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DYLAN REES | BRENDAN V. | JEN | CAMERON | SHARE YOUR STORY!

Dylan Rees

“As a marathon runner, I train by running along different segments of the Trail. I’ve been running on trails in the area since 2012 - before the Empire State Trail existed.”

@raccoon_chronicles

Most Frequent Trail: Erie Canalway Trail, Champlain Valley Trail & Hudson Valley Greenway Trail

Favorite Segment: Cohoes to Schenectady

Favorite Sightsee: Roundlake

  • I’ve been a runner for a very long time - when I moved to Troy in 2012, I looked for running trails. I don’t even think they were the Empire State Trail yet, just different local trail segments. So I sort of began running the Empire State Trail before it existed.

  • I’m right near the T of the Empire State Trail at the junction between sections - so I’ve explored three directions of the trail. I’m a marathon runner, so I’ve gone from Troy south almost to Hudson, north up to Schuylerville, and west to Schenectady.

  • I really enjoy running the whole section from Cohoes to Schenectady. Right at the start of the Erie Canalway Trail, traveling west from Troy, you run into Waterford and then into Cohoes. The Mohawk River you run alongside is a very wild river compared to the Hudson River. There’s so much to see in this area. The trail was originally a mule trail so there are locks and bends, as well as a mix of different species and ecologies, including interesting little wetlands along the edges.

  • As a runner, a lot of what is difficult is dependent on the weather. I run marathons in the summer, so heat is a big factor. Several trail segments are more shaded than others, so I have to keep that in mind. Down the Hudson Valley Electric Trail in particular, there are areas that get very hot.

  • A few things:

    First, the most obvious problem is that many sections are not really a trail - the state calls it a trail to cover all of New York, but much of it is still just along highway shoulders, especially north on the Champlain Valley Trail. This is especially difficult for runners, as we’re not as used to running alongside traffic-heavy roads.

    On the section up to Schuylerville, you’re on a highway that has painted a little lane. If they need to keep it alongside highways, at least making another full lane would help.

    Second, Google Maps doesn’t always display the trail correctly. Oftentimes you’re on the trail and Maps says there’s a dead end… but there isn’t. There are a decent amount of inaccuracies.

    Third, the state’s website has accuracy issues as well. It’s not always easy to know where the entry and exit points are for the individual pieces of the trail - especially between sections of pre-existing trails that the Empire State Trail is connecting. For example, from Troy to Albany after you go across the pedestrian bridge to Rensselaer, it drops you in the suburbs. You have to find your way into the Hudson Valley Electric Trail without any signage or directions. Increasing the clarity between existing trail segments would be helpful.

    Finally, past Rensselaer down to Coxsackie, the farmland sections are not particularly developed or integrated with the trail. There are other segments that are connected to local villages with benches, ice cream shops and nice places to rest, but other segments lack resources.

  • You can connect on my Instagram @raccoon_chronicles.

Brendan V.

“I grew up along the Hudson River, so of course I wanted to start with the Hudson Valley Greenway Trail.

I love all the different areas the Trail connects and that you can start in the rural heartland of the Hudson Valley and end up a few rides/days later biking into the heart of New York City. Not many trails can deliver that!”

Most Frequent Trail: Hudson Valley Greenway Trail

Favorite Segment: Albany-Hudson Electric Trail

Favorite Sightsee: Walkway Over The Hudson

  • I grew up along the Hudson River kayaking, biking and hiking. As soon as I learned about the Empire State Trail in 2020, I was hooked. I love starting in NYC and cycling north, interweaving the Hudson Valley (and crossing the Hudson River a few times too!)

  • I’ve experienced most of the trail on bike during overnight bikepacking / bike touring trips. I also enjoy running on the trail during the week or when I can’t swing an overnight biking trip.

  • The Albany-Hudson Electric trail is my favorite. The section in Nassau crosses with a Stewards, a pizza shop, and Smile’s ice cream along with great feeling of rural Americana sights like beautiful old barns.

  • There was a section under construction in April 2022 between Yonkers and Westchester I believe. It is probably fixed now, but that’s why I like checking community posts to learn more.

  • I think expanding the roadside protections and markings along the trail would be great.

Jen

“My goal is to complete the entire Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany.”

Most Frequent Trail: Erie Canalway Trail

Favorite Segments: Syracuse to Little Falls
The Champlain Canal Trail in Waterford
Fort Edward to Fort Ann

  • I live in Albany so I have been riding and running on the trails since before they were officially the Empire State Trail.

  • The gravel sections of the Erie Canalway Trail from Syracuse to Little Falls, the Champlain Canal Trail in Waterford and from Fort Edward to Fort Ann.

  • When I rode from Syracuse back home to Albany I stayed in Little Falls, it was such a cute town. I stayed at the Inn at Stone Mill -- highly recommend this bike friendly inn!

  • There are certain areas of the trail that are on-road where signage could be better - such as Rome, NY.

  • My goal is to complete the entire Erie Canalway Trail from Buffalo to Albany, looking to do that within the next few years!

Cameron Stepule

“I take smaller trips, a few hours at a time. Living in Albany now I usually hop on the trail from Jennings Landing at the Corning Preserve, or take the short drive to Waterford if I want a gravel run.”

Most Frequented Trails: Erie Canalway Trail & Champlain Valley Trail

Favorite Segments: Old Champlain Canal in Waterford to the Peebles Island Bridge
Lion’s Park in Niskayuna to Lock 7 behind Jeff Blatnick Park

  • I first heard of the trail through the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon.

  • My favorite section of the trail is along the Old Champlain Canal in Waterford to the Peebles Island Bridge view over the Waterford Harbor. From Lion’s Park in Niskayuna to Lock 7 behind Jeff Blatnick Park is also a great sightseeing stretch with a nice view at the end.

  • I take smaller trips, a few hours at a time. Living in Albany now I usually hop on the trail from Jennings Landing at the Corning Preserve, or take the short drive to Waterford if I want a gravel run.

  • The segments that need work are the parts on public roads, parts of the trail in Green Island, Waterford and Schenectady for instance don’t make it obvious where the trail continues, and feels unsafe with traffic especially on a bicycle.

  • I am excited to see more community building around the trail!

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