Outings

If you do not feel well, please stay home!

Click Here to download printable PDF of the rating charts.

OUTINGS RATING CHART

IS THIS OUTING RIGHT FOR YOU?

Please take care to match your physical condition, abilities and limitations to the stated length and elevation gain of the outing you choose and refer to the ratings chart above. 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 can complete the trip safely. Please cooperate for your safety and the safety of the group. It is your responsibility to have appropriate equipment and clothing for an outing. It is in your best interest to let someone know if you have limiting physical conditions or are taking a medication.

MAY

Wednesday, May 6:  Albert Family Forest Spring flowers walk C/C+ (rain date, May 7 at 1pm)

We will do 3 of the trails, possibly more for about 4 miles of rolling trail.

Bring your deet, water, and lunch (option of picnic table or inside).

Please contact leader to sign up. Meet at 9:30 at AFCF, Hayes Rd, off NY 66, East Nassau. Carpool possibility from West Sand Lake.

Registration & Leader: Sharon Bonk, scbonk@gmail.com or 917-864-7437

Monday, May 11: Moreau Lake State Park: Lake Bonita, High Rock & Ridge Loop B

We will hike alongside Lake Bonita and take the Lake Ann Trail past the lean to, then hike up the picturesque High Rock Trail to the Palmertown Range. Once on the ridge we will take a left on the blue Eastern Ridge Trail and follow that to the Lake Ann Trail, which we will hike back down towards Lake Bonita. We should beat the bugs and heat this time!

The hike will be moderately paced, approximately 6.2 miles with about 1000 feet gain.

Contact leader for meeting time and location.

Leader: Jim Gorman, email: jimgorman102@hotmail.com

Wednesday, May 13: Round Lake Paddle  C+

Let's explore Round Lake before the weeds and milfoil take control. Meet at the Round Lake boat launch on Route 9 located between Northway Exits 10 & 11 at 10:00am.  We'll explore Anthony Kill and Little Round Lake while circumnavigating the lake.  Bring rain gear, lunch, water, change of clothes (if you dump), pfd (required) and headlamp. 

NO COTTON. Wear synthetics / quick drying clothes.  You must wear a securely fastened PFD and have a white light and whistle. Plan for about 5 miles and 4 hours. 

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

Friday, May 15: Yokun Ridge along a portion of The High Road,  B

This hike will feature about three-quarters of the first portion of Berkshire Natural Resources Council’s vision of The High Road. https://www.bnrc.org/thehighroadyokunridge/

 We will hike north from Reservoir Road in Lenox along the Yokun Ridge Trail, which features vistas at Lenox Mountain, Yokun Seat, Osceda Mountain, and Mahanna Cobble, and finally down the Mahanna Cobble trail to its trailhead at Bousquet Mountain Ski Area. The one-way hike is 6.75 miles with an overall elevation change of about 1,100 feet and will be hiked at a moderate pace. Because the hike is one-way, we will be spotting cars, and then driving about 6 miles to the trail head.

Please contact leader for meeting time and directions.

 Leader: David Dutra, email: ddutra@nycap.rr.com

Monday May 18: Zim Smith Trail Bike B

Third time’s the charm?  Two years ago I planned this for May and there was still ice on the trail.  I tried again in April but it was still cold, 40 degrees.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed for warmer temperatures and dry weather.  We will start at the parking area in Mechanicville and ride to the end in Ballston Spa.  This trail is a bit more hilly than the usual rail trail, but 100% bike path and paved.

23 miles and 1100ft elevation.  It is rated B-

Contact Leader for meeting time & location.

Leader: Leslie Siegard - lsiegard2@gmail.com 518-577-3468 e-mail preferred.

Wednesday, May 27: Hopkins Memorial Forest Loops and Birch Brook Trail, Williamstown B

We will start out on the two loop trails from the parking area at Hopkins Memorial Forest. We will be able to catch a glimpse of the tree top work platform used to study the tree canopy on the way. Near the top of the upper loop, we will take a right at the Birch Brook and do the more strenuous hike up the Birch Brook Trail (BBT) to the Taconic Crest Trail (TCT). The BBT provides a climb of over 1,000 feet in 1.5 miles on the way to the crest. We will return via the BBT and complete the two loop trails at Hopkins Memorial Forest. If we have a heat wave the hike can be modified. Bring snacks/lunch, plenty of water, bug repellant and poles - if you use them.

The hike is 7.25 miles with 1650 feet elevation gain, at a moderate pace.

Contact leader for meeting time and location.

Leader: Martha Waldman, email: martha829r@aol.com

JUNE

Wednesday, June 17: Olana Trails and Magnificent Views C/C+ (rain date, June 19)

We will walk 2 trails, a loop trail and an up and back that have magnificent views of the Hudson and across the Hudson. (c. 3 miles) plus some additional walking around the buildings.

Then we descend by car to the 9G/23 rotary parking lot to walk on the pedestrian walkway of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge across the Hudson toward Catskill.  Distance to be determined by group's interest and far enough to look at the islands and channels near the east bank and view the mountains from another perspective.  Optional trip to nearby Stewarts on 9G follows.

Please contact leader to sign up. Meet at 9G/23 rotary parking area @ 9:15 AM.

Leader: Sharon Bonk, scbonk@gmail.com or 917-864-7437

Wednesday, June 17: Mountain Laurel Hike: Bear Mountain (Mt. Riga State Park) Salisbury, CT,  B

This hike will feature the most amazing display of mountain laurel I’ve ever seen. From 5 minutes onto the trail, all the way to the summit of Bear Mountain, there are groves of mountain laurel at various stages of maturity. In addition, there is a great view from the summit. Last year it was pretty spectacular.

For anyone familiar with Bear Mountain, we will be skipping the steep, rocky scramble when approaching the summit from the northeast side of the loop, and instead, we will hike the trail as an out-and-back using the west side of the loop, where the elevation gain is steep, but more gradual. The out-and-back hike is about 5.5 miles with an overall elevation change of about 1,600 feet, and will be hiked at a moderate pace.

Please contact leader for meeting time and directions.

Leader: David Dutra, email: ddutra@nycap.rr.com