Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Saratoga Springs Area

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Saratoga Springs Area

Saratoga Spa State Park
Saratoga Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Geyser Trail: Red blaze
Ferndell Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.1 Miles

Pros: Historic area with springs and geyser
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sL5LbpCgVEiJdVtb8

I made a trip to Saratoga Springs to see the springs and the natural geyser. I went to Saratoga Spa State Park and parked on Geyser Loop Road, and took the Geyser Trail across Geyser Brook. I passed many of the famous springs in the park, including Karista, Hathorn, Polaris, and Hayes Springs, and got to taste some of them. They tasted terrible but the natural carbonation was very cool.

I then went to the island spouter, a geyser that was shooting about 15 feet into the air constantly. Apparently this isn't considered a geyser scientifically, but rather a spouter, because its the carbonation that pressures the water into the air as opposed to volcanic activity.

I then continued to the Orenda spring tufa formation, which was really cool, and then climbed up to the top of the ridge and visited the Orenda Spring. I then continued north towards the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and then visited the Hall of Springs area and then went back to the Geyser Trail. I headed south and then at the Columbia area I cut across back to Geyser Valley, and took the Ferndell Trail through the valley to the Ferndell Spring, which was dry. I then cut across along one of the unmarked trails and visited the Tallulah Spring and then the Shonts Spring, and then headed back to my car.