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 Reporter |
Summary: The Albany Pine Bush is a unique inland pine barrens environment. This sandy area is home to the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The trails are mostly flat with only a few small hills - making it ideal for easy hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. You can obtain a map of all areas of the preserve on the web: http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/eastern/preserves/ The trails are marked with round colored disks. Most are loops (red, yellow, blue) and a few are connectors (white). This hike is a big loop following the perimeter trails in a clockwise direction... red -> white -> red -> yellow -> blue -> red -> white -> red Please stay on trails. This is a environmentally sensitive area. Trailhead: From Albany, take Western Ave (NY Rte 20) west. Turn right onto New Karner Road (NY Rte 155) going North. Turn left onto Washington Ave Ext at the blue water tank. Follow this road to the end. (Lat:42.71661 Lon:-73.8787) Trail Guides for Albany Pine Bush: Exploring the Nature Conservancys Preserves in New York State by Scott Edward Anderson (Countryman Pr) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses, Ranger Contact: NYS DEC Ranger 518-783-2036 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by George Senft, who has posted 26 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Rick on 11/9/2011 November 9th 2011 a beautiful day. I decided to go for a nice walk in the pine bush. They are working on the trail system. Trails are big and well marked. BUT the ticks are out of control. I never saw them this bad. I was being bitten as I walked. My jeans had 30 of them on my legs when I left. Scary place. Why ? Does the Health dept. know about this ?. Us outdoor folks dont complain much but these buggers are a health threat ...yes. 
Reviewed by Paul on 9/11/2011 The deer ticks are so bad here, the deer have evacuated. Its actually ridiculous how many ticks are concentrated on the trail system in the bush. It is outright dangerous and irresponsible for anyone to bring their kids here. If you dont see a tick on you after leaving this place, you didn't look hard enough. Seriously, I would love to give this a good review, i hike all over the place, this place is dangerous as all hell - stay away.
Reviewed by mark on 11/3/2009 it was okay 
Reviewed by Rob on 10/19/2009 The roar of the highway can be disconcerting, but the Pine Bush is a nice piece of nature close to home for those in Albany metro. Didn't have any problems wtih ticks, but I was biking in the Pine Bush on a blustery fall day. The trails are very well marked. Would recommend the Madison Ave. Ext. or Willow St. sections, as they are more pastoral than the New Karner Rd. area. Overall, the preserve is a real treasure for the city of Albany.
Reviewed by Jamie on 5/21/2009 Ticks ticks ticks
Reviewed by JRP on 2/18/2009 Boring. Poorly marked. Felt like it was just surrounded by interstate highways. Not even very good for simple exercise or fresh air.
Reviewed by JD on 4/15/2008 Hiked there last year in the fall, nothing spectacular, but a descent place for an easy hike close to home. There was one part where it got kind of swampy (not on the trail, but visible from it) and that was pretty cool, green moss growing all over and stuff. Met some bikers and other hikers (and one wierdo, so don't go alone), but not crowded. Enjoy!
Reviewed by ALD on 5/14/2007 My 7 yr old and I went there 2 weeks ago through the Kings Road entrance. It was an okay walk, but the ticks were unbelievable! Even with repellent and proper clothing, we found 17 deer ticks between the 2 of use. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New York Hiking, New York Trails, New York Hikes, Albany County Hiking, Albany County Trails, Albany County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
