UNCLE SAM TRAIL LETTERBOX:
LANSINGBURGH, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Planted: August 12, 2007
Length:
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, paved rail trail.
Directions:
To start from the Waterford Visitors Center; Take I-787 north to Route 787 north to Route 32 (Saratoga Ave.) across the Mohawk River into Waterford. Saratoga Ave becomes 9th Street, then Broad Street (but stays Route 32). Turn right down 2nd Street which will bring you to the parking lot.
To start near the northern section of the trail; Take I-787 north to Route 787 north to Route 32 (Saratoga Ave.) across the Mohawk River into Waterford. Saratoga Ave becomes 9th Street, then Broad Street (but stays Route 32). Route 32 turns left, but continue straight on Route 4 (Broad Street) and cross over the Hudson River. Bear right on Route 4 (2nd Ave) at the light. At your next light cross over Route 4 to 125th Street and up a small hill. No sidewalk here. At the five-way intersection, cross over to Northern Drive and follow it up a small hill. There is no parking lot at the trailhead, so park in one of the plaza's on your left. The bike trail starts about a ¼ further along on your right across from Old Mill Hill Road.
To start from the Gurley Road parking lot: See above directions for the northern trailhead then; Continue up Northern Drive past the trailhead and take a right down Gurley Road. The parking area will be on your right next to the trail.
The Uncle Sam Trail runs along the
former rail bed of the Troy & Boston Railroad which was constructed
in 1850-52. This in turn became the Fitchburg Railroad in 1887 and then
the Maine Railroad in 1900. The tracks were dismantled in 1972. Samuel
Wilson was the Troy
meatpacker and Massachusetts
native who many believe was the inspiration for the Uncle Sam figure.
Supporters of the Wilson
story say he became associated with Uncle Sam when he stamped the initials
"U.S" on barrels of meat he supplied to American forces in the war of 1812.
Seeing the initials, soldiers began referring to Wilson
as Uncle Sam. Samuel Wilson died in 1854 and is buried in Troy
's
Oakwood
Cemetery, which is located on the hillside above the trail. To have a map sent to you
call CDTC at (518) 458-2161 or email BikeMap@CDTCMPO.org
. A second Letterbox is accessible from the Waterford
Visitors
Center; See; Old
Champlain Canal Trail Letterbox . For more information visit; UNCLE
SAM TRAIL , NY TRAILS
or CAPITOL
DISTRICT .
Starting from the Waterford Visitors Center; Head east along the river and down to the Point known as the Battery. After checking out where the Erie Canal flows into the Hudson River, head left through the Boat Launch parking lot to 1st Street. Follow 1st Street until you reach Broad Street (Route 4).
Note; You can take a quick detour to check out the old Waterford Train Station. Just cross over Broad St and continue up 1st St. Take a left on Division St and then a right on 2nd St. This will bring you to Columbia St after 0.3 miles. The old combination Waterford Station and D & H Freight Office now houses the Waterford Public Library. This station, built in 1896, was part of the 1835 Rensselaer-Saratoga Railroad Line, later a branch of the D & H Railroad.
Turn right along Broad St and cross over the Hudson River. Then bear right on Route 4 (2nd Ave) at the light. At your next light cross over Route 4 to 125th Street and up a small hill. No sidewalk here. At the five-way intersection, cross over to Northern Drive and follow it up a small hill. The bike trail starts on your right across from Old Mill Hill Road. The paved trail heads into the woods along a ridge cut into the hill with the houses of Lansingburgh below to your right. After crossing over Tarbell Road, which parallels the trail briefly, you'll come alongside a cement retaining wall on the left. Follow the wall until you come to a telephone pole with a yellow sleeve on its support-wire. Spot an opening in the wall with stairs and head up to the top of the wall. Continue up the hill alongside a gully until a faint deer trail crosses your path. Follow this path right alongside the hill for about 9 paces (2 steps = 1 pace) over some fallen trees and spot a tree leaning over the path. This tree forms a triangle with a stump and live tree at its base. Go to the left side of the leaning tree next to the stump and remove the two visible rocks. Use caution on the hillside. Remove a security rock from atop the Uncle Sam Trail Letterbox and replace as found. Continuing along the trail, you next encounter the Gurley Road parking lot and then the trail opens up for a bit. After heading back into the woods you'll come to Knickerbacker Park along the right side of the trail. A large pink obelisk monument is here with fields below. After passing through a corrugated tunnel, you enter a residential area. The trail ends at Middlebourgh Street.
HH
LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON
AUGUST 12, 2007
TO EMAIL A VERIFICATION
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT LETTERBOXING