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Hunt for Ferns at Indian Kill
Explore/New York/Hunt for Ferns at Indian Kill

Hunt for Ferns at Indian Kill

Glenville / Indian Kill Preserve, New York

Activity

Hiking / Nature Hunt

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

2.2 mi round trip

Elevation gain

~280 ft

Duration

~1–1.5 hrs

Route

Loop / linked trails

The adventure

Follow the Indian Kill from young forest into stream valley, wetland and cool bluff habitat while hunting for three visibly different kinds of fern.

What you'll do

Start at Indian Kill Preserve Hetcheltown Road designated parking lot, then follow the route about 2.2 miles round trip. observe three visibly different fern types

Expect roughly 280 ft of climbing along the way.

Once you're there

Use the designated preserve lot at the Maple Avenue/Hetcheltown Road side. Begin on the Clair Schmitt Trail, which runs from this parking area through young forest and down toward the Indian Kill valley. Continue only on marked preserve trails, explore the contrasting stream-bank, bluff and woodland habitat, then return to Hetcheltown Road.

Don't miss

In spring, add one trillium sighting — look, photograph, and leave it exactly where it grows.

Good to know

Hours
dawn to dusk
Carry policy
carry in/carry out
Dogs
allowed-on-leash.
ELEVEN FERN SPECIES
The County documents eleven fern species along the preserve's trails.
SPRING GETS BUSY
Hepatica, trout lilies, trillium, cohosh, toothwort and jack-in-the-pulpits bloom along the stream banks.
HABITAT CHANGES FAST
Hardwood forest, conifer plantations, wetlands, cool bluffs and sandy uplands fit into this compact preserve.
CLAIR SCHMITT START
The County guide routes the Clair Schmitt Trail from the Hetcheltown Road parking lot through the preserve.

Please respect the place

  • Stay on marked trails
  • Do not pick wildflowers or ferns
  • Dogs on leash
  • Carry out all waste

Photos

Hunt for Ferns at Indian Kill
Photo: Famartin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

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