 

Once I hit the top, I headed back SE towards Massachusetts and my waiting car, barely beating the early November sunset.  Covered about 3.1 miles RT, with 1000 feet of climbing.

Barton's Ledge(Barton's Ledge WMA-Berkshires)

Did a short hike to an obscure cliff with great views in the Berkshires after work.  Visited Barton's Ledge Wildlife Management Area in the town of Lanesborough on a breezy November afternoon.  Parked on the shoulder of Old Williamstown Road(Elevation 1335 feet) near the bridge over Town Brook, and then proceeded to walk the short distance on the road to the yellow blazes of the WMA.  Once in the woods, I picked up a good farm road that heads north through an open meadow.

The road turns sharply east at one point and enters an area of prickers and low brush.  From there I bushwhacked up the steep slopes that lead towards Barton's Ledge.

Circling over to the impressive area of open ledges, with a sheer drop off below.

View from Barton's Ledge looking SW towards The Noppet and Widows White Peak.

West views take in the bulk of Brodie Mountain across the valley of Route 7.  Although you are only around 1600 feet in elevation, you feel as if you are much higher.

After enjoying the views, I dropped down below the ledges, capturing some really nice views of just how impressive they are.

Directly below part of Barton's Ledge.

An easy walk back to the car made for a short but fun little hike.  1.4 miles RT, with 320 feet of ascent.

Map Below.  Red P=Parking           Red X=Ledge

 

 

Alander Mountain Off Trail Ledges(Taconic State Park-Columbia County, NY)

Decided to do a part trail/ part bushwhack hike to some off trail ledges on the west slopes of Alander Mountain on another picture perfect fall afternoon.  Parked at the designated parking area for Alander Mountain on Under Mountain Road(Elevation 810 feet) and then road walked back a little over 1/10 of a mile back to a marked DEC trail.  Once in the woods, I utilized the Robert Brook Trail to climb steeply to the east. Interestingly, the trail sign is literally being devoured by a tree.

 

The Robert Brook Trail gains elevation quickly and steadily, high above the currently dried up stream bed to the right.

After about 9/10 of a mile and over 900 feet of ascent, I arrived at a concrete marker indicating the NY/ Massachusetts state line.

From the state line marker, I backtracked briefly before leaving the trail and beginning my bushwhack over to the first set of ledges.  From here, I found an impressive view south across Robert Brook towards the neighboring ridge line of unnamed Peak 1811(which I had also bushwhacked and found great views on a few years ago).

To the SW, the lower slopes of Peak 1811 are visible to the left, with Fox Hill across the valley in the center.

After enjoying the views from the first set of ledges, I continued my bushwhack north to the second open view point.

This view was even broader than the first, taking in valley of Route 22 and Fox Hill.

South views take in Peak 1811 and the main Taconic Ridge which connects Alander and Brace Mountains.

From the second set of ledges, it was a fairly nondescript bushwhack east over to the South Taconic Trail, which I followed north towards the next ridge.  After a very brief drop down to the Alander Brook Trail, I once again left the trail and bushwhacked north along the steep but open woods.

 

After locating the third and final set of ledges for the day, I checked out the SW facing views towards Fox Hill once again.

West facing views towards the distant Catskills.  Unfortunately the late afternoon sun pretty much obscured any chance to really see them though.

After enjoying all of the views, I descended steeply west down towards the CCC Loop Trail, passing through gorgeous hardwoods. 

Once down on the marked trail, it was an easy hike back south to the car.  

 A last look back east at the terrain I had just hiked from Under Mountain Road.

For the day, I covered just under 4 miles RT, with 1300 feet of combined ascent.

Map below.  P=Parking   Red X=First View   Blue X=Second View   Black X=Third View

Gutierrez Family Forest(Town of Stephentown, Rensselaer County)

Did a short walk at the Rensselaer Plateau Allaince's Gutierrez Family Forest on a cool but pleasant fall afternoon. 

 

Followed the yellow blazes of the Bobcat Trail, which form a loop near a sprawling wetland.  Took a brief moment to check out this pretty beaver that sits just a few yards off trail as well.

Completed the Bobcat Trail loop, and then did a short road walk NE to the red blazed Mink Circle Trail.

From the red blazes of the Mink Circle Trail, I then picked up the red blazed Heron Trail all the way to its end, where a little scrambling around through the edges of a wetland offer up a nice view north towards Turner Mountain.

Retraced my steps back on the red blazes and then back to the car via a road walk.  Covered nearly 2 miles RT.

 

Moon Hill(Town of Petersburg, Rensselaer County)

Decided to check out the slopes of 1430 foot Moon Hill, a brand new area of public land in the town of Petersburg, near the main Taconic Ridge.  The Rensselaer Plateau Alliance has protected this land, continuing the amazing conservation efforts they have put forth and making them available to the public.  There is no designated parking or signage so I parked on the shoulder of Hill Hollow Road(Elevation 950 feet) and headed north into the woods, dropping about 100 feet down to a crossing of pretty Hill Hollow Brook.

Climbing up and away from the brook, I found a view east towards White Rock Mountain.

Up high on the ridge, looking west towards the summit bump which unfortunately sits on private land.

The slopes on the north side of the peak are quite steep, providing filtered views to the north, which will be much better when the leaves are off the trees.

Wandering up to a high point on the ridge through sedge grass and mostly leafless trees.

Stumbled upon some old, rusted barrels and pails scattered through these woods.

Up high on the ridge, wide open hardwoods made for easy exploring. 

A small window provided a glimpse SE towards Poplar Hill and the Taconic Ridge behind.

Exploring the steep southern slopes just below the summit ridge.

Further down the peak, on my descent, I made a brief stop at a large meadow with a nice view east towards Bald Mountain and the Taconic Ridge.

From the open meadow, it was a short bushwhack back down to the car through some prickers and undergrowth. Covered about 2.4 miles total, with over 600 feet of ascent.  

Map below.  Blue P=Parking  Blue X's=Public High spots on property

Abandoned Bluestone Quarry on SW Hunter(Hunter West Kill Wilderness-Catskills)

While down in the Catskills recently, I had a brief window of time to check out an old, abandoned Bluestone Quarry on the south slopes of SW Hunter from a small piece of state land that touches Route 214 near Lanesville(Elevation 1530 feet).  Immediately after leaving the car, I climbed very steeply north through open hardwoods.

Dropped west to an old woods road, which I followed north for a ways, passing by stone walls along the way.

The old quarry road climbs steeply NE out of the valley, soon arriving at the entrance to the Quarry.

Exploring the abandoned old bluestone quarry.

SW views are quite impressive, with the valley of Route 214 cutting through the rugged terrain.

Looking directly west across the drainage towards another one of SW Hunter's neighboring south ridges.

From the quarry I headed directly south, descending steeply back down the nose of the ridge and back to the car.  Covered about 2.5 miles RT, with 900 feet of ascent.

Map below.  Blue P=Parking   Blue X=Quarry