37. Acra Point

Distance:	Dayhike or overnight
Difficulty :	Moderate for children
Distance :	4.9 miles, loop
Hiking time :	4.5 hours
High point/elevation gain :	3100 feet, 1100 feet
Hikable :	June-October
Map :	NY-NJ Trail Conference Map 41

River crossings, a series of lovely overlooks, and a shelter for overnight camping make this a super hike for families in good shape with older children. We nicknamed this one "Son of Indian Head" because it has many of the same features as its "dad" (Hike 31) the toughest hike in the book). This hike to Acra Point, thankfully, covers a shorter distance with a smaller elevation gain, making it "moderate" rather than "challenging" for children. (Windham's Clarence D. Lane Park and the Batavia Kill Recreation Area are located 2 miles west of the trailhead; after the hike, parents can relax while sticky little hikers enjoy a dip in the pond under lifeguard supervision. I know, parents never really relax. . . . )

From New York City, take the Thruway (I-87) north to Exit 21. Follow NY-23 west for approximately 22 miles to NY-296 in Windham. Turn left (south) onto NY-296 and drive 1 mile to Hensonville. Here, turn left onto Greene County 40. Drive 1.9 miles and turn left onto Greene County 56 (also known as Big Hollow Road) in Maplecrest. Greene County 56 turns to gravel in 4 miles (where a sign indicates that the road is closed from November 1 through April 1). Drive another 0.2 mile and park in the lot on the right.

Continue on the gravel road southeastward to a trailhead sign: 1.3 miles to the Batavia Kill Lean-to; 3.25 miles to Acra Point. As the gravel road veers left at the trailhead over a bridge, head straight on a wide path marked with the red blazes of the Black Dome Range Trail. Hop over a seasonal stream, then cross Batavia Kill ("Kill" is from the Dutch kil, meaning "creek") on a sturdy footbridge. How many of the trailside trees can the kids identify by sight? How about by feel (eyes closed, of course)?

At 0.35 mile, rocks intrude underfoot and you recross Batavia Kill, this time on stones. The red-blazed Black Dome Range Trail and the yellow-blazed Batavia Kill Trail meet 0.4 mile from the hike's start. As the red trail leads right (south) to Blackhead Mountain, follow the yellow markers straight (southeast) toward the lean-to, 0.9 mile away. (From this junction, Acra Point is 2.85 miles away.) How many colors can the children find in the forest? At first, greens and browns seem to prevail, but look closer and you'll notice red berries, white mushrooms, yellow flowers, blue pebbles.

The yellow trail, now narrow and rugged, crosses Batavia Kill once more, flirting periodically with the bank as it heads southeastward. Cross several seasonal streams that swell in the spring. What types of animal tracks can you find along the muddy banks? The deep impressions of deer hooves? Or the fainter tracks of a raccoon, shaped like tiny hands?

Soon, the trail snakes past the Batavia Kill Lean-to, with the creek (a seasonal water source) a short distance through the woods on the right. Talk about surviving in the woods. If you had to build a shelter here, how would you do it? What materials would you use? Where would you put it? What lessons can we learn from the creatures who make their homes in the forest?

Beyond the lean-to, the trail embarks on a moderate to steep ascent, first slipping on loose stones, then struggling over the bony roots of birch trees. The trail curls eastward and levels, ending 0.25 mile from the lean-to at the junction with the combined Long Path and Escarpment Trail. Turn left, following blue blazes into a sag, 1.6 miles from Acra Point.

After working its way out of the gully, the trail rolls easily through stands of birch, spruce, and hemlock. At the 1.9-mile mark, offer a few words of encouragement to the kids as you trudge up a brief but steep incline wedged between boulders and ledge. (Some blazes may be a lighter blue here.)

Two miles from the start, the trail sweeps close to the edge of The Escarpment along level ground, reaching a sheltered lookout with grand views to the east toward the Albany area and the Taconic Mountains. A 0.2-mile jaunt through the woods leads to a second lookout. At 2.8 miles, the trail passes another spot offering limited northeasterly views.

After more than 3 miles of hiking, you reach Acra Point, a ridge-top meadow overlooking the Black Dome Range. Although thickening foliage threatens to intrude on the view, the panoramas from this 3100-foot viewpoint are still worth a pause and a picture.

Tumble down a grassy trail, watching for blueberry bushes as you descend. These miniature wild berries are sweeter than their larger, cultivated cousins and make a delightful snack. Soon, a side trail branches left, leading to an open ledge where commanding views take in the nearby Black Dome peaks (with Black Dome and Thomas Cole mountains to the left) and stretch over the nameless rolling hills to Hunter Mountain (Hike 38) in the central Catskills. At the western end of the valley are Van Loan Hill and Round Hill, drumlins created during the last ice age. (I know, the kids don't care about the far-off mountains. What kinds of animal shapes can they find in the puffy clouds overhead?) Spread out your picnic lunch and enjoy the vistas (and the animal parade in the sky).

Back on the main trail, follow the blue markers on a moderate descent, passing overhanging ledge and indistinct side trails leading right to limited views. At a trail junction 3.8 miles from the start, leave the blue trail (it continues to Burnt Knob) and turn left (south) onto the red-blazed Black Dome Range Trail. (Let the kids know that they have just a little more than 1 mile to go!) Drop gently through hemlock, birch, and deciduous woods, crossing a hasty stream 0.7 mile from the Escarpment Trail. Recross the stream 0.3 mile later, arriving at a hikers' registration box. Shortly, cross Batavia Kill on a footbridge. When you reach Big Hollow Road, turn left and walk 100 yards to your car.