Huyck Preserve(Helderbergs-Albany County, NY)

Headed up to the Edmund Niles Huyck Preserve, located in the town of Rensselaerville in the Helderbergs in far western Albany County on yet another very hot day.  While the valleys are in the midst of a heat wave, the hilltowns do provide a bit of relief from the sweltering heat and humidity.  I parked at the trailhead for Lincoln Pond across from the Eldridge Research Center on Pond Hill Road to get started.  Within just a few yards from the car, the view of Lincoln Pond above a dam is one of the prettiest spots in the entire preserve. 

I took the Lincoln Pond Trail, which starts on the east side of the pond and offers up spectacular views along the way.

The Lincoln Pond Trail forms a 2/3 of a mile loop complete with a couple of nicely built wooden foot bridges on the north end of the pond.

Puncheon help keep feet dry through a wet section of trail, although everything is dry this year.

Well crafted stone walls lace these woods, many marking old boundary lines.

After completing the pond loop, I continued east on Pond Hill Road for about 2/10 of a mile, where I picked up the Wheeler-Watson Trail.  This trail heads uphill, north into the woods, soon arriving at a haunting 19th century cemetery.

Headstones from some of the early Rensselaerville residents.

The trail passes without much fanfare over the top of a small, flat hilltop.

Taking the Race Track trail at a well marked junction.

On the Race Track...coming around the third turn!

After completing the Race Track loop, I picked up the Ordway Trail heading south, passing by a pair of small, boggy ponds.

On the Ordway Trail, which drops down to a road crossing over Pond Hill Road, and down towards Lake Myotosis.

The view from the north shore of Lake Myotosis, which sits just a few yards off trail.

Doesn't get much drier than this. The inlet to Lake Myotosis is bone dry.  We NEED rain.

Got back to the car feeling pretty good.   A light breeze kept it from getting too unbearable.  Hiked about 2.5 miles RT, with just over 300 feet of climbing.