Greenport Conservation Area

Today marked the Winter Solstice on the calendar, but the weather outside said otherwise as temperatures rose through the 40's today.  One of the unfortunate parts of warm weather this time of year is that it turns everything that has frozen to slush and muck.  The snow pack has taken a beating the last couple of days and now each step is half snow- half water and just one big mess.  Drove south down Route 9 to the Greenport Conservation Area, just north of the city of Hudson.  I have been to this area many times in the past, but always during the warmer months and never in the snow.  

The Columbia County Land Conservancy moved the parking area from Daisy Hill Road to Joslen Boulevard back in July to provide easier access to the public and to provide more privacy to the local homeowners.

There are several beautifully maintained trails that lead through woodland and open fields, many with wonderful views of the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.  It is a popular area for dog owners as well because of the large amount of open space.  There were many footprints in the snow today, some human, some animal.  These were an interesting set of tracks I encountered along the way.

This is the blue "access for all" trail, near the entrance from the old parking area.

There are many benches and picnic areas for relaxing and enjoying your time here.

A rustic gazebo also provides a nice shelter spot with views down to the river.

Views across the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains behind are spectacular.

The railroad tracks run along the river from Rensselaer all the way down to New York City.

From one of the overlook areas looking south, views of the Hudson River and North Bay as well as Mount Merino on the eastern shore.

Snow covered open fields with beautiful western views.

The trials are well marked throughout.

Beautifully constructed wooden footbridges provide access over the streams that flow throughout the woods on their way down to the Hudson River.

Returning on the blue trail(Hickory Lane) affords an opportunity for meadow views along a tree lined path.

Snow in the open meadows along Hickory Lane had mostly receded now but lingered several inches deep in the wooded areas.

You never know what you will see when out walking in natural areas, and this small deer eating near the trail is a great example.  He heard me, briefly stopped to look at me, and then proceeded to keep eating.  I lingered for a couple of minutes watching him before finally heading back to my car.

It was indeed a messy walk on the trails today, as my boots and pants were soaking wet, but was still great to be out for a walk in late December without an overcoat on.

Schuyler Flatts Cultural Park

Schuyler Flatts Cultural Park, located off Broadway in Menands(just north of the city of Albany), is the site of the former Schuyler Homestead and is a National Historic Landmark.  This 43 acre park is a nice change of pace to the urban settings around it.  During colonial and revolutionary wars this land was used as encampments for soldiers moving either westward or northward, and before that Native Americans met and traded here.  The Schuyler family lived on this land for many generations until the early 20th century(1692-1910). 

There is plenty of parking along the access road as well as a parking lot near a pavilion area.

The park consists of a large grassy plot with a paved walkway that circles the park with interpretive signs along the way.  Today, the scene was much different with over a foot of freshly fallen snow.

There were tracks though the snow but most of the open fields were pure untouched white.

Below is the site of the former Schuyler house.  Unfortunately the house burned to the ground in 1962, under suspicious circumstances.

On the far east side of the park a connecting paved trail leads to the Hudson Mohawk Bike Trail.  The connector trail leads down through freshwater tidal wetland and woodlands.

If you stay straight(south) you will eventually come to a dead end.

But turning sharply north on the trail leads through a beautiful wooded area along the banks of the oft forgotten Little River.

The snow was deep here and looks like I was only the second or third person on this section of trail since the snowfall.

The Little River lies between the connector trail and 787.  It is one of the few remaining tidal and wetland marshes.

With temperatures hovering just over freezing, the ice could be heard breaking up along the river.

After the connecting trail ends at 4th street in Watervliet, you follow a one lane road to the end, passing through a tunnel under the interstate and arrive at a trailhead for the Hudson Mohawk Bike Hike Trail. Following a couple weeks of very cold weather and heavy snow, the Hudson was completely frozen over and snow covered.  

The 378 bridge between Troy and Menands can be seen downstream over the white blanket of snow that is the Hudson River.

The Bike Hike Trail looks to be very well maintained with nearly all of the snow being removed.  Looking back to the trailhead area, light fixtures provide a sense of safety.

The trail has a very wintry feel to it and in certain areas, gives the feeling of being in deep woods.  But the constant sound of traffic just 30 yards away on the interstate leaves no doubt that you are not.

City of Watervliet.  This is the sign along the northbound side of 787.  As you can see, the traffic is not that far away.

Snow covered trees with interstate signage behind them.

Northbound!

The Hudson River looking east into Troy.

The woods certainly hold a certain aura this time of year.  The fresh snow blankets everything in a sheet of white and the quiet trail seems somehow magical.

Overall I walked nearly two miles through, at times, deep snow.  It was certainly a good workout but any more snow after this may force me to break out the snowshoes for the year.

Thacher Park

Rising steeply above the rural western Albany County countryside is the Heldeburg Escarpment, offering spectacular views over much of the Hudson River Valley.  Much of the escarpment is within John Boyd Thacher Park, which offers over 20 miles of trails as well as camping opportunities, picnic areas and ball fields.

Went for a cold wintry walk along the Escarpment Trail. The park, which is usually bustling during the summer months, was almost completely devoid of people today.  I saw one other car in the parking lot and not another person out in the park at all.  This would be the only trail I would walk on this cold afternoon.

 The escarpment is dangerously steep, but provides amazing views.

 Near Tory Cave.  The wooden fence runs parallel to the trail the entire way, providing a safety barrier to the abrupt drop off of the cliffs.

 There were animal tracks throughout the park, most following the trail.  This appeared to be a coyote track.

 Looking back across the steep rock walls of the escarpment.

 Zoomed in on the wintry landscape.

The Heldeburg Escarpment rises roughly 700 feet above the landscape below.

 Its very easy to glimpse into backyards and at houses from this vantage point.

 Rural Albany County.

 The steep escarpment.

 Another angle of the escarpment.  It's tough for these photos to really capture just how very steep these cliffs are.

 There are many caves and other interesting geological formations in the park.  Indian Ladder is by far the most popular trail, but is only open seasonally.  Tory Cave is a spot with its own story to tell, as explained on the state post placed along the trail.

 Mine Lot Creek frozen over.

 This was an odd looking tree near the Horseshoe Lot.

 A panoramic view of Albany county.  On a clear day, one can see all the way to Taconics.

 A shelter and picnic area above one of the cliffs.

 These are steps leading to the overlook area.

 Overlook area, looking off the cliffs to the Altamont countryside.

 There are many very steep cliffs along the length of the Escarpment trail with warning signs placed throughout.

 No privacy for some families.

Winds were biting cold and snow was starting to fly so I headed back to the car after covering about a mile and half of walking.  This is a park with many great opportunities that I will gladly seek out in the future.