Snowshoeing in the Spa City: Saratoga Spa State Park

Island Spouter, one of the few geysers east of the Mississippi River
All photos mine

New York has several unique natural destinations, but few are more unique than Saratoga Spa State Park. Located within the city limits of Saratoga Springs, the park contains many interesting geologic features, including the only geysers in the United States east of the Mississippi River. The region's namesake mineral springs have long been visited for their alleged health benefits and the water bottled for sale. To combat overpumping of the springs, the area became a state reservation in 1909. Several of the spa buildings were built with New Deal funds in the 1930s. The spa area became a state park in 1962 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

We had a significant snowstorm last Friday, so I figured I'd spend some time Saturday playing in the snow. Most of the snow fell southwest of Albany, but I was unsure if roads would be plowed, so I decided to head north to Saratoga. Parked near the Roosevelt Baths, strapped on my snowshoes, and into the woods I went. I started down the Geyser Trail, taking it to the short, orange-blazed Springs Trail.

Trails generally looked like this. Geyser Trail near the Roosevelt Baths

The Springs Trail descends into the gorge carved by Geyser Creek, ending across from the education building. Turning right along the road, I crossed the creek and immediately turned right onto the Vale of Springs Trail. It isn't long before you pass this beauty on the right.

It's the cover photo again!

Yes, that's Island Spouter, one of the area's best-known springs. Like all of the springs, Island Spouter is carbonated mineral water. It also happens to be a geyser that shoots 10-15 feet into the air. The island is composed of tufa, a type of limestone created by mineral deposits from the spring.

Continuing down the trail (with Island Spouter to the right)

Once you're done admiring one of New York's most unique natural features, continue north along the trail. The narrow trail runs along the bank of the creek, eventually reaching a massive tufa deposit encroaching on the trail. This deposit was created by Orenda Spring, located up the cliff.

Orenda Spring's tufa dome

Closeup of the tufa dome

The tufa dome from the other side. That little ledge is the trail.

Past the tufa dome, we pass under a bridge leading to Saratoga Performing Arts Center and reach a stairway. Time to climb out of the gorge. Take a left at the top of the stairs, pass back under the bridge, and Orenda Spring is on the right.

Orenda Spring

Orenda is another of the major springs, but unlike Island Spouter, you can easily get to its water if you so desire.

Looking south from Orenda Spring

From up here, it is possible to see just how big the tufa deposit is. Continue south and we reach an overlook, where one can get another view of Island Spouter.

A short distance to the south, we get back to the road and the bridge. I turned left on the road and crossed the bridge again, but stayed alongside the road. A couple of springs are alongside the road.

Polaris Spring, located next to the road

Tallulah Spring is set back from the road

Tallulah Spring

A trail departs to the left a short distance south of Tallulah Spring. This trail leads to Ferndell Spring.

The trail winds along a creek, eventually reaching the spring, which was dry.

Ferndell Spring

I continued past the spring, turning left alongside a road. Another left led me back to my car, 1.6 miles and about 1:15 after I left. During tourist season, the state park can get overrun with people, but this time of year, it is peaceful enough to truly enjoy the area's natural beauty. Did I mention it's free outside of the summer season, too?

One more thing: Saratoga Spa State Park does rent snowshoes when snow is on the ground. Available at the park office, see website for more details.

Getting Here

Saratoga Spa State Park is located between US Route 9 and NY Route 50 in the southern part of Saratoga Springs. During the winter, one needs to enter the park via Avenue of the Pines or park at the SPAC lot along NY 50, as the southern entrances are closed. Winter parking is off of Roosevelt Drive and at the SPAC lot. There is an $8/vehicle entry fee between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as well as on weekends in May, September, and early October. 

Resources

Saratoga Spa State Park

Waterfall Season, Huyck Style

Rensselaerville Falls, the star of the Huyck Preserve

As a blog called "The Albany Hiker", I figured I should actually blog about something in Albany County. What better place to start than one of the Capital District's gems? Rensselaerville's E.N. Huyck Preserve, in the extreme southwestern corner of Albany County, is practically in the Catskills. In fact, the creek running through it, Tenmile Creek, is one of the major tributaries of Catskill Creek. At the southeastern corner of the preserve lies Rensselaerville Falls, one of the nicest waterfalls in New York. Most visitors to the preserve hike the half-mile (if that) to the falls and no further. I will admit, my first visit to the preserve was on the way home from elsewhere and I only went to the falls. Yet, this place is so much more than a waterfall and I decided to take a little hike around Myosotis Lake, just upstream from the waterfall.

Southern portion of Huyck Preserve
Source: https://www.huyckpreserve.org/trail-map--rules.html

For the day's hike, I figured I'd park at the main Visitor Center trailhead and head up past the falls along the east side of the lake. I took the short road walk at the north end of the Lake Trail East over to the west side and returned back to the car. This loop, involving a detour to the lower falls overlook, is roughly 3.75 miles. Most of the elevation change is between the parking lot and the upper falls overlook.

I arrived at 1 PM, strapped on my hiking sneakers, and set on the trail. Was very little snow, so the snowshoes stayed in the car (and this was a good idea, as they would have been useless). A sign at the trailhead warned of ice on the trails.

The trailhead

The trail

Trail markers, old and new

The trail hugs the north bank of Tenmile Creek for a short distance, then crosses over to the south bank a little downstream of Rensselaerville Falls.

Bridge over Tenmile Creek

Looking upstream toward the falls

Immediately after the bridge, ruins are located next to the trail. These are the ruins of the E.N. Huyck felt mill, which used Tenmile Creek for power.

Felt mill ruins

After the ruins, there is a junction. To the right is a spur trail to an overlook of the main cascade (I'll come back here later). A sharp left has a trail along the south side of the creek. Slight left heads up the south side of the gorge to the rest of the trail network. Uphill we go, and it was icy. Nothing poles couldn't handle, though.

Heading uphill

Near the top of the hill, there is a junction leading to secondary parking. Continue going straight until the trail makes a sharp (signed) turn to the right.

Sign at turn

The trail from here to the next junction is relatively flat.

This is generally what the preserve trails look like. Peaceful woodlands.

I see what they meant by "ice"

After a short ways, we hit the next junction. Straight leads up the west side of the lake. Right leads to the Upper Falls overlook and the east side.

Junction sign

Looking down falls trail

The falls trail heads down a series of steps to a narrow wooden bridge located immediately above the Upper Falls.

As I said, this bridge is just upstream of the falls.

View from the bridge into the gorge

There's an overlook just past the bridge that provides a close-up view of the Upper Falls.

The bridge we just crossed 

Looking down into the icy gorge

Plaque at the Waldron Overlook

Most visitors to the preserve turn around here. I'd recommend continuing on to the wilder areas of the preserve.

Small weir above the waterfall

Looking back at the overlook

The path continues on

Loooooong drop into the gorge on the right 

A little ways up, we reach a sharp turn to the left. Continuing straight here takes you onto private property, so I'd suggest turning left.

We continue uphill. There's a couple of plots set aside for deer-related research on the right.

[-]

A bunch of stone walls from the old patroonship of Rensselaerswyck are up ahead. I love these old walls, which are found nearly everywhere in rural parts of the Hudson Valley.

Soon, we reach the Myosotis Lake dam and begin a flat section along the east shore.

Bunch of ice fishers were out on the lake while I was hiking. May have been around 40 degrees, but the ice was still sufficiently thick.

Continue on and there's a picnic area and private beach along the lake.

Picnic area and beach

 Past the beach and there are some boardwalks and [-]

Continuing northwest...

It's wet. Very wet.

Bit of a stream along this boardwalk

Eventually, the lake ends and the trail runs along the northeast side of Tenmile Creek.

Trail junction near the northwest end of the Lake Trail East

All good things must come to an end eventually and so does this trail. I reached a little-used road and turned left to head across the creek.

Signs at road

The road walk

Immediately past the creek is the trailhead on the right.

Almost immediately, there's a bridge over a small stream. The bridge has an improvised musical instrument, too!

The instrument, with flip-flops to use as mallets

Once you're done making music, continue down the trail.

The west side is wilder and less flat than the east side and I was the first person to hit the trail since the last snowfall

In fact, there were places where the trail wasn't easy to follow.

If it wasn't for that marker, wouldn't know it's a trail

I needed to ford a few streams. Was a tad tricky at times with the large amount of water.

There's an old shack along the lake as we near the dam

Abandoned shack

It may look like the trail turns, but it doesn't.

The trail curves to follow a stream, then crosses it. 

Bridge over stream

Quite a few old trail markers poking around

Soon, we hit the junction with the Lake Trail East and the Falls Trail. Home stretch.

I said I'd get back to the fall spur trail along the creek, and along that trail I went to get a good look at the falls. Short trail and we soon reach the lower falls overlook.

The main cascade

When you're ready, turn around and head back to the main trail.

Looking along the spur trail from the overlook

Make a left at the main trail, head across the bridge, and you're soon at the parking lot. Not too far from Albany, but definitely a wild place and somewhere that is nice to visit at any time of year.

Getting Here

The Huyck Preserve is located in Rensselaerville at the west end of New York Route 85, roughly 40 minutes from Interstate 90 and 20 minutes from John Boyd Thacher State Park. Overflow parking is available at Hilltown Cafe.

Resources

E.N. Huyck Preserve (Official site)