2021-12-21: Pond Hill

Until very recently, the highest point in Albany County NY was believed to be Henry Hill, a 2165' point in southwest Berne, publicly accessible through the Partridge Hill Wildlife Management Area. However, new satellite-based elevation data has recently revealed the existence of a slightly higher point just a little over a mile to the south. At 2170' in elevation, the newly-discovered Pond Hill is now believed to be the county's highest point, and as such has become a new destination for highpointers such as myself. The peak is located on unposted land just a few thousand feet off of Pond Hill Road in northwestern Rensselaerville.

As the high point has no trail, overlook, or former markings, I expected this to be a fairly boring expedition, at least in terms of photography. However, I came across an incredible viewpoint on my way up, at the crest of Route 358 in Rensselaerville. I pulled over to take some shots of the expansive view.

A view southwest from the roadside overlook shows Mount Pisgah (L) rising in the afternoon haze over the nearer Cheese Hill.

A view of a nearby house - and extensive spruce forest behind it - shows ice from a recent storm still clinging to the trees.

Looking straight down the highway, the peaks of the northern Catskills, over fifteen miles distant, dominate the view.

A view northeast over the hardwood forests and highland hill country of western Albany County.

The late afternoon sunlight served to accentuate the shadows and clarity of the barren rural scenery.

Looking straight west to the distant hills of the Helderberg Mountains.

Still Hill (R) stands above farmlands and mixed forests in nearby Westerlo.

Looking southeast again reveals the bubble-like silhouette of Round Top, twenty miles distant and one of the most prominent geological features in the town of Cairo.

After stopping at the overlook, I continued on my way through the twisty backroads of rural Albany County. Soon I arrived at Pond Hill Road, a narrow, ice-covered backroad surrounded by deep forest. I parked at the base of a cell tower near the highpoint and walked down the road until I found a long stretch of unposted woods on the north side. Here I headed in for the short bushwhack to the summit.

A pile of rocks marks the highpoint, seen through the icy woods.

One of the previous visitors to the highpoint (at least 22 people according to Peakbagger) left this rock at the highest ground in the county.

Ice made this young maple forest to glisten in the sun on my way back from the summit.

A view down some powerlines along the way. Just a short distance off the road, this clear-cut powerline easement is one of the landmarks to pass on the way up to the highpoint.

A closeup at the right angle revealed the thin coating of ice upon a fallen maple tree. Curiously, the moss growing on its side seemed unaffected by the icy.

A shot of the cell tower from where I parked at its base. A worker was present at the tower, but didn't seem to mind me using its parking lot for a few minutes.