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.

FALL LUNCHEON:

Join us at the annual Fall Luncheon! See old friends, make new friends, enjoy a nice meal and an interesting presentation.

• Where and when: Moscatiello’s Italian Restaurant, 99 North Greenbush Rd (Rte. 4), Troy, on Sunday, November 2, 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 & Speaker: After the meal we will have a brief business meeting followed by our feature presentation.

Speakers: Andre Dalbec, President and Lynne Mosher, Vice President & K9 Handler of Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue (LASAR)

Presentation: What happens when a hiker goes missing? What resources are needed and used to find the person? Andre Dalbec and Lynne Mosher will tell us about Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue (LASAR) and how they are involved when there is a call out to find a missing person. We will learn how the LASAR volunteers coordinate with NYS DEC Rangers and other volunteer organizations. They will tell us what skills and training are required, search and rescue techniques used as well as how their canine, Lily, is used to assist. We will also hear about actual cases.

LASAR engages in about 10 search and rescues a year. We hope we will never need them, but we are thankful that they are available!

Reservations: Use this link to pay online, via this website by credit card or PayPal. (Klarna not accepted.) 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, October 30.

SEPTEMBER

Wednesday, September 3: 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. After a break we will take Pine 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, water.

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

UPDATE 8/30 hike filled.

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

Friday, Sept 12: Long Path ( LP) Bradt Hollow Road to Gifford Hollow Road B

 Some 40 miles of the LP passes through Albany County. Since it’s so close, let’s explore this trail system, starting with this section which passes through the Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area.  Beginning on Bradt Hollow Road, we’ll hike 11 miles to our spotted cars on Gifford Hollow Rd. Enroute, we’ll be passing by several interesting ponds, fields and wetlands.

Leader: David Pisaneschi, email: dapadk@gmail.com

Friday September 12:  Prospect Mountain – Lake George B

We will hike Prospect Mountain from the Lake George Recreation Center. It is about 6 miles with an elevation gain of 1200 feet. There are a few steep sections near the top. There are great views of the lake and the surrounding mountains and an area to have lunch at the summit.

Bring lunch, water and layers as needed. Contact leader for meeting time and location.

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

Friday, September 12: Harvey Mountain, East Road, Austerlitz C+

 About a 5-mile loop hike with approximately 800 feet elevation gain during the first half and a downhill return.

Harvey Mt is the highest "peak" of Columbia County! Optional stop for treats at Blueberry Hill Cafe afterward. 

Leader:  Sharon Bonk, scbonk@gmail.com

Wednesday, September 17: Alford Springs – Saddle to Father Loop trails,  B

This hike accesses the Father Loop trail via the Saddle trail at Alford Springs, a Berkshire Natural Resource Council reserve in Alford, MA.

Alford Springs - Berkshire Natural Resources Council (bnrc.org)

The hike is about 5 miles with an elevation gain of a little over 1,000 feet, at a moderate pace. Quite early in the hike there is a nice view of Tom Ball Mountain and on the west side of the Father Loop, a beautiful stand of birches arching over the trail, followed by a wonderful view of Greylock, with other more limited views along the way. Please bring lunch and sufficient water. The hike should take about 3 hours.

Please contact leader for meeting time and directions.

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

OCTOBER

Wednesday, October 1: Rounds Rock Loop Greylock B

The leaves should be just starting to change to show off their fall colors in time for this hike. Starting at the Greylock Visitor Center (30 Rockwell Rd, Lanesborough, MA) we will hike up the Bradley Farm and Northrup Trails to the Rounds Rock Trail. We will stop and enjoy the views from a vista on Rounds Rock and go past the remains of a plane crash. Then we will hike back on the Woodson Spring Trail. Note that we might do the hike in the opposite direction: going up Woodson Spring and back on Northrup and Bradley Farm trails rather than the way described. Either way, there are a few short, steep sections. Bring lunch, snacks, plenty of water and poles if you use them.

Total distance 7+ miles with about 1000 feet of gain, moderate pace. Contact leader for meeting time and location. NOTE: 9/17 - hike is full.

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

Monday, October 13:  Clark Art Institute trails, Williamstown MA C

Let us share the beauty of the views from these trails in memory of THC member and hike leader Blanche Nelson who passed away this summer.  Blanche loved the Berkshires, the Clark, and Williamstown so this easy hike over rolling terrain would be on her calendar. 

Contact leader(s) to register.

Leader:  Sharon Bonk, scbonk@gmail.com Co-Leader: Martha Waldman, martha829r@aol.com