Albany Pine Bush(Madison Avenue Pinelands)

Took a short, late afternoon walk at the Albany Pine Bush in the Madison Avenue Pinelands.  The trailhead is located at the very end of Madison Avenue Extension, which provides access to a small sliver of nature just south of I-90 in Guilderland.  Cold northwest winds and passing flurries greeted me as I set out.

 I followed the well marked purple trail west/ northwest on a wide, easy to follow, sandy trail.

 The trail drops down to a very well built bridge crossing over the East branch of the Hunger Kill.

 Looking upstream at the East Branch from the bridge crossing.

 The tiny East Branch of the Hunger Kill.

Tree cutting and brush clearing have wiped clear much of this area, in an effort to restore the natural habitat to the Pine Bush.

 West of the creek crossing, the trail passes through a mixed forest.  Here's a look down into the ravine cut out by the creek.

 Invasive trees and clear cutting have been replaced by open, grassy meadows, in an effort to restore the land to pine barrens.

 East Old State Road parallels the trail briefly, with the Pinehaven Country Club just south of here.

After 1.46 miles, I arrived at the East Old State Road crossing, where I turned around and headed back.  Arrived back at the car as darkness settled in, for a total of 2.9 miles RT.