RAILWALKER TNEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE — MAINTAINING OVER 1,600 MILES OF FOOT TRAILS MAY/JUNE 2005 In this issue: Advocacy & Conservation...pg 2 • Trail Crew Schedules...pg 4 • Eagle Scouts Work...pg 7 • Gear Check...pg 8 • Favorite Hike...pg 10 $ Jill Arbuckle Eyes Help TC Reach 2.5 Million The Big Picture By Maureen Edelson Capital Campaign Summit Jill Arbuckle introduced herself with just enough of a low, rich, straight-talking brogue to evoke thoughts of the Scottish We’re not finished yet! But even as the Trail Highlands (and Sean Connery). But these Conference’s $2.5 million capital campaign, days, and for years now, it’s the Highlands announced last October, seeks to conclude, in New Jersey that have captured the list of accomplishments already made Arbuckle’s fancy. possible by campaign contributions is Jill, long active with the NY-NJ Trail impressive. To date, more than $2 million Conference, is the New Jersey Trails has been contributed by 230-plus donors Supervisor for the Appalachian Mountain (including individuals, corporations, and Club (AMC). It was her involvement with foundations). These donations have: AMC, which she joined for the cross- • helped protect almost 1,400 acres of country ski outings, and the Adirondack trail lands in New York and New Jersey; Mountain Club (ADK), another TC- • helped identify an additional 13,800 member club that linked her to the beloved acres of unprotected, privately held Adirondacks, which led her to the Trail acres where development could close or Conference. After heading the local AMC block existing and proposed trails; chapter in the early 1990s, Arbuckle was • funded designs for rehabilitating trails tapped for the Trail Conference board. on Bear Mountain, including the his- Today, with 25 years’ experience at both K

torically important first section of the C Trail Conference and member club levels, O L E

Appalachian Trail; and, E Arbuckle has a birds-eye view of the patch- H W

• paid for hiring a GIS specialist and the work of activities that absorb an outdoor Y

development and implementation of R recreation/conservation volunteer. R A an up-to-date Geographic Information L Trail scouts admire the view from a spot along the proposed reroute “I’ve drunk a lot of coffee at farmers’ System (GIS), a tool that significantly of the AT on the east side of Bear Mountain. kitchen tables,” establishing relationships enhances all Trail Conference projects, that help with land stewardship, says Jill. such as map publishing, trail design, it’s not too late for each TC member to be In order to safeguard our trails and future Learning to deal with state and local offi- and trail lands protection. New maps counted among those who contribute and opportunities for hiking, the Trail Confer- cials provides experience in political of trails in the Shawangunks and an help to Connect People With Nature. ence has established a Land Acquisition activity. The seemingly unceasing land improved map of Sterling Forest trails and Stewardship Fund. The purpose of this development in our metro area forces trail are just two projects that have already Safeguarding Our Trails revolving fund is to finance the acquisition relocations, ironically one of Jill’s favorite benefited from the capabilities of this Hikers can no longer take trails on private of trail corridors to safeguard existing long activities. Chuck- campaign-funded GIS system (see land for granted. Throughout our region, distance trails and to create new trail corri- ling, she points “Updated Maps” this page). rapid loss of open space to development dors that link major public open spaces out how odd More remains to be accomplished, and threatens existing and proposed trail routes. continued on page 9 it is that folks in her boots become more UTM grid, in which the lines are 1000 familiar than Updated Shawangunks and Sterling meters apart, allows simple estimation they ever of location and distances. For further thought Forest Maps Available in June information about UTM and GPS, visit they’d www.nynjtc.org, go to Trails, then scroll be The sixth edition of the Shawangunk Trails Sterling Forest map is a 25 percent increase down to Map Readings.) The maps were about map set (three maps) and the third edition in map size, which results in improved created entirely in-house, with the aid of of the Sterling Forest Trails (one map) will clarity. The multi-colored elevations for- new GIS technology, by Trail Conference be available before summer. Both sets are merly used within public space have been cartographer Eric Yadlovski. not only updated, including significant replaced with two shades of solid green to With all of the updates and changes in additions, corrections, and improved clari- improve demarcation of hunting vs. non- detail and appearance, the value of these ty of contour lines, but are scaled up from hunting areas. Also, identification of maps has been significantly improved. the prior editions. Each map in the archery-only areas has been added. Four For prices and to order your new maps, Shawangunk set is slightly larger than in trails that are expected to be completed see Hikers’ Marketplace on page 12, or previous editions, but more significantly, within the 2005 calendar year are shown as call 201-512-9348 Ext.11 or 43, or visit non-trail areas have been almost eliminated proposed trails, and they are identified www.nynjtc.com. continued on page 7 in favor of devoting most of the map space clearly with dashed red lines (easier to read to trail lands. than the solid orange used in the prior VOLUME XXXII, NUMBER 3 ISSN 0749-1352 PERMIT #970-100 Similarly, the most notable change to the edition of this map). New trails that now appear on the map are the Long Meadow Trail, the Parker Cabin Hollow Trail Take a Step for Hiking in western Harriman Park, and the Hasenclever Iron Trail in New Jersey. On National Trails Day Both map sets provide UTM (Universal See page 3 for details on 10 area projects set Transverse Mercator) grid lines, particular- for the June 4 weekend. ly useful for those with GPS units. (The RAIL ALKER T W Parkway Commission (PIPC) or state park VOLUME XXXII, NO. 3 MAY/JUNE 2005 A DVOCACY regulations that already prohibit ATV use GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR anywhere on OPRHP state parks or PIPC LOUIS LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER CONSERVATION owned lands. The TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970- OSI Buys 412 Acres & a 62-acre slice of Green Pond Mountain in ATV use is also prohibited in DEC 100) (ISSN 0749-1352) is published bi- On Shawangunk Ridge Rockaway Township, NJ, according to a wildlife management and natural areas. monthly by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as a benefit of membership. Preservation of two more pieces of the February report in the Newark Star-Ledger. DEC did reserve the right to permit ATV Subscriptions are available to libraries only at 42-mile Shawangunk Ridge Trail Corridor “Under the preservation plan,” the paper use of forestry roads and multiple use trails $15.00 a year. Periodical postage paid at were put into place in March when the reported, “the county will now be able to in DEC owned state forests, and unique Mahwah, N.J., and additional offices. Open Space Institute purchased 306 acres take the trails of the Morris County Green- and reforestation areas outside the Adiron- Postmaster: Send address changes to the address below. Opinions expressed by authors do not on the ridge near Otisville and another 106 way atop Green Pond Mountain. At that dack and Catskill State Parks. This last necessarily represent the policy or position of acres in the Town of Rochester. point, they become part of the 40-mile provision might affect state forests outside the Conference. Contributions of typed The larger property, known as Gobbler’s Farny Highlands Trail network, which the Catskill Blue Line and possibly state manuscripts, photos, and drawings are Knob, is located on the western escarpment connects a number of local parks.” The forests through which the Finger Lakes Trail welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. of the Shawangunk Ridge. It overlooks the acquisition was arranged by TC member and Long Path North hiking trails pass. Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER Bashakill Wildlife Management Area and is club Morris Land Conservancy with funds The Trail Conference–ADK Partnership are January 15 (Mar./Apr. issue), March 15 home to numerous species, including rare contributed by another TC member, Mor- vigorously opposed allowing any ATV use (May/June issue), May 15 (July/Aug. issue), July 15 (Sept./Oct. issue), September 15 dwarf pitch pine, scrub oak and northern ris County Park Commission, as well as in the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Pre- (Nov./Dec. issue), November 15 (Jan./Feb. hardwood hemlock forests and provides Rockaway Township, an open space grant, serves and opposed ATV use on other state issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot be habitat for black bears, eagles, and timber and more than 90 Green Pond residents. owned lands where that ATV use would acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. rattlesnakes. Two mountain streams tra- displace or degrade the experience of exist- For information on advertising rates, please write or call. verse the parcel and empty into the NJ Preserves Highlands Acres ing recreational users or materially degrade Copyright 2005 by: Bashakill WMA, while recharging ground Three parcels totaling 132 aces of prime natural resources, including soil erosion New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. water aquifers and public drinking water watershed land in the northern Highlands and silting into streams and wetlands. 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Rt. 202) Mahwah, NJ 07430 supplies in the communities of Deerpark have been purchased by the New Jersey DEC will accept public comments 201-512-9348 and Mount Hope. Visible from Dept. of Environmental Protection. on the ATV draft policy until May 27. e-mail: [email protected] Westbrookville to Wurtsboro, as well as the The land buffers and feeds Spruce Run Write to Robert Davies, Director, editorial e-mail: [email protected] Reservoir and, according to a report in the Division of Lands and Forests, NYS DEC, World Wide Web: http://www.nynjtc.org Newark Star-Ledger, brings the state 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233 or acquisition total in the region to nearly email: [email protected]. The addition was a 1,400 acres since last summer’s passage NEW YORK - NEW JERSEY of the Highlands Water Protection and TRAIL CONFERENCE priority acquisition Planning Act. Passage of that act was a Mission Statement priority project of the Trail Conference. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, The parcels are located in the townships Call for Candidates for founded in 1920, is a federation of member of Bethlehem, Lebanon, and Clinton. clubs and individuals dedicated to providing for the Trail Confer- TC Board, Delegates recreational hiking opportunities in the region, and representing the interests and concerns of ATVs Banned The Trail Conference Nominating Com- the hiking community. The Conference is a ence and is included in Catskill Forest Preserve mittee seeks nominees for the board of volunteer-directed public service organization In March the New York Dept. of Environ- directors and delegates-at-large. To submit committed to: mental Conservation (DEC) released the a name(s) of a prospective nominee(s) • Developing, building, and maintaining in the New York hiking trails. long awaited draft State Land All Terrain for either position, please contact • Protecting hiking trail lands through Vehicle (ATV) Use Policy. It prohibits Pete Heckler, chair of the committee support and advocacy. ATVs anywhere on open lands and trails of ([email protected]), or one of the com- • Educating the public in the responsible State Open Space use of trails and the natural environment. any kind in the Adirondack and Catskill mittee members c/o the Trail Conference Forest Preserves. ATV use on roads in the office: Herb Hochberg, Chris Connolly, Board of Directors Conservation Plan. Forest Preserve is strictly limited by current Peter Kennard, and Maureen McCarhery. Jane Daniels Chair laws and regulations. The proposed DEC Elections will take place at the NY-NJ TC Peter Kennard Vice Chair Daniel Chazin Secretary policy does not affect Palisades Interstate Annual Meeting in October. Herb Hochberg Treasurer Bashakill wetlands, Gobbler’s Knob affords Directors 50-mile panoramic views, including the Robert Boysen Robert Newton distant Catskill high peaks, and, like many Ellen Cronan Anne Osborn landscapes in the Shawangunks, has cliff MAKE A DIFFERENCE Mary Vance Duggan Mary Smart John Gunzler Malcolm Spector and talus formations. OSI plans eventually John Moran Donald Weise to offer the entire parcel to the New York BE A TRAIL ADVOCATE Staff State Dept. of Environmental Conserva- Edward Goodell Executive Director tion as an addition to the Bashakill WMA. The Trail Conference needs grassroots Larry Wheelock Trails Director The smaller parcel is described as the Advocacy Volunteers to serve as our eyes, Joshua Erdsneker Volunteer Projects “western gateway” to Minnewaska State ears, and voices where it matters most—at Director Edwin McGowan Science Director Park. It is located on Route 44/55 on the the local level. You can help protect our Richard Benning Land Protection western side of the park, adjacent to two trails by advocating for trail protection and Specialist state overlooks that provide panoramic more open space. Eric Yadlovski GIS Specialist Gary Willick Fulfillment Staff views of the Catskill Mountains and the We envision structuring an Advocacy Patricia Eisenstein Development Rondout Valley. The addition was a priori- Committee similar to the Trails Council, Assistant ty acquisition for the State of New York where we have a body of peers each work- Nayarid Barahona Product Manager and is included in the New York State ing with local volunteers to manage a Anne Dyjak Administrative Director Open Space Conservation Plan. The prop- New board member Don Weise is a longtime particular area. We need people who will Ramon McMillan Administrative erty is characterized by steep rocky slopes, volunteer for the New Jersey Audubon monitor local situations and organizations Assistant old-age stands of pitch pines, and impor- Society’s Weis Ecology Center in Ringwood, that affect trail access. We also need “issue Eddie Walsh, Jr. Trail Projects Coordinator tant chestnut oak forest. The headwaters of NJ. Don has volunteered to chair the specialists,” analogous to the trail crews, two major north-flowing streams—the Conservation & Advocacy Committee and is who can serve as resources on issues such as Part-time Staff Diana Bregman Coordinator, Saunders Kill and the Mill Kill, are located seeking others with a passion for protecting land use law, cell towers, ATVs, etc. State Shawangunk on the property and will now be protected open space and hiking opportunities. and county coordinators will share infor- Ridge Coalition in perpetuity. OSI will convey the 106-acre mation between local volunteers and John Myers Land Acquisition parcel to the Palisades Interstate Park Com- Have you ever experienced the frustration specialists in different regions. Director Neil Woodworth Counsel, Trail mission as an addition to the Minnewaska of having a favorite hiking trail or view If you would be able to be a Trail Confer- Conference/ADK State Park Preserve. closed or compromised due to develop- ence Advocacy Volunteer, either as a local Partnership ment, off-road vehicle damage, or land volunteer, issue specialist, or county/ The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a Farny Highlands Trail Gap Filled ownership issues? Do you ever feel afraid state coordinator, please contact Josh volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It A missing link to a system of hiking trails for the future of our trails and want to Erdsneker at the office 201-512-9348 or is a federation of 92 hiking and outdoor groups, and 9,200 individuals. that extends from the Appalachian Trail in make a difference? [email protected], and/or submit a West Milford south to Patriots’ Path, will volunteer interest form online at be filled thanks to the February purchase of http://www.nynjtc.org/volunteers/vif.html.

2 MAY/JUNE 2005 TRAILWALKER On-the-Job Trail Construction Why Land Acquisition Matters Training Set for From the Chair & Executive Director As we approach our $2.5M goal in the But rather than sitting on the sidelines Wappingers Falls Connecting People with Nature campaign, and watching as trail corridors are carved some long-time members are still unde- up and developed, the Trail Conference The Trail Conference will be holding a cided about supporting the effort. characteristically has taken a proactive, series of trail-building workshops in Wap- Probably, the most frequent concern hands-on approach: raise funds to buy pinger Falls, NY through the end of May. expressed is in relation to the Land Acqui- and transfer them into public stewardship Come join us as we enhance and upgrade sition & Stewardship Fund, which while they are still undeveloped and the Wappinger Greenway Trail in Dutchess accounts for the bulk of the funds needed. affordable. Land acquisition is not a job County. We will be integrating existing People ask, “Why is the Trail Conference we sought, any more than we sought to trails and creating new ones to establish a getting into the land acquisition business? kick off a landmark environmental deci- trail system that connects The Village of Shouldn’t we stick to our primary mission, sion by opposing ConEd’s plans for Storm Wappingers Falls, Wappingers Creek Estu- trail maintenance?” King in 1962. Both grew directly from ary, Scenic Hudson Lands, Reese Audubon First, it is important to point out that our mission of protecting hiking trails. Nature Preserve, and Bowdoin Park. rather than abandoning our emphasis on The Trail Conference has become an Work is available at every level of experi- trails, we are expanding it. Both the miles organization that protects and maintains ence and interest. Tools and experienced of trail and reported volunteer hours are the resources needed to connect people instruction will be provided. All you need increasing, and trail vacancies are declining. with nature in this most crowded of U.S. to bring is work clothing, sturdy boots and Throughout our history, advocacy has metropolitan regions. For the next decade been our primary protection method— or so, that means land acquisition as well consider Storm King, Minnewaska, and as advocacy, stewardship, trail construc- Sterling Forest—and continues to play a tion, and publishing books and maps. very important role today. To help us accomplish the goal, we have What has changed is that the dwindling established a separate Land Acquisition stocks of vacant land and the pace of & Stewardship Fund. Money in this development are converting prime hiking revolving fund can be used only for areas into prime development areas. acquiring parcels associated with trail Experts predict that northern New Jersey corridors. Proceeds from transferring and the lower-mid-Hudson Valley will be these parcels to public entities return to gloves, plenty of water, lunch, and a will- “built out” over the next couple of the Fund, allowing them to be used over ingness to work hard and have good fun. decades. This is truly the final window of and over for as long as needed. As the These workshops will provide partici- opportunity to create new, and protect “built out” condition is approached pants with first-hand, “in the field,” existing, trail corridors. and there are fewer opportunities for professionally led experience building new While there are many organizations acquisition, the Fund will be converted trail segments, rock and timber step doing excellent land acquisition work, and to an endowment dedicated to the construction, and bridge building. One of we’ve worked closely with some of the stewardship of trails. the great features of this project is its best, none have our fervent interest in We live in extraordinary times that call accessibility via public transportation. protecting trail corridors. Corridors are for extraordinary measures. We are asking There is a Metro-North train station in difficult to assemble because they often members, who are so moved, to make New Hamburg, which is within walking comprise many small parcels, making an extraordinary contribution to the distance to sections of our worksite. them more troublesome and expensive to Connecting People With Nature campaign. Weekday and weekend trips are available. acquire on a per acre basis. If you are interested in this project, please – Jane Daniels, Board Chair contact Eddie Walsh, at 201-512-9348 Ed Goodell, Executive Director extension 28 or [email protected].

June 4 & 5: NY-NJ TC – National Trails Day Events

Join other outdoor enthusiasts for a building bridges in George’s Island fun day of trail maintenance and County Park in Westchester and on the improvement activities on June 4, new Salisbury Trail near Albany (it National Trails Day. The New York-New connects the Long Path to Thompson’s Jersey Trail Conference has scheduled 10 Lake State Park). events that weekend to mark the No previous trail work experience is occasion. Take your pick of opportunities required. Participants do not need to be that include constructing the first new NY-NJ Trail Conference members. section of the newly defined Warren Trail Children are invited to most projects. in Jenny Jump State Park in New Jersey, Project details and online registration are training in basic trail maintenance on the available at: www.nynjtc.org; click the Staten Island Greenbelt Trail, and event register button on the left menu. West Milford, NJ Newark/Pequannock Watershed June 4 North-East NJ Palisades Interstate Park June 4 Warren County, NJ Jenny Jump State Park June 4 Staten Island, NY Greenbelt Trail- High Rock Park June 4 S A N

Bayside, Queens, NY Alley Pond Park Trails June 4, 5 O J

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Westchester, NY George’s Island Comity Park June 4 O B Harriman, NY Harriman State Park June 4 Trail work happens year-round, as these Scouts working last year in Norvin-Green State Albany, NY J.B. Thacher State Park June 4 Park can attest. But June 4 is a really big day for trails; thousands will participate in National New Paltz, NY Minnewaska State Park June 5 Trails Day events nationwide. Join the action at one of 10 TC projects planned that weekend Wappingers Falls, NY Wappingers Greenway Trail June 4, 5 in our region.

TRAILWALKER MAY/JUNE 2005 3 TRAIL Trail Crew Schedules

June 2 (Thursday) EWS For the latest schedules, go to nynjtc.org WEST HUDSON NORTH CREW N Timp-Torne relo at Brooks Lake Leaders and click on “Trail crews/Work trips.” Leader: Bob Marshall Trail Section Closed TBD = To Be Determined Denise Vitale (Crew Chief): 845-738-2126, [email protected] June 4 (Saturday) On Turkey Mountain For all trips bring work gloves, water, Dave Webber: 845-452-7238, National Trails Day The Blue Trail on Turkey Mountain at the lunch, insect repellent. In some cases, [email protected] Parker Cabin Hollow Trail Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area tools are provided. Contact leaders in Leader: Chris Ezzo in Morris County, NJ, has been closed Minnewaska State Park June 11 (Saturday) advance for meeting times and places. Gertrude’s Nose Trail from the intersection with Red Dot Trail Volunteers must become members of the TBD Join us as we work on the picturesque Gertrude’s Leader: Monica Resor continuing south to near the old quarry. Conference to participate in these Nose Trail in Minnewaska State Park. All skill This section of trail crossed private property projects. A one-time “guest” participation levels and newcomers are welcome. Since we are June 12 (Sunday) and is now off limits. A trail reroute is still a relatively new crew, we provide training on TBD is allowed, so bring your friends. Leader: Chris Ezzo planned by early spring. each work trip. For all these outings, meet at 9 am at upper parking lot at Lake Minnewaska HIGHLANDS TRAIL CREW June 16 (Thursday) (gates open at 9 am). Contact the leader for details, no more than one Timp-Torne relo at Brooks Lake week before the scheduled work date. All projects Leader: Bob Marshall May 8 (Sunday) are TBD. June 18 (Saturday) Celebrate Mother’s Day by tending to our Leader TBD Mother Earth. Bob Moss: 973-743-5203 Leader: Brian Buchbinder Stabilize a talus slope by moving rocks, cutting back brush in the trail corridor, and side-hill May 15 (Sunday) EAST HUDSON CREW benching May 29 (Sunday) Leaders Leader: Denise Vitale: June 12 (Sunday) Walt Daniels, 914-245-1250 June 26 (Sunday) May 14 and 15 (Saturday and Sunday) Chris Reyling, 914-428-9878 July 10 (Sunday) As above, plus rock moving with highline John Magerlein, 914-243-4714 Leader: Dave Webber MaryAnn Massey, 914-967-8774 NORTH JERSEY CREW May 21 (Saturday) Jack Seirup (tel. contact), 914-232-4871 Leader See May 8 details. Sandy Parr: 732-469-5109 Leader: Denise Vitale: The East Hudson Trail Crew has some exciting Second Sunday of each month. projects this season with opportunities to build Trips start at 9:30 am; call for location and details June 5 (Sunday) several new trails. The East Hudson region has a during the week before the scheduled trip day. National Trails Day event new supervisor for trails in Westchester County. Temporary Parking Relocation See May 8 details At Wild Cat Mtn.-Rt. 17a Tackle a variety of projects ranging from trail These will include trails in Kitchawan Preserve, repair to bridge building in northern New Jersey. Leaders: Denise Vitale and Dave Webber George’s Island, and Montrose Point, which need Renovation of the commuter/trailhead June 12 (Sunday) work to bring them up to Trail Conference parking lot at the Wild Cat Mountain WEST JERSEY TRAIL CREW Regeneration of old trail standards before they can be turned over to main- southern trailhead on Rt. 17a will require Leaders Leader: Dave Webber tainers. Several other new trail possibilities are in the temporary relocation of hiker parking. David Day and Monica Resor: the process of getting approvals and will be Work by the New York State Dept. of 732-937-9098, cell 908-307-5049 WEST HUDSON SOUTH CREW announced when the permissions are in place. [email protected] Leaders There are several small projects where a few Transportation was scheduled to begin in Chris Ezzo: 516-431-1148, people (preferably mid-week) can do the work. We April and to be completed by the end of All trips begin at 9 am. There is usually a walk to [email protected] make a special effort to arrange pickups at the May. For the duration of the construction the work site, so please be there on time. Call or Brian Buchbinder: 718-218-7563, nearest Hudson Line train station. project, hikers will be permitted to park email leaders for meeting place details and other [email protected] questions. Heavy rain in the morning will cancel; Claudia Ganz: 212-633-1324, Weekdays cars on Sterling Forest State Park property if in doubt, call leaders between 6:00 and 6:30 [email protected] TBD on the southwest corner of Rts. 17 & 17a. that morning. Robert Marshall: 914-737-4792, Leader: Walt Daniels [email protected] May 1 (Sunday) Reminder: No Parking May 14 (Saturday) TBD at Red Apple Rest Appalachian Trail May 5 (Thursday) Leader: Walt Daniels Bridge repair near Unionville, NY Stahahe and Nurian Trail, With the serious hiking season commencing, Harriman State Park May 21 (Saturday) May 28 (Saturday) George’s Island it seems worth repeating an announcement TBD Leader: Bob Marshall from our January/February issue: Until Trail clearing and get ready for bridges. Contact leaders or check either www. May 7 (Saturday) Meet: 9 am at Cortlandt Train Station further notice, there will be no free all-day nynjtc.org or www.trailstobuild.com for updated Timp-Torne relo at Brooks Lake, Leader: Walt Daniels parking for hikers at the Red Apple Rest information on this event. Harriman State Park Leader: Brian Buchbinder June 4 (Saturday) parking lot in Southfields, along Route 17. June 4 (Saturday) George’s Island The nearest parking for hikers is at Elk National Trails Day event May 14 (Saturday) Major bridge workshop Pen, approximately 3/4 mile to the north. Warren Trail, Jenny Jump State Park Timp-Torne relo at Brooks Lake Meet: 9 am at Cortlandt Train Station First work on the new Warren Trail See NY-NJ Trail Conference Map #4, Leader: Claudia Ganz Leader: Walt Daniels Northern Harriman-Bear Mtn. Trails. June 18 (Saturday) May 15 (Sunday) May 1 - June 12 Appalachian Trail, Worthington State Park Timp-Torne relo at Brooks Lake Wappingers Greenway For those utilizing the Elk Pen parking Seasonal visit for repairs and heavy maintenance Leader: Monica Resor area to access the Nurian Trail, the Trail Leader: Eddie Walsh June 25 (Saturday) May 19 (Thursday) See page 3 for details. Conference has established an alternate Rattlesnake Swamp Trail, Delaware Water Gap Stahahe and Nurian Trail, route to it: the Stahahe Brook Trail (red National Recreation Area Harriman State Park stripe on white). It follows the Old Arden Trail relocation Leader: Bob Marshall Road south for about 0.3 mile from where July 9 (Saturday) May 21 (Saturday) the Arden-Surebridge Trail (red triangle on Warren Trail, Jenny Jump State Park TBD white) leaves the road, then turns east after See June 4 details Leader: Chris Ezzo passing over a bridge and follows a woods road along the brook to reach the Nurian Trail (white) near the northern end of Lake Stahahe. See map below. What You Don’t See Adds Up Hikers may not realize just how many Their work involves not only removing Liss, Bob Marshall, John McCullough, Ike blow-downs have been removed from trails wood from the trails, but also carrying Siskind, Pete Tilgner, Kim Waldhauer, Steve in recent months, thanks to the efforts of a the necessary equipment to perform this Zubarick (co-crew chief). very devoted group of folks: the Trail arduous work to and from the work sites. If you would like to volunteer your Conference Chain Saw Crew for Harriman So when you are out hiking on time as a sawyer, contact the TC office and Sterling Forests State Parks. From July unobstructed trails, think of the following ([email protected], 201-512-9348) through December of 2004, crew members folks who have donated their own time and inquire about the next chain saw volunteered more than 200 hours of their toward your enjoyment: certification course. free time to remove 300+ blow-downs Steve Banyacski (co-crew chief), Roland – Peter Heckler from trails in Harriman/Bear Mountain Breault, Jack Driller, Tom Dunn, Joe and Sterling Forest State Parks. Ginsdorf, Suzan Gordon, Joan James, Mark

4MAY/JUNE 2005 TRAILWALKER as a poor substitute for the complex native plant communities they supplant. The SCIENCE issue is muddied somewhat by the exis- By Edwin McGowan, E COLOGY tence of a non-invasive native phragmites Science Director, PhD and questions about just what exactly our & wetlands looked like in past. Nevertheless, if we are to deal Tracking the Wild (& Invasive) Phragmites intelligently with common reed and

other invasives, we first need to know the N A

Each day, on my commute to work biodiversity appears to be quite high. For scope and scale of the problem. While we W O G

through Harriman State Park, I pass by a example, just driving by I have noted spot- know that this species is widespread, little C M

N

small roadside wetland nestled in the ted, painted, and snapping turtles, as well information exists on the exact extent of I W

park’s rocky woodlands. The wetland as northern water snakes, green, and pick- its invasion. Has it reached small interior D E provides a pleasant opening in the dense erel frogs, all attempting to cross the short wetlands within our larger parklands? If TC volunteers will survey local parks forest canopy, in which the sun illumi- stretch of road abutting the wetland. so, has it achieved dominance in these for the presence of phragmites. nates contrasting hues of green, brown, systems? Once present, does it spread and red. The plant community is typical An Invader aggressively or is it constrained by provided by the Trail Conference, partici- of the Highlands, reflecting the mildly This little scene has another rather recent environmental conditions? Answers to pants will visit the designated wetlands acid growing conditions produced by inhabitant that I failed to mention. these questions are badly needed if we within their block and record basic data underlying granitic geology. Highbush Creeping inward from one side is a dense are to effectively manage this and other on common reed including its presence/ blueberry, mountain laurel, and hemlock stand of the invasive plant Phragmites invasive species. absence and an estimate of percent cover. ring the perimeter, while the soggy australis, or common reed. A tall, attrac- They will also take digital photos of the interior supports a mixed assortment tive plant with an elegant plume-like Help Survey Parks For Phragmites wetlands to serve as a photo archive. of mostly low-growing species anchored inflorescence at its top, common reed Toward this end, the Trail Conference is These photos will also permit us to by tussock sedge, steeplebush, ferns, often outperforms its name by becoming initiating a Citizen Science project to map compare the efficacy of ground surveys and mosses. not just common but dominant in common reed in the inland marshes and (this study) with remote sensing tech- The layered vegetation and varied wetland systems. Unabated, it usually sedge meadows of Harriman and Sterling niques (aerial photos available online) for terrain of this wetland create numerous proliferates clonally into dense monotyp- Forest State Parks, where this species has mapping common reed. microhabitats for its animal inhabitants, ic stands, replacing much of our native made some inroads but is not yet ubiqui- Although there is a natural desire with from deep pockets of saturated muck to flora in the process. For our little wetland, tous. Our near-term goal is to map its invasive plant management to cut and the dry sloughing bark of dead hemlock this could mean rapid and drastic change. distribution, so we can evaluate current pull first, and ask questions later, we will snags. Direct sunlight penetrates the open There is widespread concern among conditions and create a baseline of start conservatively with this important portion, providing basking opportunities ecologists and land managers that invasive data from which to measure change. mapping exercise. The resulting record for snakes, turtles, frogs, and dragonflies, plants such as common reed are under- Long-term, this data will help guide will serve as a much needed baseline while the dense vegetation around the mining native ecosystems through a future management decisions, including and will allow us to assess the status of edges creates cool shade on all but the cascade of direct and indirect effects (see efforts at early detection and control of this plant in a large and vital region of hottest summer days. The presence of May/June 04 Trail Walker). While this species where appropriate. the Highlands. these gradients—from sunny to shaded, common reed does provided some How it works: Each volunteer will be hot to cool, wet to dry, and even acid to positive ecosystem functions, including assigned a survey block of their choosing To learn more about this project please neutral—all add to the structural and those documented by Erik Kiviat of that covers a section of park containing visit the TC science web page at biotic complexity of the place. Local Hudsonia, reed stands are usually viewed one or more open wetlands. Using maps www.nynjtc.org/science. Eagle Eyes Trailside Explorations: Aquatic Insects Their findings? Each winter, bald eagles converge on the 1. Most of our wintering eagles aggregate Wetlands of all kinds lower Hudson River to exploit its open at just a few roost sites to spend the are breeding grounds waters and abundant fish supply. overnight hours. Four Hudson Valley for a wide variety of This eagle bonanza is due to the syner- roosts have had 30 or more eagles at insects. Since hiking gistic effects of a number of protective once. On one memorable evening, trails often trace the measures dating back to early 1970s. These volunteers counted 81 eagles roosting on edges of these water- include the granting of endangered species a single hillside. Along the lower ways, hikers have X U status in 1972, banning of the pesticide Hudson, peak roosting numbers occur ample opportunities E R U

DDT, production of captive reared birds in January and February. to experience and O M A by state agencies, and increased protection 2. Eagles will roost within sight of hiking explore the lives of L

R of nest sites and other critical habitats. trails but typically arrive at these loca- insects. O T C I

This last item, critical habitat, may turn tions in late afternoon after all but the Many insects, from V out to be the primary limiting factor for most intrepid winter hikers have left the the dreaded mosquito to the darting drag- Water bug eagles in the future. For breeding pairs, this woods. Consequently, the potential for onfly, start their lives in freshwater streams, means suitable nest sites with minimal dis- disturbance by hikers is low in most ponds, and rivers. Once they mature, most Stream depth is important, because it turbance in close proximity to clean, circumstances. Also, many trails predate leave the water; usually they don’t go far. affects the amount of light, temperature, uncontaminated prey resources. Similarly, the recent growth in eagle numbers Some species, however, live in water their and oxygen available. The rate of water wintering birds require a healthy food base using these roosts, which suggests eagles entire lives. Aquatic insects are important flow is also important. Species have a vari- and undisturbed habitats for perching and continue to select these sites despite the to the stream environment for several rea- ety of adaptations that allow them to cope foraging by day and roosting by night. proximity of trails. sons. First, they are the base of food webs with different rates of water flow; as the 3. Eagles using day perches in trees along involving fish, birds, turtles, snakes, and rate of flow varies, the kinds of insects the Hudson may be disturbed by large invertebrates such as crayfish. Second, found in the stream will also vary. approaching hikers and will take flight if they help keep streams clean by breaking The material that composes the bottom encroached upon too closely. In recogni- dead leaves into many small pieces, upon of the stream can also make life easy or dif- G

N tion of this potential problem, the TC which decomposer organisms (bacteria and continued on page 9 O H C

worked with state and Westchester fungi) feed. As these decomposers eat and B R

E County officials to reroute sections of the thrive, they in turn release nutrients that H TC eagle counters spy their targets at proposed 46-mile Hudson River Walk plants need in order to grow. George’s Island in Westchester this winter. Trail away from critical eagle habitats. Further, because stream insects are 4. Although many of the sites used by our highly sensitive to environmental For the past two winters, Trail Conference wintering eagles are on protected lands, conditions, the presence or absence of science volunteers have been doing their several private land holdings adjacent to particular species can be used as a sensitive X U part to assess eagle use of critical wintering state parklands are heavily used by eagles indicator of water quality. E R U habitats on trail lands in the lower Hudson and should be acquired for protection. Like most animals, aquatic insects have O M A

Valley. Fifty volunteers have participated to 5. Eagle watching along the lower Hudson preferred habitat conditions in which they L

R date in field surveys, which have focused on is a great way to cure the winter live. Two main factors that determine what O T C I

eagle use of forested perching areas on park- doldrums. insects live in which waters is the water V lands with TC-maintained trail systems. – Edwin McGowan itself and the stream bottom, or substrate. Water scorpion

TRAILWALKER MAY/JUNE 2005 5 Volunteer Classifieds: Get Involved!

Are you looking for new challenges and the right persons in an efficient manner, Technology Crew and Maintainers Are you Organized? opportunities to get involved with Trail this list needs to be updated on an annual When you think of the Trail Conference, The Trail Conference has a variety of stor- Conference activities? Please review the basis. Willing persons simply need to make you have images of shovels, rock bars, and age rooms that need to be organized. We TC Volunteer Classifieds below for exciting a few phone calls to verify the contact clippers as the primary tools of our trade. have an offsite storage unit with archived and interesting ways for members to list is accurate. If you’re able to help, This is only half true as we expand our arse- paper files from our office and stashed become involved with the Conference’s please contact Larry Wheelock at nal of tools to accomplish our mission; the office supplies in a variety of corners and efforts. Additional opportunities in the [email protected] or at the Trail Trail Conference has embraced the use of closets in our Mahwah office; we need a areas of Advocacy and Conservation are Conference office 201-512-9348. many hi-tech tools such as GPS devices, little help getting things coordinated. If described on pages 2 and 7, respectively. scanners, database development, and you have a knack for keeping closets Volunteers are the heart and soul of our Catskill Trail Committee advanced micro-computing environments. orderly and would be interested in lending organization. Become an active part of our Opportunities Our organization needs computer savvy a hand, please contact Naya Barahona family and get more involved. If you are • Assistant Trail Chairs: With more than individuals to expand and enhance our elec- at [email protected] or 201-512-9348 interested in volunteering with the TC 100 maintainers and 200 miles of hiking tronic capabilities. If you have experience in extension 23. and do not see an opportunity that suits trails, our Catskill Trail Committee is one any of the areas below and would be willing you, contact the Volunteer Projects of the largest trail committees in the Trail to donate some of your time, please contact Information, Please Director, Joshua Erdsneker, either by Conference. To improve our communi- Anne Dyjak [email protected] at the Are you well versed on the plethora of email [email protected] or call the office cations with our volunteers and land Conference office 201-512-9348. hiking trails in New York and New Jersey? 201-512-9348, and he will find a way to managers, we are seeking two Assistant • Assistant Web Master Would you enjoy providing guidance to get you involved. Chairs to help coordinate the efforts of • Network/Server administration NY-NJ Trail Conference members on our volunteers. Help preserve and protect • Webpage development appropriate hikes for their skill level? New Jersey Appalachian Trail the Catskill wilderness; get involved now. • Database design Do you have a few free hours to spend at Leadership Needed For information, please contact Josh • Desktop computer support the Trail Conference office in Mahwah in There are a variety of challenges being faced Erdsneker, [email protected], at the Trail (hardware and software) the company of staff and fellow on the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey. Conference office 201-512-9348. • Electronic Marketplace (online stores) volunteers? If you fit this description, the One of the most daunting is finding lead- Trail Conference is looking for volunteers ers to oversee the Trail Conference’s • Catskill MOU Translator: We are seeking Retail Store Representatives to assist with telephone and mail inquiries activities on and off the AT in the state. As a volunteer who is comfortable reading We are looking for individuals to manage during the week. Please contact Naya the AT faces increasing threats, we need and transposing legal documents. The the sale of Trail Conference books, maps, Barahona by email ([email protected]) or new leaders to help tackle these challenges. Trail Conference will be converting and memberships at selected retail telephone (201-512-9348, ext. 23) if you Please contact Larry Wheelock at its Memorandum of Understanding partners. Interested persons should be are interested and available to assist. 201-512-9348 or [email protected] (MOU) with the State of New York and outgoing and not afraid to speak with for more information. the Dept. of Environmental Conserva- people. Retail experience is a real bonus as Other Opportunities: tion (DEC) into a new format called well as any “visual/display” experience, but • Librarian Incident Reporting Procedures Adopt a Natural Resource. This is a great not necessary. An eye for detail is a must as • Publication Indexer Update Manager opportunity for a detail oriented individ- well as a creative and fun spirit able to • Outreach Events Coordinator Every hiker should know who to call when ual with an interest in helping to communicate the TC mission. Ability to • Tabling Event Representatives an ATV illegally cuts through a park or a strengthen our relationship with the land travel to the needed locations, such as storm badly damages a trail. The Trail Con- managers in the Catskills. For informa- Campmor, Ramsey Outdoor, etc. is a ference maintains a list of contacts of the tion, please contact Larry Wheelock, must. Training will be provided. For more land managers and park personnel who [email protected] or at the Trail information about this opportunity, should be notified when these types of Conference office 201-512-9348. please contact Josh Erdsneker at activities occur. To ensure that hikers reach [email protected] 201-512-9348. Delegates to Meet June 23 by club representatives who had an interest The Trail Conference invites its member Volunteer Insurance Reminder or expertise in the topic; discussion includ- clubs and “Incubator” participants to sub- At Ross Dock, Fort Lee, NJ ed developing lists of action items and steps mit the results of their brainstorming Many of us like to bring a friend or family that can be taken to address the issue. sessions and any other ideas that they are member on our maintenance trips. Sharing The next Delegate’s meeting (on Thursday, The next step is to act on these “hot” willing to take action on, to the correlating the joys of volunteering on a trail makes June 23, 2005, at Ross Dock, in Fort Lee, topics identified by our member clubs. To Trail Conference Committee at the June every trip more enjoyable. While the Trail NJ) will kick off the Trail Conference’s put action behind these brainstorming Delegate’s meeting. Representatives from Conference strongly encourages you to 2006 Plan & Budget process by building sessions, volunteers are needed to coordinate each Trail Conference committee will be in invite friends and family to join you, be on the issues and action items discussed at the steps necessary to create solutions for issues attendance and will present and provide an aware that not everyone on your work trip our format-busting meeting in February. raised. For example, the ORV breakout overview of the 2005 Plan & Budget. The will be covered by the Trail Conference At that meeting, in an effort to open the session identified several deliverables, such meeting and program start at 7 pm. Please insurance policy. lines of communication and increase mem- as forming an ORV working group on the join us for a social hour, beginning at 6 pm, To be eligible for liability and accident ber club participation in activities that Trail Conference’s Advocacy committee. for a chance to share refreshments and chat coverage, an individual must be on file with affect the hiking community, an “Idea Now, that committee needs leadership and with hiking club representatives. the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Incubator” session was moderated. More volunteers willing to address the issues at Please RSVP your attendance to as a registered volunteer, such as a trail main- than 40 representatives submitted issues hand (See Advocacy Volunteers p. 2). offi[email protected] by June 16, 2005. tainer, co-maintainer, shelter caretaker, crew that concerned their organizations. From Every summer, Trail Conference volun- Directions: Enter the southern entrance to member, field checker, or environmental that list, 16 topics surfaced to the top and teers and staff begin a three-month process Palisades State Park. Follow Henry Hudson monitor, and engaged in the work affiliated became the focus for the day’s brainstorm- of developing the objectives, tasks, and Drive about one mile to the Ross Dock with the assigned volunteer position with ing sessions. These topics included illegal deliverables for the plan and budget for the Circle and look for signs to the meeting. the Trail Conference. ORV use, environmental land stewardship, upcoming fiscal year. Hundreds of great Not being listed as one of these types of fighting development in the Shawangunks projects and programs are suggested, but volunteers does not prohibit an individual and Catskills, and New York State land use with limited resources, only projects with New Member Benefit: from accompanying you on a work trip; it liability issues. Each session was attended the support of volunteers can be considered. Soak Your Feet and Much More does, however, prevent them from being

R covered by the insurance policies provided E K E The Trail Conference would like to wel- to registered trail volunteers. N S

D come The Town Tinker Tube Rental, Registered volunteers are responsible for R E

H located in Phoenicia, NY, as a participating maintaining their own health and liability S O

J Retail Partner. Conference members who insurance. In the event that a registered want to float down the refreshing Esopus volunteer’s personal policy coverage is Creek in the Catskills can save 10 percent insufficient, the NY-NJ Trail Conference, on their equipment. To take advantage of and/or certain public agencies on whose this great benefit of membership, just pres- lands Trail Conference volunteers operate, ent your Trail Conference Membership may provide additional liability and acci- Card at the time of purchase. Visit them on dent coverage for the benefit of volunteers Top trail concerns identified by TC Delegates in February the web at www.towntinker.com or call who may be injured or sued in the course of will get follow-up attention at the June meeting. 845-688-5553 for more information. performing their assigned tasks on behalf of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. 6MAY/JUNE 2005 TRAILWALKER Anne Dyjak: Eddie Walsh: HOW THE TRAIL CONFERENCE Administrative Director Trails Projects Coordinator

TARGETS AND PRESERVES OPEN SPACES Anne Dyjak joined the Trail Conference in The Trail Conference welcomes Eddie February as Administrative Director. Anne Walsh to the position of Trail Projects The Trail Conference currently has a number of priority projects in both New York has served as a vice president for the past Coordinator. Eddie has been involved with and New Jersey where we are seeking to add new trails or extend current trails. As in several years at large national financial insti- the Trail Conference since 1984. As a vol- hiking, the process of preserving land for trails happens step by step. tutions and has extensive experience in unteer, he maintained a section of the Long regional operations management, residen- Path and started the Long Path end-to-end Step 1: Identify a Trail Corridor and Gather Data tial real estate lending, and commercial program. In 1989 he was the recipient of One of the first steps we take in preserving trails in a new area is to identify possible loan and real estate workout. the Next Generation Award. connections between existing open spaces and parks. We may be able to identify Anne is an avid hiker and birder. She has Formerly, he was the Trails Coordinator connecting properties by looking at Geographic Information System (GIS) data— been the chair and an outings leader for the for the Adirondack Mountain Club, man- either our own or that of towns or counties—or by examining paper tax maps. The past eight years for the North/Central NJ aging the paid and volunteer trail crews for question then becomes, what is the best route to connect the two open spaces? Inner City Outings (ICO) group of NJ all the trail contracts between the ADK and Sierra Club. ICO is a nationwide commu- the New York State Dept. of Environmen- Step 2: Determine Path of Least Resistance nity outreach program of the Sierra Club tal Conservation. Prior to that, he worked Usually the best route from an acquisition standpoint is the one with the fewest whose mission is to provide opportunities as a paid trail crew leader for the parcels to purchase. It is far easier, and the project is more likely to succeed, if we need for urban youth and adults to explore, Adirondack Mountain Club (five seasons), to negotiate with just two or three landowners rather than with seven or eight. enjoy, and protect the Green Mountain Club, Appalachian natural world. Mountain Club, and the Maine Appalachi- Step 3: Negotiate Purchase Anne also serves an Trail Club, plus he served a winter If a trail already crosses a landowner’s property, we probably have a relationship with as co-chair of stint as the caretaker for the Randolph him/her and it is easier to start a dialogue about the possible sale of their land. In the the board of Mountain Club in New Hampshire. best scenario, they may offer to donate or sell part or all of their land for the trail. We directors of Eddie has hiked the Long Path and negotiate a price, and if possible, sign an option to purchase the property. If we get the Trailside 2,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail in everyone in the corridor to agree to sell, then we have a new hiking corridor. If indi- M useum addition to various long treks in Europe viduals are not willing to sell us their land, they may be interested in giving us a trail Association, and Central America. He has a Visual Arts easement, or perhaps written revocable permission to allow the trail on their land. which pro- Degree from SUNY New Paltz. vides advocacy With the Trail Conference he has worked Step 4: Determine Ultimate Owner and as the project coordinator on the Sterling Before the Trail Conference signs any agreement, it first determines who will financial Forest Southfields Furnace Bridge, the Twin ultimately own the property. The Trail Conference holds property only temporarily. support Forts Trail staircase and footbridge projects, In New Jersey we work primarily with Green Acres as ultimate owner (a division of to the Trailside Nature and Science Center and the Popolopen Bridge construction. New Jersey’s Dept. of Environmental Protection), and in New York with the Dept. in Watchung Reservation, a 2,000-acre Currently, he is coordinating the Bear of Environmental Conservation. In both states we also work with a number of preserve in Union County, NJ. Mountain Trails Project and the Wappinger local/county land trusts, non-profit environmental organizations, local and county Anne enjoys traveling and spent her hon- Greenway trail development. He looks for- governments, and other state agencies. eymoon camping with the brown bears at ward to sharing his the McNeil River Sanctuary, approximate- extensive technical Step 5: Scout the Most Appealing Route ly 200 air miles outside of Anchorage, AK. trail design and The land must be physically explored and, if it’s for a new trail, a route laid out that She has hiked in Denali National Park and construction avoids endangered plants or animals, major highways, and wetlands, and includes Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska, expertise with the viewpoints, areas of particular interest or historical significance. and in many of the western and northwest- Trail Conference ern national parks. A graduate of Cook Trail Crews and Step 6: Maintenance and Monitoring College, Rutgers University, Anne resides improving the quali- When all of these steps are successfully taken, the trail has been built by TC volunteers, in Somerset County in a home built ty of trails in the and the land preserved, the final step is to arrange for ongoing maintenance and in 1780. region. monitoring by another TC volunteer.

Volunteer Opportunities Conservation volunteers can help us scout corridors, get tax maps, and/or post his brother Jerry then painted, filled in the JILL ARBUCKLE acquisitions as open to the public. For more information on getting local data or letters, and coated the signs per New Jersey continued from page 1 helping to conserve open spaces in your town, contact Rich Benning (Ext. #24) at State Forest specifications. Darrel, Pete, the Trail Conference office (201-512-9348). Ellen, Kevin Tlusty, and Jonas and septic issues—potties, etc.—in our highly – Richard Benning, Land Acquisition Specialist. Anderson completed installation of the utilized recreational corridor. signs in August. Jill is currently responsible for a Thanks go to the scouts, their leaders section of the Appalachian Trail in Wantage Eagle Scouts Work with TC to and families, Bill McNaught and his (approximately 10 miles of the corridor students at Lakeland High, and school between High Point and Waywayanda), and Enhance Norvin Green State Forest principal Joseph C. LoCascio for their supervises another 10 miles in Stokes State excellent work and cooperation. Forest. Of member club volunteers, she says, New signs at 35 trail intersections in their families and friends, to install 11 “These are people I’m happy to be with,” Norvin Green State Forest, and erosion control devices on the trail. – Bob Jonas and Estelle Anderson, usually self-starters, and sometimes with a control on the Mine Trail, also in Norvin Earlier in the year, Life Scout Darrel TC Supervisors, Southern Wyanokies keen personal interest in a trail section. Green, are the results of two separate Eagle O’Dell of BSA Troop 44, West Milford, The many, varied issues that concern a Scout projects completed in 2004 with the NJ, took on the challenge of installing an Trail Conference/member club leader create guidance of Trail Conference Supervisors extensive system of signs to alleviate ongo- a living quilt rich in texture and pattern. for the Southern Wyanokies Bob Jonas and ing problems of inexperienced hikers Providing a solid underpinning is the refined Estelle Anderson. becoming lost within the 4500-acre state system of the Trail Conference–member Life Scout Jeremy Rounds of BSA troop forest (despite existing prominent blazes). club relationship. “The set-up works very 146, Hoboken, NJ, worked with the super- Starting in January 2004, with the assis- well,” says Jill, pointing out that the Trail visors, his father, fellow scouts, and their tance of Darrel’s father, Pete, Troop Conference provides training and expertise, families to plan, design, and install a series Committeewoman Ellen Caleca, and the while member clubs provide the cheerful of water bars and check dams along the Trail Conference supervisors Jonas and service to get a job done. Mine Trail, a popular route to the Roomy Anderson, Darrel surveyed all the trail Where’s a favorite lunch spot for Jill when Mine and Wyanokie High Point from the intersections in the forest and decided on it’s time to take a break from the morning’s Weis Ecology Center in Ringwood. 35 new signs. work? “There’s a high ridge halfway along After a day that included a site visit and Sign-making help was provided by Bill the corridor, with Waywayanda to the east instruction in the fine art of water bar McNaught’s wood shop class at Lakeland and High Point to the west,” she says, “near construction and trail hydrology from the Regional High School in Wanaque. Goldsmith Road.” What makes it special? TC supervisors, followed by a second visit Students Devon DeGroat, Brian Dupree, Straightforwardly, Jill identifies the essential to map out the correct locations for Matt Hartwick, Jarett Miller, and Paul Bob Jonas, TC Supervisor for Norvin Green elements: “It has what you need: a tree, a the water checks, Jeremy returned on Van Dunk lettered the signs using a State Forest, assists Eagle Scout candidate breeze, and a rock.” What a sublime focus. December 5 with his entire troop, and pantograph-mounted router. Darrel and Darrel O’Dell install new trail signage. Thank you, Jill Arbuckle.

TRAILWALKER MAY/JUNE 2005 7 the result of contact with poisonous plants the day progresses. If left untreated, Top Five Foot or insects. Treatment requires the application patients may resort to limping, and they of a steroid cream. A chronic skin fungus, can be sidelined for months from hiking, commonly known as athletes’ foot, requires running, or even walking a treadmill. the daily application of an anti-fungal Carrying a heavy backpack on a long hike Problems to Avoid cream, often for a period of up to six weeks. may cause this condition. Maintaining dry feet and changing To prevent plantar fasciitis, one should By Howard E. Friedman, DPM into dry socks can help prevent these wear well-fitted shoes with a supportive A 59-year-old man complained to his be sure to include adequate supplies of conditions. Removing boots at the end of a footbed (arch support). The stretching podiatrist about pain in his right heel that calcium and vitamin D in one’s diet. One hike and changing into sandals or exercises described above for the Achilles began during a recent camping trip. The early sign of this condition is a stubborn moccasins is also helpful. tendon are also helpful in preventing this patient had been hiking, camping, and ache or pain in the affected bone, although Tendonitis—the inflammation of a condition. Remedies include resting the fishing for several days. He was also accurate diagnosis sometimes requires an tendon, such as the Achilles tendon—is the heel on an ice pack for five-to-ten minutes portaging a canoe with his buddy. The MRI. Prompt treatment will prevent fourth preventable condition. Stretching a few times a day, and the use of an combination of poor arch support in his further injury. the Achilles tendon prior to beginning a anti-inflammatory medication, such as wading boot and carrying a heavy canoe A foot problem more visible than a stress long hike can help prevent this serious ibuprofen. In some cases, prescription contributed to an acute foot condition. fracture is a painfully infected ingrown toe- injury which, in many cases, can last for medication may be required. Other Now, this hiker is sidelined until the pain nail. Pain in the corner of the nail, along months. One suggested method is as treatments include a stretching splint, and inflammation of his foot subside. with redness and swelling, are the early follows: Lean against a wall or tree, with feet custom-made arch supports (orthotics), His condition—as well as many other warning signs. Home treatment can flat on the ground, one foot in front of the and cortisone injections. hiking-related foot injuries—could have include soaking the toe in warm salt water other, and switch between leaning forward With some common sense, a person’s been avoided had preventive steps been and applying a topical antibiotic. Usually, and standing straight. In addition, rising up feet should hold up well during years of taken. Moreover, once such injuries occur, however, the ingrown nail needs to be on the toes for five-to-ten seconds, several hiking, walking, and staying physically further damage can be avoided if treatment removed under local anesthesia. If the con- times in a row, can help strengthen and con- active. Taking appropriate preventive steps, is sought promptly. dition recurs, the border of the ingrown dition tendons and muscles in the calf and and early diagnosis and treatment of foot nail can be permanently removed. Trim- foot. For best results, perform this exercise injuries, are very important in keeping Five Preventable Foot Conditions ming toenails straight across and avoiding with the other foot raised off the ground. patients on their feet. One foot condition that can often be pre- tight shoes or boots can prevent this condi- Prompt treatment will keep a mild injury to vented is a stress fracture—an incomplete tion from occurring; prompt treatment can a tendon from becoming more severe. Howard E. Friedman, DPM, is a podiatrist break of a bone that occurs in response to a avoid complications. One of the most frequent causes of foot and board-certified foot surgeon treating repetitive action, such as running, jumping, No other part of the body is routinely pain is plantar fasciitis—the inflamma- hikers and non-hikers in Suffern, New York. or even walking. Symptoms include pain and completely “double-wrapped” in tion of the tough, fibrous band of tissue and some swelling in the affected area. The clothing as is the foot. The warm, damp (fascia) connecting the heel bone (calca- metatarsals, the bones that connect directly environment inside the shoe or boot can neus) to the base of the toes. This to the toes, are common locations of stress lead to a fungus infection or a red, itchy condition is often associated with a heel fractures. Other areas that may be subject to inflammation of the skin known as spur, or growth of bone on the undersur- stress fractures are the tibia or fibula in the dermatitis. In some cases, these conditions face of the heel bone, but may occur even lower leg. To prevent this injury, one should can be an allergic reaction to wool socks, or in the absence of a heel spur. An early symptom of this sometimes debilitating condition is a pain or dull ache in the Jacket is a lightweight, wind and water bottom of the heel bone, usually with the resistant, synthetic jacket that has first step when getting up from a bed or answered the prayers of hypo-allergenic chair. The pain sometimes diminishes as GEAR hikers around the world. During a recent two-night trip to the Catskills, where the temperature dropped into the low single digits, I was faced with hiding in my CHECK sleeping bag until the spring thaw, or An occasional series that will review gear donning my Polarguard® HV insulated appropriate for hiking. Puff Jacket and getting my morning oatmeal started. With just two thin layers on underneath the Puff, I was toasty. The Cochran’s Cabins—in the Adirondack Puff has great pockets for keeping your Mountains, 4 miles from Saranac Lake. evening snacks from freezing and is Hiking, fishing, boating, local attractions. highly compressible for easy packing. The www.adarondackcabin.com, Cochran’s removable hood adds an extra level of Cabins, 1150 Kiwassa Road, Saranac impervious protection from the elements. Lake, NY 12983. Phone: 518.891.5721. At only 25.5 ounces, the Puff Jacket is the E-mail: [email protected]. perfect jacket for keeping you warm and stylish when you get to camp, wait in line to climb that frozen waterfall, or head out to the lodge for a mug of steamy Patagonia Puff Ball Jacket hot chocolate. Reviewed by Josh Erdsneker

In the past, being allergic to down has put a serious crimp in my ability to properly Rating: 5 boots out of 5 outfit myself for cold weather backpack- ing trips. Nothing kept you warm like Josh Erdsneker is Volunteer Projects down…until now. The Patagonia Puff Director at the Trail Conference

8MAY/JUNE 2005 TRAILWALKER HELP TC REACH 2.5 MILLION Trails on Bear Mountain on the AT there, the Bear Mountain Pro- We want to make sure everyone is aware of continued from page 1 The Bear Mountain Project is two-fold: ject offers an unparalleled opportunity to this opportunity to be counted among those • reconstruct the three primary trails that raise public awareness of trails and the role who are protecting and expanding hiking throughout the region. When the corridors cross the mountain—the Appalachian, of volunteer trail workers, and to recruit opportunities in our region.” are fully assembled, the fund will become Major Welch, and the Suffern/Bear new volunteers. Please consider donating an endowment, sustaining our stewardship Mountain Trails; and your time or financial resources to one of New Donors Bring Campaign of the trails far into the future. • enlist a new generation of volunteers, the greatest reconstruction projects in the to $2.1 Million The biggest goal of the campaign—$2 training them to build and maintain trails. history of the Trail Conference. New Donors million—is to capitalize this fund. With In March of this year, the Trail January 30, 2005–March 24, 2005 campaign contributions already made, the Conference formally assumed the role of GIS Trail Conference: Project Manager in an agreement with GIS is a valuable, often essential, tool for Douglas O. Bowers, Fidelity Charitable • bought and preserved eight parcels the Palisades Interstate Park Commission many TC programs, including publications, Gift Fund, Jane Geisler*, NJ Conservation (totaling 795 acres) in the Shawan- (PIPC); Appalachian Trail Conservancy trails, land acquisition and stewardship, Foundation, Edward T. O’Connor, gunks, and acquired two options on an (formerly AT Conference); National Park advocacy, and science. Because so much William F. and Mary H. Penny, Priscilla additional 241 acres, which have been Service, and New York State Office of Parks, Trail Conference work requires complex Pogact, Martha Pope, Aaron Schoenberg assigned to the Open Space Institute Recreation and Historic Preservation. spatial information, funding GIS was desig- and Kathy Schoenberg, Lucy R. Waletzky for preservation until the land can be Upon completion in 2010, the Bear nated a critical goal of the capital campaign. and Jim Hamilton* transferred to New York State; Mountain project will feature a newly con- In 2004, the Trail Conference acquired • bought and preserved four parcels, structed sustainable trail system that the necessary hardware and software and In Memory of Raymond Begin/ totaling 112 acres, on the Ginseng accommodates a variety of user abilities; hired Eric Yadlovski as its GIS specialist. Gifts for Bear Mountain Renovation Project Ridge section (north of the Catskills) comprehensive directional signage; trailside Eric has built and maintained the Trail Con- William A. and Barbara A. Branch, Laurie of the Long Path; interpretation facilities that illustrate trail ference GIS and worked with a variety of Branch*, John F. and Carmen R. Bruckner, • expects to complete purchase of 94 construction and maintenance, the history volunteers, especially John Mack, to develop William F. and Madeline A. Carrington, acres linking county and state lands in of the AT, and other trails in the park; a procedures for collecting data and creating Gerard and Constance Chasse, Circonix the town of Sparta, NJ. TC will hold new corps of trained trail volunteers; and digital cartography for a variety of uses. Technologies LLC, Majken Elgaard, this land until New Jersey’s Green restoration of off-trail trampled woodland. In particular, GIS has enabled the Trail Anthony and Barbara Fischetti, Robert and Acres program can acquire it in 2006. Early contributions to the capital Conference to fully update information Paula Gossett, John J. and Pamela A. • cooperated with the Appalachian Trail campaign made it possible for the Trail relevant to the Land Acquisition and Grimmke, Willy A. and Jenny Grimmke, Conference to help NYC’s Dept. of Conference to lay the groundwork for this Stewardship Fund. The work has included Willy F. Grimmke, Michael and Catherine Environmental Protection buy 109 agreement in the fall of 2004 by commis- gathering and entering parcel data informa- Haskins, John Haynes, Valerie Johnson, acres bordering the Appalachian Trail in sioning design of a master plan for the tion into the system, and producing maps Lola Kasumoto, Rosemarie Lamont, the town of Kent, Putnam County, NY. project. Design work was done in the fall of for long distance trails, such as the AT and Glenn and Jane Lesniak, Alex Melchiorre, 2004 by the Rutgers University Landscape Long Path, highlighting priority parcels. Matthew Montgomery, Jack J. and Karen The Trail Conference has identified an Architecture Department (see story in M. Perkuhn, Angus Shee, Daniel Stamm, additional 375 privately held parcels, total- March/April 2005 TW), and a plan for Be with Us at the Summit Peter Stebbins, Michael Thomin, Captain ing 13,800 unprotected acres of land that trail renovations was presented to PIPC in Thanks to the vision and generosity of our Charles Valdez, Eric Vogelsberg and Sue impact trail routes. If these lands are devel- February of this year. members and supporters, this first Trail Anne Vogelsburg, Mary L. and Matthew L. oped into residential areas, the existing and As part of the evolving management plan, Conference capital campaign has moved Ward*, Tom and Jean Watson, Janice A. proposed trails that traverse these proper- two Trail Conference groups have already forward and upward with impressive and Wehrman, Eva Wright and Jenny Grimmke ties will be closed or blocked forever. been assigned: the Orange/Rockland AT steady momentum. “The outpouring of Contributing now to the Land Acquisition Committee will oversee the AT portion of generosity and support has been gratifying,” *Members of the Raymond H. Torrey Society and Stewardship Fund will advance our this project, while the West Hudson South says Trail Conference Executive Director work of protecting these trail lands. Committee will manage the work done on Edward Goodell. “We will be making a big the other trails. Eddie Walsh was hired as push to reach our campaign goal by summer. Trails Projects Coordinator, a new TC staff position, and will oversee the project. With an estimated 500,000 people TRAILSIDE EXPLORATIONS... reaching the summit of Bear Mountain continued from page 5 each year, and more than 100,000 hiking ficult for aquatic species. Stream substrates commonly comprise sand, gravel, rocks, plant material, sticks, mud, or a combina- tion of these materials. Aquatic insects use Visit Us Today! the substrate as a place to live, find food, hide from predators, and reproduce. Most X

aquatic insects prefer specific substrate U E R

www.NYNJTC.org type. Insects that are typically found in U O

fast-moving streams are also adapted to live M A L

amidst large rocks and cobbles, and not in R O T

fine, silty mud. Conversely, insects found C I V in the slow-moving waters of wetlands or Dragonfly nymph flat floodplains are adapted to live in fine silts and clays. So, the type of stream water water indicates a problem. DONORS TO THE ANNUAL FUND and substrate help determine what insects The next time you are out for a casual January 30, 2005–March 24, 2005 you will encounter on your hike. hike, stop by that stream or pond near the One other factor has a major role in path and turn over a rock or pick up a twig. determining aquatic insect presence or Whether you are looking for water quality GIFTS absence—pollution. Pollution can be problems, or just curious, see what aquatic ADK Knickerbocker Chapter, Robert E. Angland, Douglas O. Bowers, Herbert Coles and June Fait Foundation, John F. found in a wide variety of forms including insects are there. Some useful references are Connell, Duncan Douglas, Douglas K. Eads, Earth Share*, Kelly Evans*, Robert L. and Judy Foester, Jeff Friendrichs, heat, nutrients, and toxic compounds Giller and Malmqvist’s The Biology of George Gentsch and JoAnn Abbadessa, Ronald J. and Mary Gizzi, John and Marianne Gunzler*, Nancy Hassanein, Greg contained in storm runoff from lawns, Streams and Rivers, J. R. Voshell’s A Guide Hesterberg and Tim Kunin, Howard Kaplowitz and Robert Gaudreau, Linkshare Corporation, Pamela McKenna, Marjorie Navidi, New York Geocaching Organization, Orange County Land Trust*, Herbert D. Petty, Frederick J. Pinkney, Raymond parking lots, sewers, car exhaust, fertilizers, to Common Freshwater Invertebrates of James Charity Endowment Fund, Gretchen and Jerry Redden, Roberta Rettner and Joseph Nacmias, Jim H. Robbins, David pesticides, and wastes from industrial North America, and M. J. Caduto’s Pond Roth, Patricia Merritt Scott*, David L. Thurber, United Way, United Way of Bergen County*, Richard D. and Jo Anne Warden activities. Aquatic insects are strongly and Brook: A Guide to Nature in Freshwater affected by these pollutants; many, but not Environments all species are incapable of surviving even MEMORIAL GIFTS MATCHING GIFTS Robert Hamilton is a graduate student at the In memory of Betty Lesem AIG Matching Grants Program, American Ways & low levels of pollution. The absence of Keith and Nicole Oringer* Language LLC, BP Foundation, Evslin Family Charitable some groups of insects can actually help Dept. of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural In memory of Jessie Glasser and Family Trust*, HP Employee Charitable Giving Program, Mutual of determine what pollutants are present. Resources, Cook College, Rutgers University. Randi Glasser-Dawson America Foundation, Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts Program, UBS Foundation Matching Gift Program*, Three groups—caddisflies, stoneflies, and To the Shawangunks Ridge Coalition Unilever United States Foundation, Inc., United Way mayflies—are very sensitive to pollution James Brown III, Cragsmoor Association, and require cool, oxygen-rich, fast-flowing William and Allison Rabsey *Members of the Raymond H. Torrey Society water without chemical pollutants. The absence of all three groups from a body of

TRAILWALKER MAY/JUNE 2005 9 FAVORITE HIKE A Walk in the Woods By Daniel Chazin with Bill Hoeferlin Plan This Walk in Mountain Laurel Season By Faith W. Eckler The early 1920s saw a remarkable growth young hikers, arrived in my driveway. They of interest in walking as a means of had driven out from New York in recreation and for the study of nature, an someone’s rattletrap car, which had man- explosion equaled only by the “back to aged to make it to Morristown, but just nature” phenomenon among young people barely. It died on the spot. The first order of in the 1970s. One who participated in the business was to find a mechanic who could earlier movement and came to be known as work on the car while we hiked—no mean “The Guiding Star of the Trail” was feat on a Sunday afternoon. William (Bill) Hoeferlin, a gentleman A lean and spare man, Bill had lost a from Switzerland. number of teeth by the time I met him, In 1927 he founded his own hiking and his general appearance was rather club, the Wanderbirds, and was its leader for more than 40 years. He devoted many hours to discovering, developing, clearing, and marking trails in the New York metro- politan area. In 1934 he began making his own trail maps, which eventually num- bered more than 60 and covered all of the N I Z

A region, extending even to the Catskills. H C Available through the Hammond Map L E I

N Company for sale to the public, the maps A D are collector’s items today. They were Natural views and human artifacts are the attractions of this loop hike remarkably detailed, although not always in the East Hudson Highlands. strictly accurate; nevertheless, Bill was Location: East Hudson Highlands road. After a short climb, you’ll notice a always willing to have corrections pointed Length: About six miles cairn and a triple yellow blaze to the right out and was continually revising and Rating: Moderate of the trail, marking the start of the Curry updating his maps right up until his death. Time: About four hours Pond Trail. Turn right onto this footpath. When I began serious hiking, Bill (You may see a few yellow blazes on trees to Hoeferlin was an almost legendary figure Features: This loop hike follows footpaths the right of the trail about .25 mile from [the Hoeferlin Memorial Trail in Ramapo and carriage roads of a former estate through the viewpoint. These yellow blazes mark Mountain State Forest and the Hoeferlin mountain laurel thickets. the AT corridor boundary and should Trail in Waywayanda State Park are both be disregarded.) named for him], and I’m happy to say that Map: New York-New Jersey Trail Confer- Follow the Curry Pond Trail as it I had the pleasure of hiking with him once. ence East Hudson Highlands Map #101 descends through dense mountain laurel In 1968 and 1969 I had been going out Faith Eckler recalls a hiking legend. thickets, steeply in places, and passes inter- alone on weekdays, systematically explor- How to get there: From the east side of the esting rock outcrops and Curry Pond. The ing the trails in nearby Jockey Hollow shabby. But he turned out to be a Bear Mountain Bridge proceed north on NY trail ends at a junction with the blue-blazed National Historical Park and Lewis Morris delightful gentleman with a wealth of 9D for 4.5 miles, and turn right onto NY Osborn Loop Trail. County Park as warm-ups for my more hiking lore. I was leading the way through 403 at Garrison. (If coming from the north, Turn right and follow the Osborn Loop ambitious weekend hikes. Hikers Region the woods, and I remember that at one turn left onto 403 from 9D.) Continue on Trail north. The trail briefly follows a Map number 11 was woefully inadequate. point he asked me to slow my pace for the 403 for 2.1 miles to Cross Road (just north carriage road, but soon turns right and When I thought I understood the trail sake of his friend. I suspect that it was of the terminus of NY 403 at U.S. 9). Turn descends to cross a stream. It continues system pretty well, I wrote to Bill actually Bill who was tiring, for less than a left onto Cross Road (a one-block road that along the side of Canada Hill, crossing a Hoeferlin, offering either to supply him year later he collapsed and died at the end leads to US 9) and park along the shoulder of few more small streams and climbing to the with my own hand-drawn map or to walk of a day hike in the Palisades. I was the road. crest of the ridge, where it offers views him around the trails if he cared to come saddened to learn of his death for I would through the trees over the Hudson River. to Morristown. have liked to hike with him many more Watch out for: The occasional mountain From here the trail descends, first gently, He chose the latter plan, and on times. And my new trail data never made it biker and many trail turns, particularly then more steeply, paralleling a stream. At September 21, 1969, he and his good into the revised map number 11, issued in along the first 1.4 miles of the yellow- the base of the steep descent, marked by a friend Oton Ambroz, together with three July of 1970. blazed Stillwell Woods Loop. There are a cairn, the Osborn Loop Trail turns right three road crossings. onto a woods road and continues to descend more gradually through mountain Hike Description: Follow NY 403 or US 9 laurel and hemlocks. It crosses a stream at a south to their intersection, and find the cascade and climbs gently to reach a junc- white blazes of the Appalachian Trail (AT), tion with the red-blazed Sugarloaf Trail. which crosses the intersection. Turn right Turn right at this junction, continuing to and follow the trail across a former pasture follow the blue-blazed Osborn Loop Trail on a boardwalk, then continue uphill on an along a wide, well-engineered carriage road old carriage road. In half a mile, after cross- and noticing a gazebo to the left of the trail ing a stream, follow the white blazes as they and a small, dammed pond to the right. turn uphill and begin a steeper climb on a When you reach the junction at which the footpath. (Ahead, the carriage road is the blue-blazed Osborn Loop Trail departs to route of the yellow-blazed Carriage Connec- the right, stay on the carriage road, blazed tor Trail, which will be your return route.) yellow. Bear right at the next junction and Near the top of the hill, turn sharply left, as continue along the yellow-blazed Carriage the blue-blazed Osborn Loop Trail leaves to Connector Trail, passing through dense the right. You now join another carriage mountain laurel and hemlock, and bearing road – this one being relatively level. right at the next two trail junctions. A short distance beyond, another blue- When the Carriage Connector Trail ends blazed trail leaves to the right. Follow this at a junction with the white-blazed side trail a short distance to a viewpoint Appalachian Trail, continue ahead along the over the Hudson River, Bear Mountain carriage road, now following the white Bridge, and West Point. Return to the AT blazes. Retrace your steps along the AT and and turn right. Follow the AT for another highway to return to your car. .75 mile along a relatively level carriage

10 MAY/JUNE 2005 TRAILWALKER HIKERS’ALMANAC A Sampling of Upcoming Hikes Sponsored by Member Clubs

UCHC. Jockey Hollow, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Mary Dell Monday, May 30 The activities listed are sponsored by member clubs of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. All hikers are welcome subject to club regulations Morrison, 908-684-5175. Meet: 10 am at Visitors Center. RVW. Plotterkill Gorge Nature Preserve, Rotterdam, NY. and rules of the trail. You are responsible for your own safety. Wear hiking boots or strong, low-heeled shoes. Bring food, water, rain $4 admission per person. Scenic 4-5 miles in historic national park. Leader: Call 845-246-4145 for information. Meet: 8 am at Sawyer gear, first aid kit, and a flashlight in a backpack. Leaders have the right and responsibility to refuse anyone whom they believe cannot Monday, May 16 Savings Bank, 87 Market St., Saugerties, NY. Easy to moderate complete the hike or is not adequately equipped. Easy, moderate, or strenuous hikes are relative terms; call leader if in doubt. RVW. Ashokan High Point (3080'), NY. Leader: Call 845-246- 5 miles. Inclement weather date the following Monday. More than 90 clubs belong to the Trail Conference, and many of our affiliate groups sponsor hikes not listed in the Hikers’ Almanac. 7616 for information. Meet: 8 am at Sawyer Savings Bank, 87 Market June For a descriptive list of Conference clubs, consult our website or send a SASE with your request to NY-NJ Trail Conference. St., Saugerties, NY. Strenuous 8.5 miles; expect hike to last 7 hours. Club Codes Inclement weather date the following Monday. Thursday, June 2 UCHC. Ramapo Torne and Russian Bear, Harriman State Only those clubs with hikes offered in this issue are listed below. Please call numbers listed to confirm. Thursday, May 19 Park, NY. Leader: Dave Hogenauer, 973-762-1475. Meet: 10 am at ADK-MH ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter RVW Rip Van Winkle Hiking Club UCHC. Pine Meadow, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Reeves Meadow; call for directions. Moderately strenuous 8 miles. George Pullman, 973-773-2678. Meet: 10 am at Reeves Meadow IHC Interstate Hiking Club TLR Teatown Lake Reservation Visitors Center. Fast-paced circular on various trails; about 5 hours. Saturday, June 4 NYHC New York Hiking Club UCHC Union County Hiking Club NYNJTC. National Trails Day Events. See page 3 for details. Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22 NYR New York Ramblers UOC University Outing Club WWW. Catskill Getaway Weekend. Leader: Don Weise. Call UCHC. National Trails Day Trail Maintenance at Watchung OUT Outdoors Club WWW Weis Wyanokie Wanderers 973-835-2160 to pre-register. Meet: 9:30 am. Two very strenuous, Reservation. Leader: Pre-register by calling Trailside at 908-789- Clubs wishing to have hikes listed in Hikers’ Almanac should fast-paced, 8-11 mile day hikes. Panther/Giant Ledge and North- 3670, ext. 221. Meet: 8:30 am. Hikes, followed by trail work in several PMNHA Pyramid Mountain Natural locations. No experience needed. Bring work gloves and tools, if you Historic Area send their schedules to [email protected] or to the Trail Conference South Lake area. Directions to starting point sent upon registration. Office. The deadline for the July/August issue is May 15, 2005. Non-members $8. have them. Lunch and T-shirts provided to all pre-registered volunteers. Saturday, May 21 NYHC. National Trails Day Trail Work at High Rock Park, Staten Island. Leader: Bettye and Steve Soffer, 718-720-1593; call May WWW. Delaware Water Gap Challenge, NJ. Leader: Don Weise. IHC. Weis Ecology Center Wildflowers, NJ. Leader: Ellie King, 7-9 pm. Meet: Call for directions. Join volunteers at this Staten Island Call 973-835-2160 to pre-register. Meet: 9:30 am at Weis Ecology 908-233-8411. Meet: 10 am at Weis, Ringwood, NJ; call for Sunday, May 1 Greenbelt park to help clear and maintain trails and plant gardens; Center, 150 Snake Den Rd. Ringwood, NJ. Very strenuous, fast-paced directions. Moderate 6-7 mile hike in Norvin Green State Forest, come early for breakfast. No experience needed. TLR. May Day Hike, NY. Leader: call 914-762-2912 for informa- 10 miles. Scramble to top of Mt. Tammany, descend to scenic Dunnfield where we can expect blooming wildflowers complemented by views tion. Meet: 10 am at Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, NY. Short, Creek, climb to beautiful Sunfish Pond. Non-members $8. from Wyanokie High Point. UCHC. Jockey Hollow, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Bob Hagon, easy hike in the woods to search for mayapples and mayflowers. $3 fee. 908-788-8360. Meet: 10 am at visitors center; call for directions. ADK-MH. Bishbash Falls, NY. Leader: Trish Cina, OUT. Fieldston, Riverdale Park and Inwood, NJ. Leader: Enjoy a brisk 4-5 mile hike in this historic national park; $4 per IHC. 1777 Trail to Fort Montgomery, NY. Leader: Pete Heckler, 845-339-7170; call eves or weekends. Meet: Call leader. Easy Leonard Morgenstern, 917-842-9400. Meet: 10:30 am at Riverdale person admission fee. Hiking boots mandatory. Rain cancels. 201-261-4644. Meet: 9 am at Fort Montgomery parking; call for 1-2 miles, fairly flat. Walk from New York to Massachusetts, ending Diner, 238 St. and Broadway (take 1 or 9 train). Moderate 7-10 miles directions. Moderately strenuous hike with plenty of views and at beautiful waterfall; suitable for children. Heavy rain cancels. with some hills. Walk through residential Fieldston, then into the OUT. Blydenburgh County Park. Leader: Ray Krant, 718-435-4994; diversions at the Timp, Bald Mtn., the carousel, Twin Forts Trail. Tuesday, May 10 wilderness of Riverdale Park; hope to also stop at Inwood Park nature call before 10 pm. Meet: 8:45 am near LIRR ticket windows at Penn Sta- Shuttle required; no calls morning of hike. tion. Moderate 8 miles, mostly flat. Scenic trails around a large lake. UCHC. Buttermilk Falls, Stokes State Forest, NJ. Leader: center. Several drop-off points. Non-members $3. UCHC. Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Walk, NJ. Leader: Valerie Jim and Theresa McKay, 973-538-0756. Meet: 10 am at Yetters Sunday, May 22 ADK-MH. Rondout Creek Area near Peekamoose. Leader: Brown, 609-397-7267. Meet: 1 pm at Lambertville Station Diner, Rt. 206 just west of where Rt. 15 ends. Shuttle to Buttermilk IHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Alvin DeMaria, 845-255-1704. Meet: Call leader. Strenuous, fast- Restaurant, park on gravel lot in rear. 8-10 miles along Delaware & Falls. 6-7 miles from the Falls to the AT, back via Hidden Falls. Eck Khoon Goh, 908-790-0939. Meet: 10 am at Trailside Museum paced 9 miles exploring the headwaters of Rondout Creek. Route to Raritan Canal Towpath to the preserve; admission charge. Possible on Coles Ave.; call for directions. Moderate but brisk 4-5 mile hike be determined, but lots of bushwhacking. stop after the walk in New Hope. Wednesday, May 11 RVW. Innisfree Gardens, Millbrook, NJ. Leader: Call with some rocky trails and brook crossings. ADK-MH. Indian Rock/High Point, Shawangunks, NY. Monday, May 2 845-246-6208 for information. Meet: 9 am at Sawyer Savings Bank, Monday, May 23 Leader: Ray Depuy, 845-532-9303. Meet: Call leader. Moderate 6-7 RVW. Appalachian Trail, Southwest MA. Leader: Call 845- miles, past ruins of blueberry picker’s shacks to High Point Carriage 87 Market St., Saugerties, NY. Easy 5 miles at easy pace. RVW. Table and Peekamouse Mountains, NY. Leader: Call 246-5670 for information. Meet: 8 am at Sawyer Savings Bank, 87 Trail and out to Indian Rock for some beautiful views. We’ll stop as Thursday, May 12 845-246-1823 for information. Meet: 8 am at Sawyer Savings Bank, Market St., Saugerties, NY. Moderately strenuous 5 miles, from Mount often as needed. 87 Market St., Saugerties, NY. Strenuous 8.6 miles; hike expected to Everett to Jug End Rd. Inclement weather date the following Monday. UCHC. Camp Wyanokie to Hewitt, NJ. Leader: Jim and Theresa Sunday, June 5 McKay, 973-538-0756. Meet: 9:30 am at Long Pond parking; call for last 7 hours. Inclement weather date the following Monday. Thursday, May 5 directions. Shuttle required. Moderately strenuous 9 miles. Tuesday, May 24 NYNJTC. National Trails Day Events. See page 3 for details. UCHC. Kakiat Circular, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: PMNHA. Wildcat Ridge, NJ. Leader: Call 973-334-3130 for PMNHA. Mountain Laurel Hike, NJ. Leader: Call 973-334- Hank Perrine, 212-666-0694. Meet: 10 am at Kakiat County Park, Saturday, May 14 information. Meet: 10 am in Hibernia; call for directions and to 3130 for information. Meet: 10 am at Pyramid Mountain Natural Rt. 202 east through Suffern, NY. Moderately strenuous hike ADK-MH. Mohonk-Minnewaska. Leaders: Jean-Claude Fouere pre-register. Moderate morning hike. Historic Area visitor center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville Township. climbing for good views over Rockland County. and Georgette Weir, 845-462-0142. Meet: Call leader. Strenuous Moderately strenuous hike to view blooming laurel. 9 miles, starting at Coxing Kill parking (per person fee required). Hike Thursday, May 26 Saturday, May 7 to Trapps, Millbrook Mtn., Lake Minnewaska, and High Peters Kill UCHC. Appalachian Trail–Camp Rd. to Delaware Water Gap, UCHC. South Mountain Reservation, NJ. Leader: Dave UCHC. Watchung Trail Maintenance, NJ. Leader: Pre-register Trail. Rain date May 15. Group size limited to 10 plus leaders. NJ. Leader: Arnie Seymour-Jones, 201-768-3864. Meet: 9:30 am at Hogenauer, 973-762-1475. Meet: 2:30 pm at Oakdale Picnic Area; by calling Trailside at 908-789-3670, ext. 221. Meet: 9:30 am. Have call for directions. Enjoy a Sunday afternoon stroll; moderate terrain ADK-MH. Indian Head Wilderness Area, NY. Leader: Trish Cina, Delaware Water Gap for shuttle; call for directions. Strenuous 9-10 miles. fun while giving back to the trails; meet new people and learn new with only one long, gradual uphill. Expect hike to last about two hours. skills; no experience needed. Bring work gloves, tools if you have 845-339-7170; call eves or weekends. Meet: Call leader. Strenuous Friday, May 27 6 miles with 1600’ elevation gain. On the way up, we’ll pass through Thursday, June 9 them; some tools will be provided. PMNHA. Sunset Hike, NJ. Leader: Call 973-334-3130 to Dibble’s Quarry. Walk along Long Path to summit. Heavy rain cancels. UCHC. Stokes/Sunrise Mountain, NJ. Leader: Joy McLaughlin, IHC. Fox Gap to Delaware Water Gap, PA. Leader: Jennifer pre-register. Meet: 7 pm. Moderate hike to a westerly overlook to 973-263-2799. Please call leader to register. Meet: 10 am at Stokes and Guy Percival, 973-984-1005. Meet: 9 am at Kittatinny Visitor UOC. Sourland Mtn. Preserve, Hillsborough, NJ. Leader: watch the sun set over the Highlands of Morris County. $3 fee. Gene Varney, 732-873-2506. Meet: Call leader. Moderate 4-mile hike Park office; call for directions. Moderately strenuous 7-8 miles. Stony Center, I-80; call for directions. Moderately strenuous 8 miles over Saturday, May 28 observing migrating birds, spring flowers, ferns, and mosses. Brook Trail and the AT; return on Tinsley and Swenson Trails. Mt. Minsi and descending on the AT on the Pennsylvania side of RVW. Round Top–Purling, NY. Leader: Call 845-246-6459 for Saturday, June 11 Delaware Water Gap; shuttle required. PMNHA. Turkey Mountain, NJ. Leader: Call 973-334-3130 for information. Meet: 9 am at Sawyer Savings Bank, 87 Market St., UOC. Palisades, NJ. Leader: Coralyn Gorlicki, 732-548-2315. information. Meet: 10 am at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area Saugerties, NY. Moderate 5 miles. Inclement weather date the UOC. Bird Walk, DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst, NJ. Leader: George Meet: Call leader. Moderate hike along Long Path and Shore Trail visitor center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville Township. Moderate following Saturday. Pitcher, 732-828-1890. Meet: 8 am at Johnson Park, River Rd., hike to view waterfalls. Piscataway, NJ. Beautiful walk on well-kept paths; about 2-4 miles. along the Hudson River. NYHC. Bronx River Parkway to Valhalla, NY. Leader: Sal Varbero, UCHC. Cooper Mill to Kay Environmental Center, Chester, UCHC. South Mtn. Reservation, Millburn, NJ. Leader: Joan 718-420-9569; call 8-10 pm. Meet: 9:15 am at Grand Central Terminal, UCHC. Tourne Park, Boonton, NJ. Leader: Susan Jacobs, 973- NJ. Leader: John Gilris, 973-386-1168. Meet: 10 am at Cooper Mill. Lepselter, 908-273-4188. Meet: 10 am at Locust Grove parking, upper level near information booth. Easy 5 miles to Kensico Dam. 402-2555. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. Moderate hike with some ups corner Glen Ave. and Lackawanna Pl. across from Millburn RR and downs. Beautiful park with stream and a lake. Steady rain cancels. 4+ miles, flat, easy hike suitable for beginners. Rain cancels. UCHC. Ramapo Lake, Oakland, NJ. Leader: Micky Siegel, station. Brisk 4+ miles with one steep uphill and some rocky trails; 201-797-7054. Meet: 10 am at Skyline Dr.; call for directions. Very ADK-MH. Breakneck-Undercliff Trails, Cold Spring, NY. ADK-MH. Mianus River Gorge, Bedford, NY. Leader: Bob suitable for strong beginners. Steady rain cancels. Ellsworth, 845-876-4534. Must register with leader by May 5. scenic, moderate 5-6 miles. Leader: Bob Ellsworth, 845-876-4534. Must register with leader by NYHC. Old Croton Aqueduct, NY. Leader: Sal Varbero, 718-420- June 9. Meet: 8:30 am in Wappingers Falls. Strenuous 8 mile hike. Meet: 9 am in Wappingers Falls. Easy 5 miles to an old mine, Sunday, May 29 overlook, cascade, and a hemlock grove. 9569; call 8-10 pm. Meet: call leader for time; entrance to Van Scramble up the very steep face of the mountain; views of Cold Cortlandt Park, 242nd St. and Broadway (#1 train to last stop). Easy 6 UOC. Trail Maintenance, Franklin Township, NJ. Leader: Spring, Constitution Island to the south, and West Point and Storm ADK-MH. Smiley Carriage Trail, Napanoch Point, NY. miles, all flat. Walk to Tibbets Brook Park, enjoying the lake at lunch. Mario Guiducci, 732-985-7709. Meet: Call leader. Help clear King Mtn. across the Hudson River. Leader: Ray Depuy, 845-532-9303. Meet: Call leader. Moderately 2-4 miles of the Six Mile Run Trail. strenuous hike, with views of the Catskills and Roundout Valley. OUT. Belmont Lake State Park, Long Island. Leader: Paul ADK-MH. Slide Mountain Wilderness Area for Children, NY. Develet, 516-488-5232. Meet: Take 9:13 LIRR train from Penn IHC. East of the Hudson, NY. Leader: Ilse Dunham, 973-838- Leader: Trish Cina, 845-339-7170; call eves or weekends. Meet: Call Sunday, May 8 Station to Babylon (check latest LIRR schedule); meet leader at 8031. Meet: 9 am at Pacesetter Shopping Center, Rt. 202, Mt. Ivy, NJ; leader. 3.4-mile hike of Giant Ledges. While challenging, is doable for NYR. Schunemunk, NY. Leader: Ewa Zalewska, 718-383-1926. Babylon RR station. Moderate 8 miles, flat. Walk along stream to call for directions. Moderately strenuous hike in Fahnestock State the younger crowd. Two splendid viewpoints. Heavy rain cancels. Meet: 8:55 am at NJ Transit ticket windows near 7th Ave., Penn Park, a natural and historic treasure. Hike past ponds, mines, picturesque Belmont Lake. Non-members $3. Sunday, June 12 Station. Will take 9:11 train to Salisbury Mills; check train times. hemlock groves, mountain laurel, and a waterfall. Sunday, May 15 IHC. Watchung Reservation, NJ. Leader: Eck Khoon Goh, Follow old Erie RR south to Salisbury Mills Village and Long Path, TLR. Hi-Lo Hike, NY. Leader: call 914-762-2912 for information. IHC. Rockhouse Mountain, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: 908-790-0939. Meet: 10 am at Trailside Museum, Coles Ave., out to Monroe park ‘n’ ride via Jessup and Highlands Trails. Meet: 10 am at Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd., Pete Rigotti, [email protected]. Meet: 9 am at Lake Skannatati Mountainside, NJ; call for directions. Moderate but brisk hike of Ossining, NY. Short, moderate hike through many habitats, hitting the PMNHA. Tripod Rock, NJ. Leader: Call 973-334-3130 for parking area, Seven Lakes Dr. Moderate hike on Long Path south to 4-5 miles; some rocky trails and brook crossings. high points (and low) on varied terrains. $3 fee. information. Meet: 10 am at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area Beech trail, then south or east? May visit rarely visited Barnes mine. visitor center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville Township. Moderate UCHC. Pyramid Mtn., Montville, NJ. Leader: Don Meserlian, OUT. Hewitt, NJ, to Greenwood Lake, NY. Leader: Phil Tates, hike to this famous glacial erratic. 973-228-2258. Meet: 10 am at visitor center; call for directions. 718-242-5384. Meet: 7:15 am at Port Authority commuter’s statue. Moderate 5 miles along the reservoir, past a beaver dam, then up to Moderately strenuous 11 miles. Sterling Ridge Trail to Jennings Hollow, Tripod Rock. Rain cancels. Continued on back Fire Tower Trail to W. Valley. This is rugged terrain. Non-members $3. TRAILWALKER MAY/JUNE 2005 11 continued from page 11 UOC. Rocky Hill to Griggstown, NJ. Leader: Charlie Severn, 732-246-3387. Meet: 10 am at Johnson Park, River Rd., Piscataway, TLR. Laurels and Meadows, NY. Leader: call 914-762-2912 for NJ. Moderate 6 miles along the Delaware & Raritan Canal, with information. Meet: 10 am at Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, NY. historical background info provided by leader. HIKERS’ MARKETPLACE Short, easy hike. We’ll be on the lookout for spectacular blooms of YOU CAN ALSO ORDER AT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.NYNJTC.ORG mountain laurel and stop in the meadow to net some insects and talk NYHC. Fort Tryon Park to Van Cortlandt, NYC. Leader: George about meadow ecology. $3 fee. Glatz, 212-533-9457; call 7-8 am. Meet: 1 pm outside Fort Washington Ave. exit of 190th St. A train (take elevator up to the exit). Moderate NY-NJ TC member? YES NO JOINING NOW WWW. Hudson-Harriman High Peaks, NY. Leader: Don 4 miles but with some steep ups and downs; see the natural high point Weise. Call 973-835-2160 to pre-register. Meet: 9 am at Weis of Manhattan. Ecology Center, Ringwood, NJ. Strenuous, fast-paced 8-10 miles. Please order by circling price Retail Member P/H Total Some of the best local views are found on this steep, challenging, and Tuesday, June 21 rewarding hike. Highlights include Pingyp Mtn., Suffern-Bear Mtn. PMNHA. Summer Solstice Hike, NJ. Leader: Call 973-334-3130 Official Conference Maps Trail, Cat’s Elbow, and West Mtn. Non-members $8. to pre-register. Meet: 7 pm. Moderate hike. $3 fee. NEW!! Sterling Forest Trails (2005) $7.95 $5.96 +.80 ______Tuesday, June 14 Thursday, June 23 NEW!! Shawangunk Trails (2005) $9.95 $7.46 +.95 ______PMNHA. Mountain Laurel Hike, NJ. Leader: Call 973-334- UCHC. Coppermine, NJ. Leader: Carol O’Keefe, 973-328-7395. NEW!! North Jersey Trails (2005) $7.95 $5.96 +.95 ______3130 for information. Meet: 10 am; call to pre-register. Moderate Please call leader to register. Meet: 10 am. Moderately strenuous Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails (2003) & see combo $8.95 $6.71 +.95 ______morning hike; adults only. 6-7 miles, up to the Kittatinny Ridge on the AT. Lunch at Raccoon Ridge, famous bird watching spot, then down Kaiser Rd. to the mines. East Hudson Trails (2003) $9.95 $7.46 +.95 ______Thursday, June 16 West Hudson Trails (2000) $7.95 $5.96 +.95 ______UCHC. Tiorati Circle, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Saturday, June 25 George Pullman, 973-73-2678. Meet: 10 am at Tiorati Circle, Seven IHC. Minnewaska Meander, NY. Leader: Gail Stocks, 973-839- Catskill Trails (2003) & see combo $13.95 $10.46 +$1.10 ______Lakes Dr.; call for directions. Fast-paced, moderately strenuous hike 9038. Meet: 10 am at Minnewaska State Park, lower lot; call for NEW!! Kittatinny Trails (2005) $12.95 $9.71 +$1.10 ______in a favorite area. directions. Moderately strenuous combination of scenic trails and South Taconic Trails (1988, rev. 1998) $4.95 $3.71 +.65 ______carriage roads; possible swim in Lake Awosting. Friday - Sunday, June 17-19 Hudson Palisades Trails (available late 2005) $7.95 $5.96 +.80 ______ADK-MH. ADK 2005 Spring Outing. Leader: For details about OUT. Pocantico Hills, NY. Leader: Ray Krant, 718-435-4994; call this event and registration information, visit www.adkli.org or before 10 pm. Meet: 9 am at Grand Central Terminal, upper level Books information booth. Moderate 10 miles on Old Croton Aqueduct from contact Tom Farre, 631-427-4795 or email: [email protected]. This A.T. Guide for NY & NJ (2002) w/6 maps $19.95 $14.96 +$2.00 ______year’s outing is sponsored by the Long Island ADK; theme is “The Scarborough into Pocantico Hills. Scenic and less traveled. Undiscovered Island.” Non-members $3. NEW!! Long Path Guide to NY/NJ (2005) $16.95 $12.71 +$2.00 ______Saturday, June 18 NYHC. Wagner College and Clove Lake Park, NY. Leader: Day Walker (2002) $16.95 $12.71 +$2.50 ______Sal Varbero, 718-420-9569; call 8-10 pm. Meet: 11 am at Staten ADK-MH. Schunemunk Mountain, NY. Leader: Jean-Claude NEW!! Hiking Long Island (2005) $19.95 $14.96 +$2.50 ______Island Ferry Terminal, Manhattan side. Easy 4 miles through the Fouere and Georgette Weir, 845-462-0142. Meet: Call leaders before campus and then enjoying the various Clove Lakes. Circuit Hikes in Northern New Jersey (2003) $11.95 $8.96 +$2.00 ______9:30 pm. Strenuous 8 miles with 1400' total elevation gain. If our NEW!! Kittatinny Trails (2004) $18.95 $14.21 +$2.00 ______timing is right, we’ll enjoy a wonderland of laurel on this hike along the UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Jessup Trail, Long Path, and Sweet Clover Trails. If not, there is still the Mae Deas, 908-233-6641. Meet: 10 am at Trailside parking on Coles NEW!! New York Walk Book (2005) & see combo $22.95 $17.21 +$2.50 ______pink and white beauty of the conglomerate rock underfoot and won- Ave., at intersection of New Providence Rd. Brisk 4-5 miles; some NEW!! New Jersey Walk Book (2004) $19.95 $14.96 +$2.50 ______derful views in every direction from the two ridgelines. Possible stop at rocky, often muddy, trails. Steady rain cancels. Harriman Trails Guide (1999)& see combo $16.95 $12.71 +$2.50 ______Weir’s Ice Cream afterwards. Group size limited to 10, plus leaders. Sunday, June 26 Iron Mine Trails: NY-NJ Highlands (1996, rev. 1999) $8.95 $6.71 +$2.00 ______NYHC. Scarborough to Tarrytown, NY. Leader: Mike Puder, PMNHA. Summer Wildflowers, NJ. Leader: Call 973-334- 718-743-0920; call before 9:30 pm starting Thursday before the hike 3130 for information. Meet: 10 am at Pyramid Mountain Natural Health Hints for Hikers (1994) $5.95 $4.46 +$2.00 ______for recorded message. Meet: Call for directions. Easy 5 miles, all flat Historic Area visitor center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville Township. Doodletown: Hiking Through History in a and at a moderate pace. Lovely hike along the Old Croton Aqueduct. Easy hike to enjoy the blooming wildflowers. Vanishing Hamlet on the Hudson (1996) $12.95 $9.71 +$2.00 ______OUT. Allenhurst to Spring Lake, NJ. Leader: Ray Krant, 718- NYHC. Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, NY. Leader: Helen Catskill Trails: A Ranger’s Guide to the High Peaks 435-4994. Meet: 9:45 am at Penn Station NJ Transit ticket windows, Mangione-Yee. Meet: 11 am near token booth at Broad Channel Book One: The Northern Catskills (2000) $14.95 $11.21 +$2.00 ______upper level, 7th Ave. section (do not use 8th Ave. section). 9 miles, subway station (take Far Rockaway A train). Moderate 6 miles in this flat, moderate pace. Easy hike mostly on boardwalk connecting lovely and tranquil place. Afterwards, walk across Cross Bay Bridge Book Two: The Central Catskills (2000) $14.95 $11.21 +$2.00 ______communities along the south Jersey Shore. Non-members $3. and take boardwalk to Far Rockaway. Heavy rain cancels. Scenes & Walks in the Northern Shawangunks PMNHA. 100 Steps, NJ. Leader: Call 973-334-3130 for UCHC. Lewis Morris Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Gail (1999) (hardcover) & see combo $10.95 $8.21 +$2.00 ______information. Meet: 10 am. Moderate hike. Waimon, 973-467-4761. Meet: 10 am at Lewis Morris Park, Shawangunks Trail Companion (2003) $18.95 $14.21 +$2.50 ______UCHC. South Mountain Reservation, Millburn, NJ. Leader: Sugarloaf area. Brisk hike. Nature Walks in New Jersey (2003) $14.95 $11.21 +$2.50 ______Naomi Shapiro, 973-762-1832; call before 9 pm. Meet: 10 am at Thursday, June 30 50 Hikes in the Lower Hudson Valley (2002) $16.95 $12.71 +$2.50 ______Locust Grove parking, corner Glen Ave. and Lackawana Pl., across UCHC. Wildcat Mtn. and Indian Hills, Southfields, NY. from Millburn RR station; call for directions. Brisk 5 miles (about 2 Leader: Arnie Seymour-Jones, 201-768-3864. Meet: 9:30 am at 50 Hikes in New Jersey (1997, rev. 1999) $15.95 $11.96 +$2.00 ______hours) with steep uphill. Rain cancels. Indian Hills parking for shuttle; call for directions. Moderately Best Hikes w/ Children in New Jersey (2005) $15.95 $11.96 +$2.00 ______Sunday, June 19 strenuous 8 miles. Best Hikes w/ Children in the Catskills & IHC. Swampy Silvermine, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Hudson River Valley (2002) $14.95 $11.21 +$2.00 ______Larry Spinner, 845-356-5219. Meet: 9 am at Silvermine picnic area, Visit Us Today! AMC Catskill Mountain Guide (2002) $19.95 $14.96 +$2.00 ______Seven Lakes Dr.; call for directions. Moderately strenuous 10-mile hike exploring areas that are seldom hiked. All could be wet, including Owl ADK Catskill Day Hikes for All Seasons (2002) $12.95 $9.71 +$2.00 ______and Bockey Swamps. Call after 7 am on Sunday if weather is in doubt. www.NYNJTC.org ADK Guide to Catskill Trails (1994, repr. 1998) $17.95 $13.46 +$2.00 ______Hudson to Delaware: The Great Valley (2004) $75.00 $56.25 +$4.00 ______Join the volunteers Combo-Packs Catskill (5-map set & ADK book) $27.80 $20.85 +$2.00 ______who bring you the great outdoors! Harriman (2-map set & book) $22.40 $16.80 +$2.50 ______NY & NJ Walk Books $38.60 $30.96 +$3.50 ______1,600 miles of trails and counting; your membership helps us expand our horizons. The Personal Touch Included with membership, Trail Walker, 10% discount on purchases at most Note Cards: TC Collection $12.00 $9.00 +$2.00 ______outdoor stores, and 25% discount on all Trail Conference maps and books. Long-sleeve Denim Shirt Circle: S M L XL $29.90 $22.43 +$4.00 ______Support the work of the NY/NJ Trail Conference with your membership. Polo Shirt (Forest Green) Circle: S M L XL $19.90 $14.93 +$4.00 ______Membership Level Individual Joint/Family Harriman Map Bandanna $6.95 $5.21 +$1.50 ______Individual $25 $31 Conference Logo Patch $2.50 $2.50 postpaid ______Sponsor $50 $60 Long Path Logo Patch $2.75 $2.75 postpaid ______Benefactor $100 $120 Conference Logo Decal $ .85 $ .85 postpaid ______Senior/Student $18 $24 Subtotal ______Life $500 $750 Postage/handling from above, or $6.00, whichever is LESS ______Name ______For non-clothing items, New Jersey residents add 6% tax* ______TOTAL ENCLOSED $ ______Address______City ______State______Zip ______Method of Payment: NAME Check or money order enclosed Day Phone ______Evening Phone ______Visa Mastercard Amex ADDRESS E-MAIL ______Card #______Check or money order enclosed Visa Mastercard Amex CITY STATE ZIP Exp. Date: ___ /___ Card #______Exp. Date: ____/ ____ Signature: ______EMAIL TELEPHONE Make check or money order payable to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, Make check or money order payable to NY-NJ Trail Conference, and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. For a full descriptive catalog, please write or call 201-512-9348. Tax-deductible. *Tax must be paid by NJ residents on books, maps, misc., but not on clothing. Thank you!

12 MAY/JUNE 2005 TRAILWALKER printed on recycled paper