Vroman's Nose - Town of Fulton, Schoharie County - 4/15/17

I finally went to Vroman's Nose!  This hike has been on my list longer than any other.  I can't believe it has been on my list for over 30 years!  I'm not down in Schoharie County very often, and when I have been, it's always been on my way to somewhere else.  This is not a hike to miss... and I knew that.

It's not a long hike, only a couple miles for the loop; a little more if you check out the cut across trail in the middle.  You can always add on much more hiking if you chose to hike a section of the Long Path which traverses Vroman's Nose before continuing on.

Leesa, Rev and I managed to dedicate time to check out this gem while we left some nearby business. There is a good size parking lot that had about 8 cars there when we arrived.  Dogs are allowed on this property, but they must be leashed.

We hiked the loop counter-clockwise.  The trail is well trod, as this hill has been an attraction for many, many years.  The parking lot is on the north side of the hill, with the summit ledges offering views to the south.  As we neared the ledge, we were rewarded with sweeping views of lush farmland and surrounding mountains.  It is quite different from the Adirondack views of wilderness that we are used to, but impressive and beautiful none the less.      

Impressive farm views from the Vroman ledges  

Traveling counter-clockwise like we did, the first section of ledge we reached was an impressive expansive tabletop ledge that has attracted visitors for 150 years or more, as is evidenced by the carving in the rock.  We saw many carvings from the 1800's and one dated 1868,

   

We spent a long time reading the carvings on this ledge.

To my surprise, there were also fire rings on the summit ridge for people to use for picnics.

The ledge is so long and so open that a hundred people could be on top an once and each group could claim it's own space to enjoy a private summit viewing location.  I'm probably preaching to the choir, because I'm probably the last one to get here, but this hike offers an outstanding bang for the buck.

A well worn ridge path

The rules of the Vroman 's Nose Preservation Corporation

Near the east end of the ridge, we reached an impressive overhang that reminded me of "Pride Rock" from the Lion King movie.  A group of young people had claimed it, but I wouldn't venture out to it's extremity 

I'll bet this spot is usually occupied...

From the overhang ledge, the trail drops down to complete the loop.  There is a new orange marked trail the bisects the loop.

Sign at the trailhead parking area.

If you are in the area, don't miss this hike.  I can't think of a better place to spend a couple hours in search of views.  After the hike, we ventured next door to "Under the Nose" to partake of some fresh fudge that is made on site.

Great fudge here for those that are interested.

A look at Vroman's Nose from the southwest.

Once back at the door with our fudge, we went to a section of the Long Path on the east side of Middleburgh that leads to a ridge called " The Cliff" that offered a great view of Middleburgh and Vroman's Nose beyond.

View of Vroman's Nose from " The Cliff"

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  2.5 miles at Vroman's Nose, 2.2 miles at "The Cliff"

Hike Time:  3.5 hours total for the two hikes

Total Vertical Gain:  ~ 1000' for both 

Topo Map of Vroman's Nose, including trail network

Our two hikes

Snake Ridge and Goose Egg Ridge - Battenkill State Forest - Jackson, NY - 4/9/17

I take hike ideas from whereever I can get them.  In this case, I was at the sports expo in Saratoga this past month and was talking to the representative at the Battenkill Valley Outdoors table.  She mentioned the Folded Rock trail that was adjacent to their business in Jackson, NY.  She showed me a trail map and described the hike to me.  I added it to my list of new places to explore.

On Sunday April 9 I was looking for a snow free hike in the sunshine and decided to check this one out.  Normally the only time I'm in this area is to go kayaking on the Battenkill River (always a favorite!), but it was time to explore this other option. 

You have to watch for the trailhead.  There is a sign, but the parking lot is just a grassy field and you can miss it if you are not watching, however it is just between Eagleville Road and Battenkill Valley Outdoors on Route 313.     

Sign at the trailhead (Battenkill Valley Outdoors sign can be seen in the distance to the north).

There is a gate at the start of the trail and that is visible from the road also.

The trailhead

One vehicle was parked at the trailhead when I arrived.  A short ways up the trail I soon found itbelonged to be a man with a young son and daughter.  They were headed up.  I passed them and saw them again later as they approached the top and I was on my way back down.   

The sign-in register

I never saw such a sign with such a gelologic description in the woods. 

The trail follows a jeep road at the edge of a farm field before crossing a creek and beginning a serious climb, still following a jeep road.  Eventually the jeep road turns to a foot path.  The trail leads steeply to a false summit of the Goose Egg Ridge, then turns southeast on the ridge before turning southwest onto Snake Ridge.  There is a bit of a descent on Snake Ridge before a modest climb to a ledge just north of the Folded Rock summit.  The trail ends at this point as the state land ends and posted signs are clearly visible.  

The view from Folded Rock ledge.

By the way, Folded Rock is labeled "Peaked Rock" on the USGS topo map. 

Another look from the ledge.

Folded Rock

I retraced the trail back to where it gained the Goose Egg ridge, then I bushwhacked to the summit of Goose Egg.  The ridge is all deciduous forest and easy walking.  Filtered views were available, but they will be gone when the trees leaf out. 

The trail register

From Goose Egg, I returned to the Folded Road trail and returned.  I ran into 3 adults operating small remote control trucks up the steep jeep road section of the trail.  That was a first.

Old farm equipment remnants beside the farm field

It was quite nice to hike in the warmth of a day that felt like mid-summer.  The trail was totally dry and that felt good too.  I still love snow though.

Hike Stats:

Hike Distance:  6 miles (including bushwhack to Goose Egg Ridge)

Hike Time:  3 hours

Total Vertical Gain:  ~1500' 

The hike

The left portion enclosed by yellow is the Battenkill State Forest.  The right half is the Goose Egg State Forest)