Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Escarpment Trail at John Boyd Thacher State Park

Albany Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Escarpment Trail: Pink blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 0:45 Minutes
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Very easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended

Points of Interest: Beautiful Views and scenery
Cons: Too many non-natural areas with open fields and parking lots

I had gone the previous day to the Indian Ladder Trail in Thacher State Park, and decided to check out out more trails in the area, and especially wanted to hike some more along the escarpment. I parked at the Pear Orchard again, took the path behind the covered picnic area to the start of the Indian Ladder Trail, but instead took the Escarpment Trail along the edge of the cliff north, going around the horseshoe bend, then around the next bend to the end of the Escarpment Trail at the Hailes Cave area. I was hoping to find or see the Hailes Cave at the end of the trail, but it was no where to be found. (I thought it would be a formation along the end of  the trail.)

At the end of the Escarpment Trail, which is also the end of the Hailes Cave area parking lot, I cut across to the Long Path, which then goes in the woods parallel to the parking lot road and Escarpment Trail. It comes back out of the woods near the park entrance on Route 157. I then cut across the field back to where my car was parked.

View of the Map

View of Eroded Landslide Area Below the Minelot Falls Area

View from the Begininng of the Hike, Facing East

View Towards the City of Albany

View of the Escarpment

View Facing Northeast.

View of the Escarpment

Notch by the Bend of the Horseshoe

Ascending Gap Towards Hailes Cave Area

Large Pines with Sun Dipping Towards the Afternoon Horizon

View of Cliffs at Horseshoe as seen from the Hailes Cave Area

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