41 Acres Preserve(Town of Clifton Park, Saratoga County)

My second short walk for the day was at the 41 Acres Preserve, along the north shores of the Mohawk River in Clifton Park.  A small Clifton Park Open Space sign can be found at an otherwise unmarked dirt access road off of Riverview Road that leads to a parking area and trail entrance.

Short days this time of year.

Just a couple minutes into the woods, a fairly decent sized pond is found.

Circled around the snow covered pond on my way towards the Mohawk.

Draped in sunshine, I followed a less substantial foot path along the top of the bluffs above the Mohawk.

Down by the Mohawk River, which was partially frozen over, looking south.

Looking north, upstream on the Mohawk.

A fun little area to explore in the woods of Clifton Park.  Only covered about 8/10 of a mile, but packed a lot of punch.  

Felt good to get out for bit, albeit briefly.  Happy Holidays everyone.

Alplaus Kill Preserve(Town of Glenville, Schenectady County)

Having a toddler and an infant at home certainly doesn't allow for much free time, but today I was able to take advantage of a rare free afternoon to stretch my legs at a couple of local preserves.  My first stop was to 54 acre Alplaus Kill Preserve, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy's newest preserve, opened last summer in the hamlet of Alplaus in East Glenville.

The sun was shining bright, warming temps up into the 40's, but a cold wind was a bitter reminder that winter was only a few days away.  Initially headed north past a gate on a wide trail, pausing briefly at a small, snow covered pond that someone had been brave enough to walk across.

The trails are marked in white, green and orange and pass through open fields and quiet woods.

The centerpiece of the preserve is the Alplaus Kill, which was partially frozen over.

The view of the Alplaus Kill from a bench at the far north end of the preserve.

Heading back south towards the car under fleeting sunlight in the late afternoon.

Enjoyed a nice and quiet walk on a breezy, but comfortable winter day at this new(ish) preserve.  Covered nearly 1.5 miles and was surprised to not see another soul.