Headed out to rural Schoharie County late this afternoon to do a short walk to Mallet Pond in the 2584 acre Mallet Pond State Forest. I parked in a large pull off along the south shoulder of Sawyer Hollow Road and crossed over the road to get started, heading north on an unmarked but obvious woods road.
Once you are in the woods the old road is actually marked with snowmobile blazing and shows obvious ATV use during the summer months.
The trail/ old road heads almost directly north, passing first through hardwoods, then climbing up into a dark conifer forest.
The "trail" was pleasant enough, although quite muddy. The dampness also seemed to beckon the bugs into the area.
Vestiges of the past. Stone walls line the old road..one of the only tangible signs left behind that is man made in these woods.
After about 1.2 miles, I arrived at the gorgeous SE shore of Mallet Pond.
The pond is rugged and remote and is a wonderful place to escape the world. It was created back in 1976 by the New York Power Authority.
A perfect summer evening, with just a few fair weather clouds and low humidity.
Black eyed Susan's along the shoreline.
I wandered a herd path around the south end of the pond and then explored some informal campsites in the woods before turning back. Found some funky fungi in the wet woods.
Enjoyed a nice and easy stroll on the woods road back to the car.
Hiked about 2.6 miles total with 330 feet of climbing along the way. A beautiful and serene, out of the way, slice of heaven.
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