ECOS SPRING WALKS 2023
This spring our guided walks include some new leaders and new preserves curtesy of the
Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC). All walks are on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. except
where noted. Walks usually last around 2 hours. There is no pre-registration, but we may need
to follow covid recommendations of the time. For information email
[email protected] . Cancellations or changes may be found at www.ecosny.org or
www.facebook.com/ecosny .
APRIL 18 High Point Trail, Thacher Park: Here’s a flat loop trail for an easy stroll through the
woods. This year we should be on time to catch an abundant amount of flowering wood early
emphemerals. Debra Barnes, leader. Directions: Because of limited parking we should meet
and carpool or caravan to the trailhead from the Stewart’s at the west end of Altamount on Rt.
146/Main St.
WEDNESDAY (at 9:30 a.m.) APRIL 26 Wolf Creek Falls Preserve: An MHLC property in the
town of Knox, this offers many waterfalls as well as trout lilies and other spring ephemerals.
Leader: Sarah Walsh, MHLC associate director. Directions: From Main St. in Altamont turn
north at Farmhouse Tap and Tavern onto Maple Ave., turn left onto Bozenkill Rd./Rt. 253, and
drive roughly 3 miles to the preserve, which is between 734 and 816 Bozenkill Rd., on the south
(left-hand) side of the road.
MAY 2 (at 10 a.m.) Cottage Park Trail, Moreau Lake State Park: A relatively easy one-mile
loop through mixed forest to a stream-crossed vale at the foot of the Palmertown Mountains.
Thousands of Spring Beauty flowers pave the forest floor here, along with other lovely spring
wildflowers including Canada Violets and Dutchman’s Breeches. Leader: Jackie Donnelly.
Directions: From exit 16 of the Northway/I-87, head west on Ballard Rd. to Rt. 9., cross Rt. 9
directly onto Corinth Mountain Rd., and proceed about 3 miles over Mt. McGregor. When you
reach the stop sign at Spier Falls Rd., turn right onto Spier Falls Rd. Proceed along Spier Falls
Rd. about 3.5 miles, and park at the Sherman Island Boat Launch on the left.
MAY 9 Joralemon Memorial Park: A wonderful spring habitat for wildflowers, with fern-filled
dells as well as a historic lime kiln dating back to the Civil War. Ruth Brooks, leader. Directions:
Take Rt. 890 east to the NY Thruway; take the Thruway east to exit 22 (Selkirk), then take Rt.
144 south to meet Rt. 143. Follow Rt. 143 about 2.5 miles to Starr Rd. (Rt. 102). Turn right on
Rt. 102, and go about ½ mile north to Joralemon Park. If using Google Maps, use Joralemon
Park Disc Golf Course, Ravena NY.
MONDAY MAY 15 (at 10 a.m.) Pine Hollow Arboretum: If we’ve timed this right we’ll be able
to wander through magnolias in bloom, as well as exploring various plant regions from Europe
to Asia to America. Easy hiking, mostly level, though it might be muddy in wet periods. Leader:
Sigrin Newell. Directions: Take Rt. 890 east to the NY Thruway; get off at its exit 24 and follow
onto Rt. 90, taking its exit 4 to Rt. 85 and continuing until the left turn onto Maple Ave. The
arboretum is on the left.
MAY 16 Schoharie Creek Preserve: A 198-acre MHLC preserve along the banks of the
Schoharie and Wilsey Creeks, featuring mature and early successional woodlands, ponds and
wetlands, several waterfall vistas, and a walk along the beautiful Schoharie Creek. The trail is
1.3 miles long with some moderately steep sections. Leader: Marshall Lefebvre, MHLC
Stewardship Coordinator. Directions: From Rt. 30 (south of Amsterdam), bear east at Bramans
Corner on Bramans Corner Rd., cross the bridge into Burtonsville, soon turn right (north) onto
Burtonsville Rd./Rt. 127, turn right again onto Butler Rd.; the gravel parking lot is less than 1
mile, to the left, on Butler Rd.
MAY 23 Bender Melon Farm: Once home of the “Bender’s Surprise” melon, this former farm
contains fields with nests of boblink, meadowlark, and grasshopper sparrow, dotted by
wetlands that form the beginning of the Phillipin Kill. Leader: Steve Jones. Directions: The trail
is roughly 1.5 miles from the intersection of Rt. 155 and 85A/Maple Rd. on the west side of
Voorheesville. Parking is on Hilton Rd. in New Scotland, just off of Rte. 85A to the east, next to
the Hilton Barn.
MAY 30 No walk scheduled
JUNE 6 Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary: The sanctuary is a 135-acre preserve of wooded trails
along the unique geology of the Onesquethaw Creek. Botanical diversity and bird watching
abound in this lovely setting which includes a former limestone quarry used to build the
Brooklyn Bridge. Co-Leaders: Debra Barnes and Chris Berte. Directions: From Feura Bush take
Old Quarry Rd./Rt. 102 south 3 miles to Rarick Rd., where there should be a Wildlife Viewing
sign with binoculars. Turn right on Rarick Rd. and go just a short distance to the parking lot for
Hollyhock Hollow, which is at the 3rd house on your left. Or with GPS search “Hollowhock
Hollow” or “46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk.”