Outings

Please take care to match your physical condition, abilities and limitations to the stated length and elevation gain of the outing you choose. It is your responsibility to have appropriate equipment and clothing for an outing. The “level of effort“ is not the same for everyone. If you are new to hiking or unconditioned, a hike listed as moderate would be very strenuous for you. The outing leader may ask questions in order to determine if you are capable of completing the trip safely. Please cooperate for your safety and the safety of the group. It is in your best interest to let someone know if you have limiting physical conditions or are taking a medication.

Click Here to download printable PDF list of THC outings.

OUTINGS RATING CHART

AUGUST

Friday, August 16: High Falls Conservation Area in Philmont (C)

The High Falls Conservation Area includes 2 miles of moderate wooded trails along the Agawamuck Creek and a view of Columbia County's highest waterfall. We could optionally make an additional stop at Borden's Pond in Ghent.

I have 2 special reasons for visiting High Falls: Susan Roberts and Dot von Bieberstein. Susan introduced me to High Falls several years ago and it was one of Dot's favorite areas. I miss them both and I know others do too.

Contact: Bob Armao at bob_armao@yahoo.com or 518-271-6512 (home) or 518-322-6889 (mobile)

Wednesday August 21: Shaker Trail, Pittsfield State Forest, MA B

We will do a loop hike over Shaker Mountain and Holy Mountain in the Pittsfield State Forest, near Hancock Shaker Village. Along the trail we will see many historical remains from the Shaker North Family site along the lower stream and the remains of the Shaker holy sites on both mountain summits. The distance is 6 miles with cumulative elevation gain of about 1200 feet.

Contact leader Martha Waldman at martha829r@aol.com or 518 869 5109 for meeting time and location.

SEPTEMBER

Saturday, September 7: TCT #5 – Robinson Hollow in Stephentown, NY, to Madden Road in Hancock, MA, 6 miles. B

*TCT in a Year, series hike #5. Jointly sponsored by Rensselaer Land Trust, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, and the Taconic Hiking Club. This is our shortest section, but has a long steep ascent and descent at either end. The trail passes through hardwood forests, grassy knolls, and a bench along the trail.

For those aiming to complete the entire trail and receive the TCT cumulative summer trail patch, there is a 2.1 mile section along roads between the Madden Road and Potter Road trail-heads; this section can be hiked on your own, or before the following hike.

Leader: Nick Conrad. Questions? Contact Nick at NBconrad@.com Register online with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance HERE

OCTOBER

Saturday, October 5: TCT #6 – Potter Road in Hancock, MA to south end (Route 20 near New Lebanon), 10.5 miles. B+

*TCT in a Year, series hike #6. Jointly sponsored by Rensselaer Land Trust, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, and the Taconic Hiking Club. This is our longest section, starting with a long steep ascent, and passing through Pittsfield State Forest and by Berry and Twin Ponds, with great views.

Leader: Nick Conrad. Questions? Contact Nick at NBConrad@msn.com or Karen Ross at kcoyross@aol.com. Register online with the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance HERE

Wednesday, October 9, Peebles Island (Hiking Class)

This is the first hike of the "Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" class. Volunteers are welcome to assist during the group hikes!

Contact: Joanna at joanna@ezinga.net or 518-610-1355 if you are interested in assisting.

Wednesday, October 16, Kinderhook Preserve (Hiking Class)

This is the second hike of the "Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" class. Volunteers are welcome to assist during the group hikes!

Contact: Joanna at joanna@ezinga.net or 518-610-1355 if you are interested in assisting.

Saturday, October 19: South Taconic Trail (southern end) B

We will hike on the new southern extension of the South Taconic Trail. The trail starts at the south end of Taconic State Park in Millerton. The new trail will take us by a couple pretty waterfalls, where we will cross the streams, and two open viewpoints. New, lightly trod trails are so refreshing! Hopefully the weather will cooperate this time! Total 8 miles round trip with a cumulative gain of about 1700 feet. Contact leader with recent hiking experience and for meeting time and location.

Leader: Martha Waldman email: martha829r@aol.com or phone: 518 869 5109. Co-Leader: Cliff Prewencki: email: cprewencki@aol.com

Monday, October 21 WEST KILL MOUNTAIN B

At an elevation of 3,891 feet, this is the 6th highest Catskill Peak. This will be a thru hike covering 8 miles and involving 1,800 feet of climbing. We’ll start at the first parking lot on the Spruceton Road and continue to our spotted car further down the road at the Hunter Mountain trail head parking lot. Contact leader for meeting time and location.

Leader & Reservations: David Pisaneschi, dapadk@gmail.com or 518 227-5630

Friday, October 25   Greylock via The Gould Trail  B+

The Gould Trail makes a beeline for Greylock’s summit (3491’) from the east side, with a trailhead south of Adams, MA off Route 8. It’s a fine trail with good footing that meets Rockwell Road near the summit and then merges with the A.T. to the top.  Bascom Lodge stays open through October, and you can even order lunch there—and it’s good! See BascomLodge.net.  Expect about 6 miles and 2050’ of vertical to reach this highest summit in Massachusetts.  You can also expect snow or ice up there at this time of year.

Leader: Karen Ross kcoyross@aol.com 518 794-7474.

Wednesday, October 23, TCT Snow Hole from Petersburg Pass (Hiking Class)

This is the third hike of the "Hiking for the Inexperienced or Newly Retired" class. Volunteers are welcome to assist during the group hikes!

Contact: Joanna at joanna@ezinga.net or 518-610-1355 if you are interested in assisting.

ANNUAL BANQUET, Sunday, October 27:

Location: Moscatiello’s Italian Restaurant, 99 North Greenbush Rd (Rte. 4), Troy

Date & Time: Sunday, October 27, noon to 4 PM

Cost: $25 per person for a luncheon buffet

Registration Contact: Margaret Parks at 518 250-5452 or margaretparks213@gmail.com

Registration Due Date: October 21

Speaker: Richard Guthrie, local birding expert. You may have heard his show on WMHT "From the Catbird Seat" or read his Times Union blog about birds, link: https://blog.timesunion.com/birding. Now you will have the opportunity to hear him give an interesting and relevant presentation on birds in the northeast.

NOVEMBER

Monday, November 4 DOME SUMMIT B

Following the Dome Trail, we’ll climb to the 2,748 summit. The birch, maple, beech, and oaks of the lower slops transition to a distinctly Laurentian plateau with boreal forest near the summit. The summit offers magnificent views of the entire north Berkshire region, including Pine Cobble, the Greylock Range and Taconic Range. This will be a round trip of 5.2 miles, so there’s no need to hurry on this hike. Total elevation gain will be about 1,500 feet. Contact leader for meeting time and location.

Leader & Reservations: David Pisaneschi, dapadk@gmail.com or 518 227-5630

DECEMBER

Tuesday December 10 HOPKINS MEMORIAL FOREST to SNOW HOLE B

Starting from the Rosenburg Center we’ll hike the Lower Loop and Birch Brook trails to the TCT and continue to the Snowhole. We’ll return via the Upper Loop back to the Rosenburg Center. Round trip distance will be about 10 miles with a 1,500+ feet elevation gain. Contact leader for meeting time and location.

Leader & Reservations: David Pisaneschi, dapadk@gmail.com or 518 227-5630

*TCT in a Year series: Taconic Crest Trail in One Year, 2019, is Sponsored by Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT), Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) and Taconic Hiking Club. We will hike the entire 37 miles of the Taconic Crest Trail in six separate hikes between May and October. Join us for one, some or all of the sections! If you complete the entire trail (with us and/or on your own), you can receive a summer cumulative TCT patch from the Taconic Hiking Club. All hikes have long steep uphill and/or downhill sections over rocky ground. Wear boots or sturdy shoes. Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Registration is required. There is a suggested donation of $5 per person to the RLT or RPA. All hikes are included within the outings listed above.