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 Reporter |
Summary: Plotter Kill Preserve is a nature preserve near Rotterdam, NY. The Plotter Kill, a tributary of the Mohawk River, flows through a very rugged gorge. The forest here contains a mix of hardwoods and confiers. There are three beautiful waterfalls. The Upper Falls is 60 feet; the Lower Falls and the Rynex Creek Falls are both 40 feet. Start on the red trail near the kiosk. Take the side trail (blue) which will take you to lookouts over the Upper and Lower falls. Continue on the red trail which crosses the Kill on a foot bridge. You will pass by the Upper and Lower falls. The trail goes down a switchback taking you to the top of the falls on the Rynex creek. Cross the creek here. If you have ample time, you can follow the red trail to the end of the preserve near the Thruway. There is a cascading waterfall there. I opted to turn around shortly after crossing the power lines for this trip. Trailhead: Take Interstate 90 (Thruway) to Exit 25A (Interstate 88). Take first exit ramp right after the toll booth. At the light, turn left onto NY Route 7 (East). After about 1/2 mile, turn left onto NY Rte 337 (North). Turn left at next light on NY Route 159 (West). Drive for 3.5 miles to parking area on the right - just past Coplon Rd. (Lat:42.825 Lon:-74.052) Trail Guides for Plotter Kill Preserve: Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Schenectady County Planning Department (518) 386-2225 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by George Senft, who has posted 26 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 8 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Temple on 11/23/2009 I have been to this nature preserve several times over the years- I implore that you eat a nice large breakfast. I would not suggest you go on this hike without one. I really suggest that the proprietors of the mark the red trial a little better. That red loop is not continuous. Yesterday I was on the red trail all the way around the loop and down a very steep hill, which came to a bottom of where the creek is. The trail does not pick up on the other side anywhere if you should attempt to cross it- leaving you to find your way thru the woods unless you had the sense to head upstream as close to the creek. Even that ends and you find yourself back in the woods directionless. One day you will read of someone dead from exhaustion. 
Reviewed by TAG on 9/21/2009 I traversed this trail with a friend on Tuesday September 15, 2oo9. It was an easy hike, though I thought, until the next day when i woke and my legs were sore in places i didn't know I had muscles. lol. We walked quite a bit of the river bed which was dried up in most parts. It was easy enough to find our way back to the trail....I wouldn't suggest people veer off the trail, but walking the riverbed had it's own views and joys! I liked this hike! It was easy, but walking on rocks isn't so kind to muscles. lol
Reviewed by David on 9/11/2009 Nice overall hike. I started from Coplon Rd and went in the a northeast direction following the red trail in a counter clockwise direction. I followed the red trail all the way around the preserve to the falls and up to the 159 entrance and doubled back. About 7 to 8 miles. Some great views and close to home. Make sure you check out the scenic trails near the falls.
Reviewed by pwt on 9/5/2009 Nice..great landscape..narrow paths.. so wear good footwear and then some folks had kids who went off the path and all 5 kids got stunk by bees..or wasps and were screaming bloody murder..then ran out back of the preserve.. thus why I tell folks stay on the path for a reason..but good for dogs .one person didnt have her dog on a leash and I had to tell her to put them on a leash as I was walking my alpha male jack..didnt want a dog fight in the woods but awesome gorge and waterfalls.. creek was beautiful too.
Reviewed by AJ on 7/12/2009 Just hiked the trail yesterday per the recommendations made on this site. As noted by Adrienne above if you complete the entire red trail loop it is MUCH longer than 2 hours. We hiked in from Rt 159. We hiked the entire North Rim (if you reach the fence and can see/hear the thruway you missed a hairpin turn to the right a ways back that keeps you on the red trail recrossing the creek and heading up a very long, steep hill to the south rim trail). On the south rim, we decided to keep going to loop back to the north rim versus heading out to the Copland road entrance. We crossed 2 sets of powerlines and a similar field both in and out. The trail was steep and muddy in places but overall I would hike again but prepare for more time.
Reviewed by ZS on 7/4/2009 This was a very good hike. We followed the red trail and entered from Route 159. We hiked and saw the falls which were beautiful. We climbed down next to the first big falls you see, very steep and slippery but well worth the view from the bottom. We kept following the red trail and about 1 1/2 hours into it we saw that we can continue or turn back around. Since we didn't have the entire day free we decided to turn back, but apparently we could have continued but it would have been a much longer hike. overall 2.5 hours. This had some steep areas so a great workout, very muddy after all the rain so make sure to wear appropriate hiking boots. Very nice!!
Reviewed by Julie on 6/16/2009 Hiked with five kids aged 5-10. We came in from Coplon Road and hiked the red trail all the way out to the barbed wire fence and then back. The big waterfall and the cascade pools are terrific highlights for kids. They were excited to spot frogs, newts, and garter snakes along the way. If you want to do the whole red trail, pay close attention after crossing the second clearing. There is a hairpin turn you need to take that isn't clearly marked. You only know you've passed it when you stop seeing trail markers and eventually run into the barbed wire fence. Our out-and-back took about four hours, and everyone was good and tired (and wet!) at the end of it.
Reviewed by Jess on 6/11/2009 I must admit that the red trail was quite a bit longer than anticipated. It took me about 2 hours and 45 minutes total and there were times when I wondered if I might be lost. With that being said, the trail is beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I went on a June weekday and only passed a few people. My dog was able to run free and stop several times to drink as we crossed back to the water frequently on the red trail. Good times!! 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, Schenectady County Hiking, Schenectady County Trails, Schenectady County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||