From Andy Arthur, our hike leader:
Save the Pine Bush Hike Canceled
That said, you are more then welcomed — and encouraged to take your own hikes at the Albany Pine Bush. Unlike other public lands in the area, the area is snow and ice free. Additionally, based on my recent walks in the preserve, the all trails are dry and mud-free except a short section of the Red Trail at the Great Dunes off Willow Drive near the vernal pool above the Kiakout Kill.
A few other things to consider when visiting the Albany Pine Bush Preserve over the next few weeks. Bathroom facilities and the Discovery Center are closed, however the parking lot is available for use. Also, the trails are very popular due to closures elsewhere, especially around the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center from 10-5 PM most nice weather days. That said, one you get out on the trails, a little ways from the Discovery Center, there aren’t a lot of people there.
Thank you!
Meet At: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center • For GPS: – 155 New Karner Road , Albany, NY 12205
Leader: Andy Arthur • For More Information: contact Andy at (518) 281-9873 • andy@andyarthur.org
Spring has sprung? Maybe, it’s March 21st in Albany. But regardless it will be a nice hike back to the large vernal pool along the Karner East Barrens trail and visit overlook dune. Enjoy some fresh air and listen to the birds who know that spring must just be around the corner.
More hikes planned for the spring! Coming up Saturday April 18th at 9:30 am Christine Kielb will lead a nature and wildflower hike from Willow Street. On Thursday May 21st at 7pm join us for a spring peeper / night hike at the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center. The Pine Bush is generally not muddy due to the sandy soils. But if there is snow bring your skis or snowshoes.
Please take precautions for ticks and the coronavirus.
The hike is free and open to the public.
Bring your friends!
A Note:
Save The Pine Bush is in need of more
hike leaders.
For the last few years ; the Save the Pine Bush outing leaders have been Andy Arthur, Claire Nolan and John Wolcott. Our outing events are once a month, always on a Saturday and usually the third or fourth Saturday. We three, however, are not always readily available and we’ve come close to having no hike at all for a given month as happened for the first time ever last month. To prevent this from happening again, we are appealing for more volunteer leaders.
With more leaders we can hopefully have hikes lead by persons with more time and less competing obligations for any given hike date. I and Andy are generally available for going over data about various Pine Bush area and routes. Please e-mail the Newsletter at pinebush@mac.com or call Andy Arthur at (518) 281-9873 or email andy@andyarthur.org if you are interested in volunteering for this. Hope to see you out on the trail!
Information for all hikes:
Note: Please wear appropriate protective clothing for the danger of ticks, bring deet or insect repellent to use before beginning the walk. Please take the usual cautions against ticks, and take the diseases they can cause seriously. Wear long pants, long sleeves,high boots or tuck pants in socks.Please stick to middle of path as much as possible . Check carefully fo rticks right after the walk and again as soon as you get home. We want everyone to be safe as you enjoy the outdoors!
Hike Free and Open to the Public!
Bring your friends!
Take the Bus!!!
And, you can now take the bus to the Pine Bush! The CDTA Suburban North Line now has a policy of letting people off at the Pine Bush Discovery Center on Saturdays only and only if you ask the drive to stop there.
For bike rides:
We will travel on the streets together, and follow all traffic laws. Please wear a helmet. Please note, all CDTA buses are equipped with bike racks, in case you want to use a bus for part of your trip to and from the beginning and end of the bike ride.
