Dutch Settlement State Forest

Consisting of one of the highest hills above the Schoharie Valley, the 860-acre Dutch Settlement State Forest is crossed by the Long Path and has a lean-to, off of Treadlemire Road in Middleburgh. The village of Middleburgh is roughly 5 miles down Cotton Hill Road from here.

Cotton Hill State Forest is nearby Dutch Settlement State Forest and is commonly confused — as the summit of Cotton Hill is in Dutch Settlement State Forest and not Cotton Hill State Forest, which was acquired first. Part of the long path runs along Cotton Hill State Forest.

March 25, 2016 Night

Good evening. Kind of a frigid evening in the wilderness, with my thermometer saying it’s 31 degrees and the wind still whipping around, although not as blustery as earlier. It is mostly cloudy this evening but will clear out by morning and drop to 25 degrees by morning. The wind will die down, which will make it feel less cold. Lots of blue sky by morning and temperatures in the mid 50s. Not bad for March.

Crouched over the fire with the big buddy roaring away on my butt. The fire has been perked up but still the wood is wet and punky. Cold enough I couldn’t use the splitter on the propane tank, so the lantern is running on a disposable tank — which I have a refill adapter for and when it fails, I found out the tanks are recyclable at most state parks.

Nice to be back in the wilderness next to fire, despite the cold. But it is March so cold is to be expected. Warmer weather is coming in a few weeks. Indeed, nine weeks from tonight will be the start of Memorial Day Weekend with an average high of 73 degrees as the unofficial start of summer kicks off.

Sunrise tomorrow is at 6:43 AM with clear skies and possibly some nice views of the Waning Crescent Moon in the southeast.

Have a good evening and stay warm.