THC SUMMER OUTINGS SCHEDULE

Sunday, June 9: THC Picnic, Schodack Town Park, Nassau, NY

Taconic Hiking Club Annual Pot- Luck Picnic

Our activities for the day are:

 Join George Astle for a bike ride or hike the park on your own. There is no swimming or boating at this park.

 Noon to 1:00 PM POTLUCK APPETIZERS.

 1:00 PM POTLUCK salads, desserts and treats along with THC supplied hot dogs, hamburgers, cold drinks (lemonade and iced tea) and condiments.

 Please bring your own soda, beer or wine.

 Lawn chairs and games are recommended, as well as pictures to share.

 2;00 PM short THC meeting

 Enjoy the park for the rest of the day.

Margaret Parks will be handling reservations so please contact her at margaretparks213@gmail.com or 250-5452 to let her know how many people are coming and what your contribution to the picnic will be (appetizer, salad or dessert).

 

Saturday, June 1: National Trails Day Work Party at Grafton Lakes SP, Grafton, NY

Spend the morning of National Trails Day working on the trails at Grafton Lakes State Park. The good folks at GLSP let us store tools and supplies there for use on the Taconic Crest Trail, so helping them get ready for the busy summer season is the neighborly thing to do. Plus, they'll have a picnic lunch for all the volunteers and a chance to win prizes. Call R.J. for details.

CONTACT: R.J. Hydorn or rjhydorn@lycos.com or 283-6056.

LENGTH: To be determined.

ROAD DISTANCE: From your house to Grafton Lakes State Park.

 

Monday, June 3: Potter Mountain Rd to Tower Mountain Rd., Pittsfield, MA

We will hike the 2nd section of the TCT from North to South to avoid the long uphill of the Tower Mountain access. This section goes through Pittsfield State Forest. Steady but relaxed pace will allow

us to photograph and appreciate the special qualities of "our" trail. New or "out-of-shape" hikers are welcome. Very hot weather cancels. Call Susan for meeting time and place.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts 766-4170.

LENGTH: About 5.5 miles

ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to trailhead, plus car spot

 

Tuesday, June 4: Paddle Hudson River-North of Spier Falls, Lake Luzerne, NY

This segment of the Hudson River, near Moreau Lake State Park, is a surprising unspoiled and secluded wilderness; mostly forested with plentiful animals and waterfowl. We will plan on a leisurely flat water paddle of less than 9 miles with lunch either at the takeout or on one of the flat rocks enroute. We will meet at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride at 8:00AM

CONTACT: Bill Valentino billvalentino113@yahoo.com or 439-9686

LENGTH: Less than nine miles

ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 60 miles roundtrip

Saturday, June 8: Huyck Preserve, Rensselaerville, NY

The Huyck Preserve offers 2,000 acres of varied terrain--forest, field, lake, and pond. It also affords great views of the Rensselaervile Falls, which plummet 60 feet over sandstone and shale. There are lots of trail options here, but elevation will be minimal and total length will be about 7 miles. This is a joint outing with the Adirondack Mountain Club. Call Cliff for meeting time and place.

CONTACT: Cliff Prewencki at cprewencki@aol.com or 768-2907.

LENGTH: Approximately 7 miles round-trip.

ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.

Sunday, June 9: THC Picnic, Schodack Town Park, Nassau, NY

 

Tuesday, June 11: Peaked Mountain Pond and Trail, Johnsburg, NY

This gradual climb 7.2 miles through woods and along stream brings hikers to the pond below the summit. The last section is rather steep and short. Hikers then emerge at the summit with wonderful views and a great spot for lunch. We hike from Thirteenth Lake near North River. Call Mary for starting time and place.

CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com or 371-1293.

LENGTH: Approximately 7.2 miles.

ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 160 miles round-trip.

 

Wednesday, June 19: Paddle Hudson River, Tivoli Bay, Albany, NY

Tivoli Bay is a large intertidal marsh with creeks and pools, aquatic plants, birds, big flopping fish and snapping turtles. It is part of the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve and is managed as a field laboratory for research. We will explore this very interesting environment and hopefully picnic on an island. We will paddle a total of about six miles. To the extent possible we will car pool since the parking area in Tivoli is a small slip of land just on the other side of the railroad tracks.

Meet 8:00AM at Delmar Elm Ave. Park & Ride Lot.

CONTACT: Bill Valentino 439-9686

LENGTH: Total paddle distance is expected to be 6 miles.

ROAD DISTANCE: 160 miles round trip

 

Saturday, June 22: Schenectady CCC to Rotterdam Junction, Schenectady, NY

About 18 miles RT of relatively flat cycling with great views of the river We will be on Route 5S for about 1.5 miles each way in Rotterdam Junction in the vicinity of Mabee Farm. We will meet at the Schenectady County Community College Parking Lot closest to trail heading EAST, at 10AM

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, at sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042.

LENGTH: Approximately 18 miles round-trip.

ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to Schenectady CCC.

 

Wednesday, July 3: Amsterdam to Auriesville bike ride, Amsterdam, NY

We’ll bike along the Erie Canal Path trail with brief detour (about ½ mile on a lightly-traveled rural road) for a brief visit to Schoharie Crossing Historic Site (with rest rooms). We will then will continue on as far as Auriesville Shrine, and turn around. On the return trip, we’ll take a short ice cream (or snack) stop at Karen’s on Route 5S. We expect to be back before late lunch time, especially if you have had ice cream to tide you over. Meeting point will be in Amsterdam where there is a parking lot along the trail, call for location and start time. Helmet required. Steady or heavy rain cancels. Trail is paved in most sections, but some short sections are very fine gravel, suitable for road, hybrid & mountain bikes.

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, at sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042.

LENGTH: Approximately 18 miles round-trip.

ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.

Tuesday, July 16: Paddle Kunjamuk River, Speculator, NY

Paddling the Kunjamuk has always been a challenge with its twisty-turny oxbows, shallow areas and beaver dams; but it has always been enjoyable. We will probably stop short of Elm Lake. Consequently this will be a paddle of less than 10 miles round trip. We will meet at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride at 7:30AM.

 

CONTACT: Bill Valentino billvalentino113@yahoo.com or 439-9686.

LENGTH: Approximately a10 mile paddle

ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately150 miles round-trip.

Tuesday, July 30: Paddle Historic Lake George Islands, Lake George, NY

We will launch from either one of three areas (to be determined later depending on the conditions) and paddle around some of the historic Lake George Island such as Recluse, Dome and Green Island. We will have lunch and a swim at Sweet Brier Island assuming the Canada geese problem has been addressed. This will be a leisurely flat water paddle of about eight miles under relatively sheltered circumstances for Lake George. We will meet at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride at 8:00AM.

CONTACT: Bill Valentino billvalentino113@yahoo.com or 439-9686.

LENGTH: Approximately 8 miles

ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 160 miles roundtrip

 

Friday, August 2: Mount Greylock via the Gould Trail, Adams, MA

We will take the eastern approach to Greylock on a new trail that is a delight for its good footing and gentler slope than other approaches. We'll start at the W. Mountain Road trailhead and enjoy the deep summer woods, the Peck's Brook Shelter, a nearby waterfall, and that stunning summit. Lunch is available for purchase at Bascom Lodge, but the lines and wait can be long in summer.

CONTACT: Karen Ross at kcoyross@aol.com.

LENGTH: 6+ miles with approximately 2000’ vertical.

ROAD DISTANCE: Contact Karen for details.

Saturday, August 3: Windham High Peak, Windham, NY

Windham High Peak is the most northern of the Catskill Peaks over 3500' in elevation. We will hike 6.6 miles round trip with about 1800' of elevation gain. If the weather cooperates, we will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the southern Adirondacks, Berkshires and Green Mountains. Contact Martha for meeting time and place.

CONTACT: Martha Waldman at martha829r@aol.com or 869-5109.

LENGTH: 6.6 miles round trip with 1800 foot of ascent.

ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 100 miles round trip.

Sunday, August 4: Vroman’s Nose, Warnerville, NY

Approximate hike time should be about an hour with additional time to browse around and have lunch. Dogs permitted on a leash. The trail surface is a dirt path with moderate difficulty. After hike we will go to Bohringer’s Fruit Stand for ice cream. Meet at 10:00AM  at the Park& Ride off of Route 88 Schoharie/Middleburgh Exit #23. Call Sue-Ann for details.

CONTACT: Sue-Ann Karker (518) 234-1438.

LENGTH: Approximately 1.8 miles round-trip.

ROAD DISTANCE: From Park & Ride to trail head approximately 10-15 miles.

Tuesday, August 14: Madden Road to Robinson Hollow, Berlin, NY

The third section of the trail will reveal the reroute around Rounds Mountain necessitated by four- wheeler damage from over a year ago. Steady but relaxed pace; you don't need to be a fast or experienced hiker to enjoy this. Call Susan for details.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts 766-4170.

LENGTH: Approximately 5.5 miles.

ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to trailhead, plus car spot.

 

Thursday, August 15: Fall activities are due

Fall will be here before we know it. It is time to send in your bike rides, hikes or other activities for our fall schedule. Let’s make this our busiest fall ever!

CONTACT: Gayle Fountain at pfounta1@nycap.rr.com or 371-8585.

LENGTH: You decide.

ROAD DISTANCE: Unlimited

Thursday, August 29: Escarpment Trail, Thatcher Park, Berne, NY

Why go far from town in August? We will spot cars at the south end of the park, then drive to the Old Stage Rd. trailhead and hike back. The first part of the hike is through lovely woods. When we reach the Escarpment Trail, we will be treated to great views of most of Albany County. The Indian Ladder Trail will be included in this hike. Call for meeting time and place.

CONTACT: Katie Henrikson at HenriksonK@Beverwyck.com or 533-7441.

LENGTH: Approximately 5.5 miles with negligible ascent.

ROAD DISTANCE: Under 20 miles round trip from Delmar.

 

Occasional Cultural Outings

During the summer I will attend performances at Glimmerglass Opera, Cooperstown, Tanglewood, Lenox, MA, Jacob's Pillow, Becket, MA and rehearsals of the Berkshire Choral Society on Saturday mornings in July, Sheffield, MA. If you are interested in joining me, call and I'll let you know when I'm going. Susan Roberts 766-4170.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, September 5: Paddle Lake Durant and Rock Pond, Blue Mountain Lake, NY

Lake Durant is a small but very attractive and productive lake. There is an abundance of aquatic vegetation and water fowl and some strange large boulders. It is a lake with character. We can expect a leisurely paddle of less than six miles with lunch at the State park. We will meet at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride at 8AM.

CONTACT: Bill Valentino at billvalentino113@yahoo.com or 439-9686.

LENGTH: Approximately 6 miles.

ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 200 miles round trip.

Saturday, September 14: Storm King Mountain, West Point, NY

This Hudson Highlands peak offers great views and interesting trail options for a modest amount of effort. Total elevation gain will be about 1100 feet, with a length of about 6 miles. Call Cliff for details.

CONTACT: Cliff Prewencki at cprewencki@aol.com or 768-2907.

LENGTH: Approximately 6 miles round-trip.

ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.

Sunday, November 3: Taconic Hiking Club Annual Banquet, Wynantskill, NY

This year's banquet will once again be a sit down luncheon at Paolo Lombardi's Ristorante at 104 West Sand Lake Road (Route 150) in Wynantskill from noon to 4 p.m. In addition to the meal, there will be a brief business meeting and guest speakers. Authors Robert and Johanna Titus will present The Hudson Valley in the Ice Age, A Geological History & Tour.

Entrees: Pollo Alla Marsala, Salmon Arrosta and Lasagna Della Casa

Side dishes: Italian-style potatoes and Broccoli Romano

Other items: Garden salad, Italian bread, coffee, tea, soft drinks and cake for desert.

Cost: $22 per person.

CONTACT: Margaret Parks at 250-5452 or margaretparks213@gmail.com before Oct. 30.

DIRECTIONS: Depends on where you're coming from. Best bet is to go to www.paololombardis.com, click on the Contact link, and go to the Google Maps application.

Announcements

Please note the Taconic Hiking Club has a canoe that is available for members use on a scheduled club activity.  Contact Colin Campbell at Holesinhead@aol.com or 438-9629