In the interior of the forest, there are several animals that need
a big range to thrive, including the coyote, bobcat, and black
bear. Encounters with these creatures are unlikely.
Getting There
Bobcat
Round Ball Mountain
503 Carson Road
Ancram, NY 12502
On the forest floor, several species of flowers and shrubs
thrive, including yellow wild indigo, spotted coralroot, and
witch hazel.
In the wetland, you can spot a number of different creatures,
such as the federally endangered bog turtle, two-lined and
dusky salamanders, and Fowler’s toads.
Site History
Round Ball Mountain was once home to chestnut trees as
large as six feet in diameter, which were harvested for their
nuts. Around 1912, the area was cleared for timber, likely for
charcoal, which was common practice in the area. Corn, rye,
and buckwheat were planted in the broad clearings, including at
the top of Round Ball Mountain. For most of the 20th century,
the area was solely inhabited by bobwhite, pheasant, fox,
owl, and rabbit. The forest regenerated so that by the 1940s,
according to aerial photographs, there was a closed-canopy
deciduous forest throughout the property.
Project History
In 2008, CLC purchased the original 105 acres of Round Ball
Mountain through a bargain sale, whereby the sellers donated
a portion of the land’s value. The purchase was possible with
assistance from private donors and a grant from the New York
State Environmental Protection Fund. We also thank the
Wellspring Foundation, and Greenagers, a Great Barringtonbased nonprofit, for partnering to provide youth with naturalresources based work experience maintaining the trails at
Round Ball Mountain. In 2012, CLC received a donation of
an additional 310 acres of land from the Baxt and Gilmore
families, considerably enlarging the site. These donations
created the extension from Catalano Road north.
Get in Touch
Image Shenandoah National Park
Bog Turtle
Image USACE
Yellow Wild Indigo
Columbia Land Conservancy
49 Main Street
Chatham, NY 12037
518.392.5252
[email protected]
www.clctrust.org
The Columbia Land Conservancy
works with the community to conserve
the farmland, forests, wildlife habitat,
and rural character of Columbia
County, strengthening connections
between people and the land.
All donations are tax-deductible to the
fullest extent of the law.
Image Katja Schulz
Public Conservation Area
Trail Guide & Map
Round Ball Mountain
Natural Communities
0.5 miles, 10 minutes
This trail takes you to a rustic observation area.
0.1
0.2
0.4
Enjoy Your Day,
Respect the Setting.
Miles
0.8
0.6
Red Trail
• Hours and fees. Round Ball Mountain is
open dawn to dusk. Admission is free.
Round Ball Mountain
Conservation Area
Ancram, New York
415 acres, 7.9 miles of trails, moderate to strenuous hiking
il
e
ng
ra
• Pets. All dogs must be on a leash and
owners must remove dog waste.
1270 feet
O
Tra
Purple Trail
0.75 miles, 20 minutes
P
This trail connects the original property with
the extension to the north, and traverses
through a mixed hardwood forest with rocky
outcroppings and views of local dairy farms, the
Taconic Range, and the Harlem Valley Wetland
Complex. The trail parallels beautiful stone
walls and crosses seasonal streams.
et
0 fe
11
This short spur connects the Red Trail to the
eastern wooded slope of the property.
4.1 miles including 0.5 miles on Catalano
Road, 2 hours
110
50
0.25 miles, 5 minutes
il
Trail
Blue
ue
Bl
Tra
1200 feet
Blue Trail
• Cars and parking. Park only in the
designated parking area.
Detailed View of Southern Portion of Site
fe
et
Yellow Trail
NYS Route
This trail traverses the steeper upland forests and
summits Round Ball Mountain.
• Trash. No receptacles are located onsite. Please take your trash with you.
22
Green Trail
0
1350 feet
Round Ball Mountain offers spectacular
views of the Harlem Valley and the
Taconic Mountains.
Green
Trail
1240 feet
Blue Trail
measures two
miles from
Catalano Road
to northern part
of property
Purple Trail
1320 feet
• Hunting is by permit only. Call CLC to
find out more.
I
ow
Yell
l
Trai
P
?
Carson Road
C
at
al
an
o
Love it Here?
Help Protect this Special Place!
Ro
ad
• Volunteer. Help with trail maintenance,
events, and office tasks.
Red Trail
2.0 miles, 60 minutes
This summit trail nearly crests Fox Hill, a local
geologic feature with an elevation of 1,346 feet.
• Respect the site and its visitors. Audio
equipment and radio use is allowed with
earphones only. Please respect the plants,
animals, and artifacts at the site, as they
are part of what makes these properties
special.
Legend
CLC Property
CLC Trail
Orange Trail
Stream
0.3 miles, 10 minutes
P
Parking
This shortcut connects the Red and Blue Trails.
?
Information Kiosk
I
Point of Interest
• Make a donation. More than 96% of
CLC’s budget comes from grants and
donations from people like you.