Balsam Swamp is a sprawling state forest that stretches almost 5.5 miles east-west across 4 towns. The area is very rural, and the landscape surrounding the State Forest is predominantly forested. Balsam Swamp State Forest is comprised of a mix of native hardwood forests, hemlock swamps, and conifer plantations. There are no designated recreational trails on the forest, but there is ample opportunity for self-guided day hikes to explore the diversity of habitats represented on this State Forest. Additionally, the western section of Balsam Swamp State Forest is adjacent to Five Streams State Forest to the south.
The main attraction of this forest is Balsam Pond. The impoundment is approximately 152 acres and is a popular destination for fishing and paddle boat sports. Balsam Pond is a warm water fishery that contains a mix of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, yellow perch, brown bullhead and sunfish. Tiger muskellunge have been stocked in the past with the last stocking occurring in 1995. However, there have been very few reports of anglers catching any of the adult tiger muskies. A shallow gravel boat launch is suitable for launching small fishing boats.
A small rustic camp ground is also located at Balsam Pond. Camping spaces are available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis and there is no running water or electricity. A fire ring, outhouse, and picnic table are provided for each camping space. A sign on Balsam-Tyler Road in Pharsalia designates the entrance to the boat launch and camping facility. This is a carry-in carry-out facility. Please do not litter.
That’s the best way to describe it. Maybe not so much if you are a turkey. The weekend is more marginal but not as wet as originally thought but now more clouds and less showers. I’m considering going to the Adirondacks but it depends on how cold and wet Friday is.
Thanksgiving Day. Feels like …
November 18th.
Mostly sunny.
South wind 3 to 7 mph.
and
48 degrees
,
4:27
sunset.
Tonight. Feels like …
November 7th.
Mostly cloudy.
South wind 5 to 7 mph.
and
34 degrees
,
6:57
sunrise.
Friday. Feels like …
November 16th.
Showers likely, mainly between 8am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy.
South wind 8 to 15 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
and
49 degrees
,
4:27
sunset.
Friday Night. Feels like …
November 17th.
A slight chance of showers before 1am. Mostly cloudy.
Northwest wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
and
31 degrees
,
6:58
sunrise.
Saturday. Feels like …
November 16th.
Sunny.
West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
and
49 degrees
,
4:26
sunset.
Saturday Night. Feels like …
November 17th.
Mostly clear.
and
31 degrees
,
7:00
sunrise.
Sunday. Feels like …
November 18th.
Rain after 1pm. High near 48. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Mostly sunny and 29 degrees at the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. ☀ Calm wind. Things will start to thaw out at around 9 am. 🌡️
Decided to leave around day break for a hike out to Five Rivers. 🐦 Frosty morning but it’s not expected to last. Already warming up. Discovered the start of the Fisher Trail is the same distance from home as hiking the roads 🚶 to the Discovery Center but with sidewalks and not the narrow shoulders of NY 443.
I want to try to hike at least 10 miles today 🦃 before the turkey feast at my parents house so I’ll probably also hike down Meads Lane to Van Dyke, and then later up Bennett Hill which is on the way to the folks house. Not a real clear day but it definitely was frosty start to the morning. Then turkey time with my sister, niece and parents. 👪
I was told Thanksgiving dinner was from 2-3 pm 🍽 so I better not take too long on Bennett Hill today. Hate to get there at 2:59 pm and only like have a minute to eat dinner. 🐶 I would be sad if the dog got all my Thanksgiving dinner.
Today’s sunrise was at 6:55 am. The next time the sun will rise earlier then today 🌄 is in 81 days on Sunday, February 12, 2023.
The average high for today is 46 degrees. 🌡 The next time it will be on average warmer then today is in 117 days on Monday, March 20, 2023 when the average temperature will be 47 degrees.
The highest point for the sun today will be 27° from the horizon at 11:43 am. 🌞 The next time the sun will be higher in the sky mid-day is in 58 days on Friday, January 20.
Today has 9 hours and 11 minutes of daylight. ⏳ The next time the day will be longer then today is in 57 days on Thursday, January 19.
Today’s sunset will be at 4:28 pm. The next time the sun will set later then today 🌆 is in 33 days on Monday, December 26.
The average low for today is 29 degrees. 🌡 The next night it will be on average warmer then tonight is in 124 days on Monday, March 27, 2023 when the average temperature will be 30 degrees.
Good morning! What day is it? The Day Before Thanksgiving, of course. 🦃
Cool and quiet this morning as I watch the sun is rising as a great big fire ball into red skies.
Partly sunny and 23 degrees in Delmar, NY. ☀ Calm wind. Things will start to thaw out at around 8 am. 🌡️
Colder start this morning 🌅 then yesterday but not bad for late November. Quiet as the schools are closed and a lot of people have today off from work. I am working part of the day downtown though may leave early for the holiday.
Out for the morning walk at 6:45 AM. 🚶♀️ I think that’s a good time to walk. Not too dark but also it’s in Delmar versus the plaza. I end up getting in more steps that way. 👣
Saturday’s forecast improves while Sunday gets rainier ☔
I think my hope of getting out of town after the Thanksgiving holiday is rapidly declining. It looks very cold and wet for Sunday. It’s frustrating, especially as it’s another long weekend which seems like it will be wrecked by bad weather on both ends of it. Maybe I can do a day hike somewhere, though it’s rifle season so I’m not going to go somewhere annoying people. Maybe Thacher Park. Or maybe the forecast will improve.
Today. Feels like … November 28th.
Mostly sunny.
Light and variable wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
and
44 degrees
,
4:29 sunset.
Tonight. Feels like … November 26th.
Partly cloudy.
Light south wind.
and
28 degrees
,
6:55 sunrise.
Wednesday. Feels like … November 23rd.
Mostly sunny.
Light and variable wind becoming northwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
and
46 degrees
,
4:28 sunset.
Wednesday Night. Feels like … November 26th.
Partly cloudy.
Light northwest wind.
and
28 degrees
,
6:56 sunrise.
Thanksgiving Day. Feels like … November 23rd.
Mostly sunny.
Light south wind.
and
46 degrees
,
4:27 sunset.
Thursday Night. Feels like … November 20th.
Mostly cloudy.
and
30 degrees
,
6:57 sunrise.
Friday. Feels like … November 21st.
A chance of snow showers before 8am, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 8am and 9am, then rain showers likely after 9am. Cloudy.
