April Newsletter 2020
End-to-End Challenge postponed
Due to the COVID 19 crisis the Taconic Hiking Club is postponing the End to End event until May 8, 2021. Participants have been contacted to verify if they desire to stay on the list of participants or if they wish to withdraw. No surprise, they are opting to stay on the list! The existing wait list will be used to fill any openings. Many thanks to all of the volunteers that have dedicated time to planning this event and the many volunteers that offered to help before and during the event. We will also hold onto the names of these volunteers!
All of the outings through April have been cancelled. If needed we will cancel additional outings. But not to worry! Once the crisis is past our outings leaders will be anxious as you are to get back on the trail and socialize with others!
NYS Forest Action Plan, Public Meeting
Dave Pisaneschi, THC Trails Chair and Martha Waldman, THC President both attended the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation public meeting on the draft 10 year “Forest Action Plan” on February 26. The goals of the action plan are 1) keep New York’s forests as forests, 2) keep NY’s forests healthy, 3) ensure the forests benefit humans and all living creatures and 4) have people appreciate, support and protect NY’s forests. Goals and strategies were discussed, with input from the public (stakeholders) attending the meeting. There was a very good representation from local land conservancies, land trusts and environmental organizations in the audience. Dave Pisaneschi submitted written comments about the plan in relationship to the Taconic Highlands to DEC after to the meeting. You can find information on the Forest Action Plan at www.dec.ny.gov/lands/60829.html
Springtime is here, regardless!
Spring, with its promise of renewal may be the best season for us to be coping with the COVID 19 pandemic with the need for social distancing and uncertainty.
Spring! You can hear it: the birds are singing; the frogs are peeping. You can smell the earthworm smell after a rain. You can see it: birds are playing their mating games, tree buds are swelling, grass is greening up, and flowers are beginning to poke through the ground. Soon the coltsfoot, spring beauties, trout lilies, trillium, violets, and jack in the pulpits will be in bloom. Even in suburbia, the crocuses, forsythia, daffodil, tulips, and flowering trees will begin flowering. Renew your spirits, get out and enjoy the spring weather even if it is in your own yard or neighborhood!
Trail work
Many of our trail stewards have been out working on snow covered trails in February and March to clear blow-down from the trail in order to prepare for the End to End (Well, it needed to be done anyway!) and springtime in general.
Upcoming Outings Check the Outings page of the website for complete details. Please note that until the COVID 19 crisis is resolved, some of these outings may be cancelled. We hope to see you on the trail sometime soon!
Wednesday, May 13: Olana to Cedar Grove, a hike crossing the Hudson River.
Thursday, May 14: Albert Family Community Forest B-
Saturday, May 23: Mount Tremper – Fire Tower B+
Wednesday, May 27: Mount Greylock B+
Saturday 5/30 Ashokan Rail Trail bike ride B
Sunday May 31: THC Annual Pot-luck PICNIC, Grafton Lakes State Park
Tuesday, June 2: Berlin Mt. Loop, Williamstown MA B
Saturday June 13 Race Brook Falls & Mt Race B+
Saturday June 27 Alcove Reservoir Bike B
Hang Glider Overlook, Thacher State Park, 3/5/20. Pic by K Ross