Van Ahn Preserve - Sharon Land Trust
Goodbody Preserve - Sharon Land Trust
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 41.89843, -73.48815
 |
| Goodbody Preserve Parking |
TRAIL MAP:
Indian Mountain Trail System - Sharon Land Trust
HIKE and BIKE DISTANCE:
Goodbody and Van Ahn Preserves Hike: 5.4 miles
with
Harlem Valley Rail Trail Bike: 27.2 miles (4.3 mile drive from the preserves)
THE HIKE:
 |
| After 2 1/2 hours of driving (a bit hazy throughout but no fog) I arrived to find the entire area covered in thick fog. The trail starts on the mowed path from the parking lot heading towards the tree line. |
 |
| Looking back at the parking lot from the field. This hike has multiple views. I was very concerned I would miss all of them. |
 |
| Heading into the woods on the white Goodbody Loop Trail. I would be returning from the right at the end of the hike. |
 |
| In spite of the fog, the woods were very beautiful. |
 |
| The trail switchbacks up the mountain. |
 |
| Coming up on the Millerton Valley View. |
 |
| Or not. So bummed. |
 |
| Taking the orange White Oak Trail. |
 |
| An unnamed viewpoint. Sigh. |
 |
| Taking the blue connector over to Von Ahn. The trails are very well maintained and signed. |
 |
| Could it be? Is this the sun? Maybe if I hiked the Van Ahn Loop and then retraced to those last two viewpoints the sun would have burned off the fog? |
 |
| Now taking the white Van Ahn Loop Trail towards the field view. |
 |
| This is looking hopeful. |
 |
| I'll take it! View of Indian Lake. |
 |
| Heading back into the woods on white. |
 |
| Very shortly after entering the woods a hummingbird hovered about 5 feet away to the left but zoomed off to the right before I could grab the camera. This was the spot. He is off to the right somewhere. |
 |
| Let's try that ridge view. |
 |
| The visibility has improved! |
 |
| From this point retracing on blue to see if the other viewpoints are there now. |
 |
| Retracing on orange. |
 |
| Something to see at that unnamed viewpoint! |
 |
| Just 50 feet over on white ... |
 |
| Millerton Valley View! |
 |
| I have no idea what this structure is down in the corn field. |
 |
| From the Millerton Valley View, left on white to continue around the Goodbody Loop Trail towards the Mudge Pond View. |
 |
| Mudge Pond View |
 |
| From here white descends on the other side of the mountain. |
 |
| Coming out on the field where the trail follows the perimeter then crosses to the parking lot. |
the tower in the filed was a "Folly", a late 19th century fad. There are a few around. Another is in New York at the Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary on Route 82 near Attelbury.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I don't recall seeing one when i hiked at Buttercup Farm a few years ago (or it did not stand out to me like this one) but now that I know what to look for, here is what AI has to say about the one I saw in Millerton:
DeleteAI Overview
Yes, there's a folly tower in Millerton, NY, but it's not a publicly accessible structure like a traditional tourist attraction.
Here's what is known about the Folly Tower in Millerton:
Residential Folly: This particular Folly Tower is a private residence, converted from a Georgian tower, according to The New York Times.
Architectural Feature: A folly tower is a type of architectural folly, meaning it was originally built primarily for ornamental rather than practical reasons, notes Wikipedia.
Structure: It's described as a cylinder on an octagonal base, 92 feet high with six levels, including a roof terrace.
Renovations: The interior has been converted into a modern living space with amenities like a kitchen, bedrooms, and a library.
Privacy: While you might catch glimpses of it from certain vantage points in the Millerton Valley, it is not open to the public for tours or visits.