Schenectady Forest Preserve
The Schenectady County Forest Preserve is located in the Town of Duanesburg on Lake Road. This is a well-marked and easy to walk trail, leading to a large beaver pond. You can fish, cross country ski, and see the old foundation and walls of James Duane’s house.
Now, the following pictures are clips of the trail. Right after I started in, a couple came by warning me to be careful. Why, you ask? Two small bear cubs just ran in moments before me, and I would have been hot on their trail.
Well, two small bear cubs are actually cute and cuddly, but I was worried about mama bear hot on MY trail! So, I meandered in, whistling Dixie, took a few shots, and left. Enjoy!
Beaver Pond
BTW, black bears generally won’t attack, unless they have young or you come upon them and scare them. Always make noise on a trail, to give them plenty of notice you’re coming. They will generally move on.
Directions to the County Forest:
NYS Thruway to Exit 25. Take I-890 West to Campbell Rd (Exit 2a). From Campbell Rd turn right on Putnam Rd, and go 1.7 miles to Rte 159 (Mariaville Rd). Turn right on Rte 159 and go approximately 5.7 miles to the intersection of Rte 159 and Lake Road. (You will also pass the turn off for Plotter Kill. See related article). Turn left on to Lake Road proceed 4 miles to the entrance of the County Forest parking area.