It’s been a really hot summer, but we didn’t want to allow that to keep us from what we love the most; traipsing through green lush forests. So, we took advantage of the long summer days and waited until the evening before heading to the lovely Fox Preserve in upstate New York. It recharged our batteries and gave us new strength to face the weekday routine.
Fox Preserve
The Fox Preserve is a 70 acres nature preserve that was established by the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy in 2015. The land was donated by Dr. Patricia Fox. In 2017, after the creation of the trails was complete, the preserve was opened to the public. A private residence is located in the center of the preserve. Clear signage helps keep visitors on the trails and lets them know what areas are permissible and what areas are not.
Brief History
The river valleys in upstate New York were rich, fertile areas for thousands of years and this particular area, then known as Canastagione, was prehistorically inhabited by the Mohawk Nation. When the Shakers moved to North America in the 1700s to escape religious persecution, they farmed these lands. This area was farmland all the way into the 1980s.
Hiking
There are two trails with just over one mile for visitors to hike along. The main orange trail is a loop that takes you around the property. Though it passes near Shaker Creek, the creek is not truly accessible from the trail. Hikers pass through deep woods with large trees. The elevation is rolling and the trail goes up and down in waves, making it a fun hike.
The white trail is a meandering extension that you can take if you want to make your hike a bit longer. This trail passes through beautiful open meadows. There is a picnic bench and viewing bench along the white trail that offers a great place to rest, have a snack, and take in the view of the Mohawk River.
Where is it Located?
The Fox Preserve is located in the hamlet of Latham in upstate New York near the Mohawk River. The address is 4200 River Rd., Latham, NY. The parking lot is just to the right off of the private drive. The trailheads are next to the parking lot.
Maps
An excellent map of the Fox Preserve and its trail system can be found here.
