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.

JANUARY

Thursday, January 2: Berlin Mtn. B

We will hike up (and back) on the Taconic Crest Trail from Petersburg Pass to Berlin Mtn, the highest mountain in NYS outside of the Catskills and Adirondacks. Expect it to be at least 5 - 10+ degrees colder at Petersburg Pass than down on the valley, so dress warmly! Fortunately the initial ascent by Mount Raimer will get you warmed up real quick! We will enjoy views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Greylock from the large, open summit. Bring lunch, snacks, warm beverages, micro-spikes, and warm layers.

The hike is approximately 5.5 miles with 1300 feet ascent, moderate pace.

Note 12/30 - hike is full, waitlist available.

Leader: Martha Waldman email- martha829r@aol.com Co-leader: Cliff Prewencki

Saturday, January 11:  Huyck Preserve loop trails  B

I ran this last year, and it was so nice we’ll try again.  We will hike the loop trails from the Pond Rd entrance.  If we do all 3 loops, it is 8.2 miles and 1000ft.  If we want a shorter trip, we can cut off the last loop, making the total 5.5 miles.  Pond Rd can be tough driving if it’s been snowing.  If driving is poor, we will either hike from the Huyck visitor center or move the trip to Thatcher Park Hang Glider cliff.

Required equipment to be determined by conditions.

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

Wednesday, January 15: Valentino Family Community Forest B-

We will hike most of the trails in this relatively new Hudson Taconic Lands property. There are beautiful hemlock stands, hardwoods, rocky outcroppings, ponds, creeks, and wetlands along the way. 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 will 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, snacks, micro-spikes, warm layers.

Registration closed - Jan 14, 2 PM

Leader: Martha Waldman martha829r@aol.com

Wednesday January 22: Sarah Tenney, Bob' Ski Trail Loop C+/B-

The Williamstown Rural Lands trails on the north side of Rt. 2 give us some nice moderate hiking options. From the roadside parking area at the 1.5 Mass. mile marker on Rt. 2, we cross to the north side of the road and start up the Sarah Tenney Trail. Nice views of the Greylock range as we pass through the meadow.

We go up the hill to Bob' Ski Loop. This goes up and over Birch Hill and intersects the Hunter Family Loop. 

From here we reconnect with the Sarah Tenney Trail and return on the wooded trail to our starting point.

This should be about 4 miles with 850 foot elevation change. This is all moderate terrain and suitable for either hiking or snowshoeing depending on weather and trail conditions. 

As usual, contact the leader  for timimg and details. I may modify based on current conditions. And the A Frame Bakery is probably not open. Or maybe they are? It can be hit or miss.

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