hiking

Labrador Hollow

Labrador Hollow is a deep valley surrounded by large hills on both sides. It’s located on the border of Fabius in Ondondoga County (south of Syracuse), and Truxton in Cortland County.

Restricted Use Area

At Labrador Hollow, there are three places you will want to check out:

  1. Labrador Pond
  2. Jones Hill Hang Gliders Cliff
  3. Tinker Falls

There are plenty of signs to guide you to the Labrador Hollow Parking area by the pond.

Labrador Hollow Sign

Through the marshy area, there is a 1/4 mile board walk which provides up close and personal views to the unique wildlife of the area.

Marshland

You usually don’t get a chance to be right up in a marsh like this, unless your deep in the mud with your boots, or it’s less grown up and you could paddle a canoe or kyack. So despite being a little out of place, it does give you a unique experience.

Labrador Hollow Sign

Looking at Labrador Pond through the marshlands.

Labrador Pond

There used to be a firetower on Jones Hill, which is now a nature center down by Labrador Pond.

Relocated Ranger's Cabin

Inside Rangers Station

An open section is mowed, so you can sit dwon by the lake and enjoy the views.

 Clouds Hang Low Over Labrador Pond

Then I drove over to the Kyack/Canoe launch for the pond, on the western side along Labarador Hill.

Clouds Coming In

Besides the kyack launch, there is a series of benches and a boardwalk that extend out into the lake.

Bench on Pond's Edge

Later I drove around to the Eastern side of the lake, then hiked down to Tinker Falls, an accessiable water falls. The trail is an easy 1/4 mile walk that is only slightly inclined.

Looking West on Table Rock Road

Tinker Falls Trail

The falls aren’t big, being maybe 60 feet at the most, but they are still pretty and simple. I wouldn’t confuse it with Niagara Falls or even the Kaaterskill Falls. By afternoon, a lot of people where playing in the falls, trying to stay cool.

Looking West on Table Rock Road

Falling Water

Here is the view from the top of Tinker Falls, accessed from the Finger Lakes Trail or the orange spur to the Finger Lakes Trail.

Looking Over Tinker Falls

I then proceeded to hike up to the Hang Gliders launch spot by the Orange Blaze Connector trail which hooks up with the Finger Lakes Trail. This is route I took, it’s slightly longer and steeper then the old woods road route.

Wetlands

You can also follow the old woods road, which goes directly up to Hang Gliders spot on Jones Hill.

Descending the Trail

Part of the Finger Lakes Trail runs along the edge of Jones Hill, although there aren’t any real views this time of year.

Along the Edge of Long Hill

Arriving at Hang Gliders clearing. It was very hazy out, with limited views.

North Through Hollow

Looking down at Labrador Hollow and towards Labrador Hill.

Looking Down at Edge of Pond

Farms in Fabius, with very poor views.

Farms in Fabius

I want to come back on a clear fall day. Maybe this fall I will go back out and explore this area again in the future.

Trees Along Southern Edge of Pond

Here is a map of the hike.


View Labrador Hollow 6-26-10 in a larger map

A Hot and Humid Sunday at Thacher Park

On June 20, prior to going out to the folks house, I decided to go for a little walk at the OSI Parcel of Thacher Park, from Carrick Road down to High Point, then to Hang Gliders’ Point. While very hazy, it still was a beautiful day.

Parked at the old Blue Stone Mining Pit, with the “Stone Sculptures”.

At the 3 Mile Ski Trail Loop Intersection.

Hiking down an old-woods road that I accidentially followed too far and went right past High Point.

Unmarked Woods Road

I ended up in this big hay field bordering the OSI Parcel that has a trail running through it via a landowner easement.

Hay Field

And I finally found my way to the High Point Overlook, in the haze.

Looking Off High Point

Looking down over the Altamont Fair Grounds.

Truck Trail 3

You could see the corn just starting to pop up along Brandle Road in Altamont from the overlook.

Freshly Planted Corn

And where a farmer had just cut some fresh hay below.

Drying Hay Field

A pretty cloud.

 Thunderhead Over Guilderland

Looking off High Point onto land below.

Looking Down

Hiked over to Hang Gliders’ Cliff.

Hang Gliders Cliff

View from the unmarked trail to Hang Glider’s Cliff.

Broken Views Climbing Wakely

A Hang Gliders’ Cliff.

Careful Running, The Cliff Drops Off

Low clouds hung out and over Settles Hill.

Settles Hill

Somebody had hung a flag at Hang Gliders Cliff.

Flag on Hang Gliders Cliff

Hiking back to the pickup truck saw this cute little flower.

Daisy

It was hot! Yet, it was nice to at least get out and do a lot of hiking during this very hot and humid weekend.

Here is a map of the hike.


View Thacher Park 6-20-10 in a larger map

Echo Cliff at Piseco Lake

The Echo Cliff of Panther Mountain overlooks the Piseco Lake, Spy Lake, and Oxbow Lake, along with mountains and points east. The trail that goes up to Echo Cliff is labeled “Panther Mountain”, however the trail does not ever reach the ascent, but dead ends at Echo Cliff.

Panther Mountain Sign

A beautiful day hiking up the trail for sure. The sun was bright, and I kept slapping on sunscreen. It was even a bit warm, not surpising for April 24th.

The Trail

Reaching the top of the trail, almost up to Echo Cliff. The beauty of the mountaintop approaches.

Almost to the Top

Reaching the top, the beauty was amazing, as I looked across Piseco Lake with the trees just starting to green up.

Spring's Colors

Across the Lake to Popular Mountain and Oxbow pond.

Towards Popular Mountain

Sitting along the edge, looking at the land and lake below.

Off the Edge

Here is map of the hike. It’s quick, 30 minute each hike each way. If your up this way, do make this hike. I some day may want to hike this prior to sunrise, and watch the sun rise on this mountain.


View Echo Cliffs and Piseco Lake in a larger map

Kane Mountain Fire Tower

Kane Mountain is located next to Canada Lake, which is just north of Caroga Lake on NY 10. I hiked up there one evening, after spending the day hiking in the South-Central Adirondacks. It is a wonderful, quick hike, perfect after a long day of hiking or outdoor activities as one heads back to the Mohawk Valley or Albany as the case may be.

Firetower After Dark

The trail up Kane takes you up about 500 feet in elevation over a 1/2 mile. It’s an old woods road, and well traveled, so don’t worry about hiking after dark if you have a flash light or even just moonlight.

Trail Up Kane Mountain

Reaching the top of the mountain you reach the Firetower and an old Forest Ranger’s cabin, which sadly has been broken into and vandelized. It still was interesting to walk in and take a look at the cabin, including the tiny little woodstove that once was there. The bunks and other furniture where long gone from it.

Ranger's Cabin on Kane

Remind me again why people have to be such pigs?

Inside Kane Mountain Ranger's Cabin

The Fire Tower has some really interesting views out of it, and it is an interesting place to watch the sun set from in the evening. Here is looking from the windows of the observer station, which have the glass removed.

East Through Tower Window

Looking due South, you can see Canada Lake, Sheely Mountain, and the Mohawk Valley to the South. Once you get South of Sheely Mountain, the area around Caroga Lake is relatively flat until you get to the other side of the Mohawk Valley, with the ridges Schoharie High Lands.

Sheely Mountain

The light flickers over West Lake, which is connected to Canada Lake.

West Lake

Looking at the Southern Adirondacks, heading North along the NY 10 Coridoor. Until recently visiting this portion of the Adirondacks, I always generally viewed these lands as relatively flat, but instead as this picture shows, actually is fairly rugged, with peaks in the 2,000-2,500 elevation range, which is about 500-1,000 above the valleys below. Not flat exactly.

Mountains

Watching the setting sun from the Fire Tower.

Setting Sun

Through the tower windows in the cab as the sun sets.

Gorge

Due to the clouds, it wasn’t a perfect sun set, but just before the sun disappeared into the clouds, here is what I saw.

Good Night from the Tower

After sunset, looking at the fire tower by the last light of the day.

Firetower After Dark

Hiking back there was a full moon.

Moonlight Descending the Mountain

Here is a map of the hike.


View Kane Mountain Firetower in a larger map

Severence Hill in April

One month after my first hike up Severence Hill, I decided to do another “cool” down hike up this mountain. In only a month, the look off the mountain had changed quite dramatically.

Here is Paradox Lake on March 7, 2010.

Paradox Lake Area

Here it is on April 11, 2010.

 Paradox Lake

With the Adirondack Snow having melted in the past month, things looked a lot different for sure. Things where already starting to show some signs of spring, and life, even if the Adirondack Winter still had another month to go before casting off it’s winter.

 Schroon Lake

I must have spent an hour staring down at Schroon Lake, just pondering the Adirondacks and possibly moving out west. It was such delightful weather out there, and while I was tired from a day hiking, there was so much beauty with the setting sun. I had no reason at all to rush back to Albany, having no commitments when I got back home, except to get ready for the next day at work.

Steep Bay

This hike, while short has so much beauty. Looking down at Steep Bay (part of Pharoah Mountain Wilderness) on Schroon Lake.

Hatchhack and Allered Hills

Then one last look at Hatchhack and Allered Hills to the south, silhouetted by the setting sun, as I descended the mountain, and headed back to Albany.


View Severance Hill Hike in a larger map

Hiking to Rossman Hill Lean-To

I’ve camped up at Burnt-Rossman State Forest a couple of dozen times. It’s one of my favorite places to go out truck camping, with it’s remote and quiet nature, and while I had known from maps that there was a lean-to up there, that one could hike to, I had never actually visited it. I had spent the previous night tent camping, and being up early, decided to check out the lean-to.

Campsite

The lean-to is located on the section of the Long Path that crosses Morey Road, just south of Rossman Hill Road, right next to the old cemetary. Alternatively, you can access the lean-to from Burnt Hill Road, just up the hill from where Duck Pond Road splits off. The lean-to is located about a 1/2 mile from either road. Regardless of which way you choose to go, it’s a nice level hike through marshes and old timber stands.

Through the Woods

And old woods roads…

Adopt a Natural Resource

As you past by the headwaters of the Cole Brook, which ultimately helps feed the Schoharie Creek.

Headwaters of Cole Brook

And the lean-to is really nice looking and only used occassionally, mostly by the locals.

Lean-To Side

And it’s nearby a spring, or at least a marshy area that never gets wet.

Spring

It’s definately some place I would like to stay some day.

 Looking Out the Lean-To

Here is a map:


View Rossman Hill Lean-To in a larger map

Mount Utsayathana in Early Spring

Two weekends ago I was planning to go hiking up Huntersfield Mountain, but when the trail conditions and time remaining wouldn’t cooperate, I decided to head over to Mount Utsayathana in Stamford.

I fully expected to have to hike up the mountain because the steep and narrow truck trail would be unplowed, very muddy, and possibility icy. With the truck trail hanging right along the shoulder of the mountain without guard rail, you don’t want to fool around.

Ice and Mud

Quite to my surprise, it was only a little muddy up top, but the rest of the trail was dry. The top of the mountain had some snow drifts, but it had been plowed throughout the winter.

Truck Trail to Fire Tower

It was a beautiful early spring day out there, looking down at Stamford from the porch of the Utsayathana Mountain House. Things are starting to green up down there, and signs of spring are in the air.

Boot

Walked over to the fire tower, and climbed on up.

Firetower and Radio Tower

View out of the Firetower windows.

Tower Windows

Looking East towards Huntersfield Mountain and the low lands towards Grand George.

East

And the western mountains of the Catskills, and the deep agricultural valleys within in them.

House at End of Township Valley

Towards the North the ridge continues on a little ways to Bald Mountain, then you get into the standard ridged landscape that covers most of Upstate New York.

North

Here is a map.

Do make sure to check out the same great views from when I was up there six months ago in peak folliage of October.