**Midday November sun over Sheep Hill, Williamstown Rural Lands, pic by M Waldman**

END-TO-END CHALLENGE May 9, 2026 - The next End-to-End Challenge will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Online registration via Eventbrite will open on March 1, 2026, at 7 AM. Participants will hike 30+ miles, with over 7000 feet of cumulative elevation gain over undulating terrain, on the Taconic Crest Trail from Berry Pond in Pittsfield State Forest to the northern end of the Taconic Crest Trail at Route 346 in one day. Obviously, this challenge is for very fit and experienced hikers! Hikers are supported from beginning to end by volunteers of the Taconic Hiking Club. Abbie Shoobs has volunteered to coordinate the event again this year; she did an excellent job last time. So, if you are either planning to do the challenge or to volunteer for it, mark the date on your calendar! See the End-to-End Challenge page of the THC website for more details.

**End-to-End One Day Challenge event patch**

Why is the End-to-End Challenge 30 miles, not 37? Sometimes we are asked, “The trail is 37 miles, but the Challenge is only 30+ miles. Why aren’t the 7 miles of the TCT between Rte. 20 and Berry Pond included in the Challenge?” A bit of history to answer that. The first End-to-End Challenge was held in 1966, with the goal to hike the original twenty-nine miles of trail in one day. At that time the trail started at Berry Pond and ended at the base of what is now the Prosser Hollow access trail. Over time the trail was extended to Rte. 346, and the Challenge followed course, with little change in distance.

History has shown that the 30 miles provides a substantial but doable challenge for Club members who are very good hikers. These hikers, who may not normally consider undertaking a 30-mile hike alone are encouraged by the support sites with food and water along the way and sweeps who follow and account for hikers. When the Club assumed responsibility of the 6+ miles of “Skyline Crest Trail” from Berry Pond to Rte. 20 in August of 1987, the Board decided to continue using the historic 30 miles of trail from Berry Pond to Rte. 346 for the Challenge. They maintained that decision after the TCT was rerouted from the severely eroded Skyline Trail to the 7 miles of trail we know today.

HOLIDAY WISH LIST: We at THC often mention things we wish would happen regarding the Taconic Crest Trail and its access and maintenance, as well as changes we would welcome in the larger world of outdoor recreation. So here’s our Holiday wish list! Happy Holidays from the Board!

That all the blowdown would fall away from the trail rather than across it!
That warm, flush toilets were available at trailheads, especially in the winter and/or after driving a long way to get to the trail.
That we will have an old-fashioned winter with plenty of snow for skiing and snowshoeing, no ice, and reasonable temperatures.
That memorial benches would last forever rather than needing to be replaced.
That more eastern access routes to the TCT, including traditional ones like Rathbun Hollow and Bentley Hollow, could be opened up again.
That invasives like barberry, mustard garlic, multiflora rose, bittersweet, and Japanese Knotwood would disappear.
That all hikers would learn how to use a map and compass to save DEC rangers from having to do so many rescues.
That ATVs would stop chewing up and eroding hiking trails.
That the Greenagers would get their federal funding back.
That a Friends group for Pittsfield State Forest would form to assist DCR there with maintenance and oversight.
That all the old traditional views---from West Mountain, Tower Mountain, Smith Mountain, Shaker Mountain, and beyond—could be opened up again. And please let's not let Berlin Mountain's summit get grown in!
That DCR and DEC budgets would be increased each year and staffing needs met.
That the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail linkage south through Pittsfield could be realized.
That global warming could be stopped or reversed for the health of our forests and planet.
That more beavers would create dams, wetlands, and ponds in the mountains.
That NYS would purchase the Whitney 36,000 acres before a developer closes on a purchase.
That we had access to a helicopter to drop water at Mattinson Hollow junction for the E2E hikers.
That DEC would be given access to the summit of Rounds Mountain again, so that the TCT could go over the open summit and we could enjoy the wonderful views again.
That a cure for hemlock wooly adelgid’s probable destruction of our hemlocks could be found, and the same goes for the coming devastation from the spotted lanternfly.
That our trail markers would not be swallowed up by the tree or nibbled by the porcupines.
That we could have full abutter and neighbor support for public access to preserved lands.
That we could understand we are connected to all living things.

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP for 2026 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, 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:

**RRR Brooks trail and ravine, pic by M Waldman**

Taconic Hiking Club, c/o Sue Jordan - Membership Chair, 2381 Algonquin Rd, Niskayuna, NY 12309

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.

Monday, December 1: Hunter Mountain via the Spruceton Trail B+
Wednesday, Dec. 10: The Boulders, Pittsfield C+
Wednesday, December 17: Perry’s Peak & Hollow Fields B

December Newsletter 2025