A Better Approach to Leaf Peeping: Immersion in the Colors

By Bill Walker, Wilton, N.Y., an enthusiastic hiker in and around the Capital Region’s abundant, gorgeous trail opportunities.

Upstate New York is famous for its autumn opportunities to enjoy the views as millions of trees prepare us for winter by sharing their spectacular colors. Leaf peeping is a favorite activity for a few precious weeks in the fall.

The standard procedure for most of us is climbing in the car and exploring the backroads of the region, thus viewing the display from a bit of a distance. But an even more satisfying experience is seeking total immersion in the colors by lacing up the hiking boots and exploring the many walks through the woods in and around the Capital District.

The variety of hiking trails and their locations also enables us to extend the leaf-peeping season. By venturing north in the early fall, and working your way south later, you can find rich seasonal colors for several consecutive weeks.

Up north, the high peaks region offers immersion options even for those of us who decline to tackle the 4,000-foot mountains. Recent trips to the Jay Range and the Big Crow and Nun-da-ga-o Ridge Trail offered panoramic views of the high peaks – from Giant Mountain to Whiteface Mountain – along with scenic trails through the colorful forests.

We had similar experiences a bit farther south, in Warren County’s Upper Hudson Corridor, featuring the family-friendly hikes on Balm of Gilead Mountain, Bear Slides, and Bartonville Mountain, all of which offer colorful fall immersion experiences. The Dean

Farm Heritage Trails include more than three miles of easy-to-moderate hikes, some handicapped accessible. For a more expansive view, take on the more challenging Crane Mountain, with expansive views to the east and west.

Down to the southeast is the Kinderhook Creek Preserve, a part of the Rensselaer Land Trust that offers pine and hardwood forests and abundant views of the creek. The Taconic Crest Trail to White Rock and Snow Hole, a six-mile out-and-back trail at the intersection of New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont, features beautiful wildflowers and a forest canopy.

Off to the west are the Indian Kill Red and Yellow Trail near Alplaus, a loop trail with woodlands and streams, and the Sergeant Falls Side Trail near Schenectady, a 3.4-mile roundtrip featuring a waterfall.

In Albany County, the John Boyd Thacher State Park, perched atop the Helderberg Escarpment, presents 12 miles of nature trails for exploring the woods and spectacular views of the Green Mountains and the Adirondacks.

Climb into the car and head for one of these destinations, or some of the dozens of other places suitable for leaf peeping. And when you get there, climb out of the car and walk into the woods.