July 5, 2014 Esopus Meadows Preserve

      We lucked out again with another beautiful day!  The temperature was in the 70s with sun, blue sky and a slight breeze....perfect for walking.  This was an unfamiliar walk to me and I think to the rest of the group. 
      Thanks to the efforts of Scenic Hudson, the trails were well marked [although there was a portion of the white trail that veered off to the right as we walked back uphill to yellow that was marked but not on the trail map...we think it led to the blue trail along the river].  After last week's confusion with the poor trail marking at Roosevelt, this was a pleasure.
     At one time farmers brought their cattle to feast on plants growing in the shallow offshore tidal flat.  It's now a breeding/nursery area for fish.
      We wandered up and down and up hills for a total of almost two miles. The blue trail loops around and, faced with a big uphill to reach the riverside portion, half of our group chose the interior portion and half us trekked up a hill to enjoy a nice walk along the river.  It wasn't an easy walk but I and I think most of us enjoyed it.  However, it is not destined to become a club favorite.
       Five of us enjoyed brunch at the Marlboro Diner and rated the meal an 8.

Day lilies at the trail entrance.

I think this is the Klyne Esopus Kill on its way to the nearby river.

We're on our way.

We've already worked our way uphill. It was only the beginning!

It was pretty in the woods.

An ugly fungus.

Stone walls abounded.

Another hill to climb.

A bit of a swampy area here.

Keep on climbing.

More fungi.

This wall required a helping hand.

There were quite a few of these bridges.

A mossy area.

We took the white trail down to the river and rested while enjoying the view before the trek back uphill.

Fungi again.

The grounds of the Mills Mansion across the river.

Some fun on the river.

Looking down river.

We've made our way back uphill...the river is beyond trees.

Unknown building across river with blue heron in foreground

A closer view of the heron

There's not a lot of open water in this area.

We watched this machine apparently trying to clear the water from the exceedingly invasive water chestnuts.

Lighthouse closeup.

Upriver view.