2019-10-29: North Preston Hollow NY

Much like my previous post about North Cairo, there is no formally-designated 'North Preston Hollow'. Highway 145 runs for about 2.6 miles north of Preston Hollow to the border between Rensselaerville and Broome. 'Preston Hollow' in the title refers not to the town, but to the topographical feature, through which the road winds some distance after the town ends. Route 145 follows the Catskill Valley along some steep ridges, through some very isolated areas of Albany County. Over this entire 2.6-mile stretch of highway, is never intersects a single road, and passes by a single-digit number of occupied houses. Steep hills, sharp turns, and low shoulders make this one of the most dangerous parts of NY-145.

A view of the valley to the north from my parking spot in Elsbree Park at the north end of Preston Hollow.

A straight view north into the hills along Route 145. Some of these hills rise over a thousand feet above the valley floor.

An old wooden barn sits among barren trees in the rugged countryside.

These now-abandoned silos are a landmark for all those who drive the middle NY-145 corridor, known to locals as 'the Gauntlet', with regularity.

Early evening sky contrasts with the dark shadows on the northeast face of Scott Patent Hill.

Twin silos rise from a field of dead goldenrod; an allergy-triggering sea of yellow in late summers, and a hiding place for deer in the winter.

Late autumn oak leaves oversee the winding road on its gently sloping route northwards.

Cattle graze in the steep land on the slopes of Cheese Hill. These curious cows ran with me for some distance along the roadside.

Evening shadows paint the road with its own guard rail. The sharp contour of Scott Patent Hill is partially obscured by trees to the left.

Graffiti-laden structures at a low point near the county line. Hurricane Irene in 2011 devastated the already struggling hill towns of southwest Albany County, destroying many buildings. This shack used to sit in front of a house, now destroyed.

Hidden deep in the woods is an iron truss bridge. Extensive signage indicated that this bridge, and the terribly overgrown trail leading to it, is privately owned. According to historical maps, it was once part of a road that climbed the steep side of Scott Patent Hill.

A view of the Catskill Creek, here only a few miles downstream from its source.

Signage at the county line. After passing through the tip of Rensselaerville, NY-145 continues north for almost 30 miles through Schoharie County.

The actual 'county line'. Route 145 is maintained by Schoharie County to the left and Albany County to the right. This road dichotomy is one of the area's most striking.

A bee grabs some of the year's last nectar from a purple flower along the roadside.

Most farmhouses along the Gauntlet have cellars built into the side of the hills. Once used for storing perishables, today most sit abandoned, or are used for general storage, much like a shed or garage.

Rocky pastures mark the end of a vast expanse of forest. The steep, infertile land in this part of the town is suitable for little other than livestock.

Probably two-thirds of the buildings I passed during this walk were obviously abandoned, with a good number more of questionable status. This shed is of the former classification.

The twin silos, overlooking Preston Hollow, greeted me as I crested the hillside on my way back to the car.

As the sun began to set, the forest on the north side of the valley gradually disappeared into the shadow of its south wall.

A view north from near the park entrance. Here the houses of Preston Hollow (the town) can be better seen.