Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center(Town of Grafton, Rensselaer County)

Headed up to the nearby Rensselaer Plateau after work this afternoon to do a little exploring at the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center.  The elevation here mostly sits between 1500-1700 feet so I was not surprised that the temperature was only in the low 50's or to see the foliage moving along a bit more quickly than down in the valley. 

Took many of the various trails in the woods, including a stop at Newcomb Pond, where the red maples were really popping.

 

Closer to the north end of Newcomb Pond, on the Newcomb Pond Trail.

 

South of Dyken Pond Road, I checked out Dustin Swamp and its long, awkward boardwalk.

Dustin Pond.

Covered about 3.5 miles of trail and only saw one other person the whole time, a friendly mountain biker who stopped by to chat for a few while on a portion of the Long Trail.