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in color and at first <b>I was a little disappointed thinking I would see a little more color in this remote area. Until I reached Lost Pond, one of the locations that are marked along the trail.</b></p><p id="86d3">As I approached this pond/wetland area, I saw a glimpse of color. Beautiful red leaves stood out wonderfully in the sunlight. At that moment I realized my efforts had paid off. Don’t get me wrong, just being out riding in nature is wonderful. However, I love the fall colors, and we are so lucky here in the Northeast to be able to enjoy this added bonus. Icing on the cake!</p><figure id="3c2c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*[email protected]"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="b46d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*[email protected]"><figcaption>Author Photos</figcaption></figure><p id="4bca">I stopped for a few photos here including the selfie. At this location, the view of the pond was pretty much hidden. However, I knew from a description of the area that I read before starting out, that a better view was attainable.</p><figure id="54c8"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*[email protected]"><figcaption>Author Photo</figcaption></figure><p id="7d03">So I continued North on Truck Trail #1 until I reached the intersection with Truck Trail #5, a left hand turn. It was down this trail that supposedly a better view was available. Just had to check it out. <b>When I am riding or hiking in an area new to me, for me it is a thrill to explore what lies around the next bend. It awakens the senses, and it is so much fun.</b></p><p id="7bc0">After about half a mile I found what looked like a campsite, complete with firepit and picnic table. Was this the spot? I got off my bike and discovered what looked like a foot/horse path into the woods. After walking for a minute or so I saw it, the pond was visible through the trees. I continued to water’s edge and there was yet another picnic table.</p><p id="bcf5">There was much more than that. A beautiful view of Lost Pond. The colors were beautiful, I could now see the entire area that I just caught a glimpse of on Truck Trail #1. The only down side was at this point the sun was starting to be dimmed by an increasing cloud cover. I was about 20 minutes late!. Oh well, it was still a pretty, peaceful area to photograph.</p><figure id="70fb"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*[email protected]"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="74c6"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*[email protected]"><figcaption>Lost Pond/Author Photos</figcaption></figure><p id="e902">I lingered there for 15 minutes or so hoping the sun would pop back out. It wasn't until I had resumed my ride that it occurred.</p><figure id="2b69"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*[email protected]"><figcaption>Lost Pond/Author Photo</figcaption></figure><p id="7e8c">I headed back onto Truck Trail #5, hung a right on Truck Trail #1. Then I took a brief journey up Truck Trail #7 to the left, until I reached the crest of a large hill. <b>It was here I had the pleasure of meeting 2 riders on horseback. I pulled over and stopped to allow them to pass with spooking the horses. They thanked me for that. It was fun to see the horses.</b></p><p id="a70e">It

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was then time to turn around and head back to the car. Although the last mile would be downhill, there was still one long hill to climb before I reached the final descent.</p><p id="beae">Once I reached the crest of the final climb, it was really nice to coast for almost a mile back to the starting point. The roads in this forest are good, although in many areas there are coarse stones that makes for a rough ride.</p><figure id="2412"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*[email protected]"><figcaption>Author Photo</figcaption></figure><p id="e36c">Once I got back to the car, I headed out onto to County road since it was fairly level. It was like heaven to get on pavement again! So smooth and so much easier! Although I love mountain biking, it does take a toll on you and sometimes smooth pavement is so much appreciated.</p><div id="c997" class="link-block"> <a href="https://djpfeifer58.medium.com/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - Dan Pfeifer</h2> <div><h3>As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…</h3></div> <div><p>djpfeifer58.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*AI8q-wpX4_LijE_p)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="eda5" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/embracing-retirement-how-to-get-started-and-enjoy-fall-birdwatching-a6f097b709c"> <div> <div> <h2>Embracing Retirement-How to Get Started and Enjoy Fall Birdwatching</h2> <div><h3>Volume 8-Give Birdwatching a Try/Project FeederWatch Starts Soon</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*gxyagsmQGr6Mh07kyp8Lew.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="cc5c" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/the-road-less-travelled-mountain-biking-in-speculator-ny-3363eb7a1a71"> <div> <div> <h2>The Road Less Travelled-Mountain Biking in Speculator, NY</h2> <div><h3>Volume 13-Biking the 14 Mile Speculator Loop in the Adirondacks of NY</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*[email protected])"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="1572" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/biking-a-beneficial-activity-for-seniors-9636fc3af825"> <div> <div> <h2>Embracing Retirement-Biking is Beneficial For Seniors</h2> <div><h3>Volume 5-The Many Benefits of Biking</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*EyKyZ96hZkWcj8KI)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

The Road Less Travelled-Mountain Biking in the Charles E. Baker NY State Forest

Volume 16-A Challenging Ride on a Beautiful Early October Day

Charles E. Baker NY State Forest/Author Photo

Welcome back to my series on exploration and adventure. In early September, I was on vacation in the Adirondacks of upstate New York State and enjoyed hiking, biking, and kayaking there. It is always fun to explore areas away from home. I am now back to rural Chenango County NY and had the opportunity to mountain bike in yet another wonderful NY State forest. So much to explore close to home.

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The Road Less Travelled-Mountain Biking in the Charles E. Baker NY State Forest

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The Charles E. Baker NY State Forest is actually located in Madison County just over the Chenango County line. It is about 25 miles from my house so not too far to enjoy. This state forest is one of 3 that makes up the Brookfield Trail System, a well known horse and snowmobile trail system that contains over 130 miles of trails. The 3 state forests combined feature 13,750 acres!

There's a lot to explore here, and on this day I would only just begin to conquer this vast area. But it was fun to get started.

After locating the entrance off of Shawler Brook Road, I parked on Abrams Road and started my 9.5 mile journey here. At first I was wondering why I chose this area since the first mile of the ride was almost all uphill. I even got off my bike a couple of times and walked. But I stuck with it and the trail finally levelled off. Also, I knew the way back to my car would be easier.

Following a map I printed, I followed Truck Trail #1 heading North. It was a beautiful day to be in the woods. Early October, the leaves are changing, sunny, temperatures rising through the sixties. You can’t go wrong.

The leaves in this area are approaching midpoint in color and at first I was a little disappointed thinking I would see a little more color in this remote area. Until I reached Lost Pond, one of the locations that are marked along the trail.

As I approached this pond/wetland area, I saw a glimpse of color. Beautiful red leaves stood out wonderfully in the sunlight. At that moment I realized my efforts had paid off. Don’t get me wrong, just being out riding in nature is wonderful. However, I love the fall colors, and we are so lucky here in the Northeast to be able to enjoy this added bonus. Icing on the cake!

I stopped for a few photos here including the selfie. At this location, the view of the pond was pretty much hidden. However, I knew from a description of the area that I read before starting out, that a better view was attainable.

So I continued North on Truck Trail #1 until I reached the intersection with Truck Trail #5, a left hand turn. It was down this trail that supposedly a better view was available. Just had to check it out. When I am riding or hiking in an area new to me, for me it is a thrill to explore what lies around the next bend. It awakens the senses, and it is so much fun.

After about half a mile I found what looked like a campsite, complete with firepit and picnic table. Was this the spot? I got off my bike and discovered what looked like a foot/horse path into the woods. After walking for a minute or so I saw it, the pond was visible through the trees. I continued to water’s edge and there was yet another picnic table.

There was much more than that. A beautiful view of Lost Pond. The colors were beautiful, I could now see the entire area that I just caught a glimpse of on Truck Trail #1. The only down side was at this point the sun was starting to be dimmed by an increasing cloud cover. I was about 20 minutes late!. Oh well, it was still a pretty, peaceful area to photograph.

I lingered there for 15 minutes or so hoping the sun would pop back out. It wasn't until I had resumed my ride that it occurred.

I headed back onto Truck Trail #5, hung a right on Truck Trail #1. Then I took a brief journey up Truck Trail #7 to the left, until I reached the crest of a large hill. It was here I had the pleasure of meeting 2 riders on horseback. I pulled over and stopped to allow them to pass with spooking the horses. They thanked me for that. It was fun to see the horses.

It was then time to turn around and head back to the car. Although the last mile would be downhill, there was still one long hill to climb before I reached the final descent.

Once I reached the crest of the final climb, it was really nice to coast for almost a mile back to the starting point. The roads in this forest are good, although in many areas there are coarse stones that makes for a rough ride.

Once I got back to the car, I headed out onto to County road since it was fairly level. It was like heaven to get on pavement again! So smooth and so much easier! Although I love mountain biking, it does take a toll on you and sometimes smooth pavement is so much appreciated.