Partridge Run WMA(Berne-Helderbergs, Albany County)

Headed up to 4500 acre Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area in the town of Berne after work this afternoon.  The WMA is located in the high elevation of the Helderbergs in Albany County near the Schoharie County Line and has many different access points and trails.  I decided to explore the area around Beaver Road today where there are an abundance of small but pretty ponds.  Parked in a small pull off on Beaver Road to get started, right next to Wood Pond.  Elevation to start on this hot and humid day was just a touch over 1800 feet.

From Wood Pond, I walked north along Beaver Road for less than 2/10 of a mile before turning west(left) onto a XC Ski Trail.  Mid summer conditions mean plenty of wildflowers along the route.

The XC Ski Trail I was on was blazed in yellow and quite wet in spots.  The trail crosses over a high spot on its way west under a gorgeous hardwood canopy.

After passing through an old clear cut area, the trail drops down to a picturesque but muddy beaver pond.

The beaver pond has no name, but is still very handsome.  Unfortunately, this nice spot was somewhat ruined when the bugs began to annoy me.

Sitting in a fairly flat area at 1900 feet, this spot doesn't seem to drain very well, and the beavers have made the trail around the pond extremely wet. 

Continuing on beyond the beaver pond, still heading west, the trail climbs back up into a shaded, mixed forest.  The XC Ski Trail follows the remnants of Bradt Hill Road, an old road from many years ago.

 A gorgeous section of the trail, passing beneath giant old relics. 

 There are several trails that split off the trail I was on, but I stuck with the main one, blazed in yellow(and occasional blue) keeping right at all forks.  This trail meanders north, then back east through quiet, peaceful woods. After a while, I finally came to another small but pretty body of water called Hidden Pond.

 Hidden Pond's water was a bit dirty in appearance, but the setting was truly beautiful regardless.

Heading east back towards Beaver Road through an open meadow.  Without the woods for cover, the sun was really blazing, driving up the heat quickly.

Other than ponds, this land is also dotted with stone walls, which seem to be found just about everywhere I looked. 

Once back on Beaver Road, it was a short walk over to an rough access road to Waxwing Pond.  While still small, this pond was a bit bigger than the two I had already been to.  A beaver dam sits almost right in the middle of the water, where I spooked a heron who seemed to be using it to do some fishing.

Following the dike along the west edge of the pond, enjoying the great views.

After enjoying the pond, I headed back out onto Beaver Road, following the peaceful, seasonal dirt road south back towards the car.

Before getting back to the car, I decided to make one last stop at Becker Pond.  A short access road leads to the pond, which was the largest of all the ones I visited today.  I came upon two fishermen out enjoying the water, the only other people I saw all day.  One of them even offered me a beer!

From Becker Pond, it was a short but steep climb back to the car.  Worked up a good sweat, but unfortunately had to deal with irritating bugs as well.  Hiked about 4.5 miles RT with 500 feet of total ascent.
Today's Route highlighted in red.