Berlin Mountain via Class of '33 Trail(Taconics)

Headed just over the New York state line into Williamstown, Massachusetts to hike 2818 foot Berlin Mountain today.  I've hiked Berlin Mountain several times before but never via the Class of '33 Trail. To find the trail, I drove up and over Route 2 into Massachusetts and on the steep descent I took a sharp right onto Torrey Woods Road. When Oblong Road comes in on the left, continue straight and Torrey Woods Rd becomes Berlin Road as it begins to ascend steadily.  About a quarter mile past the last house you will see trail signs.  Parking is about 100 yards further up the road in a designated lot on the left.  Once you have parked, walk back down the road to the trail entrance.

A short distance into the hike there is a brook crossing.  Even after a night of heavy rains, Haley Brook is easily crossed here.

Crystal clear waters of Haley Brook.

The trail soon begins to climb steadily on a wide, easy to follow trail marked in blue blazes.

A small mountain stream is crossed in a very steep ravine.

This section of trail is easy climbing on a gentle grade, with the sounds of the small stream rushing below.

Soon, there is a split in the trail. Take the left here and begin a steep climb.

As the steady ascent continues, there are broken views through the trees that open up to the east.

The trail gets even steeper for a bit, where my GPS marked it as a 33% grade.

East views over the valley.

After about 1.9 miles of steep climbing, the trail emerges in a bit of a clearing.  To the right is the trail that leads to the abandoned Williams College Ski Area. Straight ahead and just uphill is Berlin Mountain's summit.

Nearing the summit, I noticed this strange fungi growing all over this tree.

After 2 miles, I arrived at Berlin Mountain's uniquely open 2818 foot summit.  There are nice views east towards the Greylock Range from here.

Brodie Mountain's wind farm to the southeast.

A front was pushing through as I was on the summit, meaning very strong winds and thickening storm clouds moving in.

I opted to take the Taconic Crest Trail north off the summit because it offered the least steepest descent.

The Taconic Crest Trail is actually more of a wide rutted 4 wheel drive road.

A gradual loss of elevation on the mellow trail.

Arriving at Berlin Pass, a large saddle between Berlin Mountain to the south and Mount Raimer to the north.  Thick clouds and light rain began to pick up as I lost the cover of the forest. 

After 1.2 miles on the Taconic Crest Trail, I arrived at a trail intersection  From here I took a right onto the Berlin Pass Trail.

The steep descent off the Berlin Pass Trail, which was an old road back in the 19th century.

A large puddle, created by off road vehicles marks the end of the Berlin Pass Trail.

Emerging from the trail into a large parking area, which is actually the very end of Berlin Road.  This was the old parking lot for the Williams College Ski Area.

Looking directly up the very steep abandoned Williams College ski slopes.

Took the blue marked WRLF trail back towards the car.  It heads east, well above Haley Brook flowing below.  At the first trail junction, I took a left towards the brook.  After crossing the brook, the trail meanders through hardwoods before arriving at a small wooden viewing platform.  From this spot, there are great views of a beautiful waterfall on Haley Brook.  After enjoying these views, the trail heads back up through the woods and soon arrives back at the parking area.

Hiked 4.7 miles RT.  Although under 3000 feet, the ascent of this trail was quite challenging.  A little known fact about Berlin Mountain is that it is the highest summit in New York State outside the Catksills and Adirondacks.

Saratoga Spa State Park

Headed up to Saratoga Spa State Park with Kalli on a mild but mostly cloudy, grey December day.  We parked at the southern picnic area along Geyser Loop Road and began our walk along beautiful Geyser Creek.

 There are a seemingly endless amount of trails throughout the park, some marked some not.  Here is view along the Geyser Trail.

 Walking along Geyser Creek on a wide, open path.

 There are several foot bridges over the creek to allow access to either side.

Headed towards the springs.

 Island Spouter with informational board.

 Just upstream from Island Spouter is this small dam along Geyser Creek.

 Leaves stuck in the tufa.

 Calcium Carbonate or Tufa colored orange from iron.

 Crashing water.

 Looking down the gorge from the SPAC entrance foot bridge high above.

Enjoyed a very leisurely stroll on another mild day.  Walked a little under 2 miles total on the Geyser Trail and various park roads.

Schiffendecker Farm Preserve(Bethlehem)

It was simply much too nice outside today to not get out for a small walk after work.  On my way to do some Christmas shopping, I stopped off at 39 acre Schiffendecker Farm Preserve located in the hamlet of Glenmont, in the town of Bethlehem.  The property was the site of the former Schiffendecker Farm from the 1800's and was given to the Conservancy in 2007.  A small parking lot is found on the north side of Bender Lane, which can be accessed off Route 32(Delmar Bypass).

 Just beyond the kiosk at the trail head are a set of steps heading down a small hill.  This is the start of the preserve's main trail, marked with yellow blazing.

 A small, unnamed tributary of the Normans Kill winds quietly through the preserve.

 A sturdy foot bridge along the yellow trail crosses the small creek.

 Hazy sunshine shrouded in clouds.

 The contours of the land can be easily made out this time of year.

 Although the preserve is fully surrounded by a hardwood forest, the sites and sounds of suburbia are almost constant.  Along the east end of the red trail there is even a clear view of Lowe's.

 Wal Mart's parking lot and building can be easily seen through the bare trees as well.

 There are three small marked trails at the preserve, with only slight elevation change along the way.

Walked a bit over a mile total on an another unseasonably mild December day.  Hard to complain with mid December temperatures in the upper 50's.

Stratton Mountain(Vermont)

Got an early start this morning, heading north towards Vermont on what was forecast to be yet another dry, above average December day.  As I drove north past a quiet Petersburg farm, I pulled off the side of Route 22 to capture this shot of a thick layer of fog burning off in the Taconics.

 Continuing north onto Route 7 in Vermont, I got off Exit 3 in Arlington and headed northeast through the small hamlet of Kansas, eventually arriving at Kelley Stand Road.  Kelley Stand Road is a seasonal road and not maintained between November 1st and June 1st, meaning it may be inaccessible for many of the winter months.  Due to the delay of any winter weather, howver, the road was passable even for my low clearance sedan.  The road is very picturesque and provides access to many recreational opportunities.  Here is a nice shot of Beebe Pond from a shoulder of the road.

 Continuing east, the trail head is found just after a bridge crossing of the East Branch of the Deerfield River in a large parking lot on the north side of the road.  Although a sign indicates 3.4 miles to the summit here, it is actually 3.8 miles(as indicated on trail signage at the caretaker's cabin).

Crossing a small beaver pond outlet on puncheon.

 The trail soon crosses a snowmobile trail corridor.

  Snow was found along nearly the entire trail in any areas without southern exposure.

 The climb is steady but never steep.

A small clearing in the trees provides a glimpse to the south towards Grout Pond and Somerset Reservoir. 

The trail continues a gradual ascent towards the summit, but is never too demanding.  It is somewhat surprising that you ascend over 1700 feet and soon arrive at a white caretaker cabin.

 Just past the cabin is the 55 foot fire tower at the 3936 foot summit.  From the ground level there are no views to be had.

 The fire tower cab unfortunately provided no views.

 Looking down through cab door at the wintry steps.

 The view from the fire tower on a clear day is supposed to be incredible.  Today, however, wind blown snow was making any long distant views nearly impossible.

 Heavy wintry frost on the fire tower.

 A view to the south with the heavy wind driven snow blowing around.

 A brief clearing to the west allowed for nice views and blue skies.

 Looks like a Christmas tree to me.

 Clearing skies just before the next snow burst obscured the view again.

Waited a little while in hopes of clearing skies but to no avail.  Finally decided to turn back after about 15 minutes at the summit. 

 Retraced my steps back down off the mountain, making good time.  A large beaver pond is found just off the trail about .6 of a mile before the parking area.

Arrived back at the car after 7.6 miles RT.  Only saw one other hiker the entire day.
Driving back along Kelley Stand Road, I stopped by the beautiful Roaring Branch, which closely hugs the road much of the way.

Another warm December day.  Great day out in the woods.