November Newsletter 2021
Tilden Swamp, muted fall colors around the pond created by a beaver dam, Pittsfield State Forest outing, pic by M Waldman
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) threatens the health of the beautiful and important hemlock stands on the Taconic Crest, the Rensselaer Plateau and elsewhere in the region. The Taconic Hiking Club initiated a training session by PRISM – Partners for Invasive Species Management at Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP). Seven THC members attended the training session on October 19, 2021. Employees from GLSP and people from other organizations on the Plateau also attended.
We learned how to identify the hemlock tree as well as the HWA, when is the best time to inspect for the pest (November thru March, never in April), and what integrated treatment options exist, including chemical and biological controls. We also learned how to use the IMapInvasives app for NYS to report specific locations if HWA is found. A field exercise followed the classroom portion of the training.
According to the NYS Hemlock Initiative of Cornell University, the “Eastern hemlock is New York’s third most common tree species and a foundation species in our forests. Hemlocks are important for maintaining healthy wildlife habitats as well as human interests such as clean freshwater resources.” Not every hemlock can be saved but those of significant importance will be targeted for saving. There is hope that with early identification and new integrated treatments, the advance of HWA north can be slowed and the most important hemlocks can be saved.
We had limited seats in the class, so the event was not widely advertised. If you are interested in attending a training session and inspecting for HWA contact Martha Waldman at taconichikingclb@gmail.org
Resources include: NY's invasive species database and mapping system | NY iMapInvasives www.capitalregionprism.org https://blogs.cornell.edu/nyshemlockinitiative/ and https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4969.html
Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP) Trails Council Meeting
The semi-annual Trails Council Meeting was held on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. The committee includes GLSP management and staff, the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park, the Taconic Hiking Club, Grafton Trail Riders and Grafton Trail Blazers. Martha Waldman represented the Taconic Hiking Club.
During the past year GLSP has been aggressively upgrading trail markings and working on other trail improvements. Staff and volunteers have finished upgrading trail markings on all the trails on the south side of Rte. 2, the Dunham Reservoir section. Many of the trails in the rest of the park, like Little Johnny, Long Pond, Shaver and Water Tower have also had trail markers added. Conklin Pass and White Lily will be completed before hunting season and the Granville Hicks Trail will be done by wintertime. At the north end of Long Pond Trail the two new turnpikes have been completed, and the board walk has been doubled in size to one hundred feet. Guard rails were installed along the boardwalk where needed. Grit will be added to the planks to provide better traction.
GLSP has big plans for next year also. There are a few offset trail junctions that need to be reoriented so that they end on opposite sides of a road or trail from each other. The ends of Mill Pond Trail and Second Pond trails will be relocated so they come out across from each other at North Long Pond Rd. Some informational signs, such as the Fire Tower and the Granville Hicks signs, will to be relocated to more user-friendly spots. There was a discussion on which trails to target next to address wet or rooty areas, by installing turnpikes, planking or other remediation options to harden trails. Upgrades to parking areas will need additional funding.
Volunteer Recognition
This year our dedicated volunteers are receiving blaze orange vests with Taconic Hiking Club Volunteer printed on the front. We will also be giving these vests to people who volunteer to help with the End-to-End Event in 2022.
Walt Addicts was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award this year for all of the trail work he does. A group of us, including Walt, were scheduled to attend the Earth Day Event at GLSP this May. Because it was forecast to be near freezing, with chance of showers all of us except Walt cancelled out! He has put in over 83 hours of trail work, fighting invasive pricker bushes and other trail work on the Rte. 346 end of the trail and helping on other sections of the trail as well as joining two GLSP trail work events.
Many thanks to all our dedicated and hardworking volunteers!!! It is not easy to select a single person out of all the other dedicated trail workers, outings leaders, board and committee members! We are so very thankful for everyone’s help.
Views from the Taconic Crest Trail (TCT) and nearby trails
The leaves are coming down, and while this might be something to regret, it provides opportunities for expanded vistas at existing overlooks and new views from ridges. November can have some beautiful days with soft light, moderate temperatures, and that gorgeous glow of the leftover yellows and oranges on the trails. Whether filtered or unfiltered, these views offer much to delight the eye this time of year.
Here is a selection of hikes that take advantage of views that open up in the late fall. Enjoy!
Hike the TCT from the parking area at the top of Petersburg Pass (Rte. 2) north towards the Snow Hole. Almost immediately (.1 mile in) on the left is a short trail to an expansive view west. Beyond are the White Rocks overlooks on the left at 2.6 miles, shortly after the trail re-enters NYS from Vermont. You can continue another .4 miles past these overlooks and take a short trail to the right to check out the cold rock cleft called the Snow Hole. Most people turn back here, but you can continue another 0.5 miles to a bench overlooking Pownal Vermont and views of Vermont.
One more TCT outing for views is on the TCT trail north along the ridge that overlooks the Pownal Valley in Vermont. The “Pownal Overlook” is a great place to stop for a rest or snack if you’re coming north approximately 6 miles from Petersburg Pass or going south about 2 miles (with a good climb) from the trail head on Rte. 346. You can combine all the views in outing described above and this one with a through hike.
View towards Rensselear Plateau from the first overlook above Petersburg Pass on the TCT.
On a new property owned by Williamstown Rural Lands south of Rt. 2, the 1.3-mile Tenney Hill Trail winds along a circular ridge from which filtered views down into the valley can be seen before the trail descends to Bee Hill and then Berlin Road. Directions to the trail head: from the top of Petersburg Pass on Rte. 2 drive 1.9 miles east (down) to a pull off on the right; from Williamstown, take Rte. 2 from the junction of Rtes. 2 and 7 by the A Frame Bakery, go about 2.3 miles and use the pull-off on the left. From there walk down the road to the end of the guardrail and turn right into the woods. The Tenney Hill Trail will go to the left.
Also heading north .4 miles on the TCT from the parking area at the top of Petersburg Pass (Rte.2) take a right onto the Shepherd’s Well Trail. Here, after winding through woods, you’ll come to open blueberry fields that provide incredible views of the Greylock Range and a good sampling of the TCT “neighborhood,” including Berlin Mountain, Mount Raimer, the old Williams ski area, and Petersburg Pass. This becomes the RRR Brooks Trail that descends gently to Rt. 2, across from a parking area at 1.9 miles east of the parking at Petersburg Pass. Spot a car there for an enjoyable vista.
View towards Greylock from Shepard’s Well Trail. Pic by M Waldman
Another nice view on the TCT is on the descent from Berry Pond in Pittsfield State Forest heading north. Spot a car at Potter Mountain Rd in Hancock MA and park at Berry Pond on the Circuit Road, head north for the incredible view west from just above the road on Berry Hill and continue skirting the azalea field into the woods along a ridge that descends to Potter Mountain Road in Hancock. There are nice, filtered views along the way.
Renew your membership for 2022 now!
You may renew online or by mail. Be sure to update changes in your contact information: email, phone, or address.
To renew a membership by credit card or PayPal, go to the membership page of the Taconic Hiking Club website, or click here https://taconichikingclub.org/membership
To renew by mail, make out a check payable to the “Taconic Hiking Club” in the amount of $10. (per person). Send completed check to:
Taconic Hiking Club
c/o Sue Jordan - Membership Chair
276 South Manning Blvd
Albany, NY 12208
OUTINGS: Refer to the THC website outings page for details about the outings and how to register. We are scheduling on a short-term basis rather than seasonally, so check the website periodically.
Thursday, November 4: Sarah Tenney - TCT - Shepherds Well Loop Hike B
Wednesday, November 17 Harvey Mountain Loop Hike, Austerlitz C+
Thursday, November 18: Berlin Pass Loop B
Sunday, November 28: Alfred Springs, Alford MA B-
Thursday, December 2: Huyck Preserve – Rensselaerville B
Friday, December 17; Kinderhook Preserve, East Nassau C
Pittsfield State Forest, overlook on Berry Hill, pic by K Ross
Ashulwillticook Rail Trail, pic submitted by S Bonk
Platt Clove, pic by M Waldman
Sharon shared this from her trip to Turkey
Grafton Lakes State Park outing, pic by P Grogan
Lulu Brook Trail, PSF, pic by M Waldman