It's always a little interesting getting there. It's kind of hidden away and there is a Quaker Hill Rd, North Quaker Hill Rd and Quaker Lake Road. To make it more interesting my directions said North Quaker Lake Road [the map was correct though,,it's North Quaker Hill Rd.]. I'm really trying to get the directions to walks accurate and appreciate any help offered from others. Nine of us managed to get there.
The day was damp-chilly with lots of clouds and spotty sun. A sign announced that we should be careful since it's hunting season [Shaupeneak also warned us last week]. Nicely, a box at the entrance to the trail provided orange vest. Some of us chose to wear them and we returned them at the conclusion of the walk. We walked briefly on the yellow, went to the red, then to the white [Appalachian] and back to the yellow.
There is a lot of up hill involved for the first half of the walk and we spend a little bit of time on the Appalachian Trail. But it's a nice trail and a pleasant walk in the woods...good for the cardio for sure.
I hate to admit it but, while I enjoy the walk, my favorite part of the walk is dining at McKinney & Doyle in Pawling after. Five of us enjoyed an excellent lunch there. It's our favorite place to eat.
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| tiny purple flowers at beginning of trail |
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| we cross the bridge and head uphill |
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| view in one direction from the bridge |
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| we've walked up a portion of the hill and looked down on the creek |
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| we cross a bridge bordered by two fallen trees |
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| interesting stump |
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| I'm trying to show how high we've already come but it's not very easy to see just how far down the view goes...and we've got a lot more to uphill to go |
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| as we walked higher the leaves became more colorful |
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| a little closer |
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| and much closer |
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| moss and ferns |
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| more moss and ferns |
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| some pretty leaves |
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| and more |
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| more trees |
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| and again |
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| the trail is really pretty |
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| a large part of the Appalachian Trail has boards which aren't that easy to walk on |
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| John says this is a mushroom spoor |
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| trail-side foliage |
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| leaf collage on the boardwalk |
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| more nice scenery |
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| a downed tree and checking the map |
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| I think it was at Norrie Point where we discovered that people had put rocks on downed trees to indicate that they were there. So, naturally, we've continued the tradition. WE WERE HERE!!! |
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| moss surrounding a tree |
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| an interesting stump produced two more interesting pix [or so I say] |
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| partridge berries below |
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| and some fungi on the stump |
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| It was a really nice walk |
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| more pretty tree views |
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| the trees at the bottom of the hill the leaves were less interesting |
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| close up composition |
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| more fungi |
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| back to the bridge |
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| and another brook view |
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| pretty trees view from the parking area |
