NCT: Forestport to Booneville

This section of North Country Trail (NCT) follows the Black River Canal, so I knew the trail would be very flat and easy.  I also knew, from previously hiking the Erie Canal Trail sections of the NCT, that the towpaths aren't my favorite type of hiking, so when I saw that this section is also open to bikes, I immediately decided to drop a bike.  This would let me cover the miles on foot, but would save me from doing so twice, as I typically go both out and back on solo hikes.  Because I wanted to knock out 10 miles and this is quite a drive from home (plus the extra time required to load the bike on the car), I waited until a day when Frankie had an after school activity.  Then I drove to Boonville, locked my bike up at Erwin Park, then drove to Forestport, and parked at the dam.  I would hike to Booneville, then retrieve my bike and cycle back to my car.  Voila!  It worked like a charm. 

setting out in Forestport along Dutch Hill Road

the turn off onto Canal Road

meadow bottle gentian (Gentiana clausa)

Edmonds Road crossing

Millers Woods Road crossing

Williams Road crossing

Lachausse Road crossing

Hawkinsville Road/County Route 61 crossing

Hayes Road crossing

Moose River Road crossing

Sargent Road crossing

the covered bridge at Erwin Park

looking back at the NCT section I just hiked

my chariot awaits

the Forestport Dam from the parking area

the Black River

The mileage total for the day was 20 miles (10 hiking miles and 10 biking miles).  Only the hiking miles count toward the NCT Hike 100 Challenge.  I was honestly a bit astonished biking back at how far I had walked in three hours!  One foot after the other... it all adds up.