THC Fall Activity Schedule 2011
Message from the President
Autumn is upon us. Time to get out and enjoy crisp days and the lovely fall foliage. We have a nice variety of activities to choose from in this schedule, so join us and have some fun in the great outdoors.
A lot has happened since the last outings schedule was distributed. The membership voted on and approved, by a 52-2 margin, to change the Taconic Hiking Club's by-laws. The changes were ratified at the Board of Governors meeting in July and are now in effect. The most notable change for the majority of you will be we can now send official correspondence, like this schedule, to you via e-mail. Please contact Corresponding Secretary Sharon Bonk (sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042) if you would prefer to receive your outings schedule and other club information electronically.
On a sad note, we lost Phil Fountain in an accident on July 29th. Phil was a past President of the club and one of its most dedicated and active members. We intend to formally recognize Phil's service to the club in the months ahead. One event is a memorial hike over Berlin Mountain on October 25. We'll keep you posted on others as they are finalized. In the meantime, we can all honor Phil's memory by enjoying the great outdoors and striving to make the world around us a better place.
In that spirit, a special thank you to Susan Roberts for volunteering to take over the fall hikes Phil had scheduled in connection with Hudson Valley Community College. These outings have provided excellent exposure for the club to novice hikers. We'd love to see them continue. Please contact me (rjhydorn@lycos.com or 283-6056) if you are interested in assuming the ambassador's role.
Lastly, I'd like to invite you all to the Annual Fall Banquet, which is being held on November 6 at Moscatiello's in Troy. The speaker will be club member Rich Vertigan, who will regale us with his biking expedition tales.
Respectfully,
R.J. Hydorn
September
Wednesday, September 7: Paddle the Kunjamuk, Speculator, NY
The Kunjamuk is a beautiful winding stream up in the Adirondacks near Speculator. It will require some skill in frequently turning the boat but the reward will be seeing the beauty of nature up close. The paddle is approximately 10 miles round trip. Contact Etta for a meeting time and place.
CONTACT: Etta Menges at 233-8310.
LENGTH: Paddle distance approximately 10 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: About 150 miles round-trip.
Thursday, September 8: Bromley Mountain, Peru, VT
Bromley is known for its ski area in the winter, but there is also a hiking trail. There will be all new views from the top. Meet at the Park and Ride at the intersection of Routes 4 and 43 at 8:00 AM.
CONTACT: Katie Henrikson at khenriks@nycap.rr.com, or 439-4308
LENGTH: Approximately 6 miles and 1400 feet of ascent.
ROAD DISTANCE: 110 miles round trip.
Friday, September 9: Walkway bike over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY
This is the second attempt at this trip. The bicycle trip is planned to the Poughkeepsie area where we will bike on the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, which connects to the bridge. We will cross over the bridge and visit the Farmer's Market, which begins at 3:00 PM at Pulaski Park in Poughkeepsie. Plan to bring a lunch and contact Mary for further information.
CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com or 371-1293.
LENGTH: Approximately13 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Around 200 miles round-trip.
Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11: 2nd Annual Plateau Traverse Hike
Co-sponsored by the Friends of Dyken Pond, the Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center and the Rensselear Land Trust. As part of the Hudson River Valley Ramble we will meet at Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area and take shuttles to the Pittstown State Forest and will hike south back to Pineridge. Participants can then set up a tent to camp for the night and enjoy an evening cooking, eating and sitting around the campfire. In the morning on Sunday we will continue our journey south to Garfield Road in Stephentown. There will be an option short hike to the summit of Turner Mountain. At the end of the day, we will be met by shuttles, and be brought back to Pineridge to pick up our cars. Cost is free, but pre-registration is required.
CONTACT: Jim Bonsteel at jim@bonesteel.com or 794-9160..
LENGTH: We will be traveling approximately 15 miles each day. This will be a very strenuous hike with some off trail bushwhacking and significant elevation change. Participants must be in excellent physical condition.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to Pineridge.
Saturday, September 17: Hoosac Range/Spruce Hill, North Adams, MA
This is a new trail on Berkshire Natural Resources Council property and takes us to Spruce Hill (2566’) in Savoy Mountain State Forest. We will have 360 views from the top and a chance of viewing migrating hawks. We will meet at Rte 7,
CONTACT: Sharon Bonk at sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042.
LENGTH: 6 miles round-trip with an elevation gain of 700 feet.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 80 miles round-trip
Sunday, September 18: Long Trail/AT, Shrewsbury, VT
We will travel a short section from Upper Cold River Road in the shadow of Killington Peak down to VT Route 103. Highlights include views from Clarendon Lookout and a short side trip at the end down into Clarendon Gorge.
CONTACT: R.J. Hydorn at rjhydorn@lycos.com or 283-6056.
LENGTH: 5.4 miles and approximately 350 feet of ascent and 1200 feet of descent.
ROAD DISTANCE: 155 miles round-trip.
Monday, September 19-Tuesday, September 20:
Harriman State Park Hiking, Rockland County, NY
Harriman Park is located 50 miles north of NYC and is a little over 2 hours drive from the Capital District. Explore Harriman’s hills and ridges when the park is quiet during midweek. Options include parts of the Long Path, AT, or other park trails. Cool off in Lake Tirorati after a day of hiking. Stay overnight Monday (also possible to arrive on Sunday with leader) at Camp Thendara as guests of the Thendara Mountain Club (small fee, plus shared food cost).
RESERVE by Monday, September 12.
CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042.
LENGTH: Contact Sharon.
ROAD DISTANCE: Contact Sharon.
Wednesday, September 21: Paddle Lake Otsego, Cooperstown, NY
Cooperstown isn’t just about baseball it also has a beautiful lake with an opera house and the spiritual
presence of Natty Bumppo and Chingachgook. This is a good quiet time with changing foliage to explore at least a portion of this outstanding lake. The paddle will be less than 12 miles. We will meet by the south entrance to J C Penny’s at Crossgates Mall at 8 A.M..
CONTACT: Bill Valentino at billvalentino113@yahoo.com or 439-9686.
LENGTH: Paddle Distance 12 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: 140 miles round-trip.
Friday, September 23: Lapland Pond, east of Lake George, NY
Begin on a gravel road with mountain views. Go past a beaver meadow, over a little hemlock knoll, and along a lovely pond to a lean-to. Expect wet spots, a minor stream crossing and very little climbing. We will leave from Exit 9 Park & Ride on Fire Road. Call Dale for further information.
CONTACT: Dale Blanchett at 273-4262.
LENGTH: 4.2 miles round-trip. An optional visit to Black Mountain Pond would add 2.4 miles and 200 feet of ascent.
ROAD DISTANCE: 175 miles round-trip.
Tuesday, September 27: Ponds south of Moriah Road, North Hudson, NY
Trails ascend gradually to Bass Lake, Berrymill Pond and Moose Mountain Pond with some rocky areas. We will hike along an outlet brook, a marshy area and see rocky promontories across a lake.
We will leave from Exit 9 Park & Ride on Fire Road. Call Dale for further information.
CONTACT: Dale Blanchett at 273-4262.
LENGTH: 7 – 8 miles with an ascent of 500 to 600 feet.
ROAD DISTANCE: 200 miles round-trip.
October
Saturday, October 1: Taconic Crest Trail via Mattison and Robinson Hollows, Berlin, NY
We’ll hike a central portion of the Taconic Crest Trail, going up Mattison Hollow past its scenic waterfalls, along the TCT for about 3 miles, and down Robinson Hollow. We will meet at Berlin High School parking lot at 9 A.M. Bring lunch and water. Register in advance.
CONTACT: Nick Conrad at nbconrad@msn.com or 279-1963.
LENGTH: About 7 miles, with about 1000 feet ascent and descent.
ROAD DISTANCE: Just a few miles.
Sunday, October 16: Hike Savoy Mountain State Forest, North Adams, MA
We will hike some new trails visiting Burnett Pond, Tannery Brook Falls, Balanced Rock and perhaps, Borden Mountain. Contact Willard for further information.
CONTACT: Willard Hoyt at willardh2@juno.com or 732-2390.
LENGTH:: 4.5 miles with an ascent of 300 feet.
ROAD DISTANCE: 100 miles round-trip.
Wednesday, October 5: Dickinson Fire Tower, Grafton NY
This is one of Phil’s HVCC hikes for Creative Retirement.
We will hike along Long Pond Road via the Fire Tower Trail to the restored Dickinson Fire Tower.
We will have lunch at the summit and allow small groups to climb the tower and enjoy the vast panoramic scenery. We return to our cars via the Chet Bell Trail. We will meet at the Wal-Mart (south parking area) in
CONTACT: Susan Roberts at 766-4170
LENGTH: Approximately 2.5 miles round-trip with an ascent of 300 feet.
ROAD DISTANCE: 25 miles round-trip.
Wednesday, October 5: Warren County Bike Trail, Glens Falls, NY
Ride approximately 20 miles from Glens Falls to Lake George and back. Optional extension will add Hudson Falls Feeder Canal path (unpaved). Finish the day with a stop at Rock Hill Bakery in downtown Glens Falls. We will meet at I 87, Exit 9 Park and Ride at 9AM and caravan to the Glens Falls starting point.
CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, sboqc@mindspring.com, or 674-0042.
LENGTH: 20 or more miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 100 miles round-trip.
Thursday, October 6, 2011: Blue Mountain, Blue Mountain Lake, NY
This fire tower mountain is located near Blue Mountain Lake and the Adirondack Museum. There are excellent views from the fire tower.. If time permits we will visit the museum (look for coupons/discounts). Travel time to trailhead is about 1 ¾ hours. Contact Mary MacDonald for further information.
CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com. Or 518-371-1293.
LENGTH: Round trip is 4 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 190 miles round-trip.
Monday, October 10: Hyde Park Walkabout Trails, Dutchess County, NY
The Hyde Park trail system includes 16 miles of parks and historic sites. We will briskly walk the generally moderate trails (with some hills) in Mills Norrie State Park (Hudson River views) and the interconnected trails of the Roosevelt woods and farm sites. Since the hike will cover 10 miles, there is no plan to visit the historic homes that these trails entwine.
CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, sboqc@mindspring.com, or 674-0042.
LENGTH: Approximately 10 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 110 miles round-trip.
October 10, Monday: Vanderwacker Mountain, Minerva, NY
This mountain in the southern Adirondacks has great views of the High Peaks. There should also be good fall color on Columbus Day. Meet at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride, in Clifton Park at 8:00AM.
CONTACT: Katie Henrikson at khenriks@nycap.rr.com or 39-4308.
LENGTH: 5 miles round trip and 1650 feet of ascent
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 200 miles round trip.
Wednesday, October 12: Olana, Hudson, NY
This is one of Phil’s HVCC hikes for Creative Retirement
This will be a easy stroll along the grounds of Frederic Church’s home and through the landscapes of pond, gardens, and woods created by him, in the 1860’s and 1870’s. We will meet at the Schodack Center off Route 9 and 20, from I 90 Exit 11 East at 9:30 A.M. Please be sure to call Susan to offer your help with this hike or to let her know you will be joining her.
CONTACT: Susan Roberts at 766-4170
LENGTH: To be determined by the group.
ROAD DISTANCE: 44 miles round-trip.
Sunday, October 16: AT in NY, Putnam County, NY
This hike overlaps two sections (6 & 7) of the Appalachian Trail through Clarence Fahnestock State Park. There will be views from Shenandoah Mt and of Canopus Lake. We will continue south past an old sunken mine.
CONTACT: R.J. Hydorn at 518-283-6056 (rjhydorn@lycos.com)
LENGTH: 8.3 miles and approximately 500 feet ascent, 600 feet decent.
ROAD DISTANCE: 180 miles round-trip.
Wednesday, October 19: Hopkins Memorial Forest, Williamstown, MA
This is one of Phil’s HVCC hikes for Creative Retirement.
We will start from the Rosenberg Center, the
CONTACT: Susan Roberts at 766-4170
LENGTH: 4.3 miles round-trip and a elevation gain of about 450 feet.
ROAD DISTANCE: 60 miles round-trip.
Sunday, October 23: Quarry, Becket, MA
A short uphill walk brings us to the historic quarry site with its drill, trucks, and derricks. The Becket Land Trust has put in interpretive signs and marked trails on roads that lead past smaller quarries. We will leave from Schodack Park & Ride, Exit 11E. Call Dale for further information.
CONTACT: Dale Blanchett at 273-4262.
LENGTH: 3 miles with an ascent of 250.
ROAD DISTANCE: 112 miles round-trip.
Tuesday, October 25: PHIL FOUNTAIN MEMORIAL HIKE
on the Taconic Crest Trail, Petersburg, NY
We wanted to pay tribute to Phil’s devotion to the Taconic Crest Trail and in particular his love of this section. This joint ADK and Taconic Hiking Club hike will celebrate Phil’s trail work on the Crest Trail, his leadership over many outings on these paths, and his joy in the creation and documentation of this ridge and its access points. We’ll want to toast and hail Phil from the 360° view on Berlin Mtn. We’ll spot cars at the trailhead in Southeast Hollow and start from Petersburg Pass, heading south up over Berlin Mountain (2818’) and continuing to the Southeast Hollow access trail. One option hikers have is to do a shorter segment out and back, hiking just Berlin Mountain and returning to Petersburg Pass. The whole distance and elevation to SE Hollow is 7 miles and about 1300’
CONTACTS: Karen Ross at kcross@aol.com or 794-7474 or Virginia Traver at virginiabt28@hotmail.com or 322-0950.
LENGTH: 5.5 to 7 miles with between 1000 to 1300 feet of ascent.
ROAD DISTANCE: 75 miles round-trip.
Sunday, October 30: Schodack Island Paddle, Schodack, NY
Plan to meet at the boat launch on the Schodack Creek side at Schodack Island State Park. We’ll paddle around the island and into the river, taking advantage of the morning high tide. Plan to be in the water and ready to go by 9:00AM. We will paddle and explore until about 4:00 PM. Best for touring kayaks, but strong canoers are welcome.
CONTACT: David Pisaneschi at dpisanes@nycap.rr.com or 459-5969.
LENGTH: Contact David for further information.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to Schodack Island State Park.
November
Saturday, November 5th hike postponed to November 12th: Lower Wolfjaw, Keene Valley, NY
We will take Lake Road passing through the Ausable Club, proceeding up the Wedge Brook Trail to the summit of Lower Wolf Jaw. After enjoying the views from the summit we return by the same route
CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com or 371-1293.
LENGTH: Summit at 4175 feet with an ascent 2825 feet. 8.38 miles total round-trip. Plan an early start.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 200 miles round-trip.
Saturday, November 5: Siamese Ponds Trail Work, NY
This is a co-hike with Albany ADK. We’ll hike in from the Rt. 8 trailhead to the lean to and finally to the ponds. Activities will include trail work (brushing out, water bars, etc.) and trash removal. Nothing is going to be difficult or physically demanding, but this is a work trip. This is your chance to join the Wilderness Committee on a work trip into the Chapter’s adopted wilderness area and give something back to the mountains. .
CONTACT: David Pisaneschi at dpisanes@nycap.rr.com or 459-5969.
LENGTH: TBD
ROAD DISTANCE: TBD
Sunday, November 6: THC Annual Fall Banquet, 12:00 P.M.
Moscatiello’s Restaurant
99 North Greenbush Road, Troy, NY
We will have a lunch buffet with the following choices:
House salad
Homemade Italian Bread
Ziti Primavera
Meatballs & Sausage
Chicken Marsala
Mini Cannoli Platter
Soda, Iced Tea, Lemonade, Coffee, Tea & Decaf
Club member, Rich Vertigan will be our guest speaker. He will present "Biking Across America" pictures of his bike trip from the East Coast to the West Coast.
Please send your check for $22.00 by October 30, 2011 (no refunds after this date) to:
Doree Cox
104 Dutch Church Road
Petersburgh, NY 12138
NOTE: This is the first day of Daylight Standard Time. Make sure wherever you go today you aren’t an hour late.
November 8, Tuesday, Election Day Hike to Black Dome, Jewett, NY
Black Dome is the center of the three Catskill Mountains that can be seen from various high points around the capital district. We will go up the Black Dome trail from the Big Hollow Rd parking lot, and return the same way. A side trip to Blackhead is possible if the group wishes. Meet at 8:00AM at the Delmar Route 32 Park and Ride.
CONTACT: Katie Henrikson at khenriks@nycap.rr.com or 439-4308.
LENGTH: 4.0 or 4.5 miles round-trip with1780 feet of ascent.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 80 miles round trip.
Friday, November 11, Taconic Crest Trail, Berlin, NY
This is a co-hike with Albany ADK. We’ll cover the section of the TCT from Robinson Hollow to Mattison Hollow. This will involve blow down removal and drainage work. Contact David for further information.
CONTACT: David Pisaneschi at dpisanes@nycap.rr.com or 459-5969.
LENGTH: TBA
ROAD DISTANCE: TBA
Saturday, November 12 (from Nov 5th): Lower Wolfjaw Mountain, Keene Valley, NY
We will take Lake Road passing through the Ausable Club, proceeding up the Wedge Brook Trail to the summit of Lower Wolf Jaw. After enjoying the views from the summit we return by the same route
CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com or 371-1293.
LENGTH: Summit at 4175 feet with an ascent 2825 feet. 8.38 miles total round-trip. Plan an early start.
Sunday, November 13: AT in NY/CT, Bull's Bridge, CT
I'm missing a short section of the Appalachian Trail in Connecticut from Bull's Bridge to
CONTACT: R.J. Hydorn at rjhydorn@lycos.com or 283-6056.
LENGTH: 4.1 miles and approximately 500 feet ascent with 600 feet of descent.
ROAD DISTANCE: 155 miles round trip.
Sunday, Nov 20: Leader's Choice Hike, Southern Berkshires, MA
Will pick a scenic southern Berkshire hike. Plenty of good options as the foliage begins to fade and drop. Contact leader for details as date approaches.
CONTACT: Bob Armao at bob_armao@yahoo.com or 271-6512
LENGTH: Modest distance, perhaps 5+ miles depending on the group.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 140-150 mile round trip depending on the destination.
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