Sunday, February 24, 2013

2013 THC SPRING SCHEDULE


FRIENDLY REMINDER
Please check your mailing label to see if your dues is current, (unpaid members will no longer receive a schedule). Your dues covers the period of January 1 to December 31.






Taconic Hiking Club 2013-14 Officers
President: Cliff Prewencki (cprewencki@aol.com )
Vice President: Terry Tamer (terrytamer7@gmail.com )
Treasurer: Mary MacDonald (mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com )
Recording Secretary: Martha Waldman (Martha829r@aol.com )
Corresponding Secretary: Sharon Bonk (sboqc@mindspring.com )

The official address of the Taconic Hiking Club is:
Taconic Hiking Club
c/o R.J. Hydorn
2 Miller Ave.
Troy, NY 12180

Taconic Crest Trail Guide Books and Map Sets
c/o MaryAnn Nicholas
7 Hampton St., Albany, NY 12209
518-729-2963
Membership information for the Club and to change or add contact information:
Terry Tamer
2A Lacy Lane
Loudonville, NY 12211
326-3584 or terrytamer7@gmail.com

Membership dues are paid to:
Mary MacDonald
27 Woodside Drive
Clifton Park, NY 12065
Dues are due on January1st. Annual dues, $10.00 and $5.00 junior members (under 18)

To contribute an activity for the seasonal schedule send information to:
Gayle Fountain at pfounta1@nycap.rr.com

Report Trail Conditions of the TCT to:
Colin Campbell at 438-9629 or holesinhead@aol.com



 
Sunday, March 3: Rheinstrom Hill Audubon Sanctuary, Audubon, NY
Snowshoe or hike wooded trails. Meet at Schodack Park & Ride (Exit 11E). Call Dale for starting time.

CONTACT: Dale Blanchet at 273-4262.
LENGTH: 3 miles round-trip with an ascent of 300 feet.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 80 miles round-trip.


Tuesday, March 5: Keleher Preserve, Clarksville, NY
Come snowshoe the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s newest preserve. It lies mostly in the Town of New Scotland at an elevation of 1600 feet. We will hike about 1.5 miles to an overlook for lunch and complete the loop to return. Meet at the Elm Ave. Park & Ride in Delmar. Call Dale for starting time.

CONTACT: Dale Blanchet at 273-4262.
LENGTH: 3 miles round-trip with an ascent of 350 feet.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 22 miles round-trip.


Tuesday, March 9: Taconic Crest Trail, Petersburg Pass to Route 146, Petersburg, NY
We will hike or snowshoe this northern section of the Taconic Crest Trail. Come prepared for winter weather. Anyone looking to complete a section for the winter end-to-end patch might want to complete this section. We will hike south to north. Bring lunch/snack. For starting time and place contact Mary.

CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com or 371-1293.
LENGTH: Approximately 8 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.


Saturday, March 16: Farmers Market and walk, Troy, NY
A fun thing to do is stroll among the produce and craft stalls; buy lunch from one of the food vendors. I’ll put on an orange hat at lunch so you can find me. At 1pm we will leave for a walk in Troy including a tour of EMPAC, the arts center at RPI. Parking is available in the parking garage. Contact Dale if you have any questions.

CONTACT: Dale Blanchet at 273-4262
LENGTH: 1-2 miles round-trip with an ascent of 200 feet, including steps.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to Troy.


Sunday, March 24: Merck Forest and Farm Center, Rupert. VT
Celebrate the Spring Open House weekend at Merck Forest and Farm Center, in Rupert VT. Enjoy a variety of old roads and trails and save room for the generous pancake breakfast (pancakes, sausage, coffee, and more). Breakfast is from 9-1, so we can walk/hike first then enjoy a late breakfast. Could be mud, could be snow/ice, hard to predict. If some of you want to eat first, go ahead and we'll all rendezvous later. Meet at Brunswick Park and Ride, near Wal-mart. Meeting location could vary depending on response. Call for confirmation and starting time.

CONTACT: Bob Armao at bob_armao@yahoo.com or 271-6512.
LENGTH: A few miles with moderate ascent, depending on group preference and hunger.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 110 miles round trip.

Saturday, March 30: Harrier Hill to Greenport Conservancy. Hudson, NY
Harrier Hill is a new Scenic Hudson property with a new trail connecting it to the Columbia Land Conservancy in Greenport. We will spot cars at both ends. Both properties have great views of the Hudson across to the Catskills, but the walk will be in the woods and meadows. Trails are likely to be wet and muddy with several steep and potentially muddy hills. For starting time and place contact Sharon.

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk at sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042.
LENGTH: Approximately 4 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.


Tuesday, April 9: Bog Meadow Trail, Saratoga, NY
Let’s search for some early spring flowers at this trail near Saratoga. We will walk about 4 miles along an old railroad line through a wetland with viewing platform at the southern end. Should we have more time we will walk another nearby trail. Bring lunch/snack. Call Mary for starting time and place.

CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com or 371-1293.
LENGTH: Approximately 4 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 40 miles round-trip.


Saturday, April 13: Moxham Mountain, Minerva, NY
We will see great views of the southern Adirondacks from the ridge as we climb 900’ to the top on a relatively new trail. In April we should beat the buds (to insure good views) and bugs, but we cannot be sure winter conditions will not be with us. For starting time and place contact Sharon.

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk at sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042.
LENGTH: Approximately 5.4 miles round-trip.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.

 
Friday, April 19: Taconic Crest Trail, Rt. 20 to Tower Mt. Road,
“Our” trail is a wonderful resource, diverse, challenging and close to home. Join me in celebrating it this year and hike all of it, in sections, from south to north. Plan a full day of hiking with a car spot. Each trip will be a steady but relaxed pace so we can enjoy, photograph, and explore as we go. This is a chance to familiarize yourself with sections you may not have done before, or recently, and those who finish the trail entirely earn a patch to commemorate this achievement. Call Susan for meeting time, place and questions.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts at 766-4170.
LENGTH: Approximately 5.25 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to Rt. 20 Trailhead.


Saturday, April 20: Slide Mountain, Shandaken, NY
The highest Catskill peak is my favorite of the "35," and it offers some nice views for a moderate amount of effort. Total elevation gain is 1700 feet, and total distance round trip is 5.6 miles. This is a joint outing with the Adirondack Mountain Club. Contact Cliff for meeting time and place.

CONTACT: Cliff Prewencki at cprewencki@aol.com or 766-2907.
LENGTH: Approximately 5.6 miles round-trip with an ascent of 1700 feet.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.


Tuesday, April 23: Black Mountain, Lake George, NY
Black is a prominent mountain on the east side of Lake George. This will be a moderate hike with great views of the lake. Meet at the Northway Exit 9 Park & Ride in Clifton Park at 8:00am.

CONTACT: Katie Henrikson, at HenriksonK@Beverwyck.com or 533-7441.
LENGTH: 6.7 miles with 1,000 feet of ascent.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 130 miles round-trip.

Saturday, April 27: Taconic Crest Trail (TCT) Work Day, Stephentown, NY
We’ll cover the section of the TCT from Robinson Hollow to Madden Road. This will involve blow down removal and drainage work. Bad weather postpones to the following weekend. Call Dave with starting time and place.

CONTACT: David Pisaneschi at dpisanes@nycap.rr.com or 459-5969.
LENGTH: Approximately 6 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.

 
Sunday, April 28: Wildflower Walk, Colonie Town Park
This was orginally slated to be Moxham Mountain, but since that hike was very popular on the schedule this spring, Dale decided to switch things up. Call her for details.

CONTACT: Dale Blanchet at 273-4262.
LENGTH: TBA
ROAD DISTANCE: TBA


Wednesday, May 1; Erie Canalway bike ride
Come see the scenic Mohawk River valley between St.Johnsville and Scoharie Crossing ~ 27 miles. The ride is one way and will require car spotting. The trail is mostly on a renovated railroad bed of gravel or asphalt paving and has minimal elevation change.. Some of the route is on local roads and village streets. Near the end we can stop at Karen’s Ice Cream and Produce for refreshments.

CONTACT: Charlie Beach at cjnqu7@verizon.net or 459-9127.
LENGTH: Approximately 27 miles with a car spot.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.


Wednesday May 8, Moxham Mountain, Minerva, NY
Moxham is between Minerva and North Creek. The new trail up the mountain is rewarding, with views of the northern and western Adirondacks. It should be a delightful spring hike, before the black flies wake up. Road distance: Meet at 8:00am at the Northway Park and Ride at exit 9 in Clifton Park.

CONTACT: Katie Henrikson, at HenriksonK@Beverwyck.com or 533-7441.
LENGTH: Approximately 5.5 miles with 1,000 feet of ascent.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 180 miles round-trip.

 
Saturday, May 11: Wildflower hike, Greylock Glen, Adams, MA

Gerry Weber and I will be hiking east of Mt Greylock (Gould Road/Theil Rd trailhead), near Adams. We expect to do about 4 miles, more of a ramble and exploration than a hike with a specific terminus. We do not intend to climb the mountain but stay on trails in the lower slopes. Black flies are there already. Be prepared! Bring wildflower ID book and camera as well as lunch and water.
Meeting place: 9 AM Defreetsville Park and Ride, Rtes 4/43, Exit 8 of I 90. Please register with Sharon Bonk, 674-0042, sboqc@mindspring.com.

 
CONTACT: Sharon Bonk at sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042.
LENGTH: Approximately 4 miles round-trip.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 1:15 to trailhead from the Park and Ride.


Thursday, May 16: Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, Lanesborough, MA.
This is a really pleasant bike ride in western Massachusetts, with part of the trail paralleling Cheshire Reservoir. We’ll start from the southern end, and depending on group interest, go all or part way to Adams. Please call leader, BEFORE 9:00pm, for meeting time and place.

CONTACT: Lynn Filarecki, 674-2125.
DISTANCE: All the way to Adams and return, 22.4 miles; if group desires, we’ll do less.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 70 miles.


Saturday, May 18: Burroughs Sanctuary, West Park, NY
Slabsides is the rustic retreat of John Burrough, author, naturalist and environmentalist. Built in 1895, now a National Historic Landmark, Slabsides is now surrounded by a 200 acre nature sanctuary with many nature trails. This “open house”, hosted by members of the John Burroughs Association, will include talks and tours, free of charge. Call Susan for meeting time and place.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts at 766-4170.
LENGTH: To be determined by the group.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 140 miles round-trip.


Saturday, May 18:, Berlin Mountain, Berlin, NY
Berlin Mountain is a Taconic Crest favorite, but we will take the less traveled southern approach. Be prepared for a good stiff walk in the woods, with 2600 feet of total elevation gain and 8.3 miles total distance. 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 766-2907.
LENGTH: Approximately 8.3 miles round-trip with an ascent of 2600 feet.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.

Wednesday, May 22: Paddle-Schodack Creek, Schodack, NY
Mindful of the tides we will explore Schodack Creek launching from the hand launch at Schodack Island State Park. There is over five miles of shoreline on Schodack Creek before reaching the Hudson River. We will either retrace our steps back to the hand launch or, in the event it is unanimous we will continue south around the island and return north on the Hudson River, finishing on the motor boat launch with its vehicle access. The park has been designated a State Estuary, and a portion of the park shelters a bird conservation area that is home to bald eagles, cerulean warblers and blue herons that nest in the cottonwood trees. The portage conditions from the parking area to the hand launch is about 600 feet. Wheels are helpful otherwise we will help each other with joint carries. Meet 8:30 AM at the Delmar Elm Ave. Park & Ride Lot

CONTACT: Bill Valentino at billvalentino113@yahoo.com or 439-9686.
LENGTH: Total paddle distance is expected to be less than ten miles
ROAD DISTANCE: 40 miles round trip


Friday, May 24, Blue Circle Cement Trail, Ravena, NY
Join Etta for a beautiful spring hike to check out all of Mother Nature’s springtime glory. Hopefully, the wildflowers will be in full bloom. Meeting at the Elm Avenue Park & Ride in Delmar at 9:30 A.M. Please call Etta to register for the walk..

CONTACT: Etta Menges 233-8310
LENGTH: 2-4 miles
ROAD DISTANCE: About 30 miles round trip.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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.

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.


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.

CONTACT: Cliff Prewencki at cprewencki@aol.com or 766-2907.
LENGTH: Approximately 7 miles round-trip.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.


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 Margaret.Parks@thurway.state.ny.us or 728-6690 to let her know how many people are coming and what your contribution to the picnic will be (appetizer, salad or dessert).

Monday, February 11, 2013

THC NEWS

Sad news to report about a long-time Taconic Hiking Club member.
Corinne Hammet reports that her mother, Carolyn Junod Kirby Hammet, passed away peacefully on January 21, 2013.
A number of THC members visited Carolyn during her five-year stay at a nursing home near Port Jervis. "We were always greeted with a smile and a willingness to share stories of THC trips," Corinne said.
Her daughters will have an outdoor remembrance gathering during the summer. Donations can be made in Carolyn's name to the Taconic Hiking Club or Wiawaka Holiday House.
Corinne would welcome notes or phone calls.
2725 Potter Street
Eugene, Oregon 97405
541-852-6787