Bozen Kill Preserve(Town of Guilderland, Albany County)

Headed out into rural Albany County to visit the new 225 acre addition to the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy's Bozen Kill Preserve, accessed from the end of Bond Road.  There was just enough snow to support the use of snowshoes, so I put them on and headed out past the brand new kiosk and onto the trails.

 

A nice, smooth snowshoe track made for smooth sailing as I initially set out on the green blazed West Trail.  This trail is mostly level, but closely hugs the edge of the deep ravine of the Bozen Kill, offering up screened views to the south.

From the green trail, I then picked up the scenic red marked Birch Hill Trail, which basically heads east.

Stopped briefly to enjoy the view north across a sprawling wetland from the red trail.

After picking up the orange blazes of the Upper Main Trail heading south, I jumped onto the Ridge Trail, blazed with yellow trail markers.

The Ridge Trail hugs the upper rim of a deep ravine and provides some of the best views that I was able to find.  Here is a view SE towards Altamont, with the edge of the Helderberg escarpment to the right.

 

I turned around on the Ridge Trail just before the steep drop down to the lower trails along the Bozen Kill, heading back north and then east, eventually to the white blazes of the Hemlock Loop Trail.

The Hemlock Loop Trail also provides more screened and peek a boo views to the south from the edge of a steep ravine wall.

 

After completing the Hemlock Loop, I took the orange and red trails back to the car, covering about 3.3 miles total on a halfway decent winter day.  I'd like to tip my hat once again to the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy on a wonderful job on this newest addition to the preserve.  Thank you for all you do.

Kinderhook Creek Preserve(Town of Nassau, Rensselaer County)

Got out for the first time in months late this afternoon, taking a quiet stroll at the Kinderhook Creek Preserve on a brisk winter day.  Covered about 2 miles total and sure felt nice to get out and stretch my legs.

 

More Life Changes

Hope everyone is having a great New Year and enjoying the outdoors if they are able to.  I just wanted to take a moment to give an update on why I have been absent the last couple of months.  As alluded to in previous posts,  my wife and I have been going through a long and difficult pregnancy, but thankfully in late December we welcomed our second son into the world.  Both he and my wife are both doing well and I feel so incredibly blessed.  Having a newborn and a just turned two year old toddler can, however, be quite time consuming, so I've been unable to get out much lately.  I hope to get out a bit more sooner than later and explore new areas.  I appreciate all of you who follow my blog and look forward to what 2025 has to offer!

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.