(CAUTION as of September 1, 2011 – Tropical Storm Irene blew a tree down in a narrow pass before going downhill to the stream—you can get around the tree but it can be difficult)
Black Kettle Trail begins behind the barn at Black Kettle Farm, which is located at the corner of Cook and Leaning Roads in Essex. The trailhead sign directs you to pull into a little parking area on the east side of the barn. The trail begins just past the large shed. Take the right fork and follow the trail through a grassy area down a little hill to a bridge over a small brook. The trail then climbs through the field and enters the woods. It passes over an intermittent stream, goes by a huge white pine, and soon gets to a scenic overlook of Black Kettle’s former farm fields, the Middle Road hill of Essex, and the distant Green Mountains of Vermont. The trail continues along the ridge then goes down toward a scenic brook. The descent can be slippery so be careful. As you approach the brook, you can either follow the trail downstream to a little bridge or continue downhill and cross the creek by stepping on rocks. The trail continues in the woods as it follows the brook downstream to a wetland area. A boardwalk takes you over the wetland and a small step-stone gets you over the brook. The trail then enters the former Black Kettle farm pasture as it slowly climbs back to the trailhead.
Location of Trailhead: Behind the Black Kettle Farm barn on Leaning Road. From the Whallonsburg Grange, take Cook Road, which is on the west side of the road, and go about 1.5 miles to Black Kettle Farm. Just before you get to the barn, there will be a trailhead sign on your left at a driveway taking you between the barn and a large shed. If you get to Leaning Road, you have gone a little too far.
- Features of Trail: The view from the overlook is quite pretty. It is a reminder that you can find nice views from almost any overlook, even if they are not on a mountain summit.
- Sights and Natural Features: This trail offers the beauty and subtle rewards found on almost any hike in the woods. The large white pine tree near the beginning of the trail stimulates your imagination and then you look around and see similarly large open-grown trees which show that this area was once a pasture or open field. The hike along the edge of the ridge cuts through little rock outcrops and rock formations. The brook showcases the aquatic habitat and rich forests that run along streams. Crossing it on the rocks or on the bridge each has its own rewards. The trail passes through nice woods as you go downstream to a boardwalk over the wetland. And then the grassy field has numerous wildflowers and buzzing insects in summer, beautiful views of colorful trees in fall, a long white snowshoe in winter, and new grasses and trees with yellow-green leaves in the spring.
- Trail Length: This trail is about 1.5 miles long.
- Trail Type: This is a loop trail
- Trail Difficulty: Mild, easy hike; going down the hill to the stream can be slippery
- Trail Condition: The trail is in fairly good shape, the wetland vegetation can sometimes grow over the boardwalk and the grasses in the field may sometimes get a bit tall.
- Parking: Follow the trailhead sign to an area just east of the Black Kettle Barn
- Animal Signs: There are a variety of animal tracks visible in winter. Soaring birds can sometimes be seen from the overlook.
- Location: Essex, NY 12936
- Last Updated: September 8, 2011
