Much Ado About Glens Falls Feeder Canal Trail

I was pleased to see restaurants pop up along the trail.

I brought my bike along on an overnight camping trip with our boys and my parents. I woke by 6:20 and was on the bike by 6:30, planning to re-explore a trail from Lake George to Glens Falls in New York, a place I haven't been to in 10 years. After a false start, grunting up and down a steep paved portion, which turned out to be a golf course motorway (watch out for the carts!), I got back on track. 

I headed towards Glens Falls, specifically to explore the more rustic Feeder Canal Trail. I'd run out of time years ago and had to turn back, just when I discovered this lovely oasis. 

The surface is smooth stone dust and, as it's name implies, follows a narrow canal.

I wished I could've captured all the "ducks in a row".

I spooked two rabbits, a grazing woodchuck, and several ducks all lined up along the canal wall, as if convening for a morning conference before swim time. One brave soul stood his ground while I snapped his photo and remained when I rode past.

The trail crosses some bridges.

Griffin Oil Tanks.

This historic canal was once constructed for the lime industry; to move cargo from processing plant to New York City. There are remnants of a huge lumber company's buildings also, plus coal storage tanks undergoing preservation. I imagine Glens Falls was once an industrial city and the canal a noisy, dirty waterway.

A cement factory still hummed nearby. I crossed under a web of pipes.

I took care when cruising near the unprotected canal edge.

Historical signs line the trail.

A cement factory in the distance, busy on a Saturday morning.

New housing is nearly complete, signifying renewed appreciation for the area.

I passed several locks then a pretty park-like region, complete with man-made cataracts.

The falls are accessible by car for picnics or strolls along the trail.

The canal is overgrown in places, leaving foliage tunnels.

I crossed a cement bridge and ended my foray at a T-junction, approximately 3-miles along the Feeder Canal Trail. I turned around here, hungry for breakfast with 7-8 miles to cover back to the campground.

Turn right to continue to Fort Edward.

However, there are more miles to explore; connectors right and left lead to other communities. So many trails, so little time!

For information and map, visit the Feeder Canal Alliance website.