PINE BUSH WALKS (KARNER BARRENS EAST)

PINE BUSH WALKS: KARNER BARRENS EAST SECTION

Rating: C1D
Roundtrip Distance: 3.5 +/- miles
Elevation Gain: 300 ft +/-

This will be an easy, but fast-paced walk in a loop around the Karner Barrens East Section of the Pine Bush. This section had new trails made in the summer of 2011. The intent of the rerouted trails is to have trails that go around the perimeter of the preserve and leave the center areas free for wildlife habitat. (See the note from the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission below.)

The Albany Pine Bush represents one of the best remaining examples of an inland pine barrens ecosystem in the world with gently rolling sand plains and dunes. We may hear some spring peepers and see some blooming spring flowers. Much of the Karner Barrens section has been restored to a finished pitch-pine and scrub-oak ecosystem. Additional habitat restoration work was taking place in April 2012 , but should be complete by mid April.

We will cover approximately 3.5 miles in the Karner Barrens East section. If there is interest, we can add the Karner Barrens West section for an additional 1.4 miles or so.

Directions: We will meet at the entrance off New Karner Road (Rt. 155) at the Discovery Center located is 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205.

If there is interest after the walk (and it's warm), we can go to the Cone Zone for food or ice cream. It's located at 2028 Western Avenue, Albany 12203.

Bring water!

Biting Insects: They are probably going to be out and biting so bring insect repellent.

Ticks:
Deer Ticks are common in the Pine Bush, but if we stick to the wide open trails we will avoid ticks. Take precautions to prevent tick bites and check yourself thoroughly for ticks after visiting the Pine Bush. For more information:
http://www.albanypinebush.org/recreation-center/what-to-bring-and-do/tick-info

From the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission:

“The trails system throughout the preserve will be changed in order to implement a more ecologically friendly trail system. The Albany Pine Bush preserve is already a highly fragmented ecosystem, with roads and development crisscrossing the preserve. Preserve trails contribute to the fragmentation effect (though not as severely as roads and other development) particularly affecting wildlife. Many species of birds and other animals will not make their homes near trail sides, and may become frightened when encountering hikers along a trail. The new trails system pushes trails closer to property boundaries, and removes redundant trails so that there are larger contiguous trail-free areas for wildlife. At the same time, the plans include the installation of several new trails, especially longer “through trails” that allow recreation along longer stretches from one end the preserve to the other. By engaging in a serious study of the trails system, we have arrived at a trail system that is longer, more varied, and more ecologically aware.”