December Newsletter 2022

**View from Stoney Ledge, with a rare glimpse of blue sky that day. Pic by M Waldman**

2023/24 Taconic Hiking Club Board:

The following were elected at the Annual Banquet on November 6, 2022 to serve on the THC Board for the next two years: President - Martha Waldman, Vice President - Karen Ross, Treasurer - Leslie Siegard, and Secretary – Michelle Filiault. Volunteers continuing their Coordinator roles for 2023/24 include: Trails - Dave Pisaneschi, Membership - Sue Jordan, and Social - Margaret Parks. The group is looking forward to continuing efforts to grow the Club and increase member participation.

The January 2023 Newsletter will review the accomplishments of the past year and plans for next year.

Renew Your Membership for 2023 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, click here https://taconichikingclub.org/membership or go to the membership page of the Taconic Hiking Club website.

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

Balance Rock State Park

Our series on parks around the Taconic Range continues with Balance Rock State Park located in Pittsfield and Lanesborough, MA. Balance Rock State Park lies within the boundary of Pittsfield State Forest’s 11,000 acres and is featured on the northern section of its park maps. Pittsfield State Forest Trail Map

Although small, the Park has one unique and famous feature—the Balanced Rock!

This park is named after a 165-ton boulder that appears to be precariously balanced on top of a slab of bedrock. It is 30 feet long, 15 feet wide, and beckons one to try to tip it over. Many have tried. But this boulder has actually been here in this position since the last glacial era. As ice moved across the landscape, it picked up debris and "pebbles" such as this large stone. When the glaciers retreated, Balance Rock was left in place, anchored by its own weight.

Visitors from the early 1800s climbed it and carved graffiti into the stone. Modern visitors continue to do the same.

The park is easily accessible, with close seasonal parking to make a visit easy for kids or older visitors. While once located in an open field it is now shaded by mature trees.

There is a short moderate hike that extends NNW from the boulder that features some nice stone walls, quartz rocks, and streams. Look for the old car from decades ago in the gully! This Balance Rock Loop Trail runs 1.8 miles with a minimal 104’ rise. https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7023915/balance-rock-loop-trail

The trail connects on a spur to the Potter Mtn. Trail and from there you can go up to the summit of Jiminy Peak.

Balance Rock is nicely described in the book Rockachusetts: An Explorer’s Guide to Amazing Boulders of Massachusetts, by Christy Butler and Russell Dunn. So, start your own rock exploration here with our local Balance Rock!

Outings: Refer to the THC website outings page for details about the outings and how to register. We schedule on a monthly and short-term basis, so check the website periodically.

Sunday, December 4: Savoy Mountain State Forest, MA B
Wednesday, December 7: Brothers, Charcoal, & Stevens Glen trails, C+
Tuesday, December 13: Huyck Preserve – Rensselaerville B-
Saturday, December 17: Perry’s Peak & Hollow Fields B
Wednesday, December 28: Hopkins Memorial Forest B-