Alfred J Woodford State Forest

The Albert J. Woodford Memorial Forest contains 2,664 acres, and as with most state forests, the majority of this land was pasture and cropland at one time. Tassel Hill, located in the northern portion of the property, is the point of highest elevation in Oneida County. The Chittning Pond Fishing Access Site is a popular area for fishermen of all levels. Warm water species such as bass and sunfish are known to inhabit this pond. There is a gravel hand launch located in the southwest corner of Chittning Pond.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/83241.html

Chittening Pond

Chittening Pond

Chittening Pond is a small pond in the highlands outside of Bridgewater along Route 20. While the valleys around here are quite flat and lower elevation, this state land is made up of many little hills.

Waterville – Tassell Hill 1907

I pulled the 1907 Waterville Topographic Map as I was curious if any of the logging roads that are on Tassell Hill would appear on the old map. The answer is no.

Mountain Bike Trail from Janis Road to Tassell Hill

While many people hike up to Tassell Hill via Hardscrable Road from the north, another option is to hike from Upper White Road / Janis Street via the Mountain Bike Trail. This is a nice hike, with gradual ascents, though the bike trail has a lot of switch backs but it beats trying to climb over all the downed trees over the very rutted old woods road.

Mountain Bike Trail

Walking along a narrow part of the mountain bike trail that runs up to Tassell Hill. Most of the trail would be good for cross-country skiing but maybe not this very narrow section.

Taken on Monday January 16, 2023 at Alfred J Woodford State Forest.

Filtered Light on Janis Road

The hoar frost on the trees filters the light of the blue skies as I walked along Janis Road on Martin Luther King Day, hiking up to Tassell Hill. While the road is drivable with only a few icy patches, there is something nice about a quiet walk in the woods, observing nature without necessarily motoring.

Taken on Monday January 16, 2023 at Alfred J Woodford State Forest.