Fall Bulletin 2019
Exploring the region: Windham Mtn from the Blackhead Range. (Photo by Martha Waldman)
ANNUAL BANQUET, Sunday, October 27
Our guest speaker will be Richard “Rich” Guthrie, a well-known bird expert and retired NYS DEC biologist. You may have heard him as a popular guest commentator on WAMC radio’s call-in Vox Pop program on the topic of local birds or read his Times Union blog about birds. Please join us and enjoy listening to him give an interesting and informative presentation on birds.
Location: Moscatiello’s Italian Restaurant, 99 North Greenbush Rd (Rte. 4), Troy
Date & Time: Sunday, October 27, noon to 4 PM
Cost: $25 per person for a luncheon buffet
Registration Due Date: October 21
Registration contact: Margaret Parks at 518 250-5452 or margaretparks213@gmail.com
Mail your $25 check made out to Taconic Hiking Club to Margaret Parks, 9 Tokay Lane, Schenectady, NY 12309.
“Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired”
Taconic Hiking Club members Joanna Ezinga, Marcia Hopple, Jim Slavin and Martha Waldman are once again leading a class for Hudson Valley Community College's Creative Retirement Program called " Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" This is a great way for people that are new to hiking to learn more about appropriate clothing, gear, safety, how to read a map, and local hiking opportunities. Participants must register with HVCC, link above. Group size is 20-24, mostly beginning hikers, and runs from 10-noon. Fall dates and locations are as follows:
Wednesday, October 2, HVCC, Classroom
Wednesday, October 9, Peebles Island
Wednesday, October 16, Kinderhook Preserve
Wednesday, October 23, TCT Snow Hole from Petersburg Pass
Please contact Joanna at joanna@ezinga.net or 518-610-1355 if you are interested in assisting on any of the outings.
Volunteer Opportunity: End to End Challenge Publicity Volunteer
Consider helping us to update and distribute, mostly by email, promotional advertisements for the End to End Challenge to local news outlets and outdoor organizations. For more information contact Martha Waldman at marth829r@aol.com or 518 869 5109.
High Falls, a jewel in the High Falls Conservation Area in Philmont, NY. (Photo by Bob Armao)
Morning sun rays. (Photo by Martha Waldman)
Upcoming Outings
For the most up to date information and new outings check the Outings page of the Taconic Hiking Club website. Also check out the THC Facebook page to see pictures from past outings! Please take care to match your physical condition and abilities to the stated length and elevation gain of the outing you choose. It is your responsibility to have appropriate equipment and clothing for an outing. See you on the trail!
The club now has a rating system for the outings, from a C for the easiest to B-, B, B+, A to an A+ for the most difficult. See the outings page on the web site for the chart.
SEPTEMBER
Saturday, September 7: TCT #5 – Robinson Hollow in Stephentown, NY, to Madden Road in Hancock, MA, 6 miles. B
*TCT in a Year, series hike #5. Jointly sponsored by Rensselaer Land Trust, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, and the Taconic Hiking Club. This is our shortest section, but has a long steep ascent and descent at either end. The trail passes through hardwood forests, grassy knolls, and a bench along the trail.
For those aiming to complete the entire trail and receive the TCT cumulative summer trail patch, there is a 2.1 mile section along roads between the Madden Road and Potter Road trail-heads; this section can be hiked on your own, or before the following hike.
Leader: Nick Conrad. Questions? Contact Nick at NBconrad@.com Register online with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance HERE
Wednesday, September 11: Grafton State Park Trails C
We can loop lovely Shaver Pond then take the Little Johnny Trail. We will then cut off a connector trail to the water tower and pick up on a portion of the Lollipop trail back to our cars parked near the beach. There are nice mixed woods and wetlands to enjoy. While not steep in any place (no more than 300 to 400 feet vertical ascent), be prepared for some rocky and rooty sections of trail. Total distance will be 4+ miles.
Leader: Bob Armao bob_armao@yahoo.com 518 322-6889
Monday, September 23 - Erie Canal Trailway: Cycle -Schenectady Community College to Rotterdam Junction Mabie Farm. (14 miles RT) (rain date Weds, 9/25)
This cycle features a ride with great scenic views of the Mohawk Valley and the Mohawk River. We will begin at the SCCC parking lot and ride west, stopping at Rotterdam Kiwanis Park on the river. We will have to cross a RR track and ride a mile or so on 5S in Lower Rotterdam Junction to visit the Schenectady Historical Society at Mabie Farm and connect to 2 more miles of the trail. Bring lunch and water. Meet in SCCC parking lot where bike trail enters the lot.
Contact Sharon Bonk, scbonk@gmail.com, 518-674-0042 to register.
Wednesday, September 25: Yokun Ridge Hike, Lenox MA B
From the Olivia’s Overlook parking area, we will cross the road, hike the Burbank Trail, drop down on Baldhead to a mountain bike trail which comes out below Monk's Pond, go down and cross Lenox Mountain Rd onto the Brothers Trail. Then depending on time, we will either hike straight up Charcoal Trail (shorter version) or do the Charcoal Trail loop (longer version). The route may be modified prior to the hike depending on factors like trail condition, etc. Car pool possible from Park and Ride at Schodack Center. Meeting time at Olivia’s Overlook is 9:30; registration required. Estimated distance is 6-7 miles, cumulative elevation gain is approximately 1200+ feet.
Contact Leader to register: Ginny Akabane, email gakabane@hotmail.com
OCTOBER
Saturday, October 5: TCT #6 – Potter Road in Hancock, MA to south end (Route 20 near New Lebanon), 10.5 miles. B+
*TCT in a Year, series hike #6. Jointly sponsored by Rensselaer Land Trust, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, and the Taconic Hiking Club. This is our longest section, starting with a long steep ascent, and passing through Pittsfield State Forest and by Berry and Twin Ponds, with great views.
Leader: Nick Conrad. Questions? Contact Nick at NBConrad@msn.com or Karen Ross at kcoyross@aol.com. Register online with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance HERE
Wednesday, October 9, Peebles Island (Hiking Class)
This is the first hike of the "Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" HVCC/THC Creative Retirement class. Leaders: Joanna Ezinga, Marcia Hopple, Jim Slavin, and Martha Waldman. Volunteers are welcome to assist during the group hikes!
Contact: Joanna at joanna@ezinga.net or 518-610-1355 if you are interested in assisting.
Wednesday, October 16, Kinderhook Preserve (Hiking Class)
This is the second hike of the "Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" HVCC/THC Creative Retirement class. Leaders: Joanna Ezinga, Marcia Hopple, Karen Ross and Martha Waldman. Volunteers are welcome to assist during the group hikes!
Contact: Joanna at joanna@ezinga.net or 518-610-1355 if you are interested in assisting.
Saturday, October 19: South Taconic Trail (southern end) B
We will hike on the new southern extension of the South Taconic Trail. The trail starts at the south end of Taconic State Park in Millerton. The new trail will take us by a couple pretty waterfalls, where we will cross the streams, and two open viewpoints. New, lightly trod trails are so refreshing! Hopefully the weather will cooperate this time! Total 8 miles round trip with a cumulative gain of about 1700 feet. Contact leader with recent hiking experience and for meeting time and location.
Leader: Martha Waldman email: martha829r@aol.com or phone: 518 869 5109. Co-Leader: Cliff Prewencki: email: cprewencki@aol.com
Monday, October 21 WEST KILL MOUNTAIN B
At an elevation of 3,891 feet, this is the 6th highest Catskill Peak. This will be a thru hike covering 8 miles and involving 1,800 feet of climbing. We’ll start at the first parking lot on the Spruceton Road and continue to our spotted car further down the road at the Hunter Mountain trail head parking lot. Contact leader for meeting time and location.
Leader & Reservations: David Pisaneschi, dapadk@gmail.com or 518 227-5630
Monday, October 21 - Erie Canal Trailway - Cycle: Pattersonville to Schoharie Crossing ( 24 miles RT) (rain date Weds, 10/23) B
This ride features the newest local section of the E. C. Trailway, an additional trailhead and paved trail 4 miles west of Pattersonville where it then meets the not so newly paved part that takes us to Amsterdam. In Amsterdam we will stop to explore the riverfront park with a pedestrian bridge (bring your lock) over the old canal. We will then return to the trail and ride to Schoharie Crossing/Ft. Hunter New York State Historic Site. Lunch spot. Option to continue a bit further for ice cream! Return via same route with a stop at canal lock between Amsterdam and Pattersonville. Spoiler alert. The new section is pretty boring, an alee through shrubbery with very limited views of the Mohawk but great views of two working cement plants.
Meet at Pattersonville Trailhead on NY Rte 5S, about a mile beyond the RR trestle. Take 890 to exit 1A (Amsterdam), drive west through Lower Rotterdam Junction and Pattersonville to trail head parking lot on right.
Contact Sharon Bonk, scbonk@gmail.com, 518-674-0042 to register.
Friday, October 25 Greylock via The Gould Trail B+
The Gould Trail makes a beeline for Greylock’s summit (3491’) from the east side, with a trailhead south of Adams, MA off Route 8. It’s a fine trail with good footing that meets Rockwell Road near the summit and then merges with the A.T. to the top. Bascom Lodge stays open through October, and you can even order lunch there—and it’s good! See BascomLodge.net. Expect about 6 miles and 2050’ of vertical to reach this highest summit in Massachusetts. You can also expect snow or ice up there at this time of year.
Leader: Karen Ross kcoyross@aol.com 518 794-7474.
Wednesday, October 23, TCT Snow Hole from Petersburg Pass (Hiking Class)
This is the third hike of the "Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" HVCC/THC Creative Retirement class. Leaders: Joanna Ezinga, Marcia Hopple, Jim Slavin, Martha Waldman. Volunteers are welcome to assist during the group hikes! (tentative location).
Contact: Joanna at joanna@ezinga.net or 518-610-1355 if you are interested in assisting.
ANNUAL BANQUET, Sunday, October 27:
Speaker: Our speaker will be Richard “Rich” Guthrie, a well known bird expert and retired NYS DEC biologist. You may have heard him as a popular guest commentator on WAMC radio’s call-in Vox Pop program on the topic of local birds or read his Times Union blog about birds. Please join us and enjoy listening to him give an interesting and informative presentation on birds!
Location: Moscatiello’s Italian Restaurant, 99 North Greenbush Rd (Rte. 4), Troy
Date & Time: Sunday, October 27, noon to 4 PM
Cost: $25 per person for a luncheon buffet
Registration Due Date: October 21
Registration contact: Margaret Parks at 518 250-5452 or margaretparks213@gmail.com
Mail your $25 check made out to Taconic Hiking Club to Margaret Parks, 9 Tokay Lane, Schenectady, NY 12309.
NOVEMBER
Monday, November 4 DOME SUMMIT B
Following the Dome Trail, we’ll climb to the 2,748 feet summit. The birch, maple, beech, and oaks of the lower slops transition to a distinctly Laurentian plateau with boreal forest near the summit. The summit offers magnificent views of the entire north Berkshire region, including Pine Cobble, the Greylock Range and Taconic Range. This will be a round trip of 5.2 miles, so there’s no need to hurry on this hike. Total elevation gain will be about 1,500 feet. Contact leader for meeting time and location.
Leader & Reservations: David Pisaneschi, dapadk@gmail.com or 518 227-5630
Wednesday, November 13: Pittsfield State Forest B
This hike will include two loop trails, which both go up and back down. The first, before lunch, wends its way back and forth, as it goes up. We will descend on the Lulu Brook Trail which is narrow and has oak leaves on top of roots and rocks, so if you have balance issues, you may want at least one pole, or you can grab a substantial stick in the woods if you don't want to carry a pole the whole time. Enjoy lunch at the Lulu Cascade parking area. The second loop, after lunch, is like a staircase, up, then flat, up, then flat...The afternoon loop will take about an hour. Neither is loop particularly steep. As usual, bring water, poles if you use them, snack, lunch and tick spray. Car pool possible from Park and Ride at Schodack Center. Meeting time at the Lulu Cascade parking area is 9:30; registration required. Approximately 7.75 miles with 1100 feet of cumulative gain.
Contact Leader to register: Ginny Akabane, email gakabane@hotmail.com
Monday, November 25: Sarah Tenney Trails, Williamstown MA C+
The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation offers a variety of hiking options. We can start on the Sarah Tenney trail about 1.5 miles past Petersburg Pass and follow trails on both sides of the road, including a trek through Treadwell Hollow. We have some flexibility, on the exact route and distance, depending on conditions and preferences of the group. We could spot a car at Petersburg Pass to make it more of a through hike. I anticipate total hiking distance of 4 to 6 miles with relatively modest vertical ascent (less than 1000 feet).
Leader: Bob Armao bob_armao@yahoo.com 518 322-6889
DECEMBER
Tuesday December 10 HOPKINS MEMORIAL FOREST to SNOW HOLE B
Starting from the Rosenburg Center we’ll hike the Lower Loop and Birch Brook trails to the TCT and continue to the Snowhole. We’ll return via the Upper Loop back to the Rosenburg Center. Round trip distance will be about 10 miles with a 1,500+ feet elevation gain. Contact leader for meeting time and location.
Leader & Reservations: David Pisaneschi, dapadk@gmail.com or 518 227-5630
*TCT in a Year series: Taconic Crest Trail in One Year, 2019, is Sponsored by Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT), Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) and Taconic Hiking Club. We will hike the entire 37 miles of the Taconic Crest Trail in six separate hikes between May and October. Join us for one, some or all of the sections! If you complete the entire trail (with us and/or on your own), you can receive a summer cumulative TCT patch from the Taconic Hiking Club. All hikes have long steep uphill and/or downhill sections over rocky ground. Wear boots or sturdy shoes. Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Registration is required. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person to the RLT or RPA. All hikes are included within the outings listed above.
Click here for PDF copy of bulletin Click here for a PDF of the Outing Rating Chart