Short Hike #2: Snowshoeing at The Clark

Looking toward Williamstown Village from the Stone Hill viewpoint

I didn't have a ton of time this afternoon, but I wanted to play in the snow a little bit while we still had some. So off to Williamstown I went, where there's a good 2 feet on the ground after Wednesday's storm. I had heard about the network of trails at the Clark Art Institute and, since I had never been there although living so close, I figured it was a good destination for the day. Parking at the uppermost parking lot, far removed from the crowds at the museum galleries, I strapped on the snowshoes and headed into the woods, figuring I could do an easy 1-2 mile stroll.

Trail map at the trailhead

Easy? Maybe not, as I was generally breaking my own trail. Immediately after crossing a bridge, I took a left onto the Pasture Trail, ascending through the woods. I passed through a gate and walked onto the meadow giving this trail its name. During the summer, this meadow is home to a local farmer's cows and horses. No trail could be seen, so I struck out across the deep snow to what appeared to be the high point marked on the trail map as a "scenic view". And scenic that view was.

The beautiful village of Williamstown. Pine Cobble is in the background. 

Looking east toward North Adams

What goes up must go down, so I went down to the north, exiting through a gate at the north end of the meadow. I walked along the fence to the broken-out Nan Path and turned left. There was a gate at this end of the meadow and I will keep that in mind for future visits.

Bridge after turning on the Nan Path

At the far side of the bridge shown above, the Howard Path branches off to the right, and the Howard Path I took. This path was unbroken and, although I could see outlines of steps along the trail, my snowshoes did not feel steps as I descended to a creek.

The Howard Path

After the creek, it was an uphill stroll through the edge of the woods back to my car. While I only hiked slightly less than a mile, it took nearly an hour between breaking a trail and admiring the views.

I definitely need to get back to the Clark at some point when I can stop inside and view the artwork, but the trails are certainly worth a visit in the warmer months, too.

Getting Here

The Clark is located on South Street approximately 0.4 mile south of the Williamstown village center. Multiple parking lots are on the property, with the southernmost being best if you are only here to walk around the property.

Resources

The Clark Campus information. Trail maps and information about the museum.

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

Winter at Grafton Lakes State Park

West side of Shaver Pond

Today's post is a bit closer to home than some of the previous ones, as in I live a mere 20 minutes away. But being close to the heart of the Capital District doesn't mean that Grafton Lakes State Park isn't a place worth visiting. There are plenty of easy to moderate hiking trails, most of which can be accessed without paying the summer parking fee, as well as a fire tower at the eastern edge of the park. I'm not here to do the fire tower, though (I did hike to it last spring). We had 6 inches of snow a few days prior, so I wanted to snowshoe.

I didn't want to do anything too crazy, so I settled on a hike around Shaver Pond. I parked at the Deerfield picnic area, strapped on the snowshoes, and was on my way.

That's the trail. From the parking lot.

Confirming that I indeed was on a trail. "More difficult" is relative.

After a short distance, we get to the Shaver Pond trail. This trail loops around the pond and, including the spur to/from the parking lot, makes for a hike of 2.1 miles.

Junction sign. Most junctions in this park are signed.

I turned left to make a clockwise loop and was on my way. The trail was generally pretty broken in, with plenty of ski and snowshoe tracks. The Shaver Pond Trail is blazed with RED NY State Parks and Historic Preservation markers and an occasional sign indicating the difficulty level.

The trail

The Shaver Pond trail doesn't have much in the way of elevation change, but the trail rolls gently. The trail hooks around the south end of the pond and I began hiking north along the west shore.

Shaver Pond from the southern end

Crossing the south inlet

This next section of the trail is right along the shore, soon reaching the signed junction with the Scout Trail.

Looking down the Scout Trail

Continue straight and we reach a bridge just downstream of a small dam. Shaver Pond, along with the other ponds and lakes in this area, was part of Troy's water supply system prior to the construction of the Tomhannock Reservoir.

Outlet bridge

A short distance after the bridge, there's an unsigned junction. Bear right here to continue along the pond.

Junction. Trail bears right here.

Junction number, located past the junction

[-]

Trail bears left here (note the marker)

Go another 1/4 mile and there's a T-junction. Turn right to continue following the Shaver Pond Trail.

Snow-covered picnic area

Old trail marker. DEC used a similar style in the past as well.

Eventually, we reach the end of the trail along the west side of the pond. A snowmobile trail runs east-west from Shaver Pond Rd to the area of the beach, turn right to start heading back to the parking lot.

The wide trail goes downhill and crosses the marsh at the north end of Shaver Pond

Marsh observation deck on north side of snowmobile trail

Immediately past an observation deck, the Shaver Pond Trail departs to the south.

The turnoff

The trail skirts the north side of the beach's wastewater facility and heads south along the east shore.

Near the middle of the pond, there were several groups ice fishing.

Ice fishing shelter

Bench and boat wash station

Go camping?

Eventually, all good things must come to an end and I was back where I started the loop.

Turn left here to get back to the parking lot

This didn't feel like a hill when I was hiking away from the car...

A little over an hour after I left my car, I was back. While Grafton may not offer the hiking opportunities of other nearby parks, it still has quite a few sights and you can't beat how close it is to civilization.

Getting There

Grafton Lakes State Park is located on NY Route 2, 14 miles east of Troy. The main road has an entrance fee during the summer, but entry is free at other times.