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.

 SEPTEMBER

Wednesday, September 2: Williamstown Rural Lands, Williamstown MA C+

Lots of trails to explore here. We'll keep it reasonably moderate but interesting. I plan to take the WRLF Loop trail with a short cutoff to enjoy a view of Haley Brook Falls. The WRLF Trail goes through very nice mixed woods with interpretive signs before connecting with the Class of 33 Trail. We will take Class of 33 for part of its length. We can stop at the primitive campsite with a picnic table.

We then proceed to the stream crossing and cross it (or not) depending on water level and ambition. I crossed it easily in dry conditions but if water is high, I wouldn't do it. If we cross, we can continue on the Class of 33 Trail until it gets really steep -- which it will.

We then retrace our steps with an optional stop at campsite if we passed it on the way in. On the return we can take the Bullock Trail which will take us back to parking lot. 

NOTE NETTLES!: The WRLF Loop Trail passes through a stretch of stinging nettles and they are not avoidable. If you wear shorts you will painfully regret it. You have been forewarned.

Getting there. Take Torrey Woods Rd. off Route 2. This is just a few hundred yards west from the junction of Rt. 7 (Cold Spring Rd.). If you are driving eastbound and miss the turn, go to the junction, stop at the A Frame Bakery (it should be open) get muffin or something, turn around and try again. Torrey Woods Rd. eventually turns into Berlin Rd but there's no signage. Drive till you can't go further and you'll be in a large parking area.

Total distance 3.5 to 4 miles. Elevation change under 1000 feet unless we venture further up Class of 33 Trail than we should. 

As usual, contact leader for timing and details.

Leader: Bob Armao, email: bob_armao@yahoo.com or phone: 518 322-6889 (mobile)

Wednesday, September 9: Lulu Brook to Parker Brook Loop Hike - Pittsfield State Forest  B

We will hike up the Lulu Brook trail, which is along the side of the Lulu Brook ravine, then continue over Berry Hill and enjoy the view towards the Catskills from Berry Hill overlook. We will walk down Circuit Rd, along Berry Pond, then take the Taconic Crest Trail to Tower Mountain, where there used to be a fire tower. Next, we will take an unnamed trail down to Tilden Swamp, which is actually a beautiful pond. (Depending on conditions, we may bypass Tower Mountain and take the Tilden Swamp Trail to Tilden Swamp.) From there we will hike down the picturesque Parker Trail, then make our way back to the cars on the Vosburg trail. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water, plus poles if you use them.

The hike is 6 miles with 1200 feet of gain at a moderate pace. Contact leader for meeting time and location.

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

Friday, September 11:  Erie Canal Cycle Schenectady to Amsterdam  

Meet at Schenectady Community College parking lot off State St/Rte 5 @ 9AM.  34 miles RT

See the new mural at the Rotterdam tunnel, new kayak launch at Kiwanis Park, canal locks and vistas. Cross over the canal on the Amsterdam pedestrian bridge. 

Countryside vistas are agricultural and historic.

Leader: Sharon Bonk, email: scbonk@gmail.com

Monday, September 21: Thatcher Park B-

We will start the hike on the perimeter trail on Ryan Road and using the Long Path and Hang Glider trails do both overlooks, enjoy the views to the north, and head back on the Long Path and back to the Ryan Road parking lot. That parking lot only holds about 5 or 6 cars, so depending on how many people sign up, we may have to carpool from one of the lots near the visitor center.

The hike will be 5.5 miles with about 600 feet of elevation gain.

Contact leader for meeting time and location.

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

Wednesday, September 23: Thomas & Palmer Brook Reserve, Great Barrington, B-

This is another BNRC reserve that has a number of different trails, including a brand new one that is scheduled to open the end of August.

We’ll start on the first half of the accessible Meadow Loop, continue on the Woodland Trail, then up to an interesting rock formation on the Whale Rock trail, back down to Woodland, then out and back along the new trail that is the most recent addition to BNRC’s High Road. We’ll then retrace our steps on the Woodland trail and the other half of the Meadow Loop back to the trail head, for a total of about 5 miles and 700 feet of elevation gain, which we will hike at a moderate pace. The hike features a variety of landscape and is quite picturesque despite lacking a long-range vista.

Please contact leader for meeting time and directions.

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

OCTOBER

Wednesday, October 21: Stony Ledge via Haley Farm Trail, B+

This hike begins at the Haley Farm trail head in Williamstown, MA, gains 1,475 ft. in the first 2 miles up to Stony Ledge, then heads down Sperry Road and completes the loop back to the trail head on the Hopper Trail. The hike is about 5.5 miles and is mostly downhill after reaching the Stony Ledge Summit. At Stoney Ledge, you are rewarded with a scenic panorama of the nearby mountains. Besides Greylock, which looks close enough to touch, the range includes Mounts Prospect, Williams, Fitch and Saddleball.

The hike should take about 3.5 hours.

Please contact leader for meeting time and directions.

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

NOVEMBER

FALL LUNCHEON: Join us at the annual Fall Luncheon! See old friends, make new friends, enjoy a nice meal and an interesting presentation on the Deadly World of Raptors in our area!

• Where and when: Moscatiello’s Italian Restaurant, 99 North Greenbush Rd (Rte. 4), Troy, Sunday, November 8, 12:00 to 3:00 PM

• Cost: $25 per person. The Club partly subsidizes the meal.

• Meal: The buffet includes salad, rolls, penne marinara, meatballs & sausage, and eggplant parmigiana, followed by mini cannoli.

• Meeting, Elections & Speaker: After the meal we will have a brief business meeting followed by our feature presentation.

Speaker: Samantha Carouso-Peck, Head Ornithologist and Educator, Grassland Bird Trust

Presentation: The Deadly World of Raptors: Secrets of the New York Grasslands 

Forget everything you thought you knew about birds of prey - some of the most unusual, ingenious, and beautiful raptors live right here on the grasslands of Upstate New York. Meet the owl who hunts during the day, nests on the ground, and has the most peculiar courtship display. Learn about the hawk who hunts like a ghost, dances in the sky, and keeps a harem of females. See the world through the eyes of a tiny falcon who hovers like a helicopter, feasts on bugs, and can see in colors beyond human perception. Join Dr. Samantha Carouso-Peck for a fascinating inside look at the secretive lives of the birds of prey in our backyard.

Reservations: Use this link to pay online, via this website. Or you can mail your $25 check made out to “Taconic Hiking Club”, to: Taconic Hiking Club, c/o Margaret Parks, 9 Tokay Lane, Schenectady, NY 12309.

Due Date: Thursday, November 5.

Contacts: for on-line payment questions email martha829r@aol.com or for check payment questions email margaretparks213@gmail.com