Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest - New York DEC
DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 42.04979, -74.68308
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| Alder Lake Trailhead Parking |
TRAIL MAPS:
Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest Map - New York DEC
Catskill Trails Map 142 - New York New Jersey Trail Conference
HIKE DISTANCE: 10.1 miles
THE HIKE:
I had spent all summer training for the most amazing 5-day 200-mile bike ride across Missouri on the Katy Trail with very little hiking. With that trip behind me, I can get some hiking in.
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| Heading towards Alder Lake from the parking lot. |
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| The trail starts to the left of the lake beyond the picnic tables. |
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| That is frost. It was 21 degrees on the way in, 26 degrees when I started hiking. |
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| I knew the leaves were just past peak but I had not expected them to have almost all dropped yet. The previous week's foliage report said "almost peak." That was very fast. |
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| Left on the yellow Mill Brook Ridge Trail. |
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| The trail follows Alder Creek with little cascades and waterfalls along the way. |
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| After this step across a feeder creek the trail changes from woods road to a more rugged and steeper footpath. |
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| Beaver Meadow |
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| Near the shelter there was a pile of outhouse materials and the trail becomes a bit difficult to follow. It's around to the left over a downed tree then right behind this area. |
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| With most of the climb out of the way, taking a break on Millbrook Ridge. |
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| Then it's flat for a bit ... |
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| ... then downhill ... |
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| ... and back uphill ... |
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| ... to Beecher Lake Overlook. |
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| There are some nice mountain views ... |
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| ... but not so much of Beecher Lake even with the leaves down. |
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| Heading back. |
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| Coming up on the shelter at that harder to follow part it's right around that downed tree then left over another downed tree to get back on the trail. |
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| I find it so sad to see these dragonflies this time of year. At this point they are geriatric and their lifespan is over :( They the mortal enemies of mosquitoes over the summer. |
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| Back at the red Alder Lake Loop, left to complete the loop around the lake. |
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