Exploring a little bit of appalachia, not all that far from my home in Northern Schoharie County.
Today, I decided I wanted to go snowshoeing in the extreme back-portion of Partridge Run, west of Bradt Hollow Road. I followed the ski trails and Long Path from where it crosses Bradt Hollow Road on down to the swamp in the back. I hadn’t been back there in years.
After the snowshoe hike, I decided I wanted to drive down to Huntersland and poke around for a bit with my truck. Took High Point Road, then Canaday Hill Road down to Huntersland – and remember what beautiful country it is down by Huntersland. It might be generic Appalachian hills, as is seen in a lot of the Southern Tier, but the hills around Middleburgh tend to be particularly high and steep, leading to some remarkably beautiful views.
The Catskill Mountains and Adirondacks are beautiful. But I think little compares to the Appalachians in their beauty – how the tall, often rounded hills, shroud the deep hollows. Run-down houses and farms are often perched on the hills, often overlooking sometimes fast-moving creeks – or as they call them in most of Appalachia – runs.
On some of the hills, you see more and more large and cabins and houses. On Canady Hill Road there were a few amazingly big mansions, probably owned by wealthy folk who find you can buy rural land in the mountains for real cheap – and get some great views and hunting opportunities to boot.
There is a campsite located at Duck Pond, near the berm that keeps this swampy pond with a little bit of water. It is located next to a marker honoring one of the first forest rangers in the area, Charles Hopkins. At one point, there was a dam that raised the water level at Duck Pond, but in later years, it was reduced to about a 1 foot deep throughout the pond.
The road to Duck Pond from the north is in good condition, however to the south coming from Blenhium, the road is quite rough and bumpy, and can be muddy. From the north, the road is stone dust and well maintained.
Rankings: Campsites are ranked from 0 to 10, based on the described attributes.
Overall
7
Lack of Enforcement Presence
7
Scenic Beauty
7
Facilities
5
Cleanliness
8
On-Site Attractions
3
Privacy
6
Nearby Attractions
5
Layout
6
Cellphone and Data Services
8
Location:
Roughly 2.5 miles south of Rossman Hill Road, Fulton, NY on Burnt Hill Road.
Second left, heading east from Looking Glass Pond. Head south past trailers and across Long Path, swing left at the “Y”. Continue on road, as it winds and crosses a small brook, until you reach the clearing and Duck Pond.
You can also take Burnt Hill Road north from West Kill Road, but a short section of that road is quite rough.
19 miles south-east of Cobelskill
6 miles north-west of Blenhium
N 42.51020 W 74.48359
Cost:
No charge
3-nights maximum stay at this site except by FREE camping permit for up to 2-weeks which can be obtained from Forest Ranger Tom Edmunds 518-827-6565, Cell: 518-505-4070 (more info).
Facilities:
1 large campsite
Stone fire ring
No outhouses
Cellphone service/3G data service
Vehicles:
Medium-sized trailer or tent
Attractions on Site:
Burnt-Rossman State Forest
Swampy Duck Pond.
Attractions Nearby:
Looking Glass Pond – Fishing – 2 miles north on Burnt Hill Road, then 1/2 mile east on Rossman Hill Road
NY Power Authority Visitors Center – 8 miles south-west on NY 30 in Blenhium
Mine Kill State Park (fee) – 9 miles south-west on NY 30 in Blenhium
Mine Kill Falls (south of the park – FREE) – 10 miles south-west on NY 30 in Blenhium
Max Shaul Farm Market – 10 miles north-east on NY 30 in Fultonham
Sanitation:
Water can be obtained from creek 1 mile north on Duck Pond Road
No outhouses – Dig hole in woods away from lake, burn toilet paper
Burn combustible garbage, take cans home for recycling
Make sure firepits and campsite are clean before leaving
Restrictions on Use:
3-nights maximum stay at this site.
Except by FREE camping permit for up to 2-weeks which can be obtained from Ranger Tom Edmunds 518-827-6565, Cell: 518-505-4070 (more info).
Seasonal use road – neither Burnt Hill Road or Rossman Hill Road is plowed in the winter.
