July Newsletter 2022
Petersburg Pass, pic by M Waldman
End-to-End 2024 and your chance to keep the End-to-End going
We had a lively discussion about the End-to-End Challenge during the meeting at the Spring Gathering. We reviewed what went well in the recent Challenge, what could be improved, and how the Club can adapt to the increased speed of the participants. The Challenge used to draw only hikers; now trail runners--those that combine trail running and hiking--as well as traditional hikers are all drawn to the event. This year’s group was the fastest we have ever had for the event, from the first runner who finished to the last hiker who finished. See the June Newsletter for details on this year’s E2E.
Of primary importance for the future is the fact we will need a new Chair for the E2E Committee and a much larger committee of volunteers to plan the event and take care of all the administrative tasks involved. With the faster participants, it will be important too for sweeps to be at the support stations much earlier than in the past. .
Although it is too early to start planning the 2024 End-to-End Challenge, we are currently looking for a new chair and new committee volunteers who will organize and help with planning and completing the various administrative tasks. As they say, “Many hands make light work”! If you are interested in volunteering to keep this wonderful tradition going, please contact us through the link on the bottom of the End-to-End page of the Taconic Hiking Club website.
We Need YOU!
What Was and What is Petersburg Pass?
Most of us have either passed by or stopped at the large turnout and Taconic Crest trailhead at Petersburg Pass on Rt. 2 in Petersburg, NY. From there one can access the Taconic Crest Trail north to the Snow Hole and beyond or south to Berlin Mountain and beyond. It’s a spectacular height of land.
So what is it now and what was it?
Petersburg was named, like the town, after an early settler named Peter Simmons. The area had been settled around the middle of the 18th century and was part of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck.
Petersburg Pass — on Route 2 along New York’s border with Massachusetts — was founded in 1962 by Francis Wilson and Gilbert Devy, two executives at the Sprague Electric Company in North Adams. Originally, the ski area had a double chair lift and three main trails. Later, a Poma lift was installed on a beginner’s slope. The ski area had a reputation for reliable cold and plentiful snow
The ski area expanded during the 1960s, when several more trails were added. While most of them were beginner and intermediate, a few, like “The Drop,” (#7 in map) gave experts a steep mile-long run before they enjoyed a snack or meal at the base Schusskabob Restaurant .
In 1967 Petersburg Pass was sold to a man name Deliso and then was closed in 1969. A year later, while still empty, the base lodge burned. In 1972 a new owner, Mark Raimer, bought the area, a new lodge was built, and new trails cut. Plans existed to extend the trail system further into the New York side, creating a bigger vertical drop. Renamed Taconic Trails, then Mount Raimer (after the new owner), the ski area continued just until 1980 when it closed permanently due to financial problems. Not long after, the double chair was sold and installed for the beginner slopes at Butternut where it continues to operate.
Mount Raimer, at 2,572’, is now part of a large tract of protected land in the Taconics whose west side and summit are located in New York and whose east slopes lie within Massachusetts. The Taconic Crest Trail traverses the side of the mountain, and there’s a spur trail that goes to the top.
In recent years, with increased interest in a backcountry experience, backcountry and telemark skiers have begun to use the old ski slopes. Their efforts to try to reopen the area have caught the notice of NYS Department of Conservation (DEC), which has strict regulations about cutting in state forest lands. Tree cutting or trimming is prohibited by both NYS DEC and MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) on these old ski slopes. At present, DEC is crafting a management plan for the area which will take into account the desire to open the trails for backcountry skiing.
The Sarah Tenney Trail, accessed from farther east on Rt. 2, climbs through many of the old ski trails. Hikers are often surprised to see the old cables, concrete supports for the poma lift and remnants of ski lift equipment in the woods and along the trail.
The future of Petersburg Pass is in the hands of DEC, so we will wait to see what new recreational life might be brought to the area. Meanwhile, as you hike through there, imagine the fun that many skiers had on those trails.
References: New England Lost Ski Areas Project (nelsap.org) and Brian O’Malley.
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 6: Burbank and Brothers Trails B-
Tuesday, July 12: The Boulders, Pittsfield C+
Thursday, July 14: Cat Mountain, Lake George area B-
Monday, July 18: Albany Hudson Electric Trail, Cycle B-
Wednesday, July 20: Mountain Meadows Preserve, Williamstown C
Thursday, July 21: Sarah Tenney Loops North, Williamstown, MA B-
Thursdays, July 21 & 28, August 4 & 11: Albany-Hudson Electric Trail, Cycle, No. Chatham – Kinderhook C
Tuesday, August 2: Perry’s Peak and Hollow Fields B
Thursday August 18: Mt Greylock-Stony Ledge and March Cataract Falls C
Spring Gathering, stopping for the view of Shaver Pond, pic by K Ross
Field Farm, Taconic Range to the left, pic by M Waldman
This deer posed for us as we hiked on TCT, towards Berlin Mtn. from Petersburg Pass. Pic by M Waldman
Mountain Laurel, pic by L Siegard
Spring Gathering, GLSP, pic by K Lin
Berlin Mtn. from Field Farm