The Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway is reviewing and updating our corridor management plan (CMP).  As a part of this process we will be seeking public comment and suggestions through a series of virtual public workshops starting on May 4 from at 7 PM.  The workshops will continue with the second on May 25 at 7 PM and on June 15 at 10 AM.

The first workshop will focus on the eastern portion of the corridor including Cohoes, Waterford, and parts of the Towns of Colonie and Halfmoon.  The second on May 25 will focus on the western portion of the Byway including the towns of Niskayuna, Glenville, and the city of Schenectady.  The third and final session June 15 will focus on the central portion of the Byway including the Towns of Halfmoon, Colonie, and Clifton Park.

The general public is welcome and encouraged to attend any one or all of these workshop sessions. Please join us for one or more of our public workshops on the Mohawk Towpath Byway Corridor Management Plan.  They will be by Zoom on Tuesday, May 4 at 7 PM focusing on the eastern portion of the Byway; Tuesday, May 25 at 7 PM on the Western part; and Tuesday, June 15 at 10 AM on the central portion of the Byway.  We plan to use this link. One can also call in on +1 646 876 9923 and join us by using meeting ID: 818 4849 0741 and passcode: 935642.Keep in mind that we may change this link if security becomes an issue.

To obtain a copy of the most recent draft of the CMP email the Byway organization.

The Mohawk Towpath Byway is a series of local, county and state highways that follow the historic route of the Erie Canal between Schenectady and Waterford/Cohoes in upstate New York. As one travels the Byway you unlock the story of the Mohawk River, Erie Canal, the waterway west and the part our communities played in the westward expansion of the country and the Industrial Revolution.

“Our original Corridor Management Plan, adopted in 2002, has served us well, guiding us to success on many levels.  It is our hope that the updated plan will provide a community roadmap for the next 20 years and beyond,” says Eric Hamilton, Executive Director for the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition.

“We are hoping to have ideas and suggestions from a broad cross section of businesses and not-for-profits that serve the Capital Region Area,” emphasizes Peter Bardunias of the Capital Region Chamber.  “Of particular interest are those who cater to visitors to the area as well as those in our communities to make this a better place to live, work, and play.”

“Thousands of hours of volunteer time on the Mohawk Towpath Byway has paid off in contributing an enhanced quality of life to our neighbors and visitors.  Our corridor management plan provides direction for this effort.  As we improve the visitor experience we also make our communities more livable, with better access to recreational opportunities, cultural attractions, and our natural environment,” adds Larry Syzdek who chairs the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition.

“This area is steeped in history,” says Paul Olund, President of the Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway. “In fact compared to the other 184 Nationally Scenic Byways ours has been referred to as the short byway with a long history!”

At the recent annual meeting of the Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Byway we elected John Loz as Vice President of the organization. John has been an active member for the past several years and was one of the key movers in establishing the very popular birding trail within the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve. This addition to our cell phone based self-guided tour was so successful that it garnered national attention through the National Scenic Byway Foundation.

Other officers and directors listed in the upper left of our home page were re-elected for another two year term. Our next meeting will be by Zoom on January 12, 2021 at 7 PM. Don’t miss this meeting we will have a presentation and discussion of our Corridor Management Plan (CMP). We need your vision and expectations!

Temperature was in low teens when I took this early morning shot. The air was calm except when disturbed by an occasional passing vehicle. When I turned around and faced into the sun I realized that there where snow flurries of large ice crystals precipitating!

What was happening is the warm moist air near the water surface was rising up the face of the escarpment below. No doubt the weak sunlight on the rock face below helped heat a bit as well. As the the warmer, moisture laden air crested the bluff it “supercooled”. Ice crystals started forming in the super saturated air and drifted over the landscape sparkling and diffusing the early morning light. As the crystals grew too heavy they precipitated onto the pavement where the melted or sublimated water started a new cycle.

I have felt a mist on my face on a cool, cloudless summer day when biking along this section of the Byway. I had assumed that a gentle breeze must be picking up water droplets from water cascading over the escarpment. Now I am convinced that it was just warm moist air from below being super- cooled at the crest of the escarpment and forming a mist.

A safety note. This is a great place to photograph a beautiful panorama on the Mohawk Towpath Byway. Several tips:

• Park well away from busy Riverview Road. I parked several hundred feet north on Knott Road and walked back. Or lift your bicycle to the other side of the guide rail.
• Wear bright clothing so that motorists can see you.
• Pick a light traffic time of day on a weekend.
• Listen and look both ways before any sudden moves.
• Bike right; walk left!