TCT TRAIL WORK PROJECT - 2026

**Trail work project 2026, pic by D Pisaneschi**

A few of our hardy trail stewards -Dave Pisaneschi, Bill Coyle, and Walt Addicks - have been working on what is the largest and most impressive volunteer trail improvement project on the Taconic Crest Trail. They have been “hardening” what has been a perpetually wet and muddy section of the TCT near the Rte. 346 end. For years we have tried wood planking over parts of the trail, but that was not adequate for the location and no alternate reroute was available.

This year NYS Department of Environmental Conservation provided two truckloads of size 2 and 3 stone. So, with a lot of muscle work - and the help of shovels, wheelbarrows, and stone rakes - a durable new trail surface has taken shape. The three harvested rocks from the area and used them to stabilize the edges of the trail and as a base, they also gathered rubble to reinforce the base in the wettest sections and dug drainage ditches. Logs laying near the trail were sawn to size and used to edge the trail also. They repeatedly loaded the wheelbarrows and carted the stone from where the stone were dumped, to the trail. They moved about four plus tons of stone. Walt came up with a great idea for moving material up the hill. They attached a rope to the front of the wheelbarrow and one person pulled while the other pushed. It was so much easier to get up the hill!

They also gathered planking that had been used previously to install wooden walkways over drainage areas. Shingles were stapled to the planks to provide more secure footing.

On one of their workdays Bill and Dave were able to stop a small forest fire which had been started by a lightning strike. They noticed smoke coming from a thicket about 50 feet off the trail where they were hauling in stone to harden the muddy trail. They immediately hacked through brambles to find a very dead and dry stump smoldering and some small flames in the duff around the base. They stomped it out and called 911. Two firefighters responded to the scene with Indian water packs and our volunteers guided the quarter of a mile to the scene and assisted them to ensure the fire was extinguished.

To date, the three trail stewards have put in 136 volunteer hours on the project - seven workdays. We are extremely fortunate to have such dedicated trail work volunteers, many thanks to them!

Many thanks also to NYS Department of Conservation for their support and for supplying the stone!

WATCH this short VIDEO showing the work they have done. Then, take a hike and check out the improved trail!

VOLUNTEER TO USE YOUR CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS.

Do you have a topic that you think would be of interest to our members? We are looking for one or more people to submit one or more human interest articles for the newsletter. You could write about something in nature— birds, trees, animals, invasive species, etc.—or something about outdoor activities—hiking, cycling or paddling. You could focus on the fundamentals of outdoor recreation or write something of a historic nature around the Taconic Crest Trail. Maybe you just have one idea or maybe you would like to take turns and submit articles periodically. Think about it! Then contact Martha at taconichikingclb@gmail.com (no u in club) if interested.

BECOME A HIKE LEADER!

We are in need of a couple more hike leaders for weekends or weekdays, either easy or more difficult hikes.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to lead a group on a hike or cycle? Being an outings leader is very rewarding! As a leader you get to take people on hikes and to places and vistas they could not have visited alone. These people are always grateful for the effort the leader puts into the outing.

You can lead easy 3-mile hikes or more strenuous 6 to 8-mile hikes. We have hikers of all abilities. You can also choose to lead only one hike per season or lead one every month, choose weekends or weekdays, whatever fits your schedule.

You may ask, but do I qualify? For starters, many of the ideas about trip planning and what to do during the trip are things you may already do when planning and going on a family vacation or hike. You may have learned some leadership skills in prior employment as a supervisor or manager, or by observing other outing leaders. You are already hiking, you know what to wear, what to pack, you can read a map, you have your favorite trails, and you know how to get there. Plus, you enjoy meeting others while hiking.

The THC will provide additional training and one or two of our experienced leaders will co-lead with you on the first couple hikes you lead. Interested? Contact us at taconichikingclb@gmail.com (no “u” in club).

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.

Wednesday, July 1: Berlin Mtn B
Wednesday, July 8: Dill Brook Community Forest, Route 82, Petersburg C+
Monday, July 20: Lanford Wood Community Forest & White Lily Pond C
Wednesday, July 22: Mountain Meadow Preserve, Williamstown B-
Monday, July 27: Robert Ingalls Preserve and Kinderhook Preserve C

July Newsletter