Long Path-Partridge Run WMA/Gifford Hollow(Town of Berne, Albany County)

Did a fairly benign hike along the Long Path in rural Albany County after work this afternoon, on yet another hot, sunny day.   Thankfully humidity was tolerable and there was even a light breeze to help ease the heat.  Parked at the intersection of Gifford Hollow Road and Switzkill Road(Elevation 1085 feet)and walked less than 2/10 of a mile west on Gifford Hollow Road, before turning at the Aqua Blazes and entering a large field with a nice view at the eastern escarpment of Partridge Run, which I would soon be climbing.

Made a brief pit stop, about 1/10 of a mile off the Long Path, where a Lean To and fireplace sit at the edge of a field.

 

Just a few short yards away from the Lean To a barely noticeable herd path heads down to the Switz Kill.  As is typical during the height of summer, the creek was nearly 100% dry and filled with rocks.

Back on the Long Path, the trail crosses a couple of large fields heading almost due west, with views towards nearby East Hill and Cole Hill State Forest to the north.

The trail eventually enters the woods, climbing steadily up the eastern escarpment of Partridge Run.

There are no real steep sections to hike, just gradual climbing with a steep drop off right beside the trail.

There are a  couple of small dips and re-climbs along the way as the elevation generally stays between 1400 and 1500 feet.

The trail basically skirts the edge of the steepest slopes, circling around the escarpment and eventually up to a good woods road, that quickly leads to Kingfisher Road(driveable dirt road).  Once on Kingfisher Road, it was all road walking from there.  Kingfisher Road drops steadily down to an abandoned section of Partridge Run Road(no longer open to vehicles)that hugs a tributary of the Switz Kill. There are numerous opportunites to check out the creek, although the water levels are very low..  The old road is is now not much more than a wide foot path in a deep ravine and in about half a mile leads to Gifford Hill Road once again.

 Partridge Run WMA sign near the entrance to the abandoned section of Partridge Run Road.

Once on Gifford Hollow Road again, I road walked all the way back to the car and was shocked to not even see one car pass by.  Covered about 4.6 miles RT with about 600 feet of total ascent.

Map below.  Red P=Parking    Blue=Route