Turner Mountain #2, 3 and 4(Cowee Lands/ Capital District WMA-Rensselaer County, NY)

A few years ago NY state acquired thousands of acres of former Cowee woodland covering a large swath of the Rensselaer Plateau, as well as land in Washington County and Vermont.  Sitting in one of the southern sections of that acquisition in the town of Stephentown is Turner Mountain and parts of its five plus summits.  I had previously hiked the named summit and its two sub summits but wanted to hike to the other peaks as well.  One of the issues with exploring here is a lack of formal access, but I was able to find some areas where it was possible.  

I have attached a map with the five summits, simply labeled 1-5 for simplicity.

Having previously hit Peaks #1 and 5, my goal today was to hit the three middle peaks(2-4).  For ease of access, I decided to start this hike from the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance's Chensut Hill Preserve off of Brainard Road(Elevation 1370 feet).  To get to the new state land I headed east on the Preserve's trails until I picked up the discontinued section of Brainard Road, which is rough and rutted but easy for foot travel.

Once firmly on the new public land, I left the road and buswhacked up to Peak #2. The 1653 foot top is wooded but fairly open, and I was ale to find some filtered views back west towards Turner's sub summit.

More filtered views towards Taplin Pond to the south.

From Peak #2, it was an easy bushwhack NE towards summit #3, where I picked up logging roads that meander their way throughout these woods.  This is logging road that crosses over a drainage between Peak's Two and Three.

Near the south nose of Peak #3, not far below the summit ridge, I found the best view of the day.  This is the view south into the rolling hills of Columbia County.

From the same clearing, a view back west to Peak #2, the summit I had just been on.

Bushhwacking up with spring blossoms and Peak #2 behind me.

I closely hugged the very steep east slopes below the summit area, finding some decent views out over eastern Rensselaer County and towards the Taconics.

SE views from the steep slopes.

The open, nondescript 1605 foot summit of Peak #3.

Continuing north towards Peak #3, there is a sharp drop off to the east down into the Roaring Brook Valley.  I carefully weaved my way above the steep terrain, finding filtered views throughout much of the way.  This is one of the decent views I found east towards Peak #5.

Deep in the woods, I stumbled upon stone walls, reminding me once again, that previous generations had worked these rugged lands.

Peak #4 sits over a mile north from Peak #3 and unfortunately comes very close to private land along Tinley Road.  I was careful to stay on public land, hitting the 1677 foot high spot, which sits in a pole stand clearing.

From there, the main goal for my hike back to the car was to try to remain on public land, which I believe I was able to do.  Covered about 5.4 miles RT and nearly 800 feet of ascent.

Turner Mountain Peak #5(Cowee Lands/ Capital District WMA-Rensselaer County, NY)

A few years ago NY state acquired thousands of acres of former Cowee woodland covering a large swath of the Rensselaer Plateau, as well as land in Washington County and Vermont.  Sitting in one of the southern sections of that acquisition in the town of Stephentown is Turner Mountain and parts of its five plus summits.  I had previously hiked the named summit and its two sub summits but wanted to hike to the other peaks as well.  One of the issues with exploring here is a lack of formal access, but I was able to find some areas where it was possible.  

I have attached a map with the five summits, simply labeled 1-5 for simplicity. 

Day One would be an exploration of peak #5, the furthest summit east, where unfortunately public land doesn't quite extend all the way to the true summit, although it does come close.  I got started at a gate in the woods just north of dead end George Hunt Road(Elevation 1015 feet).  Beyond the gate there are woods roads that zig zag all over.

Found some early signs of spring in the woods, such as these spring beauties.

Yellow paint blazes on trees mark state boundaries and can be a bit confusing at times, but I did my best to remain on public land.  I left the woods road and bushwhacked straight up towards the 1704 foot summit, with screened views opening up behind me to the south/ southeast.

Yellow blazes near the summit, mark the high spot on public land, a mere fifty vertical feet below the top.

To remain on public land, it is a steep vertical drop to the west directly down towards Roaring Brook.

Picked up another woods road further down the west slopes of Peak #5, where I was able to spot remnants of old foundations.

Down near Roaring Brook, a very good woods road leads to two substantial clearings.

 

From one of the clearings I enjoyed a nice view across Roaring Brook towards Turner Mountain Peak #3.

Checked out nearby Roaring Brook, which is a beautiful trout stream and eventually flows down into the Kinderhook Creek.

Near the clearing and sitting on a small knoll is an old cemetery, dating back to the 19th century.  This small cemetery appears immaculate and very well cared for.

Old headstone dating back to 1809.

I was fairly limited on time, so had to turn back there, basically following woods roads most of the way back, being careful to try to stay on public land.  I attached a map below with Cowee Forest land shaded in.  Covered about 2.8 miles RT, with 650 feet of climbing.  

Red P=Parking off George Hunt Road  Red X=High Spot I hit   Red C=Clearing   Blue X=Cemetery

Luzerne Campground Overlook(Luzerne Campground/ Day Use Area-Adiorndacks)

Unfortunately my life as a new dad has severely limited my hiking time, but I was fortunate to get out to do a short hike to a killer view in the southern Adirondacks on a real nice early spring morning.  Parked in an unmarked pull off on Dunkley Road, a rough dirt road just north of Route 9N in Lake Luzerne(Elevation 750 feet).  From there I picked up a wide horse trail/ snowmobile trail that climbs north.

 

Only a few patches of snow remain from an area that was hammered by a couple of recent, spring snowstorms.

The trail is obvious and easy to follow as it climbs up towards the wooded summit of the unnamed peak, before dropping down, skirting private property and leading to a great view.

View SW towards Mount Anothony with the wetland just east of Fourth Lake below.

View SE towards Darling and Bucktail Mountains.  The Painted Pony Rodeo is down in the valley.

After enjoying the views for a bit, I turned around and retraced my steps back down to the car for a nice and easy 1.4 miles RT and 400 feet of climbing.  

Map below.  Blue P=Parking  Red X=View

Robert Ingalls Preserve(Town of Nassau, Rensselaer County)

Did a short walk at the Robert Ingalls Preserve just prior to rain moving in.  Covered about 1.5 miles on this cloudy, gloomy afternoon, with the sounds of Black Brook accompanying me for part of the walk.