Checked out some new trails in the town of Guilderland, just east of the Watervliet Reservoir. The trail system was opened earlier this year on 124 acres of town owned open space. There are three separate trailheads, located on Vosburgh Road, at the end of the sidewalk on Millingstone Way, and at French's Mill Road. I chose to start from French's Mill Road, the furthest west starting point. There is no signage or official parking area here, but there is room on the shoulder of the road and a blue marked trail heads into the woods here.
Town of Guilderland trail markers.
The blue trail closely follows the Normans Kill, where you will soon see a bench in a small clearing in the brush on your right.
A very short distance beyond the first bench is a second bench, with a slightly broader creek view.
From a small side path, I found this slightly elevated view of the Normans Kill.
The town has done a remarkably good job clearing these trails through thick brush, and providing a great nature experience. The only drawback I could find was a lot of old tires and trash sitting just off trail in the woods.
A grassy clearing at a bend in the creek would make a nice summer picnic spot.
Continuing along the blue trail, I dropped down into a bit of a ravine, where the character of the creek changed entirely.
Wooded slopes bring you up and away from the Normans Kill, and soon you will arrive at a small footbridge over a tributary stream. This bridge is where the blue trail ends and a yellow, connector trail begins.
The tributary may be small, but its power of erosion is clearly on display from the bridge crossing.
Within just a couple of minutes,. the yellow trail comes to an informational kiosk. This is where the Millingstone Way trails enters in from the left over another nice footbridge.
After about 3/10 of a mile, the yellow trail ends, and a red marked trail begins. This red trail forms a loop around a very large brushy meadow, just over a mile in length. Turning right, I climbed directly up to a high spot in the meadow, with a view towards the nearby housing developments on Vosburgh Road.
The overcast, blah conditions didn't really showcase what this area probably has to offer on a nice spring day, with the sounds of birds in the air. Today, a cold breeze and stale meadow views were what I found.
Passing by cattails near a wetter area as the trail nears its eastern edge and the Vosburgh Road trailhead.
Nearing the end of the red loop, where it meets back up with the yellow trail.
On my return hike, I chose to take the high road..literally...a split in the blue marked trails, heads high up on a steep, wooded crest.
Dropping back down towards my original route on the lower blue trail.
Once back at the car, I chose to walk quiet French's Mill Road for about 4/10 of a mile to a pedestrian bridge and a nice view of French's Hollow Falls.
A nice, easy stroll along the road brought me back to the car, where I passed a local couple out walking their dog, enjoying the day. Hiked a very easy 3+ miles at a nice new local trail system.
I attached a trail map below, which can be found on the town's website and also at the informational kiosk near the Millingstone Way trailhead.
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