PARTRIDGE RUN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA xc skiing & hiking

 


From NYSDEC: You’re headed for an adventure when you visit the Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area (WMA)!  Located on the Helderberg Escarpment in Berne, roughly 11 miles west of Albany, it comprises about 4,500 acres of hardwood forests, ponds, and wetlands, and is open year-round. Parking areas offer access to the substantial trail network, and there are also several hundred acres of fields maintained throughout the WMA.

Some trails are part of the Long Path, a 358-mile trail between Altamont (outside Albany) and the 175th Street Subway Station in New York City that connects many parks, preserves, and forests. One shorter, local trail runs from the parking area at Partridge Run Road and County Route 6, around White Birch Lake to Fawn Lake, and varies in elevation from about 1,600–1,900 feet.

DEC recently completed construction of a half-mile-long accessible interpretive trail at the site through its Young Forest Initiative, a program that improves forested landscapes in WMAs across the state. The trail, which also offers an accessible viewing tower, is designed to increase public awareness about forest management and protection, specifically as it relates to wildlife management.

Partridge Run WMA is part of the Helderberg Bird Conservation Area, so be sure to watch for waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors that take advantage of the variety of habitats found here. You may even spot black bears, turkeys, and deer that call this expanse home.

Aug 2, 2017 - TUBBS POND, Partridge Run WMA in southern Albany County, from CR13 (Sickle Hill Rd).  1st drove to Becker Pond on dirt Beaver Rd - rough, not good for low clearance vehicles.  Then drove down Fawn Lake Rd & R on Tubbs Pond Rd - much better dirt roads.  I'm not a fan of hot weather so was just looking for a cooler & quiet natural area & got what I wanted.  At 1,750' the temp was in the mid-70s - at least 10 degrees cooler than in Albany.  Not good for swimming. No-one else there.  Bad bugs not an issue. 





May 5, 2017 - PARTRIDGE RUN WMA hike, from Gifford Hollow Rd.  Started on Partridge Run Road (vehicles not allowed) for half a mile alongside a cascading brook, a tributary of the Switz Kill.  R on Kingfisher Road, driveable from CR6.  Joined the Long Path.  L on Wood Duck Trail (no vehicles), bushwhacked around Wood Duck Pond.  Saw wood duck boxes but no ducks.  Turned around at Pickerel Ponds.  Heard many rounds of gunshots to the S.  Not many flowers but did see yellow & purple violets, dandelions, coltsfoot, one sessile bellwort, purple trillium in the parking area.  A few blackflies, but not biting yet.  Elevations 1,120'-1,500'+.  5.5 miles, 2.5 hours. 





Sept, 2019 - Law Enforcement: Forest Rangers have found evidence this summer of illegal underage drinking parties at Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the town of Berne, including litter and illegal bonfires. Forest Rangers received a tip that another party was set to happen on the night of Sept. 6. Three Forest Rangers and a Lieutenant concealed themselves in the woods near a popular party spot and at 10 p.m., a vehicle towing a trailer loaded with wood pallets arrived. A short time later, eight other vehicles arrived loaded with occupants and Rangers approached the group from the woods. A total of 18 tickets were issued to the group for unlawful possession of marijuana, possession and consumption of alcohol while under 21 years of age, and damage to vegetation on state land.

Mar 30, 2017 - PARTRIDGE RUN WMA from Bradt Hollow Rd (2,000').  Loop ski trail had seen some illegal snowmo use - fair skiing, some wet spots.  Dropped 200' off-trail - excellent skiing on 6", my skis did what I told them to do & I got in some nice turns!  3.4 miles, 1.7 hours.

Mar 20, 2017 - PARTRIDGE RUN WMA via THE LONG PATH from Gifford Hollow Rd in Berne.  Climbed almost 500', steep spots interspersed with easier sections.  Thru-trees view to Cole Hill SF & Switzkill Farm.  Lean-to in the corner of a field not far from start - not Adirondack log style & too close to civilization - still good for a 2+ hour nap facing the afternoon sun.  Good skiing on 15", some crustiness early.  Broke trail but only sunk in ~3", trail had seen no use in the 6 days since the storm.  Elevations from 1,000' to 1,500'.  4.7 miles, 5.4 hours.






Mar 10, 2010 - PARTRIDGE RUN WMA.  30"+ dense snow, sometimes unconsolidated, temp approaching 50F softened things up.  2,000' elevation attracts & retains snow.  From Sickle Hill Rd, skied a few minutes down unplowed Beaver Rd & turned R onto ski trail.  Skied most non-motorized use trails past ponds & reforestation areas.  Spur to Bradt Hill/Hollow Rd where there is an old cemetery.  Crossed road, very high snowbanks.  Picked up the Long Path.  Crossed High Point Rd & did loop on other side then returned to Beaver Rd near Woods Pond.  Quick run down Beaver Rd snowmobile trail then up to cars.  Intermediate.  10.2 miles, 5 hours includes 1 hour nap in beaver flow with lots of dead tree trunks, that warm sun is so intoxicating.


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