Our venerable Tuesday walk all start at 10 a.m. As usual there is no pre-registration. For information, email mailto:[email protected]. Cancellations or changes may be found at our website, ecosny.org, or www.facebook.com/ecosny.
Aug. 18: Central Park, Schenectady. An exploration of the woods behind the greenhouse, where ECOS and other community partners have been removing burning bush and planting native plants as part of a PRISM grant to ReTree Schenectady. We’ll highlight native trees and shrubs as well as invasive species, and discuss ongoing efforts towards habitat restoration. Leader: Betsy Henry. Directions: Central Park is near the eastern edge of the city. From Eastern Parkway, take Wright Avenue south to its end, at the entrance to the Central Park Rose Garden; here turn left on Central Parkway and go straight until the curve, where PTL Arthur Chaires Lane is discreetly tucked to the right. We will meet in front of the tennis courts. (180 PTL Arthur Chaires Ln., Schenectady)
Aug. 25: Woodlawn Preserve, Niskayuna. In a leisurely walk, we’ll enjoy the many types of asters and goldenrod, as well as other surprises around this beautiful selection of woodland, lake, and pine barrens – and see what’s going on with the beavers. Mostly flat but sometimes muddy. Leader: Steve Jones.
Directions: Adjacent to Woodlawn Elementary School in the extreme southeast of the county, easily approached from the Albany/Schenectady Road (Rt. 5) by turning south onto Gifford Road and following it past the school to the end. (1 Gifford Rd., Schenectady)
Sept. 1: Wolf Creek Falls Preserve, Knox. These woods offer many waterfalls along with remnants of a stone-walled sheep pasture and an old home cellar. The hike will follow several trails over mostly gentle terrain. Leader: Darwin Roosa.
Directions: From Main Street in Altamont, turn north at Farmhouse Tap and Tavern onto Maple Ave., turn left onto Bozenkill Road (Rt. 253), and drive roughly 3 miles to the preserve, which is on the south (left-hand) side of the road. (Between 734 and 816 Bozenkill Rd., Altamont)
Sept. 8: Lisha Kill Preserve, Niskayuna. A moderate hike through this Nature Conservancy property known for its deep, hemlock-filled ravines, and mature trees, some more than 200 years old. There are quite a few ups and downs on the trail, but the intensity can be altered, and we will go at the pace of the group and learn from each other. Leader: Kathleen LoGiudice. Directions: Entrance is on Rosendale Rd., about 1.5 miles from the Schenectady-side beginning of Rosendale, c. 1000 feet west of the traffic circle. (2518 Rosendale Rd., Niskayuna)
Sept. 15: Holt Preserve, Selkirk. Located in the foothills of the Helderberg Mountains, the first part of this hike is a moderate climb along a ravine. Once we get to the kiosk at the upper parking lot, we will either go to the top of a buff or around on trails crossing two streams on the lower part; this part of the route will be determined by the group. Leader: Susan Toohey.
Directions: The turn for the lower lot at the Holt Preserve is the first left after the corner of Rt. 32 and Tarrytown Road, going south on Rt. 32. There is a white sign for a church at the base of the road; proceed up this dead end to where the trail starts. (Upper Copeland Hill Road, Selkirk)
Sept. 22: Landis Arboretum, Esperance. The arboretum’s collection of native New York trees, shrubs, and vines is the most complete in the state. We will explore several of the trails; a few small hills are involved but nothing major. We will be going at a moderate pace. Leader: Don Orr. Directions: Take I-88 to Duanesburg, Exit 24, and turn onto Rt. 20 to Esperance. In about 8 miles, after crossing Schoharie Creek, take the immediate right turn onto Charleston St. and follow up the hill, keeping right onto Lape Rd.; there will be signs to the Arboretum. (174 Lape Rd., Esperance)
Sept. 29: Bozenkill Preserve, Altamont. A hike through the various forest and wetland types found at the Upper Bozenkill Preserve. Be prepared for a hike; wear hiking boots and bring water (and bug spray). There will also be some tips and tricks for tree identification. Leader: Lauren Lyons-Swift.
Directions: From the village of Altamont take Maple Avenue north, turn left onto Bozenkill Road and go about a half mile and turn right onto Westfall Road. Go about one mile and turn left onto Bond Road, where you’ll proceed to the parking area at the end. (485 Bond Rd., Altamont)
Oct. 6: High Point Trail, Thacher Park, Altamont. A botanical walk through karst topography, past old stone walls, to a multi-state view. There is no significant elevation change, but some of the footing is rocky. Leader: Deb Barnes.
Directions: Either go through Thatcher Park on Rt. 157, turn right on Ketcham Road, right again on Rt. 157, right onto Old Stage Road, past Carrick Road, and a quarter mile on is parking along the High Point Trail. Or from Altamont, drive up the hill from Stewart’s on Rt. 156, turn left onto Old Stage Road; after a steep switchback, turn left into the parking area for High Point Road, on Old State Road. (Old State Road, Altamont)
Oct. 13: H.G. Reist Bird Sanctuary, Niskayuna. We’ll walk through woods and wetlands and over dunes with varied flora and, of course, birds; can be muddy and buggy. We will go at the pace of the group. Meet at the west end of the sanctuary, which has better parking. Leader: Kathleen LoGiudice.
Directions: From the intersection of Balltown and Consaul roads, go east past the Hannaford Plaza, take the first left onto Oakmont Street and drive past all the townhouses; parking for the sanctuary is on the right. (Just north of 35 Oakmont St., Niskayuna)