Thursday, February 27, 2014

2014 Spring Schedule



Trail Clearing of the TCT for the End to End

Colin Campbell will be organizing club trail clearing days for the upcoming May 17th End to End Challenge. Please call Colin for details and work assignments. Lawn rakes will be needed to clean the water bars.

David Pisaneschi will also be leading a trail clearing work party on this date, which will give you a choice of two different areas to help prepare for the E2E.


WORK DATES: Saturday, April 26th, rain date, Sunday April 27th
Friday, May 2nd, rain date, Saturday, May 3.

CONTACT: Colin Campbell at Holesinhead@aol.com or 438-9629.
LENGTH: Depends on the work needed to be done.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to the trail head.



Additional notes from Colin
Anyone who is doing the End to End may be interested in helping with the work days for trail clearing

This is a good way to become familiar with the trail.

If anyone visiting the area is interested in doing all or part of the 35 mile Taconic Crest Trail call Colin and he may be able to provide assistance with car spotting or general information about the trail.



Volunteer Opportunity
We have a volunteer opportunity for someone with website design or development background. We need someone to help out periodically with technical issues related to our website. Contact Martha Waldman at martha829r@aol.com or Cliff Prewencki at cprewencki@aol.com for more information.



Saturday, March 8: Leaders Choice Cross Country Skiing (intermediate)
We will go where there is snow. For the last two winters we had snow in March, so let’s assume we will have it in 2014. Contact Sharon for details.


CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.



Tuesday, March 18: Ski where there is snow!
Join Dale for a cross-country ski trip to a snowy area. Likely at Lapland Lake. Call Dale for details and starting time.

CONTACT: Dale Blanchet at 273-4262.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined



Sunday, March 23: 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 10 - 2, 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 Walmart. 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.



Tuesday, April 8: White Lily Pond Trail, Grafton, NY
Join Dale for this hike in Grafton Lakes State Park. Call for details and starting time.

CONTACT: Dale Blanchet at 273-4262.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined.



Wednesday, April 9: Hike Moreau State Park, Wilton, NY
We will hike along the Palmertown Mountain Range from Spier Falls Road. This is a beautiful area; we should get some great views to the north. Elevation gain is approximately 700 to 800 feet. Call Martha for details and starting time.


CONTACT: Martha Waldman at martha829r@aol.com or 869 5109
LENGTH: Approximately 6 miles, it can be more depending on conditions and group.
ROAD DISTANCE: approximately 50 miles round trip from exit 9.



Saturday, April 12: Hike Rochester Hollow, Catskill, NY
We will look for signs of spring on the three trails of Rochester Hollow within Shandanken Wild Forest (Ulster County). The trails wind amongst beautiful walls of former farms. Much of this property constituted Rose Hill, home of Col. William and Louise Rochester who lived here from 1915-1930's. We will eat lunch at the new lean-to. Expect some wet conditions and small brooks to cross. Seven miles with 800+ feet of cumulative elevation gain. Meet at Delmar Elm Ave. Park and Ride at 8:30AM. Contact Sharon for details.


CONTACT: Sharon Bonk at sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042 (NCA 9PM).
LENGTH: About 7 miles with about 800 feet of ascent.
ROAD DISTANCE: About 140 miles round-trip.



Sunday, April 13: Hike the Taconic Crest Trail

Today,I spoke with the Ranger at Pittsfield State Forest and was told that there is an estimate of 2 feet of snow on the road to Berry Pond and probably the gate will still be down by April 13.

We shall start our Palm Sunday, April 13 hike, from Route 20 on Taconic Crest Trail, stop at midstation for our lunch and retrace the route back to our cars.
Dogs are still welcomed.


CONTACT: Beth Wong at
EMWBoston@comcast.net or 496-9802.
LENGTH: About 6 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to the Route 20 trailhead.



Wednesday, April 16: Hike Huyck Preserve, Rensselaerville, NY
There are 12 miles of trails here, but we will aim at 5-6 miles including Lake Myosotis, Lincoln Pond, Wheeler-Watson Trails, with possible extension to Partridge loops. Be prepared for wet trails and some short steep ups and downs.

Meet at Delmar Elm Ave Park and Ride at 9:30AM.

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk at sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042 (NCA 9PM).
LENGTH: About 5-6 miles..
ROAD DISTANCE: About 46 miles round-trip.



Tuesday, April 22: Hike Alan Devoe Bird Sanctuary, Old Chatham, NY
Hike the trails, look for wildflowers, or sit to watch migrating birds.

Co-leaders: Marty Connors and Susan Roberts. Call Susan for details and starting time.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts 766-4170.
LENGTH: The desire of the group.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 30 miles from Schodack Park and Ride.



Saturday, April Apr 26: Taconic Crest Trail Work
We’ll cover the section of the TCT from Robinson Hollow to Mattison Hollow. This will involve blow down removal and drainage work. This trip will involve an overall elevation gain of about 1,000 foot and about an 8 mile round trip, depending on the "what needs to be done". The more trail needed will

reduce the overall distance. Regardless, we’ll plan to be back at the trailhead by 4:00pm. Call Dave for details and starting time. Colin Campbell will also be doing trail work on this date, so you have 2 areas to help ready for the E2E.


CONTACT: David Pisaneschi at dapadk@gmail.com or 459-5969.
LENGTH: Up to 8 miles, depending on the amount of work needed.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to the trail head.



Tuesday, April 29: Hike the LaVine Preserve, Saratoga County
We'll explore this new preserve, a Saratoga Plan property with newly designed trails. Approximately 4 miles, some wet areas, some moderate hills. Leisurely pace so we can look for spring wildflowers and migrating birds. The Crooked Canes have been invited to join us.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts 766-4170.
LENGTH: Approximately 4 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 60 miles.



Sunday, May 4: Peebles Island, Waterford, NY
Join Etta in a wildflower walk around Peebles Island. Call Etta for starting time and details.

CONTACT: Etta Menges at 233-8310
LENGTH: Approximately 2.5 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to the trail head.


Saturday, May 10: Hike Dyken Pond Environmental Center, Cropseyville, NY
On a very cold February day, our planned hike of the Long Trail was cut short. We will do the Long Trail and several others for about 6+ miles. Meeting place will be Poestenkill Town Hall parking lot on Rte 351 (Farm to Market Road) just north of the intersection with Rte 40/Plank Road, 9:30AM. Call Sharon for details.

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk at sboqc@mindspring.com or 674-0042 (NCA 9PM).
LENGTH: About 5-6 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: About 25 miles round-trip.



Sunday, May 11: Schodack Island Paddle, Schodack, NY
Meet at the boat launch on the Hudson River side at Schodack Island State Park. Plan to be in the water and ready to go by 9:00AM. . Since low tide will be at 9:22am, we’ll paddle down river, around the tip of Schodack Island and up Schodack Creek. Since high tide will be at 3:07pm, we’ll be able to explore some side channels. Best for touring kayaks, but strong canoers are welcome. Call Dave with any questions.

CONTACT: David Pisaneschi at dapadk@gmail.com or 459-5969.
LENGTH: To be determined by the group.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to the boat launch.

Wednesday, May 15: Hike in Lebanon Springs, NY
Explore well maintained trails through fields and woods on new conservation easement on nearly 200 acres of private land. The property is part of the Taconic Mountain Range and is listed in the NYS Conservation Plan as a high biodiversity area and is of ecological, scenic, and historic significance. Some elevation, leisurely pace, may be some wet areas.

Co-leaders: Karen Ross and Susan Roberts. Call Susan for details and starting time.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts 766-4170.
LENGTH: The desire of the group.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to Lebanon Springs.

Thursday, May 15: Summer schedule activities are due
Summer at last!!

It is time to send in your bike rides, hikes or kayak trips for our summer schedule. Let’s make this our busiest summer ever!

CONTACT: Gayle Fountain at pfounta1@nycap.rr.com or 371-8585.
LENGTH: You decide.
ROAD DISTANCE: Unlimited.



Friday, May 16: Paddle Hudson River-Papscanee Creek and Vloman Kill, Bethlehem, NY
We will launch from Bethlehem Henry Hudson Park and will paddle Papscanee Creek on the east shore and cross the Hudson and paddle Vloman Kill on the west shore. If the conditions are calm and the group is willing we may paddle North on the Hudson a few miles. This paddle of less than six miles is characterized by waterfowl and a waterfall. Meet 9:30AM Delmar Elm Ave. Park and Ride.

CONTACT: Bill Valentino billvalentino113@yahoo.com or 439-9686.
LENGTH: Six miles
ROAD DISTANCE: Twenty miles.



Saturday, May 17: End to End Challenge, Pittsfield State Forest, MA
Please volunteer to help make the 2014 End to End a successful event. Information is on the Taconic Hiking website. If you would like to volunteer contact:

Trail Work – Colin Campbell at Holesinhead@aol.com or 438-9629.

General – R.J. Hydorn at rjhydorn@lycos.com or 283-6056 or Gayle Fountain at pfounta1@nycap.rr.com or 371-8585.

Looking forward to seeing you on the 17th!



Tuesday, May 20: Rochester Hollow, Catskill, NY
Rochester Hollow is an intriguing preserve in the Catskills, near Big Indian. The winter hike was nearly canceled by bad weather; we can hope for better weather and maybe wildflowers in May. Meet at the Elm Ave, Delmar, Park and Ride at 8:00AM.

CONTACT: Katie Henrikson at henriksonk@beverwyck.com or 533-7441.
LENGTH: About 5 miles, 800-1,000 feet of gentle ascent.
ROAD DISTANCE: About 140 miles round trip.



Saturday, May 31: 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.Parksa@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).



UPCOMING EVENTS


Monday, June 2: 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.

Meet at 8AM at 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.



Saturday, June 7: 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 at rjhydorn@lycos.com or 283-6056.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: From your house to Grafton Lakes State Park.



Wednesday, June 11: OK Slip Falls, Central Adirondacks, NY
OK Slip Falls was recently opened to the public, after 150 years of being privately owned. DEC has not decided on a full trail to the falls. Right now the approach is up a road owned a Boy Scout camp, then a trail through the woods. When DEC cuts a new trail it may be much longer, so now is the time to visit the falls. The road and trail are in rolling hills. there is about 500 feet of ascent in each direction. Meet at the Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride in Clifton Park at 8:00AM.

CONTACT: Katie Henrikson at henriksonk@beverwyck.com or 533-7441.
LENGTH: About 6.5 miles with 500 feet of ascent in each direction.
ROAD DISTANCE: About 140 miles round trip.



Tuesday, June 17: Paddle Hudson River Feeder Canal, Glens Falls, NY
The Feeder Canal is the only surviving part of the original Erie Canal system that carries both water and boats. The canal goes through beautiful forest, industrial lands and right through the middle of Glens Falls. The paddling distance is about 5 miles with a slight current assist. We will shuttle cars. We will meet at Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride at 8AM.

CONTACT: Bill Valentino at billvalentino113@yahoo.com or 439-9686.
LENGTH: Total paddle distance is expected to be less than 6 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: 100 miles round trip.