Cooper the dog once again waits for his pokey human at Graphite Range Community Forest.
The boardwalk over a wetland on the JK LOL trail at Graphite Range Community Forest.
Ice sculptures surround the froth of a small waterfall at Graphite Range Community Forest.
At least the dog was willing.
I set out to explore the Graphite Range Community Forest in Wilton during our recent cold snap. The only creature amenable to leaving our warm house for the cold, snowy woods was Cooper the dog.
- Graphite Range Community Forest is a well-marked and signed network of trails managed by Saratoga PLAN. Find trail maps and more information about the proposed Friendship Trails at saratogaplan.org
- The main parking is on Rt. 9 just north of SUNY Adirondack in Wilton.
Cooper was actually more than “amenable.” He burst out of the door before I even put the leash on him. He ran in circles on the front lawn before impatiently standing by the car door, waiting for me to get the lead out so we could finally go hiking.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
The GRCF opened to the public in late 2023 and is part of a larger, delicious plan that’s still in progress to link connecting trails from Saratoga to Moreau Lake State Park. The overall plan is for a 50-mile network of trails to be known as the Sarah B. Foulke Friendship Trails.
We had a dozen degrees to start our hike but the initial climb on the Old Mine Road warmed us up and we didn’t think of the temperatures again.
There is no preamble in the GRCF; the pretty starts right away. The Old Mine Trail starts above a small creek with open woods and layers of exposed rock.
From the main trail, there are a variety of loops possible over the five miles in the trail system. Tracks in the snow showed evidence of hikers, skiers and fat-tire bikers.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Cooper and I elected to begin exploring the southern group of trails. We headed out on the Boss Flume trail and investigated what looked like otter slides in the stream. The trail left the stream and wound in and around rock outcroppings.
From Boss Flume, we met the Over Yonder trail. This is an out-and-back to the southern edge of the GRCF and had less traffic than other parts of the forest. The trail ended at a different small stream, where I took time to pause.
A flutter of light snow began to fall and I stood in a grove of pines to watch it decorate the branches and the small stream. A varied flock of jays, nuthatches and chickadees moved through the trees around me. The bird calls were the only things breaking the winter silence. I noticed no wind but it must have changed direction slightly because the lightly falling flakes danced in a different direction. I breathed deeply and admired the quiet of the beautiful season.
After Over Yonder, we ventured to Good Trouble, one of the shortest and one of my favorite of the trails. I’m a sucker for a partially frozen stream and Good Trouble offered ample close-up views of the decorative ice sculptures formed by the water. Cooper wondered if we’d ever get moving again as I gawked.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Just above the stream, a group of slate-colored juncos flitted in a small wetland. We admired them before heading north. We nearly skipped a small trail with the funny name JK LOL but I was glad we didn’t. It crossed a wetland on a boardwalk and would be a fascinating place in a warmer month.
We followed the Headlands trail back along the eastern edge of an escarpment. The quiet of the place was striking, considering we were just a few miles from the bustle of downtown Saratoga Springs. As we walked, I could picture returning with skis, or in warmer months, with trail running shoes or a mountain bike. Or perhaps, with friends scattered like satellites through Saratoga and Warren counties, it would be a good, central place to meet for a small hike and catch up. Or I suppose I could just come back with my furry friend.
Graphite Range Community Forest in Wilton offers escape from bustle
3
1
26.01.2024
Cooper the dog once again waits for his pokey human at Graphite Range Community Forest.
The boardwalk over a wetland on the JK LOL trail at Graphite Range Community Forest.
Ice sculptures surround the froth of a small waterfall at Graphite Range Community Forest.
At least the dog was willing.
I set out to explore the Graphite Range Community Forest in Wilton during our recent cold snap. The only creature amenable to leaving our warm house for the cold, snowy woods was Cooper the dog.
- Graphite Range Community Forest is a well-marked and signed network of trails managed by Saratoga PLAN. Find trail maps and more information about the proposed Friendship Trails at saratogaplan.org
- The main parking is on Rt. 9 just north of SUNY Adirondack in Wilton.
Cooper was actually more than “amenable.” He burst out of the door before I even put the leash on him. He ran in circles on the front lawn before impatiently standing by the car door, waiting for me to get the lead out so we........
© Times Union
visit website
login
who are we?
contact us
qosheapp
Toi Staff
Gideon Levy
Belen Fernandez
Andrew Mitrovica
Mort Laitner
Nikkei Editorial
Rami G Khouri
Ali Fathollah-Nejad
