Outings
If you do not feel well, please stay home!
Click Here to download printable PDF of the rating charts.
OUTINGS RATING CHART
HIKING
Rating Level of effort Elevation gain Miles
A+ Very Strenuous 4000’+ 10+
A Strenuous 3000’+ 5-10
B+ Moderate/strenuous 2000’+ 5-10
B Moderate 1000’+ 5-10
B- Moderately easy <1000’ 5-8
C Easy <1000’ <5
CYCLING
Rating Miles Terrain
A 30+ Moderate to steep
B 15 - 30 Moderate
C < 15 Flat to moderate
PADDLING
Rating Miles Portages Water Class
A 12+ Long (.5+ mile) II Whitewater
B 6-12 Short (<.5 mile) I Moving
C < 6 None Flat
Paddling: Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) must be properly worn. Paddlers must have a USCG approved white light and pea-less whistle.
Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for any type outing.
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.
MARCH
Wednesday, March 18: Valentino Family Community Forest B-
We will hike most of the trails on this Hudson Taconic Lands property. Starting at the main parking lot “A”, we will hike along the creek and take the trail up to the old Sugar Shack and back down to the lakeside trail. We will follow the trail along the ponds, going by the lean-to, a beaver dam, and then we hike a section of the trail towards the “B” parking lot. We will backtrack on that trail, circle around the upper beaver dam pond and loop back to the lean-to. We can stop here for a snack or lunch. We will hike back up past the Sugar Shack on the way back to our cars.
This is a moderately paced hike of about 5.5 miles and 600+ feet of gain. Bring warm beverage and snacks. Micro-spike will most likely be needed to deal with a mix of snow and ice as well as negotiating some stream crossings.
Contact the leader for meeting time and location. Waitlist available.
Leader: Martha Waldman – martha829r@aol.com
Wednesday, March 25: Moreau Lakes State Park B-
Lake Bonita, Lake Ann, Western Ridge, and Waterfall Trail Loop: Starting at the Lake Bonita parking lot, we will hike past Lake Bonita, Lake Ann, and the Lean To before arriving at the Moreau Spring Overlook. From here there are views looking out towards the Hudson River. After enjoying the view, we will continue along the Western Ridge and Waterfall Trail back to the Lake Bonita parking lot.
The hike is 5.5 miles and 750 feet gain at a moderate pace. Contact leader for meeting time and location.
Leader: Sue Jordan suej9999@yahoo.com
APRIL
Wednesday, April 1: Yokun Ridge South Loop from Olivia’s Overlook B-
We will hike on portions of 5 trails to form a loop beginning and ending at Olivia’s Overlook in West Stockbridge, MA. Olivia's Overlook at Yokun Ridge South - Berkshire Natural Resources Council (bnrc.org)
The hike will include portions of the Charcoal, Brothers, Old Baldhead, Burbank and Yokun Ridge trails, and includes the Kennedy Cliffs vista overlooking Parsons Marsh, downtown Lenox, and the ridge line in and around October Mountain State Forest. There is an additional west-facing vista on the trail, as well as serene Monk's Pond. The trail consists of varied terrain, is about 5 miles long, has an elevation gain of about 700’, and we will maintain a moderate pace.
Appropriate footwear will be determined just prior to the hike.
Please contact the leader for meeting time and directions.
Leader: David Dutra, email: ddutra@nycap.rr.com