On Saturday evening after doing some political volunteer in the morning, I decided it was simply too nice to spend the afternoon home. It also was Memorial Day weekend, so I decided I wouldn’t be able to get the best campsites at the State Forest in Summit, so I decided to go hiking.

So I chose some place close: the Taconic Crest Trail, north of parking lot at Mountain Raimer on state border of NY-2 & MA-2. It’s quick drive from Albany, and a beautiful place to hike particularly in the evening.

The section on the Taconic Trail runs partially on the Hopkins Memorial Forest, a parcel owned by Williamstown College. Camping and hunting is prohibited on this portion, as it’s used for research. Other sections are owned by the DEC or run on DEC easements that allow most conventional uses.

Here is off White Rocks.

Several small hobby farms you can see from off White Rocks.

Along the trail, looking south in the mid-afternoon, with Mount Raimer and NY-2 in the background. This looks like somebody has stayed here in the past, although I’m not sure if it’s NYSDEC land, and even if it is, it’s too close to the trail to be fully-legal camping.

Here is NY-2 winding up the mountain.

Interesting walk through a thick grove of Ash Trees.

Crossing a muddy area on boards.

One of the unique features of the area is a place called Snow Bowl, a deep cavern in the woods, between peaks, that is known for holding snow deep into the summer. No snow is left by September, but it, according to the guide book, frequently has snow remaining by mid-summer.

Beyond Snow Bowl I hiked about another mile. Not much in views over hear, but still a nice hike with only limited climbing up and down. I think I crossed into Vermont, but I did not see any signs of markers saying Green Mountain National Forest.

Hiking back the sun was starting to set, and there where clouds making for some impressive vistas.

Back at White Rocks there was some pretty views as the sun was setting.

For a while the sunset took away my breath.

As the day came to an end.

When I got my truck, this was the view of Mount Prospect from the parking area.

Here is a map of the hike.