Albert Community Forest(East Nassau, Rensselaer County)

Did an easy, local hike at the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance's Albert Community Forest in East Nassau after work this afternoon.  It was another warm, humid and buggy summer day as I headed out on the orange blazed Cascades Trail, passing through several picturesque fern glades.

 The Cascades Trail closely follows an unnamed babbling brook, with several small, pretty cascades.

 Completed the Cascades Trail loop, before continuing onto the blue blazed Homestead Trail.

Passed by numerous stoic old stone walls that lace these woods.

The trail momentarily skirts a large wetland area before heading back into the cool woods.

The trail winds its way through dark hemlock woods, crossing back over the unnamed brook that flows further downstream along the Cascades Trail.

At the north edge of the forest, the trail follows an old woods road that eventually leads to private property.

Nearing Hayes Road and my waiting car, I crossed over ta series of handsome, well crafted foot bridges that help keep feet dry in a small wet area.

Hiked a nice and easy 2 miles total and didn't see another soul the entire time.  What a great place to clear my head.  As I was leaving, I was fortunate to meet the property's steward, who helped me move a fallen tree that was blocking the road.