512 Gage Road, Cherry Valley, New York
277 Doc Ahlers Road, Cherry Valley, NY
There are two trails at Lordsland accessed from different roads. The Beaver Pond Trail is blazed orange is a continuous loop from the trail kiosk on Gage Road. The forested path crosses several small streams and passes along the west side of the beaver pond. The Old Stone Forest Path is blazed blue and and is an a continuous loop from the trail kiosk on Doc Ahlers Road. The trail leads through a young forest, passing vernal pools, and runs close to the east side of the beaver pond. Each trail is .75 miles.
The 80-acre preserve was given to The Nature Conservancy New York Chapter in 1971 by Mrs. Louise Moore. The preserve’s name is said to originate with Mrs. Moore’s reference to the area as “the land of the Lord.” Otsego Land Trust acquired the property in March 2019 from the Nature Conservancy.
The Old Stone Forest Path or Blue Trail starts out through a mixed forest, then turns downhill toward the beaver ponds and loops back to the starting point. The trail was blazed by the Otsego Land Trust in March 2022 using funds raised for Otsego Outdoors by 16-year-old Henry Horvath, who initiated a fundraiser for local trails as part of his 2021 summit of Denali in Alaska. The new trail kiosks, built by SUNY Delhi, were also paid for with these funds.
How to get to the Old Stone Forest Path
Follow directions to the West Trail at 512 Gage Road, Roseboom and continue until you reach Doc Ahlers and make a right. Follow Doc Ahlers and look for the Trail Head on right at 277 Doc Ahlers Road.
A popular hunting ground with the Mohawk Indians, this land, except for the steep slopes, was cleared for agriculture in the early 1800s. Some farming continued in the 1960s. There are many reminders of former farming operations at this site, including old building foundations and unpruned apple trees. The highest quality known stand in New York State of Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium van-bruntiae), a globally rare plant, is located here.
Trail Map
What Octet-ers are saying:
10/19/24: “Orange Trail! Beautiful and crunchy leaves. The dog loved it. Very low water in pond.”
5/24/24: Startled a nesting robin in a bush near the trail edge and saw spring flowers.
