Spring walk: Valentino Family Community Forest

Tom Phillips, leader. Trails pass through hemlock and hardwood forests, along streams and ponds with impressive beaver dams. Pace depends on energy levels and quantity of ephemerals. Directions: The forest is on Rt. 2 between Cropseyville and Grafton; from Rt. 2, turn north onto Stuffle Street and park at the first marked parking area. You can also take Rt. 7 through north Troy for roughly 4 miles (from the river) until it becomes Rt. 278, which becomes Rt. 2. Address: 90 Stuffle St., Cropseyville.