Bear Cubby Hill(High Peaks Wilderness-Adirondacks)

A few years ago, while looking over a map of the High Peaks, I noticed a spot labeled Bear Cubby sitting just north of Cascade Mountain and knew I wanted to check it out someday.  Although there are no formal trails on this obscure 2757 foot peak, there did appear there was some open rock up high.  I parked at the trailhead for Pitchoff Mountain East off of Route 73(Elevation 1840 feet) and headed south into the woods, closely following a drainage as I slowly gained elevation.

 

Most of the bushwhacking was pleasant, SW through through deciduous woods, interspersed with some patches of scratchy spruce.

I first angled my way to the north slopes of Bear Cubby, finding some good views NW across Route 73 towards Pitchoff Mountain.

From the same area of steep ledges, the view north towards Pitchoff Mountain East.

Higher up, the woods grew tighter and the hardwoods were mostly replaced with larger patches of spruce.  Thankfully, there is a decent amount of open rock to explore, with steep ledges dropping off to the south and east, providing views towards neighboring Laramore Mountain's ridge.

  

Small stretches of mossy rock slab made for easy bushwhacking.

Stellar views opened up to the NE, where nearby Owls Head and its open rock stood front and center.  Early fall foliage only enhanced the vista.

NE views, with Owls Head left and Laramore's long ridge on the right. The Hurricane Mountain Wilderness rises just beyond.

I continued my ascent SW, hugging the bare rock ledges facing SE towards the summit, with many grand views.  Perhaps the best view of all was the amazing up close and unique perspective of Cascade Mountain, rising over 1300 feet above to the south.

After hitting the top, I began to descend the north slopes, carefully weaving my way down towards one more large area of open rock.  Once on the open rock, I captured this shot back at Bear Cubby's slopes that I had just descended.

This area of open rock provided even more killer views, such as this look north at Pitchoff Mountain's long ridge.

Wandering the area of open rock at just over 2400 feet.

SW views across Cascade Pass.

What followed these views was a steep, boulder laden descent back to Route 73 and my waiting car. Didn't cover a lot of miles, but did feel good to get back out and do some exploring.  3.3 miles RT, with 930 feet of ascent.

Map below.   Blue P=Parking   Red X=Summit    Black X's=Views 

 

 

Hand Hollow Conservation Area-Town of New Lebanon, Columbia County)

Finally got out for some much needed woods therapy this afternoon at the Columbia Land Conservancy's Hand Hollow Conservation Area.  I have been here many times previously, but sure felt good to be back out again.  Parked at the trailhead along Gale Hill Road(Elevation 950 feet) and set out, soon arriving at the shores of beautiful Meizenger Pond.

Almost stepped on this little guy while checking out the views.

Had the woods to myself and really enjoyed the solitude on this sultry summer day.

Didn't have a lot of time, so kept it fairly short, covering a little over two miles total.  Can't wait to get out exploring again soon. 

Pilot Knob NW Sub Peak(Lake George Wild Forest-Adirondacks)

Headed north to visit Pilot Knob's NW ridge and sub peak, a part bushwhack/ part herd path hike that I have done a couple of times before.  I opted to start from a small sliver of state land at a gate directly across from Echo Bay Lane(Elevation 400 feet), immediately picking up a wide woods road heading east.

After a short distance I left the main woods road for a foot path heading south, before eventually simply bushwhacking my way up the steep slopes of the mountain.  The woods varied greatly from dark evergreens to open hardwoods and between 850-1000 feet I hit the first of many small clearings with okay views down towards Lake George.

Wide open, grassy clearings traded off with steep, rocky terrain.

At about 1275 feet, I emerged in a larger clearing, with views of the NW ridge and some of its rock ledges towering overhead.

 

The first really good views of the day from the large, rocky clearing around 1300 feet.  French Mountain(center), Prospect Mountain(top right) and southern Lake George are all easily visible.

West views from the open ledges across Lake George. 

Climbing up through wide open, often times rocky terrain.

Higher up on the ridge, the views west/northwest stretch all the way to the Tongue Range.

A small little perch overlooking Lake George to the SW.

Ascending up the NW ridge, with a great view towards the true summit.

My turnaround spot, just below the top of the ridge, provides an up close view directly across the col towards Pilot Knob's true summit.

Climbing back up on the herd path towards the 1920 foot high spot on the ridge.

Spectacular views are aplenty on this ridge!  Here's yet another view to the south, with the true summit to the left.

Hazy south views over the south end of Lake George, with Dunham Bay to the left.

After soaking in the views, I descended via a combination of the herd path and buhshwack all the way down to the car. Felt good to back out and about for a little bit.  Covered about 3.8 miles RT, with 1580 feet of ascent.

Map below:  Blue P=Parking   Blue X=Summit

 

  

Thompsons Lake State Park & Thacher Park(Town of Berne & Knox, Albany County)

Did a little exploring today at both Thompsons Lake State Park & Thacher Park in the Helderbergs under rainy, dreary conditions.  Got started by parking at the old, one room Schoolhouse along County Route 256(Elevation 1395 feet) and heading south into the damp woods, taking various trails.

Sturdy stone walls are a constant trail companion in these woods.

Made a brief stop along the northwest shore of Thompson's Lake, which was shrouded in fog and mist.

Looking east across Thompson's Lake.

After checking out the lake, a light drizzle turned into a steadier light rain, so I headed back north to my car.  

Covered about 1.9 easy but wet miles at Thompson's Lake State Park.  

After waiting out a rain shower, I drove the short distance away to Thacher Park and did a bit more easy hiking.  Parked in the Paint Mine Lot and headed south into the misty woods, checking out the multiple cascades and falls on Paint Mine Brook.

Tiered falls just off trail on Paint Mine Brook.

Paint Mine Pond under clearing skies.

Took various trails, eventually making my way east over to more cascades near Hop Field.

Crossed over Route 157 and made my way over to the Escarpment Trail, wondering if the clouds had cleared and indeed they had started to.

Clearing conditions along the escarpment.

Unfortunately, the rain soon returned and although never heavy, it was enough to make me head swiftly back to my car.  Covered about 4 miles here and nearly 6 miles total on a gloomy spring day.

Wachoosik Park(Town of Nassau, Rensselaer County)

Free time is very hard to come by for me these days, but took advantage of a brief window of time by wandering the muddy trails of Nassau's Wachoosik Park following our heavy rains from the past day.

Covered a touch over one mile on a breezy but comfortable spring morning.
 

Boehme Legacy Forest(Town of Grafton, Rensselaer County)

Visited the Hudson Taconic Lands brand new 209 acre Boehme Legacy Forest, located off of Jay Hakes Road in the town of Grafton on a picture perfect spring day.  The property sits high up on the Rensselaer Plateau and offers over 2.5 miles of marked trails to explore.  White and yellow marked trails start behind a kiosk in the far corner of the crushed stone parking lot(Elevation 1160 feet)

I first opted to take the yellow blazed David Hunt Trail, which meanders its way through a dark forest, before dropping down to an impressive steel bridge crossing over the Quacken Kill.

The beautiful Quacken Kill, a high quality trout stream.

Once across the bridge, the trail almost immediately begins a steep climb up the east slopes of Bunker Hill.

A steady ascent brings you up to the fairly open 1430 foot summit of Bunker Hill.

The summit offers nice southwest facing views from a rocky clearing.

Dropping down steeply to an impressive set of rock ledges just below the summit area.

From the summit area, I continued on the yellow trail, eventually looping back down to the bridge crossing over the Quacken Kill and then onto the the white blazed Louise Boehme Trail.  This trail closely follows the creek, which for the most part sits down a steep slope below you.  I did manage to find one nice area of cascades just a few yards off trail.

The trail, as mentioned, hugs the creek much of its route, bending sharply at an area where the water turns more mellow and slow moving.

A much quieter Quacken Kill than the rushing waters just downstream near the bridge crossing.

I completed the remaining part of the white trail, which leaves the waters edge and soon brought me right back to my car in the parking lot.  A very nice addition to the Hudson Taconic Lands in a beautiful area of the Rensselar Plateau.  Covered about 2.7 miles total, with 600 feet of ascent.

Map below.  

Red P=Parking      Blue=David Hunt Trail       Black= Louise Boehme Trail          Red X=View