2024-01-06: Overlook Dune

Overlook Dune, elevation 370'. Highest natural point in Albany; Albany County municipal highpoints 9/13. Solo ascent via Karner Barrens trail. 0.55 mi, 39' gain, 11m RT.

I was working my way through town highpoints in Albany County over interterm, and on this particular Saturday I was racing an incoming snowstorm to bag as many as I could. I had just just finished a successful ascent of Mount Helderberg, the highest point in New Scotland, and it was only a relatively short drive from there to Overlook Dune, the highest point in the city of Albany.

Albany is the capital of New York and one of the larger cities outside of NYC. Sporting a rich 400-year history and a population of 100,000, it would be the largest municipal highpoint I had reached so far. Technically, the highest point in Albany is the top of the Corning Tower at over 600' above sea level, highpointing requires reaching the highest natural point, which in this case is the significantly shorter Overlook Dune.

Overlook Dune is located in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, a park that contains one of the world's few inland pine barrens in a remarkably undeveloped area at the city's western limits. As a well-trafficked park in a populated area, this hike doesn't really involve much danger or access issues. The Blue Trail leads pretty directly from the parking area to the top of Overlook Dune, a spot popular due to its eponymous views, but not very well known as a city highpoint.

A blue blaze on the trail to the summit.

I pulled into the parking area, just to the north in neighboring Guilderland, and began the short hike over. Unfortunately, the approaching storm meant that the conditions weren't exactly scenic, with grey clouds casting everything in a dark and monotone light. I thought it might be nice to return in the summer, when the park would probably be a lot prettier.

Open pine barrens along the trail in poor photography conditions.

Two trails split off from the trailhead but both eventually link back up at a three-way junction. The Blue Trail continues west from here through open pine forests reminiscent of those found at rocky elevations in the Hudson Highlands, such as Schunnemunk Mountain, but with more sandy soil. The first hill on this trail is Overlook Dune, and in a few minutes I was at the highpoint of Albany.

A view of the summit area of Overlook Dune.

Part of the eponymous overlook, here looking south towards the Helderbergs.

Even on a day like this, the trails were fairly crowded, and after two families passed me by, I left the summit and took the alternate route back to the car. I briefly contemplated continuing on to the four remaining highpoints in the county, but the storm would arrive soon, and I didn't want to risk getting caught so far from home. With two more towns in my pocket, I headed back home.