Adirondack Mountain Club-Ramapo The Ramapough www.hudsonhikers.org Winter 2009 The View From The Summit

The hectic holiday season is upon us. Don’t spikes and are worn on boots to provide forget that this is a good time to enjoy the traction on snow and ice. These products outdoors as a way of reducing stress and are all lightweight and can be carried in working off some of the extra calories con- your pack until needed. But once you en- sumed at holiday dinners. Look over our hike counter an icy patch, they’re easy to slip on schedule for the next three months and find and provide you with safe, sure footing. outings that can lead you to new locations While we don’t promote any product or and interesting trails. This is a time when we brand, these types of hiking footwear aids tend to sit home more often and miss out on can help to give you confidence and safety the opportunities to get out in the fresh air during winter outings. and enjoy the forests around us. There are more than three dozen different hikes and I am now completing my term as President outings to choose from, and I hope to see you of the Ramapo Chapter. I’m very proud of on some of them. the support provided by the members of the Board. I feel confident that they will con- The Holiday Party on December 4 th was a big tinue to make your chapter stronger than success. Thanks to the efforts of Suzan ever, especially under the leadership of our Gordon, we enjoyed a great dinner with many new President, Suzan Gordon. During the friends. Two of the highlights of the party past year we have implemented new public- were stories shared by past chapter presi- ity to create awareness of ADK, completed dents about events that occurred during more than a dozen hiking presentations in their time in office, and the presentation of New York and New Jersey libraries, the ADK White Birch Award to a very deserv- strengthened our chapter finances, built ing and surprised Chris Connolly. Everyone and maintained an active informative Web had time to catch up with old friends and to site, and added new hike leaders. The meet new members who have recently joined. Ramapo Chapter has held informative edu- Once again, our holiday dinner helped to so- cational meetings each quarter, expanded lidify the bonds that make us a strong and our involvement and ties to ADK headquar- vibrant chapter. ters, and added many new members. I ap- preciate the help that each of you has given Do you have the equipment you need for win- to spread the word about ADK and our ter outings? Sometimes ice and snow can im- chapter to friends and co-workers. I am pede your walking on trails as you climb up pleased to be able to turn over the chapter and down mountains. There are several prod- to a new Board of officers in a stronger posi- ucts that you can purchase which slip over tion than ever. your boots to give you added traction, includ- ing crampons, Yaktrax and Stabilicers. See you on the trails, Crampons are outdoor footwear that have Peter Reiner, President

Winter 2009 The Ramapough Page 2 Conservation Corner News on the Trails

The Town of Ramapo is finalizing the State budget shortfalls in New York and purchase of 420 acres of woodlands New Jersey have started to affect state park along the south edge of Harriman Park operations. In New Jersey, 19 park adminis- from Braen Stone Industries. The land, trative offices, including those in Wawayanda which includes 262 acres on High Moun- State Park and Worthington and Stokes State tain near the New Jersey border, had Forests, will be closed on weekends between once been eyed for a power plant and a November 8 and March 31. However, all stone quarry but will now be kept unde- parks will remain open to the public. In New York, Minnewaska State Park announced veloped to protect the Ramapo River wa- winter service reductions that include the tershed. As part of a deal in which New closure of the Awosting overflow parking lot York State is providing $2.4 million of and approximately half of the 20 carriageway the $5.25 million purchase price, a por- miles previously groomed during the winter. tion of the land will be turned over to the State and added to Harriman Park. One unintended benefit of the budget cut- backs is that the water main construction In July, Passaic County , the Borough of work that was to have closed all trails run- Ringwood and the NJ Department of En- ning along Queensboro Creek and Popolopen Brook in vironmental Protection purchased West (including the Timp-Torne Trail on the north Brook Mountain for $4 million. The and the joint 1777/1779/Popolopen Gorge mountain, part of the Wyanokies High- Trails on the south) has been indefinitely lands Greenway, connects Norvin Green postponed. While the work may be resched- State Forest and Long Pond Ironworks uled next year, all trails remain open for now. State Park. The new Lake Sonoma and Overlook Rock Trails have been built On September 10, Sterling Forest State across the mountain. Park opened the .65-mile Lakeville Ironworks Submitted by Chris Connolly Trail that provides interpretive signs high- lighting the history and physical remains of A Warm Welcome to New Members the Sterling Forest Ironworks, which was ac- tive from the Colonial Era until 1921. The David Aikman, Middletown, NY new trail is reached from the Visitors Center Clint and Kim Aylward, New City, NY via the Sterling Lake Loop Trail. In addition, Robert Blanco, Warwick,NY the NY-NJ Trail Conference has issued the Alison Brand, New Windsor, NY 4th edition of its Sterling Forest trails map. Sook-Kuen Chang, Waldwick, NJ, Judith Debiase, Monsey, NY, As of October 15, all trails closed because of Nicholas Erb, Springfield, NJ, the Minnewaska fire earlier this year - in- Joe Gemignani, Washington Twshp., NJ cluding Jenny Lane Path and the Stony Kill Richard Grande, Pomona, NY and Smiley Carriageways - have been re- Marilyn Heilferty, Mahwah, NJ opened. The Jenny Lane parking area off Frank Kammer, New City, NY Route 44/55 was also reopened, but may be Philip Leonhard, Bardonia, NY, closed during the winter due to the budget Irene Logan, Tuxedo NY, cutbacks. Rik Stanulis, New City, NY Submitted by Chris Connolly Winter 2009 The Ramapough Page 3

HORROR AT HIPPO ROCK A Good Time Was Had by All (a true tale told by Chris Connolly) On Friday, Oct 31st 19 hiker members and Reena Mancuso asked for help in aiding friends arrived for dinner at the Shawnee Long Path blazes on Stockbridge Mtn from fading Inn in the Delaware Water Gap National Alas I accepted this task not evading. Park to enjoy a wonderful weekend of hik- ing. The Inn provided us with a very im- September 24 we set out paint-blazing pressive buffet breakfast and packed lunch. And blow downs my handy bow saw razing The weather was glorious so on Saturday, as So pleasant a stroll we were lazing. planned, Aaron Schoenberg led a hike that included a magnificent waterfall seen with a Round Hippo Rock we were proceeding backdrop of colorful leaves. Paintbrush in hand I was leading Some people chose to do a day at the spa, Lo, yellow jacket nest I trod unheeding. shop, or walk along the Delaware River which was next to the Inn. There was a hay- Suddenly my arm and ear were stinging ride at 4 o'clock and we were able to take a Furious insects about me angrily winging ride around the property and see the My shouts of pain to Reena ringing. neighborhood Jackie Gleason often stayed at

Circling back to Reena refuge seeking Shawnee playing golf and entertaining the Vengeful stingers silently came streaking guests. We saw his home, which is near the A horde alighted on Reena shrieking. hotel. All of us, plus a few more guests, had dinner and later that evening we went to a Tho we sprinted, flight was unavailing campfire to roast marshmallows and eat 8 stings inflicted on bodies flailing "s’mores". Sunday was a beautiful day, also. When would this hell end, we were wailing. We ate another sumptuous breakfast and ten of us joined sixteen Interstate Hiking Two long miles to my car our steps retracing Club members to do a hike starting at Lake Demon bees from our clothes displacing Lenape on the Pennsylvania side of the Park. Surviving the swarm with pounding hearts rac- We all had a wonderful weekend, and hope- ing. fully we will do it again next year. Suzan Gordon , Chair, Programs and Events One month later startled Reena learning North Jersey leader to Hippo Rock returning Her counsel he was skeptically spurning.

Reena shows up one fine Thursday morning To give happy hikers a baleful warning ADK 2009 Calendar That their time on the trail was aborning. The new ADK 2009 with Wilderness at Heart calendar has been published. It contains Round Hippo Rock once again the nest igniting twelve beautiful color photographs of the The leader spared the penalty of inciting natural beauty of the Adirondack State Park ‘Twas Tom Henry taking 5 stabs of bee-biting. and the . The award- winning calendar features scenic views of Horrified hikers fall back at the screaming New York State’s wild lands and water cre- Mesmerized by hundreds of bees streaming ated by Sam Ristich, field naturalist and Up from the trail a maelstrom madly teeming. photographer. The photos show scenes of North and South lakes in the Catskills, Blue The moral of my tale simply bee-ing Mountain and Lake George in the Adiron- When Reena says from bees she was fleeing dacks and the Near Trapps in the Shawan- Bee-lieving is better than seeing! gunks. Your 2009 calendar can be ordered online at the ADK web site or by calling the Headquarters at 800-395-8080.

Winter 2009 The Ramapough Page 4

HIKE REPORTS

A Late Autumn Hike in Harriman Hiking Lake to Lake

On a cold, sunny, November Sunday, 22 On October 26, Peter Reiner led a group of hikers from ADK Ramapo, North Jersey, 12 ADK’ers on a 7 mile hike that began at and InterState Hiking Club (IHC) met for a Lake Sebago off Seven Lakes Parkway. On a 7.8-mile hike on five trails, up and down bright fall day, we started on the Seven four mountains in Harriman State Park. Hills Trail to the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail. After Led by Ramapo’s Peter Tilgner and Suzan approximately 2 miles we transferred on to Gordon, the hearty group ventured off on Suffern Bear Mountain Trail. Our lunch the wooded Parker Cabin Hollow Trail, fol- was beside a large pond which was followed lowing it to its end and juncture with the by a climb up to Jackie Jones Mountain White Bar Trail. Turning south on the and the fire tower on its peak. We contin- White Bar until it joined with the Triangle ued downward on the SBM until we crossed Trail, the co-aligned trails were followed Route 106 near Lake Welch, where we left until the Triangle branched off, taking our some cars from our previous shuttle. The warmed up group to the top of Parker colorful leaves and crisp fresh air made this Cabin Mountain and the Ramapo Dunder- an enjoyable hike for all. berg Trail (RD). We were treated to fine views of parklands to the east. Heading Tallman Mountain Park and Lunch north on the RD, we descended Parker Cabin, crossed the Victory Trail and as- Tired of the same boring sandwiches for cended Tom Jones Mountain. The hike lunch during a hike? On November 23 rd a continued north descending Tom Jones, band of five hikers left their sandwiches at crossing Rt. 106, and into the winter forest home and started a hike from Tallman for lunch, after which Black Rock Moun- State Park on the Long Path traveling tain was climbed. From Black Rock's northward. Without the leaves on the trees, breezy summit, where views of the distant we enjoyed wonderful views of Piermont Catskills could be seen, the Nurian Trail marsh and the . We followed was picked up and followed west until it the Long Path and continued our climb to met another section of the White Bar. the top of Tallman Mountain, offering us a Turning south on the White Bar, again view of a red tail hawk. Continuing down crossing Rt. 106, the ascent of Car Pond from the mountain, we followed the road Mountain’s double top was begun. Upon along Piermont Ave. but soon continued on reaching the second summit of Car Pond, a woods road that took us past the old Erie we descended its south face and our Train Station that has undergone a com- fourth mountain. At the White Bar’s junc- plete renovation. We followed the Erie Rail- ture with the Parker Cabin Hollow Trail, road Trail southbound until we came to a the circular part of the hike was complete. woods road that took us down to River As the late autumn sun danced among the Road. We walked back toward Piermont bare branches of the forest, this happy, along River Rd. enjoying the close-up views tired group of hikers returned to the start- of the houses along the river. Upon coming ing point, glad to take off their boots. into Piermont, we left our backpacks in our This hike can be followed on the NY-NJ waiting cars and had a very enjoyable lunch Trail Conference map 118. at a local restaurant, Bunberry’s. Submitted by Peter Reiner Submitted by Peter Tilgner Winter 2009 The Ramapough Page 5

Brook Crossings-My Nemesis From North Jersey ADK: In all my 50 or so years of hiking, my biggest chal- lenge has been crossing brooks. I enjoyed scram- bling over rocks, climbing up boulders, Pyngyp, Winter Weekend Feb 6th-8th 2009 Breakneck, all no problem, (that is when I was younger), but brook crossings, that’s another story. Even brooks in Harriman can be a problem, after a Make Your Reservation Now! rain storm when the streams are in full spate and The Inn at Starlight Lake there are no handy bridges nearby. Fortunately, Ike 289 Starlight Lake Road was always there to reach out his hand and pull me Starlight Lake, PA 18461 across. Phone: 570-798-2519 or 1-800-248-2519 Since the bridge over the Neversink River in the Catskills was always washed out, I never did get to Fax: 570-798-2672 see the Bouton Shelter. The accepted method of [email protected] crossing was balancing on a log that was fairly high http://www.innatstarlightlake.com over the river, or sitting on it and propelling oneself forward. Not for me! Total Cost for the weekend: In the Adirondacks I remember watching Ike and $235 per person double occupancy, our son Ken nimbly hop from rock to rock to cross a rather wide but shallow river. I took off my boots, $290 per room single occupancy. slung them over my shoulder, and holding on to my trusty hiking stick, waded across. (Somehow, I man- Included: aged to become a 46’er.) Lodging Friday & Saturday Night Years ago when my family was hiking in the White All meals (Dinner Friday, Breakfast-Lunch- Mountains, my sons would often forge ahead. When Dinner Saturday, Breakfast-Lunch Sunday) they came to a brook, however, they knew to wait for Mom. and Saturday night cocktail hour (wine, beer My most perilous moment actually occurred in the and Hors D’oeurves), all taxes and gratuities Whites. Columbus Day weekend, with foliage on the lower half of the mountains and a winter wonder- The Inn has 22 rooms, 8 with two twin land up above, brought out a large group of people. beds,14 with Queen beds. We came to a brook with ice on it. I was straddling two rocks rather far apart, planning my next move. Reservation Policy: Members call the Inn at Just then a dog crossed the river, going between my 1-800-248-2519 and say you are from ADK- legs. Quite a shock, etc., etc. North Jersey (or Adirondack Mountain Ike has often related stories to me about his boy- Club, North Jersey Chapter) hood hiking companion, Sy, who became a well- Deposit Required: Doubles: $130, Singles: $65 known mountaineer in the far West. Sy would often camp overnight alongside a raging river, waiting for the upper tributaries to freeze, allowing less water to Cancellation Policy: Any cancellation after flow downstream, enabling an easier crossing the 1/22/09 will be charged one night’s stay. next morning. Live and learn! Prior (before 1/22) cancellations will incur a Did I ever fall into a brook? Once in Harriman, when $25 charge. Ike was not with me, I got slightly wet, but pulled down the kind man who was helping me. He really fell in and got soaked. The Inn has 30 km (18 miles) of groomed Our Elderhostel trip, “Hiking in Death Valley”, was cross country as well as snowshoeing and thoroughly enjoyable. And climbing Mt. Whitney hiking trails on site. presented no brook problems. However, there was There are a limited number of rooms avail- the altitude, but let’s ...etc. able, so book now! A friend of mine crossed the Sahara Desert. What a There are NO scheduled events. Come up great idea! on your own and do as you please. Submitted by Marilyn Siskind

Adirondack Mountain NON-PROFIT ORG Club-Ramapo Chapter U.S POSTAGE PD 20 Gerlach Drive MONSEY, NY New City, NY 10956 #5612