Capital Region Native Plant Society

The trailhead parking area for the Historic Champlain Canalway Trail (Town of Halfmoon) is located on both sides of Upper Newtown Road, which is <0.25-mile west of Route 4.

We’ll meet just past the gate at the edge of the parking area (south side of road) where the trail heads south. We’ll head south along the trail to where McDonald Creek flows through the culvert and wastewater weir, just south of Old Lock 7 (~0.8 mile from parking lot), and then return to the parking lot. Most of our foraging will occur near McDonald Creek. Trail surface is crushed stone, but our foraging will largely occur off-trail as we step off it into taller grassy areas and perhaps amongst some brushy areas along our route, so please wear proper attire and footwear.

Prior to this foraging walk, please view Foraging for Wild Edibles: Autumnberries for tips on how to identify Autumn-olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) and how to forage for it. You may also want to peruse some recipes for your culinary consideration by viewing my prior post, Autumn-olive Fruit - How to ID and Enjoy, published on 10/5/2019.

PLEASE NOTE: You may keep whatever quantity you pick and everyone will be encouraged to harvest as much as possible as doing so may help limit the spread of this invasive species – please do your part in helping to control it!

Throughout our foraging walk, we’ll also observe and identify any wildflowers in bloom that we encounter.

Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:

• thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
• moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers), or
• gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth).

PLEASE NOTE: To attend, you must (1) RSVP to reserve your spot (as this hike will be limited to 21 participants) AND (2) send an email request to david.behm.curiousbynature@gmail.com for directions as to where we will meet.

During this outing as we stroll along one of the Swatling Falls Nature Trails (Town of Halfmoon), we will be observing the last of our native wildflowers still in bloom as well as a vibrant palette of fall colors of forbs now on display. Trail surface is asphalt – please wear proper footwear if you intend to step off the trail to view plants up close.

Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:

• thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
• moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers), or
• gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth).