Hike the Perkins/Fahnestock/Charcoal Burners Trail Loop

This is one of my favorite hikes in the Clarence Fahnestock State Park. A real mixed bag but mostly very enjoyable. The trail starts at the Charcoal Burners Trailhead Route 301. There is only road side parking on a soft shoulder, both sides of the road.  After a short walk into the forest, you reach The start of the Perkins Trail marked with yellow discs.  This section is a little rocky until you arrive at a dirt road and open fields after .5 miles. Here the trail crosses private property by way of an easement. There is a gate you must pass through that gives access to the easement. Please be sure to re-lock the gate so the farmers do not have any livestock wonder off.  The views are beautiful as you pass through farmland and surrounding hills. The trail is a little difficult to follow here but is marked with yellow paint on rocks or posts. You eventually work through several fields with where sheep and goat herds can occasionally be seen and back into the forest.  After 2 miles from the trailhead, the Perkins trail drops down and follow Clove Creek for about 3/4 of a mile.  Here, the trail crosses Glynnwood Road and ascends for about 1/4 until you reach a trail junction with the Fahnestock Trail.  The Perkins Trail continues to the left and the Fahnstock Trail is to the right.  Turn right on Fahnestock marked with blue discs.

Stay on the Fahnestock Trail for 2 miles until you reach Beaver Pond.  This is a nice place for lunch.  Just before you reach Beaver Pond, the Fahnestock Trail joins with the Charcoal Burners Trail for a 1/4 until they split. Take the Charcoal Burners trail (marked by red discs) for another 1.5 miles and you will arrive back at the trailhead.

A very enjoyable hike with not much elevation gain.  While the loop does not have many view points, it is still very scenic, passing through open fields, along forest streams and ponds.  It is a very good hike in autumn to view the fall colors.