September 27, 2014 STEWART FOREST

      I've wanted to walk at  Stewart Forest for some time and we finally managed to get there.  There were eleven of us; a good number considering its out of the way for everyone except CJ and I.  Since I don't believe its advisable to explore unknown areas, I hadn't walked explored any of the trails that begin in the 17K area.  [I had walked one of the trails off Route 207.]  So we were going to explore the area together.
      We met a park ranger who suggested that we walk down Scofield Lane and then back up Ridge Road and that's what we did.  There are many trails and a few roads in this gigantic [according to their map its 6,700 acres] area and its also used for biking, camping, horseback riding and hunting.  He told us that this weekend was youth pheasant hunting and they had just released some birds for the sport.
      We walked down Scofield.  It was two miles of narrow lane and, sadly, not really that interesting.  We met up with Ridge which was a drivable road and a little more interesting.  We met some hunters and dogs but none of the ones we encountered had bagged any birds.  [I can't say I was sorry about that.]  It was a four mile walk and some of us, including me, were pretty tired at the end.
       Five of us had an okay lunch at the Stewart Diner.

the Scofield trail was narrow and mostly through the woods

some red leaves

there was one small section of bamboo

the bamboo tunnel

more of the trail

don't know what these are but they're interesting

more red leaves

forest view

there were several downed trees here

a small pond near the end of Scofield

Ridge Road was wide and easier to walk

a view of "the ridge," a bench and a hunter

another ridge view

the only "wildlife" we saw...don't know what kind of snake this is [looked it up-its a milk snake]

the trees are beginning to turn color

milkweed

Lee had fun dispersing the seeds

some of the wetland area near the end of Ridge Road

     

September 20 Clarence Fahnestock - Pelton Pond

      Several of our regular walkers had informed me that they had made other plans and I was concerned that we might not have many people at our walk/picnic.  However, I was pleased that fourteen appeared for the walk and twelve stayed to enjoy the picnic.
      It was chilly, overcast and then sunny and we had a nice walk around the pond.  As usual, we had a nice variety of good food and pleasant company...an enjoyable day!!  It was nice to have the security of the pavilion even though we didn't need it. 

An unusual direction for this tree

I'm pretty sure these are wild asters

and a little closer

the view from one end of the pond

our picnic pavilion

the trail was "interesting" in some places

the dry "waterfall"

the view from the dam

How did this happen?

the beavers have been really busy getting ready for winter

there are two "houses" - one for dwelling and one for storage [I've been told]

the larger house

this one is quite a bit smaller

the leaves are beginning to turn

September 13, 2014 BOSCOBEL

      It was cloudy, chilly and rain was promised for the afternoon; but that didn't stop nineteen people from attending the walk. One of our best attendances ever.  We were especially happy to see Helen [whom we haven't seen in a long while] and to meet Irene & Tom who have decided to join our group.
      I hadn't walked at Boscobel previously since we try to avoid walks that involve parking fees [Bear Mt and Minnewaska are the exceptions].  However, since parking fees at Boscobel are suspended during the hours of the farmers' market and we'd heard that there is now a trail "to the marsh/river," we decided to try the walk. 
      There is a nice loop trail, a little over a mile in length, through the woods and a very steep trail leading down to Constitution Marsh.  Four of our group opted to continue on the loop while the rest of us decided to check it out.  There were many steps, the trail was a bit rocky and a bit washed out.  It would be treacherous when wet or leaf covered.  Thankfully, there were railings to hold on to.  When we reached the bottom, there wasn't a lot to see:  a small view of marsh grasses, a decent view of West Point, a dry waterfall.  We couldn't see the river beyond the marsh.  Speaking for myself, I'm glad I made the trip down but wouldn't go through the effort again.
      Nine of us enjoyed brunch on the porch at Hudson Hills in Cold Spring.  The rain held off until just as we were getting into our cars to go home.

the last roses of summer in the garden

flowers at the overlook

Hudson River artwork

the view from the overlook

West Point

Constitution Marsh.  We couldn't see the boardwalks

the small pond

bridge view left

bridge view right...the top of a waterfall

there are always some fungi

views partway down the trail to bottom

We saw the marsh at the bottom

the dry waterfall where we tried to conjure up the "spirit of Manitou"

 

[My camera battery gave out after this pic.]