Westerlo 📍

🖼️ Photos 📽️ Videos
Map: Empire State Topography
Map: Ohisa State Forest
Map: Shindagin Hollow State Forest Ortho
Map: Mountain House Trail and North Mountain

Bear Swamp

A National Natural Landmark. Designated a Registered National Natural Landmark by the Department of Interior in 1973, Bear Swamp itself dates from 13,000 years ago, with the retreat of the last glacier. The interior of Bear Swamp supports a relic stand of giant rhododendron, the northernmost in New York State.

Why “Bear Swamp?” There was, in fact, a Mr. Bear who bought this land from Stephen Van Rensselear in the late 1800s. It’s also true that “bear swamp” is a generic American term for swamps with the kinds of plants found here, including blueberries, which bears relish.

 

Map: Severence Hill Trail
Terrain Map: Buildings Constructed in Capital Region, 2015-2020
Map: Green Mountain National Forest North