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Capital District Wildlife Management Area | ||
| This 4153 acre contains a number of old roads some of which are drivable. Except for Miller and Black River roads, these are not plowed and can be good for cross country skiing. It also encompasses the Cherry Plains State Park. There are plowed (eventually) parking areas at the south end of Black River Pond on Miller Road. Black River Road Plowing of Black River road ends at the bridge over the Black River. There might be space for a few cars here in winter although the hill can be icy. Road is generally ascending in elevation until the junction with West Road. Looks like it generally descends after that until the intersection with Calvin Cole Road where it apparently becomes plowed again. West Road West Road is another drivable road in season, wide and fairly smooth. After a brief downhill section after the intersection with Black River Road it seems to generally ascend until you reach the junction with the road that heads back to Cherry Plain State Park. After that West Road goes over several small knolls before reaching the Dingman Road entrance. When doing a Black River/West Road ski loop (~5 miles) it may be advisable to do so counterclockwise to take advantage of the slope. Also there's not a lot of unplowed space along side Miller road so be prepared to walk about a mile. One possible alternative might be to ski on the west side of the Black River Pond and then bushwack along the river (if parking on Black River road). There is a road/trail that goes a little beyond the causeway at the end of the lake. The terrain is a little hummocky along the river, going up the slope a little might provide a better route. Dingman Road Entrance map Dingman Road is an adequate dirt road off of Taborton Road. It currently is missing a sign but is the next road to the East from Bower Road. It has a couple of side roads leading left. There is a snowplow turnaround spot at the end where 4 or 5 cars can be parked. This spot has the advantage of already being on the plateau so you don't have to climb to reach West Road. | Distance | |
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| Guidebook Natural Areas of Rensselaer County, New York | ||
| Links NYS State Parks DEC State Lands Interactive Mapper | ||
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