New Hartford - Jones Mountain

Date Hiked:  Friday, June 15, 2012
Number in Group:  12
Estimated distance round-trip:  2.5+ miles
Weather:  Sunny, 81°F
Website:  New Hartford Land Trust
Highlights of the trip: Foam dome, view, stone bridge



Another perfect day for a hike.  This week we headed to the Jones Mountain Property managed by the New Hartford Land Trust.  Starting from the small parking area on the side of Steele Road, we headed past the kiosk and up the hill.  We turned right at the first junction and took the Vista Trail to Vista Road, an old carriage road that winds around the property.

 

As we walked along the Vista Road, we encountered numerous orange signs reminding us that the Jones Mountain Property is bordered by a hunting area.  In addition to the signs, there was also a rope strung along the boundary.  The rope seemed like overkill given the number of signs posted and was an impediment to those pristine nature pictures I so want to include in the blog.  Of course, wait until you see what's coming...

We continued on the trail to the right around the peak.  Part way around, a little side trail goes up to the "foam dome".  From what I have read, this unusual structure, which was also referred to as a hobbit  house by members of our group, was built as part of an architectural assignment by one of the daughters of the Jones clan in the 1970's.  Much of the foam has been broken off, and what remains has been gouged with initials and names.  There are a few plexiglass windows still in place, but most are gone.

The "foam dome".  Strategically taken photo avoids the most offensive graffiti.

CG looks like she left her mark here, as well.

 

Scientific name: Ganoderma tsugae
Common name: Hemlock varnish shelf

As we were leaving the "foam dome", the kids saw this cool looking fungus.  I have tentatively identified it as Hemlock varnish shelf.  It can be dried and turned into a powder and made into a tea.  It is supposed to have medicinal properties including inhibiting tumors and relieving asthma.

Scientific name: Actius luna
Common name: Luna moth

One of the kids also found a dead Luna moth.  I had never seen a Luna moth before.  It's size is quite impressive.  This website has more information, including the fact that the adults live only about a week.

Scientific name: Monotropa uniflora
Common names:  Indian pipe, Corpse plant, or Ghost plant.

Not too far along from the "foam dome" we came to the viewpoint.  From here we could see a little bit of New Hartford and, I assume, Route 44.  The view was nice, but not expansive.  I am sure if my father owned the property, he would be clearing some trees for a better view.

The viewpoint.

At some point along here, we went from being on the Vista Road to being on the Carriage Road or Main Mountain Road.  We came to a stone bridge that had been built at the beginning of the 20th century.  The stones are all covered with moss and the little stream flowing underneath is very picturesque.  This time there were no ropes to interfere with my picture taking.

Some kind of hawkweed?

We came to a sign indicating that the carriage road was closed, so we turned left onto the white trail and then right onto the yellow trail.  I don't actually remember seeing blazes, but they could have been there.

The next point of interest was a small pond formed by a little earthen dam.  Here we saw frogs and lots of tadpoles. Behind us were the remains of an old barn or shed.  The walls are all that remain and there is a piece of old farm equipment nearby.

Small pond.  You may be able to see the dam at this end.

Juvenile green frog, I believe.

Tadpoles.

Remnants of old shed.

Pretty and functional (at one point in time).

The trail connected back up with the red-blazed trail and we returned to our cars. Some of the blazes are quite faint, but the trails are obvious and there are signs at the junctions of trails, plus a few trail maps along the way. If you print off the trail map before you go, you should have no troubles.  This was definitely an interesting piece of property and well worth the hike.

For more information I recommend the following websites:
New Hartford Land Trust - includes a trail map and an article from the Hartford Courant's Peter Marteka
David K. Leff - blog he wrote about his visit, includes pictures