Geiser Preserve

The Geiser Preserve is beautiful woodland of 95 acres, high on the Rensselaer Plateau. The access route  follows a level dirt road (Lindeman Road) through attractive woods. The preserve has only one trail, a short section of the old Eastern Turnpike of 1802. Elevations here range from 1600 to 1900 feet. The forest consists of sugar maple, American beech, and eastern hemlock. The understory is full of witch hobble, striped maple, and an incredible carpet of ferns. Fern gathering for florists was one of the sources  of income for Plateau residents years ago. There are small wetlands and rocky knolls within the preserve. There are a number of seasonal flowers. Jack-in-the-pulpit and many violets are found in the spring, and asters, white snakeroot, and goldenrods in the late summer and fall. Ferns include royal, interrupted, lady, wood, marginal shield, Christmas, maidenhair, hay-scented, bracken, and grape. From the highest elevation on the former Turnpike, in the preserve, you can bushwhack to the north, following the height of land and reach the summit of Perigo Hill. It is a rocky ascent, and difficult to see  your footfalls in the abundance of ferns. In late fall and winter the view is well worth the effort. If you  bushwhack, take along a compass. The Conservancy has plans to mark trails through the area in the future. The roads are good for cross-country skiing. The preserve was a gift of Ruth Nevin, a former Taborton teacher, who purchased the land in 1932. She remembers school picnics there when the land was open and the views superb. The name "Geiser" was chosen in memory of her parents. In the past, gathering of ferns and club mosses for holiday greens was a  substantial cottage industry in this part of the County. Permission of the RLT is required for access. Property owned by the RLT.