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.

APRIL

Wednesday, April 2: Perry’s Peak & Hollow Fields, Pittsfield, B

We will hike from Rte. 20, through Bates Memorial Forest, enter the BNRC’s Hollow Fields Preserve and on to the summit of Perry’s Peak. From there we do a loop, which will take us to the open fields of the Hollow Fields Preserve and the Richmond Overlook. There are great vistas from the fields as well as the overlook. I expect there may still be some wet areas. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water.

This trail will eventually be part of the BNRC High Road, connecting to the Taconic Crest Trail on the north side of Rte. 20. Here is a link to Hollow Fields information and map: https://www.bnrc.org/reserves/hollow-fields

Approximately 6.5 miles and about 1300 feet elevation gain, moderate pace.

Contact leader for meeting time and location.

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

Sunday, April 6 – Long Path (LP) Bradt Hollow Road to Gifford Hollow Road B

This section 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, dapadk@gmail.com

Wednesday, April 9: Hoosac Range,  B-

This is an out-and-back hike at Hoosac Range, a Berkshire Natural Resource Council reserve in No. Adams, MA. Hoosac Range - Berkshire Natural Resources Council (bnrc.org)

The hike is about 6 miles with an elevation gain of about 875 feet. There are several long-range vistas, trees twisted by the wind, rock cliffs, and a tree that bears a faint resemblance to a famous movie character. Please bring lunch and sufficient water. The hike should take about 3.5 hours.

Please contact leader for meeting time and directions.

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

Tuesday April 15:  Yokun Ridge South (Berkshires) B-

I did this hike in March.  What a lovely walk.  We will start at Olivia’s Overlook, taking the Burbank trail and the Broken Thumb Trail to the Kennedy Cliffs which have a lovely view of the Marsh.  Really, it is nice.  Maybe lunch here?  Make our way back briefly to the Burbank Trail and turn off onto the old Baldhead Road.  Cross Lenox road and take the Brothers Trail to the Charcoal Trail and back to our cars. 7-8 miles and 1000’ ascent.  Given it’s April, I expect muddy conditions.

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

(Note that Leslie, the original leader, had to back out and David is taking her place.)

Friday, April 18: Taconic Crest Trail - Pittsfield State Forest B-

We will head up from Lebanon Springs to work on a section of the TCT from Lebanon Springs, New York going either north toward Tower Mountain/Berry Pond or south toward the beaver pond, both in Pittsfield State Forest. We’ll hope for decent trail conditions with no ice or snow. Attendees will need to sign liability forms to pass through private property and a DCR volunteer form with emergency numbers. No chainsaws allowed.  Work involves picking up, hand sawing, lopping and clipping so bring your favorite tool or tools.  After accessing the TCT from the 1.25 mile access in the Springs, we will work up there for a few hours, not all day.  Bring water, lunch, gloves, etc. 

Leader: Karen Ross, kcoyross@aol.com or 518 794-7474

Monday, April 21: Moreau Lake State Park: Lake Bonita – Ridge Loop B-

Starting at the Lake Bonita trailhead, we will hike alongside Lake Bonita and take the Lake Ann Trail past the lean to, then hike up and over 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 down towards Lake Bonita. If we time it right, we can use the Lake Ann picnic bench & lean-to for lunch.

The hike will be approximately 6.5 miles at a moderate pace with about 900 feet cumulative gain.

Contact leader for meeting time and location.

Leader: Jim Gorman, jimgorman102@hotmail.com

Wednesday, April 23: Taconic Crest Trail - Pittsfield State Forest B-

We will head up from Lebanon Springs to work on a section of the TCT from Lebanon Springs, New York going either north toward Tower Mountain/Berry Pond or south toward the beaver pond, both in Pittsfield State Forest. We’ll hope for decent trail conditions with no ice or snow. Attendees will need to sign liability forms to pass through private property and a DCR volunteer form with emergency numbers. No chainsaws allowed.  Work involves picking up, hand sawing, lopping and clipping so bring your favorite tool or tools.  After accessing the TCT from the 1.25 mile access in the Springs, we will work up there for a few hours, not all day.  Bring water, lunch, gloves, etc. 

Leader: Karen Ross, kcoyross@aol.com or 518 794-7474

MAY

Wednesday, May 14: Cherry Plain State Park & WMA B-

We will explore this less used State Park and the surrounding Capital District Wildlife Management Area. We will hike up Pesticide Shack Road to access the North by Northwest Trail, which meanders through hard woods and hemlock forests. Then we will hike on a couple of dirt woods roads to a cutover trail to the Charcoal Trail. We can go by the marked remains of an old charcoal kiln and continue up the Charcoal Trail. We will backtrack to the lake and enjoy the views across the lake. Exact trail combination used may be modified before the hike but the mileage would still be about 6-7 miles. Bring lunch, snacks, water.

The hike is about 6-7 miles, with approximately 600 feet gain, at a moderate pace. Contact the leader for meeting time and location. Parking is limited.

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

JUNE

SUNDAY, JUNE 1: SPRING GATHERING, GRAFTON LAKES STATE PARK (GLSP)

Join us at the THC Spring Gathering at Grafton Lakes State Park, at the Deerfield Pavilion on Sunday, June 1. You may come for all or part of the event. Meet old friends and make new friends!

We will start with a brief meeting at 9:30 at the Deerfield Pavilion, followed by a group hike. We plan to hike around Shaver Pond and take a side trip on the Granville Hicks Trail. You can paddle on Long Pond or stroll along the beach if you don’t want to hike.

We will meet again at the Deer Field Pavilion for a “bring your own” picnic lunch. If you cannot make the morning hike you can still join us for the picnic lunch; plan to arrive by 11:30. 

After the picnic you can paddle on Long Pond, take another hike, or relax and hang out at the pavilion. Bring your own kayak or canoe; remember to bring your life vest, white light, and whistle.

To register: Margaret Parks, margaretparks213@gmail.com or Martha Waldman, martha829r@aol.com . Note if you are planning to attend all of the gathering or if just attending the meeting, and/or hike and/or lunch.