July Newsletter 2021
View from Stoney Ledge, Greylock Reservation, left to right: Mt Prospect, Green Mtns in distance, Mt Williams and Mt Fitch. Pic by M Waldman
National Trails Day
On June 5, a group from the THC joined Grafton Lakes State Park (GLSP) and other volunteers for National Trails Day trail work. We were fortunate to have sunny and not too warm weather for the morning’s work. Here is a link to GLSP’s summary of the event with a few very nice photos. National Trails Day (graftonlakesstatepark.blogspot.com) It includes a great aerial view of Long Pond!
We added trail markers and did side trimming along Gartlers Trail between Rte. 2 and Dunham Reservoir. We were joined during our break at the reservoir by another trail work group, the Grafton Trail Riders. This group also partners with GLSP and routinely assists the park with trail maintenance. We enjoyed chatting with them and getting to know them. Our group had run out of nails just before we got there, so fortunately we were able to get some extra nails from the Trail Riders. Extra appreciation for Mike, who didn’t give up his hammer and finished the trail marking with the resupplied nails on the way back from the reservoir.
National Trails Day, pic by M Waldman
Dick Hughes Tribute Tree planted
We received the following email regarding the tribute tree the Club purchased in memory of Dick Hughes. We reported in the March Newsletter that Dick passed away in February. Dick was an active volunteer with the Club for several years. He was treasurer, membership chair, outings leader, trail worker, woodworker and maker of trail benches, as well as an editor of the old “A Trail Guide for the Taconic Crest Trail” (2002 through 2011) and he also GPS’d the trail for the multi-page maps used with the guide. In addition to his many contributions to THC, Dick was kind, genial, affable, and good-humored.
Dear Taconic Hiking Club,
Thank you again for the order you placed through Tribute Store in memory of Richard Hughes. This email is to let you know that your tree has been planted as part of a reforestation project taking place in the Idaho panhandle. This project is being led by American Forests in partnership with local organizations.
As climate change deepens its grip on the region, threats to forest health are growing more severe. The efforts of this reforestation project will boost the Idaho Panhandle National Forest’s long-term resilience to fire, drought, insect outbreaks and disease. This reforestation work will plant a total of 177,500 trees across the panhandle. A majority of the seedlings being planted are Western Larch. These trees can live up to 1000 years and are the ideal choice to plant in the region as they are able to persist even in poor soil and dry weather — conditions that could stunt or kill other trees.
Thank you again for your purchase in honor of Richard Hughes. Together, we’re helping to restore habitats like this one across North America.
TACONIC HIKING CLUB PARTNERS
This month we are featuring another of our Regional Conservation Partners, Mass Audubon, with a focus on the properties that are most accessible to our membership. These include Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, MA and Canoe Meadows in Pittsfield, MA. Both are an easy drive from the Albany area and feature a diverse array of trails and hiking, walking, or birding opportunities. In one outing you can experience forests, meadows, beaver wetlands, ponds, and views. A key piece of Mass Audubon’s 5-year agenda, according to its President, is to confront climate change, conserve more land to support vulnerable wildlife, and enable many more people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to connect with nature.
Lenox Mt summit at Plesant Valley. Pic courtesy Mass Audubon
With over 1400 acres Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (PV) at 472 West Mountain Road in Lenox https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/pleasant-valley/about offers over 7 miles of trails, including a .3 mile handicap accessible trail to a viewing platform that looks over a pond with an active beaver colony. You can also challenge yourself with a steep 850’ climb on a 3-mile RT hike to the top of Lenox Mountain (2,126 ft. elev.) where you can enjoy views of Mount Greylock to the north, the Taconic Range to the west, and the Catskills. Have fun planning your hike with this PV trail map: https://www.massaudubon.org/content/download/6934/127564/file/pleasant-valley-trail-map.pdf
The highlight of your visit might be the newly completed addition to the 18th century Program Barn, where visitors can look at interpretive maps and interact with educational displays. A back deck provides a good vantage point to the trail below. At PV parking is easy, restrooms are available, and there is a picnic area. There is a small admission charge for visitors. Do note—because this and other MAS properties function as sanctuaries for wildlife, dogs are not allowed at any time.
Program Barn at PV. Pic courtesy Mass Audubon
At Canoe Meadows, https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/canoe-meadows/about/trails, a unique “urban wildlife” sanctuary off Holmes Road in Pittsfield, gentle, flat trails wind through scenic woods, fields, and wetlands and along the Housatonic River. Bring your binoculars; it’s a mecca for birdwatching and is kid and family friendly. It offers three miles of well-marked walking trails including two loops. Take either the Sacred Way Trail along the river or the Wolf Pine Trail through shady hemlocks, making a side trip to a Wildlife Observation Building.
When you’re finished exploring these two sanctuaries, head to more Mass Audubon properties scattered throughout the state: https://www.massaudubon.org/
Boardwalk to Pikes Pond at PV. Pic courtesy Mass Audubon
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, July 7: Schenectady Community College to Rotterdam Junction – Cycle B-
Wednesday July 14: Dyken Pond C+
Wednesday, July 21: Ashokan Reservoir (near Kingston NY) - Cycle B
Thursday July 22: Greylock - Stoney Ledge and March Cataract Falls C (The banner picture above shows an example of the views from Stoney Ledge.)
Wednesday, July 28: Poestenkill Community Forest B-
Pictures from recent outings:
Canoe Meadows – Sacred Way Trail. Pic courtesy Mass Audubon
Five intrepid hikers strolled through beautiful Field Farm on a hot summer day. Pic by Peg Grogan.
It was a sweltering day for a cycle on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Pic submitted by P Grogan
View of Greylock Reservation from Field Farm. Pic by Peg Grogan.
An unexpected find on the hike through Field Farm. The group thought it may be a cattle skeleton, due to jaw size and shape. Pic by Peg Grogan.
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Pic by P Grogan