Celebrating 95 Years of the Appalachian Trail's Origins at Bear
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MAINTAINING 2,154 MILES OF TRAILS IN NY AND NJ NYNJTC.ORG SPRING 2018 TRAIL WALKER NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE • CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE SINCE 1920 Celebrating ED O’HARA 95 Years of the Appalachian Trail’s Origins at Bear Mountain Most trail lovers know the books, and website are great Appalachian Trail runs from resources to get you started. As Springer Mountain in Georgia we celebrate 95 years of Appa- to Mount Katahdin in Maine. lachian Trail stewardship, we But quiz even the most hope you’ll be inspired to join enthusiastic thru-hiker, and us in making a positive contri- she may not even realize that bution to the Trail’s legacy. the Trail’s true start is right Saturday, June 2, is a great at A.T. trailheads throughout lachian Trail, including the of the Pochuck Boardwalk in here, less than 50 miles north day to get involoved in volun- the month as our trail family Long Distance Trails Crew’s Wawayanda State Park. June of Manhattan. teerism on the Appalachian offers some trail magic. rehabilitation of the Trail on through October, the Bear Ninety-five years ago this Trail. Join the Trail Confer- Throughout the season, our West Mountain in Bear Moun- Mountain Trail Crew will be October, volunteers of the ence and REI as we celebrate trail crews will be working on tain State Park, and the West working to complete a reroute New York-New Jersey Trail National Trails Day by per- several projects on the Appa- Jersey Trail Crew’s restoration of the original section of the Conference officially opened forming service projects along A.T. on Bear Mountain. Our the first constructed section of the A.T. on Bear Mountain. crews are eager to meet people the Appalachian Trail, which (See story below for details.) Liz Levers the A.T. in New York, as who want to make a difference they built and blazed through In July, our A.T. volun- Inducted Into A.T. well as setting the stan- outdoors, and they excel at Bear Mountain State Park. teers will be out in full force dard for A.T. management teaching volunteers with lit- Nearly a century later, Trail from the Delaware Water Hall of Fame for our region. Liz was a tle or no experience the skills Conference volunteers still Gap to the Connecticut bor- Elizabeth Levers, former no-nonsense woman who they need to help build and selflessly give their time and der maintaining the Trail president of the Trail devoted her energies 7 days repair trails. energy to ensure that the 174 and engaging visitors as the Conference (1970-72), was a week to the A.T. after her We’ll be posting more de- miles of A.T. spanning New thru-hiker “bubble” makes named a member of the retirement from an admin- tails on these projects and Jersey and New York remain its way through our region. Appalachian Hall of Fame istrative post at Columbia events at nynjtc.org. Interested open, safe, and enjoyable for The RPH Cabin Volunteers Class of 2018. Known as University. In 1979, she in a specific project, or want to everyone who follows that will be holding their annual the “Mother of the A.T.” received recognition from find out about other volunteer iconic white blaze. work weekend and barbecue in New York State, she President Jimmy Carter for opportunities that support The Trail Conference invites July 13-15. (Read more on was key in the early land her outstanding efforts as a the Appalachian Trail? Email everyone to explore this in- page 9.) And expect to spot acquisition planning for trail volunteer. [email protected], and credible trail; our maps, guide- an impromptu tailgate or two we’ll help you get started. WHAT’S INSIDE: JERRICA LAVOOY JERRICA Working to Create a Show Your Greenway from Sterling Forest to Storm King Love of page 3 Trails on Take a Look Back at Our 2017 Accomplishments Celebrating Our Standout National and See What’s Ahead Volunteers and Partners pages 8-11 pages 6-7 Trails Day Every day is trails day for the house, guided hikes through the bottom of the mountain to VOLUME XLV, NUMBER 2 ISSN 0749-1352 Trail Conference. But on Na- Ramapo Valley County Reser- its summit. tional Trails Day, we add a vation, and volunteer opportu- Also on the 2nd, our Con- little extra celebration to our nities to help make a difference servation Corps trail crews in stewardship. Join us Saturday, at this popular park, located Sterling Forest and Hudson June 2, as we give back to the right next door to our historic Highlands state parks will trails that offer us so much home. be holding Trail Love days. enjoyment—plus share some Or check out our event on Adventure-seekers who aren’t snacks and camaraderie! the Appalachian Trail at Bear afraid to get dirty are invited to Head to Mahwah, N.J., for Mountain, co-hosted by REI. learn the skills needed to help our annual open house at Trail From trail building to old trail build and repair great trails. Conference Headquarters. The closure, invasive species re- Visit nynjtc.org/events event includes tours of our moval to litter clean-up, we’ll more info on all of our Nation- offices at Darlington School- be making a difference from al Trails Day events. 2 | Spring 2018 TRAIL WALKER • NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE nynjtc.org Protecting North America’s Most Popular Hiking Destination HANK OSBORN Breakneck Ridge from Metro- SENIOR ProGram Breakneck Ridge North and NYS Route 9D. It COORDINATOR Trails Are Open! is the first major undertaking by the coalition that has been Breakneck Ridge in Putnam The Trail Conference working for years to plan how and Dutchess counties’ and our partners behind best to manage concerns along Hudson Highlands State Park the Breakneck Connec- Route 9D between Cold Spring has once again been named tor project can confirm and Beacon. Construction is the most popular hiking that Breakneck Ridge expected to begin in 2019. (See destination in North America. is open and will remain sidebar for more info.) In a recent survey on Trails. open through the 2018 The Trail Conference also com, it received more than hiking season. When the anticipates playing an integral 10 million votes—more than project is set to begin, we role in assisting the public hikes in any national park. As a will provide ample notice when the Leave No Trace consequence of its popularity, regarding any closures Center for Outdoor Ethics however, rugged and beautiful or changes to the trails. spends Oct. 29-Nov. 5 at Breakneck Ridge is at risk of Project improvements Breakneck Ridge, which has being damaged beyond repair. include the creation of a been identified as a 2018 Hot Over the past 5 years, the shared-use path connect- Spot. A Hot Spot is a “natural number of visitors at Breakneck ing the Breakneck train area that is being negatively Ridge has increased at an stop and parking area impacted by recreational use” alarming rate—we estimate to the Breakneck Ridge and is “facing the threat of that more than 100,000 people trailhead. It will also irreversible environmental climb this mountain each year. add new train platforms, d am a g e .” Factors including social media, pave the parking area, How can you help? The word of mouth, easy public and add a new welcome first step is to understand that transit access, and population center. Find more info everyone is responsible for density in the greater New at hudsonfjordtrail.org. protecting the environment. York metropolitan region have Follow us @nynjtc on The Trail Conference is a great created a perfect storm for trail Facebook, Instagram, resource for learning how our overuse and environmental and Twitter for updates. use of trails and parks impacts degradation. these ecosystems—and how There is no one solution to to give back to ensure our mitigating the effects of such use of trails. successful that the Trail Con- more on page 8.) favorite outdoor destinations remarkable popularity. But In spring 2013, the New ference has continued the pro- The Trail Conference is remain open, safe, and healthy the Trail Conference is in a York State Office of Parks, gram weekends and holidays also a member of the alliance for years to come. Spring is unique position to understand Recreation, and Historic Pres- from Memorial Day through spearheading the creation the perfect time to take a these challenges and provide ervation asked the Trail Con- Thanksgiving every year of the Hudson Highlands workshop and get out on the assistance. Since 1920, we have ference for help. Our response since. Trail Stewards deliver Fjord Trail, which includes trails with us to learn more been committed to educating was a one-month pilot called much-needed services that the Breakneck Connector—a about how you can help protect and assisting the public in the the Breakneck Ridge Trail would not otherwise be avail- project that will improve the land you love. Get started safe, enjoyable, and responsible Stewards Program. It was so able to these visitors. (Read visitor safety while accessing at nynjtc.org/volunteer. Trail Conference HQ Reopening JEREMY APGAR Saturdays During Peak Season With warmer weather comes through November. We’d love folks where to hike, spread our extended hours at Trail to chat about trails with you. mission, and take sales. Bonus: Conference Headquarters. If sharing hiking knowledge Ramapo Reservation is right Our Trail Store will be open with your fellow outdoor next door for great hiking Saturdays during peak hiking enthusiasts sounds like a fun before or after! For more season, beginning April 7.