ECOS FALL 2010 NATURE WALKS

This series of walks is on Tuesday mornings. Meeting time at the trailhead is a t 9:30. Carpool meeting times vary; trips involving a lengthy drive have been set at an earlier carpool meeting time. You may meet us at the trailhead at 9:30 if you’re not interested in carpooling. Many of these walks are in areas that may be wet and muddy. Deer ticks and poison ivy may also be present. Please use appropriate precautions. See reverse side for driving directions from carpool meeting place. These walks are free, a small donation to carpool drivers is suggested if you carpool.

Sept. 14 Woods Hollow Near Ballston Spa, this preserve features quite a variety of habitats, from pond, marsh and woodland, to pine forest and sand dune-sandpit. We’ll see late summer flowers of meadow and pine bush, and a variety of shrubs and ferns. Meet at 9:00 to carpool at the Glenville K-Mart parking lot on Rt. 50, near the diner.

Sept. 21 Strawberry Fields Farm This privately owned property is being preserved by owner Jeff Leon, through the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy. This land includes fields, woods, hedgerows, wetlands, and ponds, over calciferous rock. We can expect to see fringed gentian and several varieties of asters, as well as autumn foliage, with views of the Mohawk Valley. To carpool, meet at 9:00 at the Office Max on Campbell Avenue, opposite Rotterdam Square Mall.

Sept. 28 Plotterkill Preserve The ravines and waterfalls can be spectacular, with the help of autumnal rains. Mixed forest provides an array of autumn color. Shrubs and ferns should be plentiful. We’ll follow the trail on the east side of the gorge. To carpool, meet at 9:00 at the Office Max on Campbell Avenue, opposite Rotterdam Square Mall.

Oct. 5 Mosher Marsh Jill Knapp of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy will be our guide through this Conservancy preserve. This 43-acre preserve includes a mix of wetlands, fields and woods. A small stream, a tributary of the Chuctanunda Creek, flows through the middle of this property. To carpool, meet at 9:00 at the Office Max on Campbell Avenue, opposite Rotterdam Square Mall.

Oct. 12 Vroomans Nose This short but steep hike has the reward of wonderful views over the farm fields of Schoharie County. When you come back down, stop and treat yourself to some of the local produce at one of the farm stands along the road. Meet to carpool at 8:30 in the Office Max parking lot opposite Rotterdam Square Mall.

Oct. 19 Vischer Ferry Preserve Elizabeth Collins will be our guide on this easy walk with mostly level terrain. Enjoy the autumn foliage and waterfowl along the old canals. Many vines and shrubs will have their autumn fruit forming. Meet to carpool at 9:00 at Home Depot across from the Crosstown Plaza.

Oct. 26 Featherstonhaugh State Forest *** Volunteer trail clearing day*** Help ECOS clear trails for our winter ski trips. This area can be wet and muddy so boots are recommended. You may bring your own loppers, weed whackers, small saws, (no power tools). ECOS will supply some bow saws and loppers also. Meet at 9:00 at Office Max opposite Rotterdam Mall.

DIRECTIONS TO FALL 2010 NATURE WALKS

These directions are given from the carpool meeting places designated on the other side. Please consult your map if driving from some other location. Please note that the carpool meeting times vary. This is to make it possible to meet at the trailhead at about 9:30, whatever the driving distance.

Woods Hollow Take Rt. 50 north through the village of Ballston Spa. At the north edge of the village, turn left on Northline Rd. Go west to the main Preserve entrance on the right, a short distance before the intersection with Rowland St.

Strawberry Fields Farm Turn left out of Office Max parking lot; follow Campbell Rd. to intersection with Rt. 890 to go West; at the end of 890 cross the bridge onto Rt. 5; continue west approximately 9 miles to Cranes Hollow Rd. Turn right and continue 0.7 miles on Cranes Hollow Rd. Look for sign on right “LEON 240 Private Road.” Turn right and go up the very steep driveway until you come to the parking area on the left near the house.

Plotter Kill Preserve Turn right out of parking lot,take Campbell to Putnam, turn right onto Putnam. Continue on Putnam a couple of miles to blinking ight; turn right onto Mariaville Rd (Rte. 159). Go about two miles to Coplon Rd. Turn right onto Coplon, and look for Preserve parking on left.

Mosher Marsh Turn left out of Office Max parking lot; follow Campbell Rd. to intersection with Rt. 890 to go West; at the end of 890 cross the bridge onto Rt. 5; continue west a little over 9 miles to Truax Road, on the right. Truax Road becomes Manny’s Corner Road after it crosses Rte 67. Continue 0.5 mile to parking is on the left.

Vrooman’s Nose From Office Max parking lot, turn right onto Rte 337 (Burdeck St). Turn right (west) onto Rte 7 and follow it to Duanesburg; take right fork onto Rte 20 (west). Follow Rte 20 to intersection with Rte 30. Turn left onto Rte 30 and follow it through the village of Schoharie; continue on Rte 30 through Middleburgh. Continue on Rte 30 across bridge; passing Rte 145, take the next right onto Hill Valley Rd. Continue to trail parking lot on the left.

Vischer Ferry Preserve Turn right onto Rte. 7 (the Crosstown), go east to Balltown; turn left (north) on Balltown Rd. Continue across Rexford Bridge. Turn east at Stewart’s onto Riverview Rd. At village of Fischer Ferry, bear right at the firehouse and continue to follow Riverview Rd. Look for parking area near Preserve sign at junction with Van Vranken Rd.

Featherstonhaugh State Forest Meet at 9:00 at Office Max across from Rotterdam Square Mall; turn left onto Campbell (Rte.337); turn left onto Putnam Road; turn right onto Mariaville Rd. at blinking light (Rte. 159); continue west 5.3 miles to Lake Rd.; go left on Lake Rd. about 3 miles to Hardin Rd.; turn right on Hardin and park along side of road.; walk along road to trail access on either side, just below brow of hill.

For more information contact ECOS at 370-4125 or info@ecosny.org

PO Box 9118, Niskayuna, NY 12309

www.ecosny.org

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