December Newsletter 2021
Lake George from Buck Mtn. in mid November, pic by M Waldman
WHERE TO XC SKI NEAR AND AROUND THE TACONIC RANGE
The snow-guns are busy at the downhill areas, the ice is setting up on the ponds as we write, and we’ve just had our first good snowstorm that dumped up to a foot of snow on the Taconics! Besides getting all the xc equipment surveyed and sharpened, it’s good to know what xc resources are available within a reasonable driving distance of the Taconic Crest Trail. Organized loosely from north to south through the region, this summary includes both groomed and ungroomed areas, focusing on beginner and intermediate terrain—no steep descents, no cornice jumping, no backcountry unmarked trails.
- Pine Ridge XC Ski Area: https://pineridgexc.com/events-news/ This area located in Petersburg, NY on the Rensselaer Plateau is blessed with good upland snows and a nice cozy lodge. Rentals and lessons are offered and sometimes it’s open at night!! At least a dozen trails offer terrain for all levels.
- Hopkins Memorial Forest: https://hmf.williams.edu/ Hopkins Memorial Forest is a 2600 acre reserve in Massachusetts, New York and Vermont managed by the Williams College Center for Environmental Studies (CES). It offers about 12 miles of trails open to the public for walking, skiing and snowshoeing. The rolling four and a quarter mile figure eight loop is ideal in the winter for classical cross country skiing. And the woods are gorgeous.
- Field Farm, Williamstown, MA: Field-Farm-Trail-Map (thetrustees.org) On this Trustees of Reservations property you’ll find more than 300 acres and 4 miles of easy trails with open fields, woods, and wetlands. Plus, there’s a B&B run by TTOR, so stay awhile!
- Greylock Glen trails: http://greylockglenresort.com/the-site/greylock-glen-trails These trails loop around some very nice easy and view-laden terrain. The Moser Farm Trail and the two Meadows trails on that south side of the Glen offer nice skiing as does the Glen Meadow loop on the north side of Gould Road, where the views of the big eastern slide create a dramatic background to an easy 2-mile loop. Look for big changes at the Glen as Massachusetts moves forward with plans for an environmental center. Here’s some background to bring you up to date: Here’s some background to bring you up to date: https://www.berkshireeagle.com/news/local/state-releases-6-5m-for-greylock-glen-rec-center-work-to-start-this-year/article
- Greylock’s Rockwell Road: If you’re feeling ambitious and conditions are just right—not icy, not too deep, not too thin--you can have a fine time skiing up Rockwell Road. Park at the Visitor’s Center in Lanesborough and head up towards the summit. You don’t have to do the whole road trip with its 2000’ of vertical, but you can do 2 miles to Rounds Rock, go further to Jones Nose, and turn around whenever you feel like it and glide at a very nice pitch back down.
- Cherry Plain State Park: Cherry Plain State Park Trail Map (ny.gov) This park is located off Rt. 22 in Petersburg but is well south of Rt. 2. With 175 acres and a Lakeside Trail that runs along Black River Pond, you can enjoy views of ice fisherman freezing out on the ice while you are keeping warm in motion on skis.
- Pittsfield State Forest (east side): https://www.trailforks.com/region/pittsfield-state-forest/ The best xc skiing is in the lower elevation parts of the park and also on the east side of the circuit drive on newly made convoluted looping bike trails. You can park at the main lodge and duck across the street to meander along these trails that cross brooks and border wetlands. The trails on the lower right side of the map (Bear Claw etc.) are best for skiing.
- Canoe Meadows: https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/canoe-meadows This Mass Audubon property in Pittsfield, MA is popular for its wildlife and birding and in winter is a peaceful lovely easy system of 3 miles of trail. Well-known as a gathering place for local Mohicans along a bend of the Housatonic River, Canoe Meadows holds deep local history.
- Hancock Shaker Village trails along Shaker Brook: Holy Mount via Shaker Trail - Massachusetts | AllTrails On the north side of Rt. 20 opposite Hancock Shaker Village is a trail that runs pretty much on the level along Shaker Brook. Hikers go east to climb Shaker Mountain and loop west to climb Holy Mountain, but in between the brookside trail continues and you can take the easy CCC trail as well.
- Albany-Hudson Electric Trail - https://empiretrail.ny.gov/poughkeepsie-albany/kinderhook-nassau Nassau north and south: This 10-mile Empire State Trail (AHEC) section runs from the City of Hudson to the City of Rensselaer. Pick up the trail in Nassau, NY and go north or south for some lovely woods and stops (at least south) in town. South is flat; north undulates. Enjoy part of the new 750-mile trail NYS had the foresight and funding to create.
- Ashuwillticook Rail Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/massachusetts/ashuwillticook-rail-trail It doesn’t get any flatter than this 10.8 one-way rail trail from Lanesborough, MA to Adams, MA. It offers fine views of the Cheshire Reservoir and Greylock Range—and there’s coffee to be had in the town of Adams!
Notchview, pic by K Ross
If you want to go a little farther out beyond the Taconics, there are several places to investigate. One is Prospect Mtn. http://prospectmountain.com/ in southern Vermont just east of Bennington on Rt. 9, and it’s famous for getting the best snow in the region and for the good food. Here the trails are groomed and you can rent equipment. The second is Notchview, https://thetrustees.org/place/notchview/ a Trustees of Reservations property located in Windsor, MA that has many miles of groomed and tracked trails that wind through gorgeous forests and climb hills for great views. The lodge has a Scandinavian woodstove with warm soapstone seating! Third is Canterbury Farm https://www.canterbury-farms.com/ in Becket, MA not far from the Mass Pike Lee entrance, also with groomed trails and equipment rentals. It is a cozy friendly place.
Needless to say, there’s no excuse for staying in when there’s snow in the Taconics!
THE NORTHEAST 8 CHALLENGE (without the Ultra)
There is a new challenge for hikers which includes the Taconic Crest Trail. We previously reported on the Northeast Ultra 8 Challenge which required the hiker to complete each of the 8 hikes within 24 hours. The new Northeast 8 Challenge is easier, allowing you to take your time and section hike the trails. You can finish each within a few days or take a few years! It is at your pace, your choice.
There is a green summer patch, awarded for completing the trails in the non-winter months. There is also a Gold patch, awarded for completing all 8 trails in the summer and winter. The following is a list of the hikes, in order of hardest to easiest. Living in this area, some of us have hiked some if not all of a few of these trails.
The Mahoosuc Traverse - Maine/ New Hampshire
The Cranberry 50 - New York
The Pemi Loop - New Hampshire
The Taconic Crest Traverse - New York/ Massachusetts/ Vermont
The Saranac 6 - New York
The Presidential Traverse - New Hampshire
The Great Range Traverse - New York
The Devils Path - New York
Learn more at this link: https://northeastultra8.com/
Not up to doing all 8 trails? Consider the THC Taconic Crest Trail summer and winter challenges on our website Trail Patches — Taconic Hiking Club
So, plan your hike, put on your hiking boots, and start hiking!
Please note that the Taconic Hiking Club is not affiliated with notheastultra8.com.
BERLIN PASS TRAIL: Now you can keep your feet dry at the beginning of the Berlin Pass Trail! Williamstown Rural Lands (WRL) rerouted the trail then installed two boardwalks and a series of five rock staircases at the beginning of Berlin Pass Trail. The trail starts at the large parking area at the end of Berlin Rd, (also referred to on maps as Torrey Woods Road off Rt. 2 just west of Rt. 7) Williamstown. The boardwalks and 10 stepping-stones were installed by WRL volunteers in August. The rock staircases were made by a WRL Student Conservation Association group in September and October. All of this was thanks to a Mass Trails Grant.
Boardwalk and stepping-stones on Berlin Pass Trail, pic by M Waldman
First of 5 rock staircases on Berlin Pass Trail, pic by M Waldman
The Berlin Pass Trail is the keystone of the Berlin Mountain Recreation Area’s (BMRA) trail network, and it is also the area’s most forgiving approach to the Berlin Mountain summit. The BMRA was created in 2019 when landowners along Berlin Road in Williamstown partnered to manage the area cooperatively for year-round, multi-use passive recreation. Williamstown Rural Lands led the way as the Town of Williamstown, Williams College, and Berkshire Natural Resources Council joined together behind this common goal.
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. (Thank you to all who have already renewed!)
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.
Wednesday, December 1: Huyck Preserve – Rensselaerville B
Saturday, December 11: Thacher State Park, South: C+/B-
Monday, December 13: Greylock Glen Trails, North Adams MA C+/B-
Friday, December 17; Kinderhook Preserve, East Nassau C
Saturday January 1: Pine Bush Preserve – Albany B-
Saturday, January 22: Grafton Lakes State Park CABIN FEVER EVENT
Harvey Mountain, pic by S Bonk
Berlin Mtn. 11/15/21, pic by K Ross
Berlin Mtn. 11/18, what a difference a few days make! Pic by M Waldman