2023-06-04: Mill Street

Windham NY Roads: 15/46 mi

On the drive home from church I noted beautiful weather for an afternoon walk, and headed up to Windham to take one. Unfortunately, when I got up the mountain I found it cloudy and gross out, but at that point I was committed and parked at the Mitchell Hollow Church to walk a long loop I had planned out about a week prior. This followed Mill Street heading south, then returning to the north along Vining and Siam Roads. While Mill Street is largely forested, old rural houses, Vining Road is home to a lot of new developments and seasonal homes. Both provide incredible views of the surrounding mountains from slightly closer to their tops than in the valley below.

Roads Walked: CR-21/Mitchell Hollow Road, Elm Street, Vining Road, Siam Road

Stats: 6.41 mi, 597' gain, 1h32m total

An unnamed creek runs under a small bridge near the northernmost section of Mill Street.

A view towards Cave Mountain over a section of brush retaking an abandoned field.

The three peaks of the Blackhead Range - Blackhead, Black Dome, and Thomas Cole (L to R) - dominate the skyline from most places in Windham.

Kaaterskill and Roundtop rise through a brief gap in the trees and nearer mountains.

An old car and a trailhead slowly return to nature, just a few of many buildings and vehicles in various states of decay at a curious property along Mill Street.

A small beaver dam in one of several small ponds towards the southern end of Mill Street.

Bump Mountain rises to the east above cabins scattered through the nearer woods.

A rise on Vining Road, near some seasonal condos, gives a spectacular view towards West Cave Mountain and the entire surrounding area, to expansive to capture in one shot.

Looking down Vining Road from the spot of the overlook. There is no horizon at this angle, just more vertical landscape.

A young buck spotted along Siam Road, too inexperienced to fear humans. Note the antlers just starting to emerge and the coat beginning to shed. This is probably the best picture I've ever gotten of a deer.