Cole Hill State Forest(Town of Berne, Albany County)

Headed up into the Albany County hill towns with my youngest son today to walk a section of the Long Path in the Cole Hill State Forest on a highly changeable weather day.  Parked at an unmarked State Forest pull off(Elevation 1540 feet) along Cole Hill Road(CR 2) and headed west past a kiosk on the Long Path.  The trail through this stretch remains fairly level, with only slight ups and downs as it makes its way to a  pretty bridge crossing.

We took a few minutes to enjoy the water views before eventually continuing on, past stone walls along the edge of the wetland.

Stream crossing.

Heading SW along the Long Path near Willsie Road.

Even under an overcast sky, the fall colors were quite vibrant, especially near the wetlands.

Avenue of the Pines.

One last glimpse at the wetland before crossing back over the footbridge.

This spot is usually very scenic, but a quick hitting storm was rapidly approaching, with strong winds and dark clouds rushing in, making the wetland somewhat less picturesque.

Scooped up my son and scampered back the last hundred yards or so as the skies opened up.  We escaped mostly dry, covering about 2 miles RT.   Oddly enough, about five minutes later blue skies returned and any rain was long gone.

Dunham Reservoir(Grafton Lakes State Park-Town of Grafton, Rensselaer County)

Did a little hike with my one year old at Grafton Lakes State Park up on the Rensselaer Plateau on an overcast but comfortable October morning.  I parked along Route 2(Elevation 1420 feet) at the unmarked trailhead for the Gartlers Trail and headed south through the open meadows, with foliage popping down below in the wetlands.  The fall colors are actually progressing quite nicely at these higher elevations.

The Gartlers Trail crosses the open fields before entering a picturesque woodland, ablaze in a myriad of fall color.

Nearing the Reservoir, the trail offers up a gorgeous view of the Quacken Kill.

The placid Quacken Kill, surrounded by fall foliage.

The trail eventually arrives at Johnson Road, a seasonal dirt access road, which provides direct access to the Dunham Reservoir.  This was my turn around spot for the day, as light rain and ominous skies became more threatening.  

A uneventful, but tranquil walk back on the Gartlers Trail brought me back to my car as the rain thankfully held off. Unfortunately all of the recent wet weather meant that the trail was in a general wet state anyway, so no way to avoid muddy boots.  Covered about 2.5 miles total on a nice fall day.

Ledges on SW Harrington Mountain(Wilcox Lake Wild Forest-Adirondacks)

Headed north for a part trail/ part bushwhack adventure through mostly off the beaten path woods to an  obscure set of ledges on a SW flank of Harrington Mountain in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest.  Early fall conditions were nearly perfect with no humidity, temps in the upper 50's, and the foliage beginning to put on its annual display.  

Got started from an unmarked parking area off the east side of Route 8(Elevation 1367 feet), and jumped onto the red blazed Oregon Trail, which sits just a few yards from the pull off.  As I entered the woods, the sounds of passing cars quickly dissipates.

The trail follows an old tote road generally east, then southeast, arriving at a pretty clearing along Stewart Creek after about 7/10 of a mile.

The next stretch of trail is both picturesque and quite flooded, with a large beaver dam causing one to leave the marked trail and (briefly)detour into the woods to keep dry feet.

A short distance beyond, comes a snowmobile bridge crossing and a wonderful, sprawling view south across the flow.

Snowmobile bridge over Stewart Creek.

The next stretch of trail hugs the east banks of the flow, but set back far enough that views through the trees are limited.  Unfortunately the trail conditions quickly deteriorate from here, with blowdown obliterating several stretches.

After fighting my way through and around large sections of deadfall,  I decided to abandon the trail and bushwhack down to the outskirts of the flow, with far reaching views being my reward.

Stewart Creek meanders through these wetlands, with fall colors popping along this particular stretch.

Eventually I headed back into the woods, finding my way back to the trail and the next bridge crossing.

From the bridge, looking northeast across a spot known as Rathburn Swamp.

The bridge was my chosen spot to leave the trail and bushwhack northeast, slowly ascending and contouring around a small summit bump on my way towards the open ledges that I was heading to.

A short, steep bushwhack from the col brought me up to the open ledge views around 2150 feet.  Views from here are quite nice to the south.

SW views towards Smith, Georgia and Moose Mountains.

Instead of descending the same way I came up, I decided to continue north through the saddle and head down to a chain of gorgeous beaver meadows.

Making my way over to a spot where a couple of bumps on Harrington Mountain's west slopes form a beautiful backdrop over the placid water in the beaver meadow below.  Exploring these large beaver meadows may have been the true highlight of the day.

A surprisingly scratchy bushwhack west dropped me back down to the trail, where I was able to capture one more view across the flow, this time in the afternoon light.

It was smooth sailing back on the trail to the car, as I took my time soaking in the perfect fall conditions.  Covered a little over 6.5 miles total, with 1100 feet of combined ascent-and didn't see another soul in the woods all day.

Map below.  P=Parking        Blue Star=Began bushwhack from Rathburn Swamp.   Blue Dot=Large Wetland.    Ledges Noted in Blue

East Greenbush Town Park(Town of East Greenbush, Rensselaer County)

With my oldest son in Pre-K for a few hours, I decided to take my youngest out for an easy walk at the East Greenbush Town Park on a gorgeous early autumn morning.

There is definitely a fall feel in the woods with cooler temps and the leaves just beginning to turn.

I let him walk for a bit, but ended up carrying him most of the way.  His favorite part was the stretch along the North Branch of the Moordner Kill, where he exclaimed "Water!!"

We covered a little over one mile total on a perfect late September day.

Snow Mountain & Eastern Knob of Spruce Mountain(Wilcox Lake Wild Forest-Adirondacks)

Finally got up to the Adirondacks to do some exploring to a couple of obscure peaks in a quiet little pocket in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest.  Parked along the east shoulder of Lens Lake Road(Elevation 1673 feet), where the first NY DEC sign is located and headed east into the woods, quickly picking up an unmarked but obvious unofficial trail.

Just about 1/10 of mile  from the road is a very nice footbridge crossing over the Roaring Branch.  

The trail is wide and very easy to follow, and appears to receive routine maintenance. 

After about 8/10 of a mile, the trail forks, and red discs mark the way up towards Snow Mountain.

Approaching Snow Mountain's cliffs.

Snow Mountain's cliffs offer some very nice views, with this view south to neighboring Spruce Mountain.

West views across Lens Lake Road towards Slip, Tenant, Wheeler and Thompson Mountains.

Continuing above the ledges, I found one more partial view a little higher up, similar to the lower ledges.

The unofficial trail ends at rock cairn in a clearing.  This is not the summit, however.  

I continued on, off trail heading south towards the summit, through open hardwoods.

Snow Mountain's 2410 foot true summit sits in a very large, meadow like area.

From the summit, I bushwhacked steeply south through some ledge bands, soon arriving at an extensive marsh area.  Hints of autumn color were starting to show, especially around this particular area.

Making my way around the marsh, with a view back north at Snow Mountain, where I had just been.

From the marsh, I continued my bushwhack south, weaving my way up the Spruce Mountain's east knob .

Instead of heading straight up to the top of the knob, I first visited an impressive set of south facing ledges around 2200 feet.  Here's a view SE towards Hadley Mountain.  A keen eye can even pick out the fire tower atop the mountain.

From the same ledges, a stunning south facing vista unfolds, stretching all the way down to the Great Sacandaga Lake.

Immediately to the SW, is Spruce Mountain's ridge line, rising above.

From a slightly higher ledge, a broader but similar view south.

After enjoying the views, it was an uneventful bushwhack up and over the wooded east knob of Spruce Mountain(Elevation 2440 feet), continuing north until I met up with the unofficial trail on Spruce Mountain proper.  

A nice, easy walk back on the trail brought me back to my car on Lens Lake Road.  Covered a touch over 5 miles RT, with nearly 1200 feet of combined ascent.  

Map below.   Blue P=Parking.   Blue Circle=Ledges on Snow Mountain     Blue Star=Ledges on SE Spruce Mountain