August Newsletter 2022
View of Lake George, Tongue Mtn. range, from Cat Mtn. Pic by M Waldman
Volunteer Opportunity: Secretary
Enjoy working with others? Want to help promote the Club and protect the Taconic Crest Trail? Consider becoming the next Secretary of the Taconic Hiking Club. The primary duties include taking minutes at the four Board and two general meetings per year and typing them afterwards. The Board currently meets via Zoom on weekday evenings, the meetings tend to be only 1 – 2 hours long. You would also be able to actively participate in the meetings and help make decisions on club expenses, policy, and activities.
General requirements include having email capability, as well as a computer with a Word program which you are comfortable using, to produce the minutes. Please contact the Board at taconichikingclb@gmail.com (no “u” in club) if you are interested or have any questions about the position.
If you do not want to be Secretary but would like to help us to find someone for the position, consider being on the Nominating Committee. Please contact the Board at taconichikingclb@gmail.com (no “u” in club) if you are interested.
Annual Banquet:
Save the date! The Annual Banquet will be Sunday, November 6, 2022, noon to 4, at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant on Rte. 4 in Troy. The menu and registration information will be forthcoming.
Quenching your thirst and hunger around and about the Taconic Ridge
As this is written, we are in the midst of a long heat wave, with daily temperatures in the 90s. There has been little rain, and outdoor recreation requires some careful planning to avoid dehydration and heat stroke.
It’s nice to know that on both sides of our signature Taconic Crest Trail as well as along local hiking and biking trails there are places to refresh, cool off, and enjoy a restorative drink or meal. Here are some you may have already tried and if not, try sampling them all!
In the mood for ice cream? You can try affordable arrays of ice cream cones, dishes and sundaes at the Stewarts on Rt. 22 in Berlin and another off Rt. 20 in New Lebanon. Gardner’s, also on Rt. 22 in Stephentown, can dish you up a swirl of soft vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate at their stand just south of Rt. 43.
Along the AHET (Albany Hudson Electric Trail), where THC often has outings, Samascott’s Garden Market between Valatia and Kinderhook offers a fine ice cream experience just across from the bike shop “Velo Domestique.” Farther north, at a mid-point of the AHET in Nassau and just a stone’s throw from the bike trail pavilion there is another ice cream shop called Smile’s.
Biking the Ashuwillticook? You can stop at one of the AT Thru-hikers’ favorites in Cheshire called Diane’s Twist. Hikers have to go right by it coming down northerly off the Cheshire Cobbles and before heading up to Adams and Greylock.
Hankering for a cold beer after your hike? Try the Beer Diviner off Rt. 43 in Cherry Plain, open Friday through Sunday and featuring local brews and food. The Old Forge in Lanesborough on the eastern side of the range is known for their award-winning wings and for their beer “club.” Offerings there span the globe.
Headed up to Petersburg Pass, Berlin Mountain, or the WRL Tenney trail system off Rt. 2 in Williamstown? If you’re lucky enough to be going Thursday through Sunday, stop at the A-Frame Bakery on Rt. 7 at the Rt. 2 intersection. You’ll be well rewarded with incredibly delicious baked goods. Note: if you wait until the end of the day they often sell out. Go early!
If you’re coming to the Taconics from Albany, you’ll likely pass through Averill Park. Try The Towne Tavern for some tasty beer and food selections. Farther afield, Jiminy Peak off Rt. 43 in Hancock offers pub food and beer at Christiansen’s Tavern.
No matter which direction you go after visiting the Taconics, you’ll find food and drink in abundance this summer! Enjoy!
Bicycle Helmets: Do you wear your bicycle helmet fitted the proper way? I found that I have been wearing mine to loose, it won’t help me if I need it! Check out the fit information on the fact sheet fitting-a-helmet.pdf (nhtsa.gov) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations and see if yours needs to be fit better.
Cyclists: If you have AAA coverage, the coverage also includes roadside assistance for bicycles! It is specifically for “roadside”, not on a trail. You would need to get to an actual road. If you were not aware of this perk, check your policy.
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.
Tuesday, August 2: Perry’s Peak & Hollow Fields B
Thursday, August 4: Albany-Hudson Electric Trail, Cycle, No. Chatham – Kinderhook C
Wednesday, August 10: Ashuwillticook Bike Trail B
Wednesday, August 10: Grafton Lakes State Park C
Thursday, August 11: Albany-Hudson Electric Trail, Cycle, No. Chatham – Kinderhook C
Tuesday. August 16: Paddle Dunham Reservoir C
Thursday August 18: Mt Greylock-Stony Ledge and March Cataract Falls C
Ferns galore along the TCT. Pic by M Waldman
View from Electric Bike Trail in Columbia County. Pic by L Siegard
View from Cat Mtn towards Lake George. Pic by J Gorman
Lunch stop in a cool area near the Vermont border while hiking at Mountain Meadow Preserve. Pic by S Bonk
Pond along the trail to Cat Mtn. Good thing we took the picture going up, it was raining on us here when we came back down.
Taconic Crest from Mountain Meadow Preserve. Pic by S Bonk