Winter 2013 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference — Connecting People with Nature Since 1920 Volunteers Tackle Big Post-Sandy Trails Clean-Up

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Winter 2013 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference — Connecting People with Nature since 1920 www.nynjtc.org Volunteers Tackle Big Post-Sandy Trails Clean-up

urricane Sandy hit our region on sawyers have been out on what seems a dai - We would like to thank people by October 29 & 30. It transformed ly basis in Harriman State Park and parks name, but so many of you do extraordi - Hmany parks and trails and disrupt - in Bergen County. North Central Jersey nary work quietly. For now, we list the ed the lives millions of people. And yet… crew members cleared 32 blowdowns in crews we know have been busiest cleaning their first clean-up day at Wawayanda State up after Sandy; many have been augment - “On Nov. 2, Steve Z. and I took 3 Avon Park (there have been many more since). ed by new volunteers eager to help. Some volunteers to the Victory Trail in Harriman Volunteers from member club AMC NY- volunteers have gone out even when they S.P. It was only a few days since Hurricane North Jersey have been heading out day had no power at home (“going out to Sandy, and we did a lot of post-storm clean after day to Harriman State Park, clearing chain saw to get warm” said one). You up, removing branches and other debris. At miles of trails and stripping big blowdowns know who you are, and we thank you. the end of the day Steve and I took care of for the chain sawyers. • West Hudson South Chain Saw Crew 7 blowdowns. On Nov. 5 we went to the • North & North Central Jersey Chain Bangle Hill section of the LP in the south - Saw Crews ern Catskills, did some clipping, and took 30 blowdowns cleared • Orange–Rockland Long Distance

care of 30+ blowdowns. In November we E Trail Crew K N

here, 32 there: our A

did a lot of chain sawing to undo the Sandy R • Westchester Trail Tramps F

damage—trees down everywhere! … on O • Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

volunteers have been K A Nov. 19 we took care of at least 15 blow - J Maintaining Crew downs on Hook Mtn. Chris Reyling, Steve hard at work since Sandy. As of early December, volunteers and park • AMC NY-North Jersey West Hudson Zubarik, and I took care of 24 blowdowns staff had cleared hundreds of downed trail volunteers on the AT and LP in Harriman SP on Nov. trees from our region’s trails, with • Appalachian Trail Management hundreds still to go. 28. There were a few inches of snow on the As with previous major storms, full Committees for New Jersey and ground that day.” cleanup will take months. Some areas, par - trails. Damage in the Catskills was spotty, Orange-Rockland ticularly in North Jersey, are described as although the summit of Slide was described • Mountain Pinks Trail Maintaining And so it went, and continues to go devastated beyond recognition. Trails in as covered by blowdowns and the Fox Hol - Crew throughout our region. That report from Stokes State Forest, Ringwood State Park, low Trail was reported blocked by a tangle • Park staff throughout the New York- Long Path co-chair Jakob Franke was simi - and Wawayanda State Park, including the of downed trees for a mile (rangers cleared New Jersey region lar to the steady stream of reports from Appalachian Trail, took the brunt of the it over several days). Detailed assessments • And other NY-NJ Trail Conference other trail volunteers throughout the damage. In New York, Harriman seemed of trail damage were still in progress as of Certified Sawyers region. Teams from the West Hudson to be hardest hit, with pile-ups of downed the deadline for this issue, with trail clear - South Chain Saw Crew and other certified trees obliterating long sections of some ing going on simultaneously.

New York Chooses access to it from the north bank, John Park Staff, Volunteers Replace Mack reported it to be open. Trail Conference Big thank-you to: the PIPC managers and To Head Invasives Popolopen Gorge Trail Bridge field staff who were so helpful with this project, and to the following volunteers: Program in Lower Link for the Timp-Torne, 1777W, and 1779 Trails back in place Duane Card, David Chase, Robert Chen, Hudson Valley Bob Cohn, Evan Colgan, Dove Comeau, “The bridge is finished.” position. Jolly Rovers crew volunteers con - Chris Connolly, Alfred Curtis, Walt New York State Dept. of Environmental So announced John Mack, West Hudson tributed substantially in the “flying” Daniels, Bob Fuller, Dennis Hickey, Fred Conservation (DEC) in October chose the South Trails Chair, on November 28, portion of the work and installing much of Howley, Chris Ingui, Joan James, Sue Lent, Trail Conference to coordinate its Lower 2012. John had been working with man - the remaining structure. Later, other volun - Jesse Levin, John Mack, Debbie Melita, Hudson Valley Partnership for Regional agers and staff at Bear Mountain State Park teers completed the bridge assembly, which Kerry O'Brien, Tom Oliver, Greg Paret, Invasive Species Management (PRISM) to replace the 62-foot long trail bridge in included inserting and tightening the 372 Rich Raschdorf, Ron Rich, Cliff Robinson, program beginning in 2013. The Lower the Popolopen Gorge, a key link between decking bolts by hand. Jr., John Rowen, Noel Schulz, Gail Sher - Hudson Valley program is one of eight cre - trails north of the Gorge and the rest of The bridge was structurally complete by man, Anne Marie Tallberg, Yulena (no last ated by DEC across the state with the aim Bear Mountain-Harriman State Park. The November 28, and on December 6, upon name), and Steve Zubarik. of facilitating regional partnerships among bridge, a major volunteer accomplishment completion by PIPC staff of a temporary organizations working to manage invasive when it opened in 2004, was destroyed by species. Each regional program is adminis - flooding after 2011’s Hurricane Irene. It tered by a local not-for-profit, with has been sorely missed by hikers. funding provided by the Environmental The Palisades Interstate Park Commis - Protection Fund. sion (PIPC) purchased the replacement “We’re very proud to be selected as coor - bridge, which required assembly, and also dinator of this important program by New provided extensive aid in preparing for its York State,” says Trail Conference Execu - installation. PIPC staff trucked materials to tive Director Ed Goodell. “Our 92 years of the site, rebuilt the bridge foundations, and collaboration with multiple agencies, our installed scaffolding in the Popolopen experience in working with thousands of Creek. Volunteers from the Trail Confer - volunteers on all aspects of trail steward - ence and our member clubs completed the ship, and our recent achievements in bulk of the bridge installation over several developing a trails-focused invasive species days in late November. Eddie Walsh (Tahawus Trails) supervised the set-up of continued on page 2 rigging and the “flying” of the trusses into

VOLUME XL, N UMBER 1 ISSN 0749-1352 R E L L U F

B O B Washed out in 2011 by Hurricane Irene, the new Popolopen trail bridge was in place by December 2012. Page 2 Winter 2013

Feedback Maps to Live By When I saw the trail in 2008, I was Wanted to thank you, because every day, amazed. What on earth could the trail VOLUME XL, NO.1 WINTER 2013 Thanks for the Honor we LIVE by your maps. Indestructable. builders have been thinking? The weather GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR The Basha Kill Area Association (BKAA) Fascinating, even when you’re sitting at happened to have been dry so there was LOUIS LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER was thrilled and extremely honored to home with a cup of coffee. Makes us want not a large flow of water coming over the TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970-100) receive the Trail Conference’s prestigious to paint a star on every beautiful sight we falls. However, in the winter and spring, I (ISSN 0749-1352) is published quarterly by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as a Leo Rothschild Conservation Award, pre - come across (and if you have the maps, you am sure the conditions are icy, and there beneﬁt of membership. Subscriptions are sented by Jakob Franke, Long Path know what I mean) …What says “Free - are heavy water flows. Why do this? At available to libraries only at $15.00 a year. Committee Co-chair and BKAA member, dom” more than a hike in Harriman, some point, the New York-New Jersey Periodical postage paid at Mahwah, N.J., and additional ofﬁces. Postmaster: Send address at our 40th anniversary celebration on Norvin Green, Sterling, or Fahnestock? Big, Trail Conference offered alternative changes to the address below. Opinions expressed Sept. 8. (See Fall 2012 TW , page 1.) big Thank-you for your service, from dogs routes. An attempt had been made, prob - by authors do not necessarily represent the policy The BKAA has a long-standing connec - who cannot speak and humans who can. ably at least five years earlier, to scout out or position of the Conference. Contributions of tion to the Trail Conference, beginning in —CharlieDog and Friends an alternative route about one quarter of a typed manuscripts, photos, and drawings are welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style 1989, when we were asked to participate Trail Conference Facebook page, November 19 mile to the left of the falls. Trail workers and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. on an advisory committee studying possi - had left construction tape tied to branches Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER ble re-routing of the Long Path along the Hurricane Sandy: Dunderberg to mark this route, but never got any far - are January 15 (Spring issue), May 15 (Summer Shawangunk-Kittatinny Ridge. Since Spiral Railway Trail ther. I thankfully followed the proposed issue), August 15 (Fall issue), November 15 (Winter issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot then, our partnership has deepened as we After observing first-hand the devastation alternative route. be acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. have united to confront myriad Shawan - along the first half mile of the Timp-Torne If you could shed some light on the For information on advertising rates, please write gunk Ridge threats. Trail closest to the river (parts of which thinking here, as to why, in the middle of or call. Copyright 2013 by: Throughout, we have appreciated Trail resembled a mini-war zone), I gained a a state park, with easier terrain all around, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. Conference support and greatly admired greater appreciation for the hard work put the trail had to go up a waterfall, I would 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Rt. 202) the organization’s commitment to create a in by our dedicated trail maintainers. (In appreciate it. Mahwah, NJ 07430 ridgetop trail traversing the “Gunks.” The this case, Marci Layton and Bob Fuller per —Anne Chase, Washington, DC 201-512-9348 BKAA is heartened by your trust and will your post-Sandy trail conditions webpage). Via USPS, Nov. 26 email: [email protected] editorial email: [email protected] continue “protecting trails and the natural In fact, I actually chose this hike after seeing World Wide Web: www.nynjtc.org lands that surround them.” their trail update report on the website, and Gail G. Neffinger, Chair of the Orange- —Paula Medley, President, BKAA thanks to their efforts I was able to enjoy a Rockland AT Management Committee, 1 Via USPS, September 20 5 /2-hour day on the trails. So thanks guys responds: Thanks for contacting us and for for a job well done! your concern about Fitzgerald Falls. The Great Work! I Want to Help. —smithg2010 simple response to your concern is the AT My wife, Deborah, and I just finished a Trail Conditions Forum on our website, has always been routed alongside the Falls 16-day hike from NYC to Otisville, NY. November 20 proper, and the Falls themselves have We crossed the George Washington become one of the “iconic” spots along the Bridge and hit the Long Path to Harriman Hurricane Sandy: trail. Being steeped in tradition, we would State Park, where we connected with the Lichen Trail Damage be loathe to mess with that status. For Mission Statement Appalachian Trail (AT). We followed the This was part of a hike that was our first those willing to forego the natural air con - The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a AT up to High Point, where we trans - look at post-Sandy Harriman trails. Unbe - ditioning at the foot of the falls, there is an federation of member clubs and individuals ferred to the Shawangunk Ridge Trail lievable. Destruction there reaffirms that almost as scenic blue-blazed bypass trail dedicated to providing recreational hiking (SRT) on up to Otisville. The last three nothing in nature is permanent. Enjoy it available. This is designed to accommodate opportunities in the region, and representing the interests and concerns of the hiking community. miles of our hike were on county and while you can, and those hard-working hikers in very high water conditions [rare!] The Conference is a volunteer-directed public town roads to Camp Deerpark, where I crews clearing the trails are enabling all of as well as folks like yourself. We hope you service organization committed to: am the director. us to continue doing just that. You folks will come again and visit the completed • Developing, building, and maintaining hiking trails. We are so grateful for the folks who vol - are my new superheros! Jolly Rovers project, which we anticipate • Protecting hiking trail lands through unteer to maintain the trails where we Thanks again. being Spring 2013. support and advocacy. hiked. At one point we were up on the —walkwoman • Educating the public in the responsible ridge north of High Point and I saw some Trail Conditions Forum on our website, use of trails and the natural environment. weed whacker string on the ground. It November 25 Board of Directors struck me at the time that someone was up Chris Connolly Chair Query: Why that route Gaylord Holmes Vice Chair here weed-whacking so that I could enjoy James Gregoire Treasurer dry ankles on this hike. at Fitzgerald Falls? Daniel Chazin Secretary I say all of that to say that the experience I was interested to see an article on Directors has motivated me to have a desire to rebuilding the AT up Fitzgerald Falls in Robert Boysen Richard Levine Skip Card Anne Todd Osborn volunteer to maintain a section of trail. your fall issue. This letter is by no means a Send Us a Letter Walter Daniels Edward Saiff Could you please connect me with the criticism of the wonderful work the Jolly Charlotte Fahn Dave Stuhr Email it to [email protected]; in the subject Daniel Hoberman Daniel Van Engel person who is in charge of maintaining the Rovers Trail Crew and the Orange and line, put “letter to TW editor”; or send it to Richard Katzive SRT in the Otisville area. Rockland Long Distance trail crew did at Trail Walker Letters, NY-NJ Trail Confer - Staff Thanks for all of your work. Bear Mountain, which was truly amazing, ence, 156 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah, Edward Goodell Executive Director —Ken Bontrager, Director, Camp Deerpark beautiful and a natural wonder. However, Joshua Howard Deputy Executive NJ 07430. Director Via email, October 4 why is it necessary to have the AT go up a Don Weise Development waterfall at all? Director

For a full list of staff visit www.nynjtc.org/content/staff TC TO HEAD INVASIVES Mark Your Calendar continued from page 1 The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a Our Annual Winter Meeting in NYC volunteer, non-proﬁt 501(c)(3) organization. It is a federation of 103 hiking and outdoor groups, management program made the Trail Con - and 10,000 individuals. ference a strong candidate for this Hikes, Workshops, Dinner, printed on recycled content paper leadership role. We look forward to work - ing with DEC and many other familiar & Presentation PLEASE RECYCLE TRAIL WALKER and new partners to protect the plants, ani - Tuesday, February 12, 2013 mals, and landscapes native to the lower Hudson Valley from invasive threats.” Manhattan College As the lower Hudson Valley PRISM coor - dinator the Trail Conference will be Watch for details at nynjtc.org responsible for convening meetings to devel - op a strategic plan for the region and set Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation priorities and goals. We will also help facili - tate training, communication, and volunteer Trail Walker is a quarterly paper published by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, 156 Ramapo Valley recruiting among all the partner groups. Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. The editor and managing editor is Georgette Weir, at the same address. The annual Our role as coordinator for the lower subscription price is $15; contact person is Georgette Weir; telephone number is 201-512-9348. The tax status of Hudson PRISM will also mean increased the organization has not changed during the preceding 12 months. opportunities for our trained Invasives As of the filing date of September 20, 2012, the average number of copies of each issue during the preceding Strike Force (ISF) volunteers to apply their 12 months was 12,500; the actual number of copies of the single issue published nearest to the filing date was knowledge on projects sponsored by our 13,000. The paper has a total paid and/or requested circulation of 7,132 (average) and 7,282 (actual, most PRISM partners. recent issue). The average free distribution for the 12 months preceding the filing date was 5,368 (average) If you know of a partner or group work - and 5,718 (actual, most recent issue). The total average distribution was 12,500; the actual distribution of the ing to monitor, control, or educate about single issue published nearest to the filing date was 13,000. invasive species in the lower Hudson Valley This information is reported on U. S. Postal Service Form 3526 and here as required by 39 USC 3685. who should be informed of the opportuni - ty to be a part of this partnership, please send contact information to Linda Rohled - er, our ISF program coordinator, at the Follow NYNJTC! Trail Conference ([email protected]).

facebook.com/nynjtc twitter.com/NYNJTrailConf Winter 2013 Page 3

From the Executive Director erosion and habitat disturbance, which can protecting natural areas, we are the most A word about the weather be limited by proper layout and construc - motivated segment of the population to I can’t let this issue of Trail Walker go to Environmental tion. More recently, we have become aware take on the activities necessary to contain press without acknowledging the impact of of the onslaught of invasive plants and how the invasion. If we don’t deal with invasives, another environmental challenge: the Threats to Trails: they are degrading our forests. who will? weather, especially when it comes with a Why be Invasive plants can be harmful in a mul - name: Irene, Lee, Sandy. Everyone living in titude of ways; they have been shown not Invasive species are metropolitan New York knows and proba - concerned only to shade out native plants but also to bly experienced the havoc wrought by change properties of the soil, such as non-native (or alien) to Superstorm Sandy. Properties, both per - with invasives? increasing nitrogen and suppressing benefi - the ecosystem under sonal and public, were seriously damaged. cial fungal communities within the soil. Shadowing the hard work of recovery is the Protecting trail lands, or more specifically, This can negatively affect the native com - consideration and whose uncertainty of how the storm will affect protecting the trail experience, is integral to munity, resulting in not only the loss of introduction causes or state budgets for parks and conservation. the Trail Conference’s mission. Our efforts diversity but also the loss of food resources Our parks and trails—refuges for so have largely centered on protecting these for animals. is likely to cause economic many—were certainly hit hard by Sandy, lands from development and misuse Up to 90% of insect species that eat with countless thousands of trees downed, through advocacy and outright acquisition, plants are specialized on a single species of or environmental harm miles of trails blocked. but for the last decade we have been taking plant or group of species. Once those or harm to human health. But what really blows me away are our a leadership role in recreation ecology, par - plants are gone, the insects’ food source is volunteers. No sooner had the wind died ticularly invasive plant management. gone too. Many terrestrial bird species rear down than the chain saws were buzzing Unfortunately, the impact of modern their young on insects, so if the insect pop - Is it inevitable that invasives will blanket and maintainers were out inspecting and issues on trails and trail lands has changed ulation decreases, the bird population all of our natural areas? Perhaps, but if we clearing trails. Within three days of the the way we think about conservation. decreases as well. It’s a domino effect start - want to keep the diversity of wildflowers storm’s passing, we were reporting an ever- Climate change, over-browsing of the ed by invasive plants. and wildlife we enjoy and ensure that lengthening list of blowdowns removed forest understory by overabundant deer, If we remain inactive, we may be facing future generations of trail users can enjoy and trails reopened on our website and pollution-tainted air and water, and attacks forests in the future that are much less this diversity too, we need to be the ones Facebook page. To quote two of our Face - by exotic plants, pathogens, and pests have diverse, have fewer wildflowers and less working to protect it. The goal isn’t to erad - book followers: “Wow-u guys are great!” stressed ecosystems throughout our region, wildlife, and contain trails that are more icate all invasives everywhere; that’s a much and, “thank you…” and worldwide. Since these native commu - difficult to keep open due to encroachment bigger job than we could tackle. nities are ill equipped to defend themselves, by aggressive invasive plants. Just as we fight against development by the Trail Conference is taking action. While some say invasive species use trails choosing to preserve those lands that are Active management is necessary to ame - to invade forests, other studies suggest trails most precious to us, we certainly can and liorate the effects of this collection of play a minor role compared to other fac - should identify our relatively uninvaded stressors on the natural communities to the tors, especially prior land use. Either way, lands and work to monitor them and keep — Edward Goodell extent possible. the knowledge that invasive species are invasion from gaining a foothold. That Executive Director We have long recognized that we must be degrading the forest ecology and, ultimate - is exactly the strategy we are pursuing. [email protected] vigilant to prevent the negative ecological ly the trail experience, compels us to act. Consider joining us as a volunteer or impacts that trails might create, especially Why? Because, as people concerned with supporter in 2013.

Trail Conference Joins Challenge to A New Horizon Line on the Palisades? National Park Service Powerline Approval Will the top of the Palisades north of the mentally sensitive Palisades.” George Washington Bridge bristle with NJSFWC has a history of protecting the The Trail Conference joined a coalition of new, tall buildings? Palisades that goes back to 1896, when it national, regional and local conservation Not if a lawsuit brought by the New Jer - successfully ended widespread quarrying of groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania sey State Federation of Women’s Clubs the Palisades area. Scenic Hudson, an open that filed suit in federal court October 15, (NJSFWC), Scenic Hudson, the Trail space preservation group founded by the 2012, challenging the approval by the Conference, and two Trail Conference Trail Conference during the fight to stop National Park Service (NPS) of a super - members against the Borough of Engle - development of a power plant complex on sized transmission line that would cut wood Cliffs, NJ, is successful. Storm King, continues to preserve open through three popular national parks. A The borough amended its zoning code in space in the Hudson Valley and owns two

second lawsuit, filed December 5 by the H October 2012 to permit construction of conservation easements in Yonkers on prop - G O same coalition, asked a federal judge to L buildings 150 feet in height in an area along erties with the Palisades in their viewshed. A B

order a stop to construction of the power - N the Palisades Interstate Park. The height lim - Margo Moss and Jakob Franke are long- A D line within 20 miles of the parks. No An AT hiker passes an existing “small” tower. it was previously 35 feet. The change was time, active Trail Conference members and decision had been issued as of press time. prompted by a proposal to build a new, 145 volunteers. Franke co-chairs our Long Path The suit against the NPS challenges the and the construction of access roads foot-tall headquarters for LG Electronics Committee. The LP, and other popular agency’s approval and environmental review through the parks. earlier in the year. The challenge to the spot- trails, traverse the Palisades Park. of the 500-kilovolt (kV) Susquehanna-Rose - “Trail Conference volunteers built the zoning change cites the detrimental impact land transmission line through the Delaware Appalachian Trail along the Kittatinny of the change on the “iconic and environ - Water Gap National Recreation Area, the ridgeline to take advantage of the glorious Middle Delaware National Scenic and views,” notes Ed Goodell, Trail Conference Recreational River, and the Appalachian executive director. “Now, 50 or more trans - Find More Trail Related News on Our Website National Scenic Trail. Despite NPS’s gov - mission towers will blight the viewpoints erning mandate to protect the National Park along 20 miles of Appalachian Trail.” New Trail Signs System and to prevent impairment to park The conservation groups are challenging resources, the NPS has authorized a project NPS’s approval of the transmission line as a Highlight Outdoor that the agency acknowledges will have seri - violation of the National Park Service ous and enduring impacts on the parks. Organic Act and the Wild and Scenic Recreation The new transmission line to be built by Rivers Act. They also point to deficiencies Public Service Electric and Gas Co. in the agency’s required environmental Opportunities in (PSE&G) in New Jersey and Pennsylvania analysis under the National Environmental Power and Light Electric Utilities (PPL) in Policy Act. The coalition is asking the court West Milford, NJ Pennsylvania will largely follow the route of to overturn the NPS decision to permit the an existing 85-year-old power line, but the transmission line through National Park Together with the Township of new towers will rise more than twice as land and to stop construction until the West Milford, NJ, the New York- high as the existing towers and would NPS complies with federal law. New Jersey Trail Conference has include clearing substantially more trees The lawsuit was filed by Earthjustice and developed and installed eight Eastern Environmental Law Center on informational kiosks to draw behalf of the Appalachian Mountain Club, attention to more than 100 miles of

Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Association Trail Conference-maintained hiking S I D

of New Jersey Environmental Commis - R trails in the municipality. Find the A N O

sions, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, New story online at nynjtc.org/news/ E L

Jersey Highlands Coalition, New O

new-trail-signs L York–New Jersey Trail Conference, Nation - al Parks Conservation Association, Rock the His Favorite Trail Tool (weather permitting). There’s lots to do, Earth, Sierra Club, and Stop the Lines. Volunteer Les Ferguson recommends a especially post-Sandy. These service hikes “Trail Tool & Zombie Deterrent” on are posted at nynjtc.org/view/trail-crew- Learn more: nynjtc.org/news/coalition- page 4 of Trail Worker , our e-newsletter outings challenges-powerline-approval for trail volunteers. Find it in the Novem - PSE&G wants to widen this corridor and ber issue at nynjtc.org/view/trailworker Trail University 2013 double the height of the towers. Great workshops are in the works for the Trails Crew Schedules new year. We’ll be posting them as they We have crews for all levels of interest are scheduled at nynjtc.org/view/work - and skill. Some continue through winter shops Page 4 Winter 2013 Regional Field Notes

Catskills Lark in the Park Jeff Senterman, The Trail Conference partnered with the Catskills Program Coordinator Catskill Center and the Catskill Moun - [email protected] tain Club to sponsor the 9th Lark in the Park in the Catskill Mountains. This As our Catskill Mountain annual event celebrates the outdoor and region continues to recov - recreational resources of the Catskill Park er from Hurricane Irene and the greater Catskill Mountain region. last year, we are thankful In addition to our sponsorship, we led that we escaped with light several of the more than 40 scheduled damage from Sandy, but activities, including two Trail Mainte - sad that there was so nance hikes, a guided hike around Frick Trail crew after a day of work on the Kaaterskill Rail Trail. much damage to our south. Our main - Pond, a lecture on the history of the tainers, supervisors, and chairs are Catskill Park, and a Trail Crew day on the Trail Updates crew, please email me and I will forward working with the Forest Rangers to clear Kaaterskill Rail Trail. All were very well Thanks to DEC Trail Crews! DEC Crews your information on to Wendell. Work up any trees that did come down. attended. Next year, we look to be an are still making progress on replacing trail trips will be scheduled both during the In other big news, the work on the new even bigger partner in the planning, pro - bridges that were lost during Hurricane week and on weekends starting in the section of the Long Path on Romer Moun - motion, and execution of this event. Irene. The crews have also worked to sta - spring of 2013. tain continued throughout the fall. Long Mark your calendars now (Saturday Sep - bilize portions of the future Kaaterskill Path Co-chairs Jakob Franke and Andy tember 28, 2013 through Monday, Rail Trail and built the parking lot at the Snow? Garrison deserve a lot of praise for this October 7, 2013) and stay tuned for trailhead that will serve the new section of Finally, let’s all keep our fingers crossed work, as they have moved this project from updates as we begin working on the 10th the Long Path on Romer Mountain. that we can enjoy some cross country its planning stages to the building stage and annual Lark in the Park this spring. Catskill Trail Maintenance Crew – Wen - skiing on our many trails this winter – have been organizing and involved with dell George is the new Trail Crew Chief think snow! every work trip on the mountain through - for the Catskill Mountains Roving Trail out 2012. See page 5 story for more. Crew. If you are interested in joining the

New Jersey Reports from maintainers were coming in tion. They were able to clear the trail of all almost immediately and crews were in the trees that were 6" in diameter and small - Jonathan Martin, field within the first week. Even though er, in addition to removing limbs from New Jersey Program Coordinator many people were without power and gas larger trees to make work easier for our [email protected] was hard to come by, people were willing sawyers. Thanks for the help, Troop 49. to help out wherever needed. Sandy It truly amazes me how fast our volun - Looking Ahead Much of the end of 2012 teers can make things happen. Thank you While the support for our parks has been was spent mitigating the chairs, supervisors, maintainers, and crew phenomenal since the storm, there is still damages caused by Super - members. You were ready to help the much that remains to be done. Keep an Post-Sandy, Oakland Boy Scout Troop 49 storm Sandy. It is moment you knew your family and loved cleared the Schuber Trail. eye out in the coming months for courses estimated that hundreds, if ones were safe. I’d also like to thank the in Intro to Trail Maintenance and Chain - not thousands, of trees general public for inquiring about what Oakland Boy Scouts saw Certification. The more people we came down across trails in New Jersey. they can do to assist. While some folks After the storm, a crew of nine boys and have on the ground overseeing our trails Many of the parks immediately reported had to be turned away due to the danger - four parents from Boy Scout Troop 49 in and the more certified sawyers we have to that all of their trails were closed for the ous conditions on trails, their desire to Oakland, NJ cleared the Schuber Trail call on, the faster we can respond to events foreseeable future. Thanks to the efforts of lend a hand was a reminder of how will - from Skyline Drive to the intersection like Sandy. Help us ensure that our trails our volunteers, parks were able to clear ing people are to help in a time of need. with the Millstone Trail near Camp Glen return to the condition they were in pre- many of those trails in just a few days time. Gray in Ramapo Valley County Reserva - Sandy.

East Hudson tered storm blowdown such as that seen in the photos at left, and was able to clear Volunteers Geof Connor, Regional Trails it and several others in a fraction of the Chair, and Mary Dodds, Westchester time it would have taken an individual Trail Tramps Crew Leader report maintainer.

East Hudson trail crews and maintainers Involving Youth R

were out in full force the day after Sandy O Meanwhile, the Yorktown Community N N

wrought havoc to the northeast. Many O Trails Program continues to engage youth C

state and county parks were closed for O BEFORE AFTER in projects. Over two days, campers at E days, but they allowed Trail Conference G Camp Combe built a trail in Granite maintainers to survey and clear their clearing trails and then returned to cold Geof and Westchester and Pound Ridge Knolls Park. Two Eagle Scout projects trails. Some areas got badly hit while oth - and dark homes. One alternated between supervisors Mary Dodds and Fred Stern, were completed and a third awaits ers escaped lightly. Ward Pound Ridge clearing trails in Westchester and then who converted their weekly long hikes approval by the Boy Scout Council. All lost more than 50 pines along the clearing devastated property on Staten into checking and clearing. Yorktown three involved carpentry of building entrance road alone and many trails were Island. In most cases, maintainers/crews maintainers have made trails passable in bridges or puncheon. One project includ - blocked. The response to volunteer were able to clear and mark safe, tempo - Sylvan Glen, Granite Knolls, and Wood - ed building 0.5 mile of trail that opportunities posted by the Trail Confer - rary detours around massive blowdowns, lands. Jane and Walt Daniels have connected Granite Knolls Park to Sylvan ence was gratifying and doubled the size although, as of early December, a signifi - chainsawed a number of significant blow - Glen Park Preserve. Work trips to salvage of the Westchester Trail Tramps and Ward cant amount of chainsaw work remained downs and organized crews at Sylvan materials, install waterbars, and remove Pound Ridge Reservation crews. As a to be done. Glen and FDR State Park. silt fencing provided opportunities to result, almost all trails in both preserves East Hudson Chair Geof Connor The use of crews to maintain trails has learn new skills. In Sylvan Glen, a work - were passable by December, thanks to the reports that all trails are passable in the proven highly effective in emergency situ - shop on installing waterbars used locust crews and park staff. East Hudson Highlands, thanks to indi - ations such as Sandy. The Ward Pound logs salvaged from Granite Knolls. Many maintainers spent long hours vidual maintainers and a roving crew of Ridge Crew, led by Fred Stern, encoun -

West Hudson more than welcome and can’t wait to go 1980s and eventually came onto the staff Larry Wheelock, back. They installed the first four flights part time in 1998 under the tutelage of West Hudson Program Coordinator of steps at the lower portion of the trail off Neil Zimmerman, JoAnn Dolan and [email protected] the carriage road (13 steps and 3 landings Anne Lutkenhouse. Working with the total) and anticipate the rest of the project volunteers has always been the most R Minnewaska State I E taking another three weekends to com - satisfying part of my work and allowed W

Park Preserve E T plete the entire 60-step project. They are me to befriend many people with inter - T E G

The Jolly Rovers worked R prepared to complete this project next ests similar to my own. It never ceases to O E

with the West Hudson G year and hope to schedule two trips for amaze me what can be done when a North Trail Crew to begin Jolly Rovers began a big erosion control the summer and one for the fall of 2013. group of peers comes together for a repair of the Rainbow project at Minnewaska State Park common purpose. The best in everyone Falls Trail where it Preserve this fall. This is My Last News Note comes out, and things get done. Now that descends from the Upper Awosting Car - decline from the carriage road. I want to thank all for making my 14 I’m retiring at the end of the year, I’ll be riage Road. Working for three days The crew was very thankful for the hos - years on the staff at the Trail Conference able to get back to volunteering! starting on October 26, the crew set up pitality shown by the park staff. Between the most satisfying work I’ve ever done. I See more about Larry on page 10. camp nearby and began work to create a the campsite, vehicle escorts and the stone started as a volunteer working with Bob flight of stone steps at the steep eroded transport from a park quarry, the crew felt Marshall’s West Hudson Trail Crew in the Winter 2013 Page 5 Catskill Long Path Invasives Project Major Welch Trail Gets a Facelift Relo Makes Attracts an Army Great Progress of Trail Volunteers

After years of anticipation and planning, the project to relocate the Long Path in the Woodland Valley area of the Catskills real - ly took off this past summer and fall. On May 10, 2012, Long Path (LP) Committee Co-chairs Andy Garrison and Jakob Franke did the final onsite layout of the trail on Romer Mountain with representa - tives of New York’s Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC). They received the permit to construct the trail five days later, and construction began on June 10. Andy reports that the project is Erika Schneider-Smith was the top under-18 “intense.” It includes stone step construc - volunteer this year with our Invasives Strike tion, side-hilling, bridge construction, and Force. Hiking with her father, Erika surveyed tread way improvements. To date Andy, 9.2 miles of trail for invasive plants, Jakob, and a steady stream of volunteers conducting surveys in Mountainside Park, have cleared the trail for more than three Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, and miles from Lane Street in Phoenicia to the Norvin Green State Forest. Erika says she summit of Romer Mountain and built “cannot wait to begin again in the spring.” structures such as steps and waterbars. The pace of work has been intense too. Blowdowns are not the only natural obsta - Writing just after Thanksgiving, Andy cles to an enjoyable trail experience. reported volunteers had worked on the trail Invasive plants are another. 37 days—1,316 hours—“so far this sea - Some, like mile-a-minute plant (see page son,” and spent 404 hours traveling to and 7), can overrun a trail in the months from the trail. “We are currently working between maintainer visits. Others totally on the trail,” he added, “but expect that change the hiker’s experience of our natural winter will shut us down soon.” environment: think of views where acres of In the spring, the team plans to do addi - barberry have replaced the native diversity tional work on Romer Mountain, then of shrubs and flowering ground plants. take the trail to Cross Mountain, along Our Invasives Strike Force (ISF) volun - with the ascents to Mount Pleasant and teer program targets these particular trail Y

toward the Burroughs Range Trail. Andy threats, and is not only effective, but popu - H P A R

calls this LP project “daunting.” lar. It is also proving to be a great way to G O T

“We are building a trail across three involve young people in our trails program. O H P

mountains in the Catskills,” he notes. N E R W

“When completed, it will be somewhere In 2012, we: . T

around 8½ miles long and will eliminate • Conducted seven training workshops R D N

about 5 miles of road walk.” The work area and trained 65 new volunteers to identify A X E L

next year is a long distance from the and monitor common invasive plants. A trailheads, so weekend camping trips • Received data from 82% (97) of our The step project on the very popular Major Welch Trail at Bear Mountain was prompted by are planned for the schedule. “We also original 118 monitoring volunteers—a worsening erosion on and around the trail. are planning a week-long camping/work great completion rate! Their volunteer trip in early June for this area,” he adds. A hours added up to nearly 1,000 for the Trail builders report a successful season of Trail has been a training ground where vol - great opportunity for a service vacation year. restoration on the Major Welch Trail at unteers learn advanced trail building skills, close to home! Contact Andy Garrison at • Organized 12 invasives removal trail Bear Mountain this fall. Despite the inter - including installation of rock steps and crib [email protected] to learn more or crew outings, with a total of 87 volunteers ruption of Superstorm Sandy in mid-work wall; tread work; use of grip hoist, rigging, volunteer on the project. contributing 876 hours to remove inva - season, the project is poised to be complet - and highlines; use of rock drills and split - For more Long Path news, see page 12. sives along 4.3 miles of trails in six parks. ed this spring. ting and shaping rocks. • Engaged 15 monitoring volunteers The Major Welch Trail offers advanced and 38 trail crew participants under the hikers a more rustic and steep experience age of 18. than do other trails on Bear Mountain. Over the past two years, we surveyed 375 Combined with the east face portion of the New Roof + Floor for miles of trail across the New Jersey and Appalachian Trail, it creates a very popular Mink Hollow Lean-to lower Hudson Valley region, 26% of our day-hike loop. Over the years, portions of total trail miles in those areas. Our observa - the trail became seriously eroded; restora - tion data continues to indicate the top tion of sections of the trail, including where The Mink Hollow Lean-to, located in the invasive plants along our trails are Japanese it crosses Perkins Drive, are among the northeastern Catskill Mountains along the barberry and Japanese stilt-grass. remaining objectives of the Bear Mountain popular Devil’s Path hiking trail, was show - Phase 1 surveys of common invasive Trails Project, launched in 2006.

ing its age and popularity. The cedar plants have been conducted on trails in The restoration includes installing stone I U G N

shingled roof had begun to rot and the more than 60 parks, and completed in steps on grades greater than 10%, creating I

S I

floor was worn by human use and even many, including Closter Nature Center, a well defined treadway to keep hikers from R H chewed out in places by porcupines who Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, Lost straying off trail and causing further ero - C Loraine Almeida and Rachel Riccardi pose found it tasty. The shelter was high on our Brook Preserve, Tenafly Nature Center, sion, building drainage dips to shed water, with a small step project they built. list for rehabilitation. Buttermilk Falls Park, and Clausland and installing crib walls to reinforce washed We were fortunate to obtain funding for Mountain Park. out tread. These improvements are meant From September through November, 24 materials. Thanks to the Christopher to create a sustainable trail able to accom - new volunteers participated in an orienta - Nowak Memorial Fund, set up in honor of Our invasives program modate the thousands of hikers who use it tion and at least four Trail University Christopher Nowak, an avid Catskill each year while lessening their ecological workshops to become qualified to work on Mountain hiker, the Trail Conference was is a good way to get impact by reducing erosion. [Note to those the project; 20 members of the Jolly Rovers able to purchase the necessary cedar shin - young people on trails. familiar with the trail: If you are worried volunteer technical rock work crew con - gles, floor boards, and associated hardware. about the fate of your beloved “whale tributed a total of 669 hours, completing The lean-to’s location, however—within backs,” those steeply angled rocks that call the construction of 70 stone steps as well as the Indian Head Wilderness Area—offered In 2013, we will be able to expand the Moby Dick to mind, have no fear, they are helping instruct seven Trail U workshops. special challenges. Motorized equipment is ISF program in the lower Hudson Valley here to stay.] The all-volunteer West Hudson South Trail continued on page 7 thanks in part to support from the Zofnass As with other components of the Bear Crew assisted on the project, as did three family and as a benefit of our new leader - Mountain Trails Project, the Major Welch AmeriCorps interns led by the trail build - ship role in the region’s state-sponsored ing professionals of Tahawus Trails. invasives management program, PRISM This combined workforce completed a (see page 1). We’ll be conducting more significant portion of the much needed training sessions, recruiting more volun - restoration, building: 135 stone steps, 550 teers and holding more invasive removals linear feet of sidehill/treadway, 75 square in the five counties that make up the lower feet of cribbing, and 10 square feet of stone Y

Hudson Valley—Orange, Rockland, H paving. Total volunteer hours: more than P A

Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester. In R 1,500. Total intern hours: 1,000. G O T

New Jersey, where we launched our ISF O A big THANK YOU goes out to all of H P program, we will continue with trail mon - those who have helped make the Bear N E R N W A itoring and invasives removals. Mountain Trails Project become a reality

. M T

R A E We’re looking forward to an exciting over the last six years. Please stay tuned for T R D N E N

S 2013! ways you can be involved at Bear Moun - A

X F E F L E —Linda Rohleder, tain in 2013! A VJ olunteers replace the roof of a Catskill lean-to. ISF program coordinator Practicing the art of mechanical advantage. Page 6 Winter 2013 2012 Trail Conference Awards Celebrate Our Volunteers

Trail Conference Annual Awards are Dave Webber: Poughkeepsie, NY Bob has helped field-check data for publi - PAUL LEIKIN EXTRA MILE AWARD determined by the Board of Directors Dave has been volun - cations such as the New York Walk Book , Recognizes those volunteers who upon recommendation by the Volun - teering on New York volunteered on various trail building and have demonstrated exceptional teer Committee. The following trails since 1988, pri - relocation projects, and maintain trails in commitment to projects such as awards were announced at the marily at Minnewaska Harriman-Bear Mountain State Park. a book, map, or advocacy. October 20, 2012 Annual Meeting in State Park Preserve in After Hurricanes Irene and Lee wreaked West Milford, NJ. Ulster County. A trail havoc throughout Harriman-Bear Moun - Three members of the Appalachian Trail maintainer in the park tain, Bob was out weekend after weekend, Great Swamp Boardwalk construction since at least 1998, Dave took on the with and without other volunteers, clearing team were given the Leikin Award this WILLIAM HOEFERLIN AWARD responsibilities of trails supervisor there in trees and branches. He even trained two year—Robert Haas, Steve Klauck, and This award recognizes Trail 2003. He has volunteered on trail crews new maintainers during this demanding Frank Dogil. These crew members made a 1 Conference volunteers who have across our New York regions, and in 2004 time. Without Bob’s help during that chal - combined 200+ trips over 2 /2 years to the demonstrated exemplary service became a stalwart on the then newly lenging time, we would not have gotten the Pawling, NY, project site and contributed to trail maintenance, management, formed West Hudson North Trail Crew eastern section of the park’s trails open and more than 1,500 hours of engineering, and/or trail land protection. This (WHN). Though resisting the title “Crew clear as soon as we did. craftsmanship, and manual skills and labor year, we recognize four outstanding Chief,” Dave has coordinated WHN trail to build the impressive 1,600-foot crossing volunteers with the Hoeferlin Award. crew projects effectively and with humor for Wappinger Greenway Trail Committee of the Great Swamp. several years. For more Stephen Zubarik: Tompkins Cove, NY Even with these additional responsibili - than a dozen Bob Haas: Wappingers Falls, NY Stephen is the often ties, Dave has continued to maintain his years, the Bob was a key member masked and helmeted beloved Mossy Glen Trail, last year serious - leaders of this of the team that chief of our West Hud - ly battered by a flood caused by Hurricanes local com - designed, planned, and son South chainsaw Irene and Lee. Quietly reliable, Dave is mittee have built the Appalachian crew. To say Steve is always willing to do whatever is useful demonstrated Trail Great Swamp frequently out on trails whether or not it’s his “job.” He works well exceptional Boardwalk in Pawling. clearing blowdowns is with park managers and is diligently sup - dedication to creating a 10-mile marked Over the course of the 1 an understatement. His dedication is portive of the maintainers in the park. In walking route that links natural, historic, 2 /2-year project, Bob made more than 50 extraordinary. Last year, facing a massive short – Mr. Dependable. industrial, and business districts in the Town trips to the site and put in more than 350 blowdown challenge caused by two hurri - of Wappinger, Village of Wappingers Falls, hours of work. canes, Steve led the crew in clearing more Brian Sniatkowski: Kinnelon, NJ and the Town of Poughkeepsie in New than 200 trees and large branches from As a Trail Conference York’s Dutchess County. This route includes Steve Klauck: Poughkeepsie, NY miles of trails at Harriman, Bear Moun - volunteer for over 17 a terrific 2-mile moderately strenuous woods Steve has been with the tain, and Sterling Forest State Parks within years (he has been hike along the Wappinger Creek, with a Dutchess-Putnam AT just a few weeks. maintaining the Hoe - trailhead at a historic industrial park right in since 1989, and was a A trails volunteer since 2000, Steve is a ferlin Memorial Trail in the Village of Wappingers Falls, two other reliable boardwalk proj - trail maintainer (Long Path from Fort Lee Ramapo Mountain access points a short walk from Metro- ect member. He made Historic Park, NJ to Mount Ivy, NY and State Forest since 1994) North’s New Hamburg station, and a over 50 trips to the site Menomine Trail at Bear Mountain), works and Trail Supervisor of Ramapo Mountain viewpoint overlooking the Hudson River. It and put in more than on trail-building crews, and is active with State Forest for over 10 years, Brian has also includes direct links to the County’s 350 hours of work. Steve has maintained a our invasive plant strike force. He also is an achieved an impressive list of accomplish - Bowdoin Park that add another 7 miles of section of the Appalachian Trail at Nuclear effective manager, maintaining a constantly ments. In addition to ably supervising 35 trails to the network. Lake since 1989. updated list of blowdowns that need miles of trails and 20 maintainers, he has The Wappinger Greenway Committee removal and coordinating crew outings for unstintingly volunteered much more of his has been lucky in its leadership: Joe Enness - Frank Dogil: Poughkeepsie, NY maximum efficiency. Steve provides cheer - time to other trail activities throughout the er, chair since 1999; Allan Michelin, an Frank, an AT corridor ful, thoughtful, and commonsense guidance North Jersey Trails area. active member since 1995 and current dele - supervisor for North to everything with which is he involved. His He has participated in blazing/reblazing gate to the Trail Conference; Mary Schmalz, Dutchess County and volunteer efforts in some of the most popu - more than 50 trail miles throughout the an active member since 1995; and Eileen an AT volunteer since lar parks in the country help to keep area, along with numerous trail relocations Sassmann, secretary since 1999. Together, 1997, was a dedicated hundreds of miles of trails open, safe, and and repairs. these leaders have worked with other volun - member of the board - 1 enjoyable for thousands of users each year. Brian has participated significantly with teers, multiple government and non-profit walk team. Over 2 /2 North Jersey trail crews to help scout and agencies—including the Trail Conference— years of construction, Frank made more Christopher Ezzo: Long Beach, NY build several new trails, including: Lake to protect land and create new parks, gain than 75 trips to the site and put in more Chris has served as Sonoma, Overlook Rock, Monks Connector, trailhead access via easements, build a foot - than 500 hours of work. chief of our West Hud - and Hasenclever Iron Trails, as well as a major path, create trails signs, and promote the son South Trail Crew rebuild of the Hewitt-Butler Trail (North). trail. Their leadership has been dedicated, Arthur Gardineer: Congers, NY (WHS) since 2002, He can often be found on other trail persistent, visionary, and unshakable. We Totaling Arthur’s vol - taking over the posi - crews, helping to build new trail bridges or thank them for providing new opportunites unteer hours requires tion from his mentor, clearing blowdowns, such as on the Pal - for residents and visitors to get out, get mov - an adding machine. Bob Marshall (Hoefer - isades or along the Appalachian Trail. ing, and explore their community. He is a dedicated vol - lin Award recipient in 1991), who As a result of his personal dedication and unteer at everything continues as a crew member, often leading his fine example to other volunteers, Brian Mark Traver: Schoharie, NY, Long Path off-trail. Whatever Thursday work trips. has helped to make our beautiful trails and North Hiking Club mailing or shipment Chris is not only an experienced and forests much more accessible and enjoyable. Since 2003, Mark has you may receive from us, Arthur probably skilled trail builder, he is an excellent vol - been club co-trail chair packaged it and mailed it. Any event you’ve unteer manager. Chris scouts all crew KEN LLOYD AWARD and maintainer and, attended in the past 5 years, he was there to projects in advance, follows up on all Recognizes members of Trail since January 1, 2012, assist us. potential volunteer leads, and brings his Conference member clubs or has served as club pres - Almost every afternoon of every week - volunteers together twice a year for social member clubs, who have demon - ident. day, Arthur arrives at the Trail Conference activities (lunch and picnic). He works in strated exemplary service to trail Mark has brought office ready to give his time to help anyone close coordination with the area’s Trails maintenance, management, and/or tremendous enthusiasm and energy to our with absolutely anything they might need. Chair (John Mack) and with other crews, trail land protection. Three awards Long Path. In the last few years Mark has He treats every assignment with utmost particularly with the West Jersey Trail were made this year. been responsible for the construction of at seriousness, and treats everyone he works Crew, which leads one WHS crew trip each least six foot bridges in Albany/Schoharie with respect. season. Chris and his crew define sensible Robert Fuller: Old Bridge, NJ Counties. He designed them so they were A methodical worker, Arthur is known and reasonable solutions to the various trail As West of Hudson acceptable to the landowner (DEC), and to find and correct others’ mistakes, all issues brought to them. He distributes Trail Supervisor for the they were pre-constructed at his house, while entertaining us with his encyclopedic work trip leadership duties among his crew Appalachian Mountain which sped up the process greatly. He knowledge of politics and geography. members, thereby cultivating their leader - Club-New York/North organized the work groups that put the Arthur always goes the extra mile to offer ship skills. He participates on almost all of Jersey chapter for the bridges in. his help, and often his lunch, to those the crew’s outings. past seven years, Bob Mark also maintains several sections of working in the office. He has more than Chris’s work standards and attention to Fuller has been a key the LP in the Catskills and north and has earned this award. his volunteers have kept this highly effec - liaison between the Trail Conference and built several sign-in boxes at lean-tos. At tive volunteer team together and inspired our biggest member club. In this role, he Vroman’s Nose, a popular hiking area in LEO ROTHSCHILD over the past 10 years. The result is a crew oversees the maintainance of 37 miles of Schoharie County, he has improved the CONSERVATION AWARD with a well-earned reputation for being an trails at Harriman-Bear Mountain State parking lot area with signs, waterbars, and Presented to a person or organization effective, efficient, and collegial team of Park by AMC trail volunteers. benches. He also has worked with an Eagle that has made a significant contribution volunteers. The contributions by Chris and Bob got an early start with the Trail Con - Scout candidate on a Long Path kiosk on to the protection of our trails and/or the his crew to our trails are without measure. ference. At age 10, he helped out on Litter Route 30 near Vroman’s Nose, and recent - natural lands that surround them. Day cleanup outings with Elizabeth Levers. ly helped out with the possible trail reroute Soon thereafter, he got involved with trail through the Plotterkill. Mark leads hikes This award was presented to the Basha Kill Thank you, building and maintenance under Mike for his club and, since 2003, has main - Area Association at its 40th anniversary volunteers! Warren, who was the Trail Conference tained the LP section from East Windham celebration in September and announced trails chair at the time. It seems he never to the Mohawk Canal. in the Fall issue of Trail Walker (page 1). left us. An individual member since 1980, Winter 2013 Page 7 Trailside Nature Putting the Brakes on Mile-a-Minute Vine By Michael Adamovic the refreshing gum spurred people to do a Wintergreens little dance to the music of Herb Alpert Spotted or Not and the Tijuana Brass. By Edna Greig Spotted Wintergreen Several species of low-growing evergreen Spotted wintergreen ( Chimaphila macula - plants native to our area add interest to the ta ) also grows in dry woodlands. Although forest floor in winter. Two of these—winter - not as common as wintergreen, it’s easily green and spotted wintergreen—are identified. It grows three to nine inches tall widespread and easily found, especially when and has conspicuous, whitish-veined, dark there is little to no snow cover to hide them. green, pointed leaves that are one to three inches long. The leaves aren’t aromatic. Wintergreen Spotted wintergreen blooms in summer Wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens ) is a with white or pinkish flowers atop tall D

ground-hugging shrub that grows up to six stalks. Dry, roundish seed capsules mature L O B N inches tall. Its oval, leathery, aromatic leaves by October and may persist through win - I E R

are up to two inches long and grow in ter. The capsules contain copious amounts T T A rounded clusters. It primarily reproduces of dust-like seeds. The seeds have a very M Can’t see the forest for the Persicaria perfoliata vegetatively, by sending out thin horizontal low germination rate, so spotted winter - stems just below the soil surface, and can green, like wintergreen, relies upon The Hudson Valley’s terrestrial ecosystems McGowan partnered with the New Jersey form large clumps. vegetative reproduction. are facing a threat today that could greatly Dept. of Agriculture in 2008 to release Wintergreen is common in dry, usually alter the health and composition of our weevils in the Palisades region of New Jersey. acid soils of oak and conifer woods. It’s a forests. The foe, which is capable of over - Receiving permission to release weevils in member of the heath ( Ericaceae ) family, as whelming our diverse native habitats, has New York was more complicated and are mountain laurel ( Kalmia latifolia ) and the ability to grow up to 6 inches a day, and required new state and federal approvals. blueberry ( Vaccinium species), and the up to 20 feet annually! To make matters But with the assistance of Student Conserva - three species often are found together. worse, the myriad seeds it produces are tion Association intern Meredith Taylor, the Although wintergreen primarily repro - readily dispersed by birds and can survive team was ready to release weevils in New duces vegetatively, it also reproduces via in the soil for up to seven years. York by spring of 2009. Working with part - seed. In summer, the plants, especially Mile-a-minute vine ( Persicaria perfoliata , ners including NY Dept. of Environmental those in brighter locations, have bell- also known as Polygonum perfoliatum ) is an Conservation, Westchester County Parks, shaped, white flowers. Fertilized flowers invasive plant from Asia that was intro - and New York State Parks, we have released develop into pea-sized berries that mature Spotted wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) duced to the U.S. in the 1930s at a nursery approximately 15,000 weevils at nine sites in to a bright red by October. Each berry con - in Pennsylvania. Since its release, it has southeastern New York since 2009. tains up to 80 seeds. The berries are of poor The genus name, Chimaphila , means been slowly creeping northward and can Most release sites show promising results, nutritional quality and are not a first food “loves winter,” which seems appropriate for now be found throughout most northeast - although it may take another five years or choice of animals, so they usually remain this little evergreen. The species name, ern states. so for the weevils to make noticeable reduc - on the shrub through winter. maculata , means “spotted.” It’s a mystery The Mile-a-Minute Project of the Hud - tions in existing MaM populations. As how the species name arose, because the son Valley was created in 2006 to with the spread of invasives themselves, it plant has no spots. In fact, the whitish veins document the spread of the vine and initi - takes time for biocontrol agents to build up on the leaves look like stripes, so another ate control methods. Project partners their populations and disperse to new areas. common name for the plant is striped win - actively compile sightings to create maps of Another biocontrol project aimed at purple tergreen. the plant’s distribution in the state to better loosestrife took nearly a decade before Adding to the confusion, the plant also understand dispersal rates. [The Trail Con - widespread declines in the plant were seen, sometimes is called spotted or striped pip - ference’s Invasives Strike Force includes and the same can be expected with MaM sissewa because it looks similar to its mile-a-minute in its Phase 2 surveys along biocontrol. relative, pipsissewa ( Chimaphila umbella - hiking trails and makes the information The future of invasive management may ta ). Pipsissewa has solid green leaves that available to the Mile-a-Minute project by increasingly depend on the use of biocontrol are more rounded than those of spotted submitting findings to the NY State Inva - agents. People are naturally concerned about Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) wintergreen. The two grow in similar habi - sive Species database, iMapInvasives.] possible unintended consequences of releas - tats, but pipsissewa is far less common. ing another new organism to fight a Wintergreen was the original natural Native Americans used spotted winter - To control the plant, problem species. While scientists can never source of oil of wintergreen, used in bever - green for a variety of medicinal purposes. be entirely certain that a biocontrol agent ages and candies. It later was found that the In the early 1900s, spotted wintergreen was 15,000 mile-a-minute will not have unexpected impacts of its own, bark of black or sweet birch ( Betula lenta ) a natural flavoring in root beer and other they have learned from past mistakes. Can - was a more productive source of oil of win - beverages but has since been replaced by weevils have been didate biocontrol agents are selected based tergreen. Try crushing a black birch twig to synthetic flavorings. released at nine sites on host specificity and now undergo rigor - release the pleasant wintergreen scent. Today, As you travel the trails this winter, look ous testing and quarantines before release. oil of wintergreen is produced synthetically. for our native wintergreens. And, perhaps in southeastern The common public concern that bio - The red berries of wintergreen give it enjoy a beverage or candy that got its start New York since 2009. control agents will eliminate their target another common name—teaberry. Both from one of these little plants. host and then need to switch to related the berries and leaves were used by Native native species is usually unfounded. Typi - Americans and settlers to brew a tasty tea. Edna Greig is a Trail Conference member During the past few years, the project has cally, they merely reduce the abundance of Clark’s Teaberry Chewing Gum, intro - and regular contributor to Trail Walker . She been releasing weevils ( Rhinoncominus the target invasive species and maintain it duced in the early 1900s, got its unique writes the blog Eye on Nature: latipes ) to control mile-a-minute. Native to at lower densities, much the same as native flavor from the plant and became quite eyeonnature.wordpress.com. east Asia, the mile-a-minute weevil coe - pests limit native plants. popular. If you were around in the 1960s, volved with the plant and is entirely host you might remember the Clark Teaberry specific to mile-a-minute (MaM), meaning Reporting Mile-a-Minute Sightings Shuffle television commercials, in which it will only eat this particular plant. The The public can help identify new insects attack the plants and effectively skele - sites of MaM in our region. To learn tonize the leaves, thereby reducing the more about the vine and how to MINK HOLLOW LEAN-TO All in all, it was a great two-day project plant’s fecundity. As a result, fewer seeds are correctly identify it, visit MaM website: continued from page 5 made all the more special by having sup - produced, and as the plant is an annual, the http://henri.newark.rutgers.edu/mam/ porters of the Memorial Fund working on following year fewer new individuals appear. index_MAM.html prohibited in Wilderness areas, so the heavy the project. We were able to learn more The tiny weevils have the ability to trav - replacement material—weighing more than about Christopher, his love of hiking in the el up to 10 miles a year and can follow • New sightings in New York’s Hudson 700 pounds in all—had to be carried in by Catskills, and the love of his family and MaM populations as they disperse. So far Valley can be reported to the project via a volunteers hiking 3/4 mile and up 500 friends following his untimely passing. the weevils appear to be making a dent in link on the above website. vertical feet on an abandoned trail from the existing populations. Hand pulls, however, • Sightings there and elsewhere in northern end of Mink Hollow Road. —Jeff Senterman, are still occasionally conducted where wee - southeastern New York, especially along Work was scheduled for the weekend of Catskill Program Coordinator vils are lacking in order to further inhibit trails, as well as along trails in New Jersey, October 20th and we lucked out with two the spread of this vine that has the poten - can be reported to the Trail Conference’s days of perfect weather. On Saturday This project was part of Trail Conference’s tial to become the kudzu of the North. Invasives Strike Force; email Linda morning volunteers from the Trail Confer - Lean-to Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Dr. Edwin McGowan, the science direc - Rohleder at [email protected]. ence and the Catskill 3500 Club, Program for the Catskill Park. Other recently tor of the Palisades Interstate Park • Sightings off-trail in New Jersey can supporters of the Memorial Fund, and the rehabilitated lean-tos include the Echo Lake Commission and director of Trailside be reported at http://njisst.org. local DEC Forest Ranger, Christine Nel - and Diamond Notch Lean-tos and recon - Museums and Zoo at Bear Mountain (and son, made multiple hikes to pack in the struction of the John Robb Lean-to. If you are formerly Trail Conference science director), Michael Adamovic is the head coordinator of building material. Despite those exertions, interested in learning more about the pro - first learned about the possibility of using the Mile-a-Minute Project and is currently we had energy left to remove the old cedar gram, visit the Lean-to Crew page on the biocontrol to combat MaM in 2007 after attempting to devise ways to further limit the shingles, hammer down the first few rows Trail Conference's website at nynjtc.org/con - hearing reports of successful trials done by spread of other invasive plants in the Hudson of new shingles, and put down the new tent/leanto-repair-and-maintenance. the University of Delaware. Tired of the Valley. floor boards. tedious and oftentimes pointless nature of On Sunday, we hiked in and finished pulling individual plants out by hand, he The Mile-a-Minute Project of the Hudson installing the new roof, re-stained the sides of determined to implement a solution that Valley is affiliated with the Lower Hudson the lean-to, and stained the new lean-to floor. would attack the MaM problem more Valley PRISM. effectively while cutting down on labor. After attending meetings on the subject, Page 8 Winter 2013 HHII KERSKERS’’ ALMANACALMANAC A Sampling of Upcoming Hikes Sponsored by Member Clubs

Find many more hikes at www.nynjtc.org. Click on Scheduled Hikes under Go Hiking!

January AFW. Governor Mountain, Ramapo Mountain State Forest, NJ. For info and to register, contact us at www.adventuresforwomen.org Tuesday, January 1 or 973-644-3592. Meet: 10am. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. SW. New Year’s Day Hike in Northern Manhattan, NY. Leader: Sunday, February 3 Cy Adler and friends, 212-663-2167. Meet: Noon at 178th St. and Broadway, bus terminal information booth. Explore Inwood AMC-NY. Inwood Hill and Fort Tryon Parks, Manhattan, NY. Hill and Highbridge parks, historic sites, hills, and shoreline of Leaders: Art and Nancy Tollefson, 212-727-8961, upper Manhattan. [email protected]. Meet: 10am at park entrance, Seaman Ave. and Isham St. (take A train to last stop, 207th St., walk two blocks Saturday, January 5 west on Isham St.). 4 miles at moderate pace, with some modest SW. Six Mile Run Reservoir, Somerset County, NJ. Leader: Lud - hills. Hike in the last natural forest in Manhattan, with great views wig Hendel, 718-626-3983; call only Jan. 4 eve. Meet: 9:30am at of the Hudson. Bad weather cancels. Great outing for beginners. Port Authority Bus Terminal by commuter statue for bus to Saturday, February 9 Franklin Park (round-trip). 8-9 miles, moderate pace along flat trails, farmland and country roads. UOC. Natirar Park, Peapack, NJ. Leader: Jane Faulkner, [email protected]. Meet: contact leader for meeting AFW. Silas Condict County Park, Morris County, NJ. Leader: For time and place. This huge 404-acre property, a former mansion info and to register, contact us at www.adventuresforwomen.org and its grounds, is now a Somerset County park with lovely or 973-644-3592. Meet: 10am. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. walking trails to enjoy year-round. Easy but scenic trails. Sunday, January 6 Sunday, February 10 SW. Jones Beach Walk, NY. Leader: Frank Bamberger, 718-457- AFW. Bear Swamp Lake, NJ. Leader: For info and to register, 5159, [email protected]. Meet: Take 9:10am train from contact us at www.adventuresforwomen.org or 973-644-3592. Penn Station to Wantagh, arriving 10:06 (check schedule for Meet: 10am. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. times). Drivers meet on eastbound platform (appreciate shuttle from Wantagh to beach). 5 miles on beach and boardwalk. Bring Saturday, February 23 two portions of any food for gourmet feast. Walk to Roosevelt AFW. Ramapo Torne, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: For info nature sanctuary on beach, then to Bayside for interesting birds. and to register, contact us at www.adventuresforwomen.org or 973-644-3592. Meet: 10am. Moderate hike; out by 3pm. Saturday, January 12 AFW. Round Valley State Park, Hunterdon County, NJ. Leader: Sunday, February 24 For info and to register, contact www.adventuresforwomen.org or NYR. Hillburn-Torne-Sebago Trail (HTS), Harriman State Park, 973-644-3592. Meet: 11am. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. We’ll NY. Leader: Clive Morrick, 212-242-0931, [email protected]. snowshoe if sufficient snow. Meet: 8:15am at Port Authority Bus Terminal for 8:30 Short Line bus to Sloatsburg, NY (one-way). We’ll take the Pine Meadow and Sunday, January 13 Seven Hills trails to connect to HTS, then entire HTS passing NYR. Outdoor Art in the City, NY. Leader: Anna Marynowska, Ramapo Torne and the Russian Bear, then over Diamond Moun - 718-384-2908. Meet: 9:15am at NE corner Bedford Ave. and North tain. Out to Tuxedo on TMI and RD trails. Hilly, moderately 7th St. (Bedford Ave. L train subway station). Walk through North strenuous hike. Williamsburg and Greenpoint viewing local street art (graffiti) and new Transmitter Park, then to Long Island City and Roosevelt March Island’s new FDR park. We’ll return to LIC and explore Queen’s Saturday, March 9 eastern coastline, parks and neighborhoods, looping back to Queens Plaza. AFW. Dater Mountain Loop, Harriman State Park, NY. For info and to register, contact us at www.adventuresforwomen.org or Saturday, January 19 973-644-3592. Meet: 9am. Easy hike; out by noon. UOC. Princeton Art Museum and Walk, NJ. Leader: Mimi Wolin, Saturday, March 16 732-249-9166. Meet: contact leader for meeting time and place. N O S

UOC. Landsdown Trail, NJ. Leader: Coleen Zdziarski, 732-568- L

Visit a world-class art museum at Princeton University, then walk E N

9241, [email protected]. Meet: contact leader for meeting time the campus and town, weather permitting. Y M

and place. Landsdown is a rails-to-trails project developed on an E R E

February old Lehigh Valley Railroad spur. One end is in Clinton, NJ. In addi - J tion to our walk, the group may add one of the historic museums Saturday, February 2 Jeremy Nelson captured this fall scene at Harriman State Park during our second photo to our trip. UOC. Historic Sites, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Christine workshop led by Larry Zink. See more photos and read about the workshop and other Meadows, 732-745-9074. Meet: contact leader for meeting time topics at our Trails to Great Photography web page: blog-photo.nynjtc.org and place. Visit Washington’s Headquarters and others sites in this National Historic Park, weather permitting. Saturday, March 23 Tuesday, March 26 NYR. Old Croton Aqueduct: Dobbs Ferry to Glenwood, NY. AFW. Diamond Mountain, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: For Leader: Jim Korn, 212-697-4811. Meet: 8:40am at Grand Central info and to register, contact us at www.adventuresforwomen.org The activities listed are sponsored by member clubs of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. All hikers are welcome subject to club regula - Terminal for 9:00 Hudson Line train to Dobbs Ferry (one-way); or 973-644-3592. Meet: 10am. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. tions and rules of the trail. You are responsible for your own safety. Wear hiking boots or strong, low-heeled shoes. Bring food, water, check train times. Explore Reynolds Field, Hillside and Draper rain gear, first aid kit, and a flashlight in a backpack. Leaders have the right and responsibility to refuse anyone whom they believe Sunday, March 31 parks, Lenoir Nature Preserve, Untermeyer and Trevor parks, and cannot complete the hike or is not adequately equipped. Easy, moderate, or strenuous hikes are relative terms; call leader if in doubt. AMC-NY. Tuxedo Favorites, Harriman State Park, NY. Leaders: JFK marina/park. Flat terrain. More than 100 clubs belong to the Trail Conference, and many of our affiliate groups sponsor hikes not listed in the Hikers’ Almanac. Art and Nancy Tollefson, 212-727-8961, [email protected]. UOC. Mountain Lakes Preserve, Princeton Township, NJ. For a descriptive list of Conference clubs, consult our website or send a SASE with your request to NY-NJ Trail Conference. Meet: 9:15am at commuter lot in Tuxedo, NY (Rt. 17N, right on Leader: Nona Henderson, [email protected]. Meet: E. Village Rd., left after tracks); or take 8:30 Short Line bus from Club Codes contact leader for meeting time and place. Hike on trails through Port Authority to Tuxedo (one-way). 9 miles at a moderate-plus Only those clubs with hikes offered in this issue are listed below. Please call numbers listed to confirm. this scenic area with lakes, looking for the first signs of spring. pace, with rocky trails and hills. We'll revisit our favorite Harriman AFW Adventures for women SW Shorewalkers Sunday, March 24 trails. Bad forecast cancels; call eve before if in doubt. AMC-NY AMC NY-NoJ Chapter UOC University Outing Club AFW. Ringwood Manor, NJ. Leader: For info and to register, NYR NY Ramblers contact us at www.adventuresforwomen.org or 973-644-3592. Find many more hikes on our website: Meet: 9:30am. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. nynjtc.org/content/scheduled-hikes Clubs wishing to have hikes listed in Hikers’ Almanac should send their schedules to [email protected] or to the Trail Conference Office. The deadline for the Spring issue is February 15.

Member Trail Tale wooded summit. Then it miraculously crossed an open ledge. The Hudson River Jewel in the stretched out lazily before us, undulating toward the shores of Manhattan Island. Crown Ridge The gargantuan metropolis shimmered By Catherine Gigante-Brown some 60 miles in the distance, the Emerald City in basic gray. The juxtaposition of My husband and I had wanted to hike the steel and glass, the boxy wonders of the Crown Ridge Trail near Bear Mountain for World Trade Center, and the jeweled tip of years. But since the bulk of it crossed feder - the Chrysler Building piercing the sky con - al land, permission was rarely granted. trasted with the soft curve of Bear The Crown Ridge Trail was originally Mountain and newly-sprouted birch. We closed off to the public during World War stopped to admire it. Even Jim was silent II, and maps of the region were rare com - for a moment. modities. My friend Muriel had procured a The weather was perfect. The views of murky Xeroxed reproduction, which she The author and her husband Peter atop Joppenbergh Mountain in Rosendale, NY. the Hudson were astounding as West Point guarded like a bear sow. Group permits glittered below. The New York City skyline were granted like special dispensations In 1995, we could hardly believe our et imaginable. He carried enough home- winked at us like a dream. from the Pope. Even USGS maps of the good fortune when we read about an made trail mix for a small Third World surrounding “Peekskill” and “Popolopen organized hike there. We immediately nation and toted enough water for an Have a tale from the trail? Members are invited Lakes” regions deleted the trail from their signed up.We found ourselves beside Jim, aquarium. He’d been everywhere and seen to submit their tales—350 words maximum— handouts. There was a blank space on aka “Super Hiker.” This was supposed to everything—twice. and a photo to Membership Manager Joanne Peter’s NY-NJ Trail Conference map where be a leisurely day trek, yet Jim’s enormous After dipping into a notch, the Crown Reinhardt: [email protected] the path should have been. pack was stuffed with every outdoor gadg - Ridge Trail climbed about 300 feet to a Winter 2013 Page 9 Pair Leaves Publishing for the VOLUNTEERS AT WORK Big Void to Fill Hiking Community: at Sterling Forest How You Can Help

Likely, you already know that we are proud to call our trail maps and trail books the best , most accurate, most up-to-date and user-friendly trail maps and books for our area. (See page 11, West Hudson Trails map set announce - ment for an example.)

But do you know who creates them? A group of trail-loving, trail-using volunteers that we call our Publications E K

Committee, supported by staff and N A R F

contractors. B O K

Woodbury, NY A Publications volunteers bring a variety J of skills to our trails-focused publishing Long Path Improvements bridge abutments to replace the struc - program, both traditional print and in Woodbury, NY tures destroyed last fall by Hurricane new electronic products. You may have On November 18 the Orange-Rockland Irene, and then retrieved the missing 35' such a skill, and if you are willing to put Long Distance Crew (photo above) bridge from 700' downstream and rebuilt it to work for the good of our hiking finished the rock steps on the LP below it on its new foundation. Back in community, we would love to help you the railroad crossing over Rt. 32. Wawayanda, the crew took to boats and get started! chainsaws to address a log jam of debris Suzan Gordon and Peter Tilgner • If you have marketing experience, Avon Cleans Up after Sandy from Hurricane Irene that had collected you can help us improve our map and Post-Sandy clean-up took the place of and was threatening the bridge the AT Suzan Gordon and Peter Tilgner of Tenafly, book promotion to the public and our planned clipping of mountain laurel and uses to cross the Pochuck Canal. In Jen - NJ, are stepping down as Sterling Forest retail store partners. Our goal: Anyone blueberry for six volunteers from the ny Jump, members of the crew began Trail Supervisors after 14 very productive who uses trails in our region should Avon company on November 2. Trail removal of blowdowns from Hurricane years volunteering in this state park. Dur - know about our products (and buy Conference members John Mack, Noel Sandy, with the Spring Trail cleared, but ing their tenure, Suzan and Peter have been them). Schulz, Steve Zubarik and Jakob Franke several more to be addressed. responsible for putting in seven new • If you have project management guided two groups of volunteers along Thank you to everyone who was part of trails—including the popular Bare Rock skills, you can help guide a map or book trails in Harriman State Park. the West Jersey Crew in 2012: Ian Blun - Trail that features a fabulous overlook of publication through to completion. Our dell, Deb Brockway, Michael Cahoon, Greenwood Lake—extending or relocating goal in 2013: On-time publication of West Jersey Crew Gordon Campbell, Joan Campbell, Tom two others, and overseeing the 18 main - 6 trail map sets and 4 books in both Had a Busy Year Carr, Anthony Como, June Como, tainers who help keep the park’s trails print and digital format. In 2012, the West Jersey Crew once Anthony DellaRocco, Gene Giordano, cleared, blazed, and in shape for hikers. • If you have general knowledge of again worked in several parks through - Heather Giunta, Jim Harvey, Mike They have made more than 1,000 trail publishing, you can join as a commit - out West Jersey: Worthington State Manes, Kieu Manes, Bill Martin, Gay blazes and often helped the chainsaw crew tee member and help us continue to Forest, Jenny Jump State Forest, High Mayer, Chet Morris, James Mott, Lee of Jack Driller and Mark Liss to clear improve our publications program. Point State Park, Stokes State Park, and Mott, Dan Murphy, Kevin O’Callahan, numerous blowdowns on the park’s trails. Our goal: Provide hikers with the Wawayanda State Park. Eric Perlmutter, Steve Reiss, Barbara Sim - The couple, active members of the information they need to use trails The crew started the season a little ear - mons, Alex Sun, Bill Taggart, Linda North Jersey Ramapo Chapter of ADK, safely and enjoyably in our region lier this year, with a post-Christmas Taggart, Tyler Urbanski, Jim Wright, Peter met on a hike 20 years ago and have been and to generate revenue to support reconstruction of a bridge on the Zachariadis, Aleksey Zinger, Pete Zuroff. hiking and trail maintaining together ever the Trail Conference mission. Appalachian Trail in Wawayanda that Thank you also to all those who volun - since. They will continue to maintain trails • If you have experience with writing had been displaced by Hurricane Irene teered for the crew but weren’t able to work at the Tenafly Nature Center, and Peter also or editing, graphic design, cartography, (photo at bottom). In Worthington, the because the work days that they signed up plans to continue to volunteer with mem - and even website/app development, crew created a new relocation of the AT for were rained or hurricaned out. bership mailings at the Trail Conference you may be able to contribute to the around Upper Yard’s Creek Reservoir, so And finally, as always, a huge Thank office. We thank Suzan and Peter for being great work done being done to provide that it is now fully on protected land (and You also to our NJDEP partners at the such dedicated and effective leaders and hikers with the best information we picked up a couple of great views). In state parks, who consistently support our strong supporters of the Trail Conference. can. Our goal: Keep our products High Point, they restored and hardened a work. Without the working relationship “It’s been a good ride,” says Peter. “Now relevant to trail users in changing badly eroded section of the Appalachian we have with them, we would not be able it is time for a new person or persons to media and markets. Trail. In Stokes, on the Howell Trail at to accomplish what we do. take on the responsibility.” For a complete listing of currently avail - the Big Flat Brook, the crew built stone —Monica & David Day, Crew Chiefs able volunteer vacancies related to our Learn about this and other volunteer publications, visit our Volunteer Oppor - positions. Visit nynjtc.org/volunteer tunities page at nynjtc.org/vol-vacancies. Volunteer interests can also be commu - nicated to our Volunteer Coordinator, John Leigh ([email protected]).

TRAIL CONFERENCE VOLUNTEERS

August 21 – November 15, 2012

The Volunteer Committee acknowledges these new volunteers who took on or completed an assignment during the time period noted above. The list also includes existing volunteers who accepted additional assignments. We thank all Trail Conference volunteers! E K N

AT Natural Heritage Monitor: Tom Mullane, Kristina Padlo, John A R F

Tom Amisson, Neil DiBernardo, Pinto, Felice Preston, Kevin Prunty, B O

Avon K

Ryan Hasko, Viviana Holmes, Charles John Roebig, Rick Rogers, Brett A J Holmes, Don Horne, Stephen Howe, Schollman, Dustin Seippel, Karl Peter Longo, Sona Mason, Larry Soehnlein, Barbara Sorrell, Mark Wheelock Sotsky, Paul Waclawski, Jonathan Wagner, Paul Wallace, Andrew Wong Publications Project Manager: Eugene Reyes Trail Shelter Caretaker: Christina Audet, Peter Kraus, Trail Chair: Doug Senterman Lee Mott, James Mott Trail Co-Supervisor: William Phillips Trail Supervisor: Howard France, Trail Maintainer: Katy Behney, Kori Phillips Leonard Behney, Tom Buckley, Lisa Web Associate: Franklin Chitwa Cavanaugh, Jocelyn Coalter, David T

Dvorsky, Jakob Franke, Wendell Did we miss you or someone you R A G

George, Mary Hilley, Viviana Holmes, G

know? Please tell us so we can A T

John Keith, Peter Kraus, Melinda correct our records and give you the M A I L L Kutzing, Marcelle Layton, Yajing Li, thanks you deserve. Contact the I W Jeff Marino, Anna Marynowska, Volunteer Coordinator via email: West Jersey crew members started 2012 off by restoring the Appalachian Trail bridge Theodore Marzilli, Linda Moskin, [email protected] over the Wawayanda Creek. Andy Moss, Lee Mott, James Mott, Page 10 Winter 2013 IN MEMORIAM TRAIL CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS DONORS TO THE ANNUAL FUND August 28, 2012 – November 30, 2012 GIFTS Dick Warner Genie Abrams & Timothy Riss, Robin Abrett & Bernard Baron, Barbara R. Ackerman, David Allen & Jill Windwer, Kevin Alward, Michele Amoroso, Anonymous Donor, Tom & Maryann Apostle, John Baranowski, Vaclav E. Benes, Dick Warner, a long-time and influential Trail Conference member and volunteer, died Rowland F. Bennett, Sheree & Fred Bennett, Bruce Bernstein, Vartika Bhandari, Ed Blaumeiser, John B. Blenninger, November 2, 2012. He is remembered by many volunteers as a mentor. “Dick will be sore - Judith A. Bott, Judith A. Bott, Bill Boyle, Robert L. & Rose Marie Boysen, Philip W. & Helene Brandt, Donna Braun, ly missed. He was my first trail boss and showed me the ropes back in 1987,” recalls Bob Han & Afina Broekman, Peter Buffington, Mark & Barbara H. Cane, James W. & Carolyn M. Canfield, Dennis Carbonero, Lowell Chapnick & Andrienne Laitman, Laurence & Marja Chasin, Jonathan L. & Jeanmarie Chenette, Jonas, Trail Co-chair for North Central New Jersey. Robert J. Chervy, In Ki Choe, Debra Chudnow & David Wise, Allan W. & Jessica Clark, Paul G. E Clemens, Rita Cohen Ike Siskind was a friend and trail colleague to Dick for years. “We met through our joint & Richard Stern, Brian Collins & Michelle Tuorto-Collins, Christopher & Elizabeth Cornell, Matthew & Jennifer membership in the then Ramapo Chapter of ADK. Dick always impressed me as a quiet, Coulter, Peter Cruikshank, Susan Cuciti, Kay Barbara Cynamon, John Dalenberg, Mark J. Dallara, Andrea J. Damato, savvy, innovative guy, very capable and a dedicated volunteer. On Dick’s 80th birthday, the Jane & Walt Daniels, George F. Davenel Jr., Henrietta De Veer, Ted J. Dengler, Nick Denkowycz, Jerome C. Dennehy, John F. DePaola, Peter Dilullo, Christopher & Caroline Dionisio, Joseph DiSaverio, Delight W. Dodyk, Daniel Trail Conference threw a birthday party at the Weis Ecology Center. I was pleased to hear Dombroski, Isidore Doroski, Miriam L. Douglass, Jeff Dugal, David T. & Elisabeth S. Eliason, David Emero, Michael the accolades he received by some of the younger folks from his Trail Crew.” Engel, David & Martha Evans, Sheila C. Ewall, Frances Lee Fanger, Lou Feeney, Peter Feniello, Ronald R. Fontana, “I have been going through some of my collection of Trail Conference photos and can - Christopher & Dorothy Freeman, Allan Frei & Astri Kingstone, Sheldon Freidenreich, John M. Fry, Robert E. Fuller, not find any of Dick, writes former Trail Conference Executive Director JoAnn Dolan. Michael E. Gellert, William H. Gelles, Catherine Gemmell, Clifford Norman Gerenz, Anthony Giannantonio, Bernard R. & Irene S. Gingras, Dan & Ann Gladding, Robert J. Glynn, Bruce Golding, James C.& Susan P.R. Goodfellow, Suzan “This is not surprising,” she continues. “Just like his lean appearance, he was spare with Gordon & Peter Tilgner, John & Anne Grob, William Gruber, Carl Hagelin, Paul & Maria Haggerty, Doug & Nancy words, and avoided the limelight. Haitch, Lauren Hall, Caroline Hamling, Deborah E. Hammond & David Emanuel, William A. & Joan T. Hand, Frank “Dick was an established volunteer icon when I started working for the Trail Confer - Hariton, Mary & Patrick Hartery, Wilhelmina A. Haruk, Elizabeth Heald, Ludwig Hendel, Michelle Hennessey, Paula J. Hepner & Charmaine E. Henderson, Thomas T. Hobbick, Peter E. Hobday, Frederick Hodde, Raymond T. Hoelz, ence in 1980. He always reminded me of Sam Shepard. He had a similar physique, with Bruce Hossfield, Richard Howland, Ken Huber, Walter J. Johnson, David Kababik, George A. Kalosieh, Laurel & Seth that twinkle of intelligence and humor you could see in his eyes. Dick was a talented crafts - Kane, Joel Kantrowitz, Chet F. Kaplan, Lilo R. Kassel, Jodie H. Katz, Laurie Katzmann, Peter L. Kennard, Theodore & man in his trail work, an extraordinary mentor of countless volunteers, and he exemplified Helen K. Kershaw, Y. L. Klein, Mark Klingenstein, William R. & Diane Kohout, Jack & Judy Kossover, Charles Kovacs, the Trail Conference quality of quiet leadership. John F. Kozma, Paul L. Labounty, Robert J. LaMagna, Edward Landau, Steve Legenhausen, Ed Leonard, Laura Leso, Richard Levy Jr., Lauron & Laurie Lewis, John P. Linderman, Bernd Lohner, Emmanuel Loizides, Antonio Lopez, H. “Dick was very open to ideas and embraced big projects and complex new trail systems Max Lopp II & Irene H. Reichert, Natalie A. Macke, Brian Markey & Virginia M. Lincoln, Robert F. Marshall, Karla with typical forward motion… getting on with the work! McKenzie, Donald B. & Jeane S. McLellan, Elise Merrow, Aaron Miller, Richard S. Mitnick, Chi & Lourdes Mo, Joseph “He was a gentle spirit. I think about him frequently and will continue to.” Moreng, Elizabeth & Joseph Morley, Salvatore Morra, David S. & Carol S. Morse, Martina Moss, Lee Mott & Barbara Simmons, Julia Muino, Richard W. Murray, Donald A. Myers, Francesco Nargentino, Janine L. & John W. Nehila, Elke The Trail Conference mourns the passing of this beloved volunteer. & Gregg Noll, Patricia O'Malley, Stephen O'Neill, Robert Ostermann, John & Terri Ostovich, Carol B. & Eugene J. Pantuck, Glenn Patterson, Gary & Catherine Perusse, Dorothy Z. Peters, Alan Petrulis, Vincent Picciano, Gale & Louis Pisha, Vivian Potter, Dan Pupel, Mary Jean Purdy, Marylin Raitiere, Tom & Carol Rakowski, Jeffrey S. Raskin, Joan Ratner, Timoleon Regusis, Alan & Gail Reynolds, Louis W. Rissland, William Robbins, Ronald H. & Cathy A. Roberts, Mark Robinson, Allen Rochkind, Audrey Roco, Mary C. Romney & Ed Hauck, Robert C. Rooke Jr., Ron S. & Marilyn Staff Notes Rosen, Lynn Rosencrans-Morgan & Timothy Morgan, Paul Ruebenacker, Everett Rutan, Phyllis S. Safer, Joseph & Kathleen H. Sahl, Dipti Salopek, Henry T. Sarnataro, Maria & Anthony J. Sarro, Janet M. Saylor & Evan Colgan, Dudy L. Schindler, Trudy Schneider, Noel P. Schulz, Tom Schwartz, John Schweighardt, Thomas & Beatrice Scifo, John Goodbye to… Sellingsloh, Brenda Shahinian, Patrick Sharp, Terry Sherman, Marc Silverman, S. Aaron & Ingeborg E Simpson, Mr. Larry Wheelock, West Hudson Harry J. Smith, Gerson Smith, Robert Smolarek, Alexandra Soltow, Malcolm Spector, Y. Spravtsev & Irina Poznanskaya, Scott D. Stanford, John Stockman, Andrea C. Straus, Jan A. Summers, Carl E. & Victoria A.D. Thune, Program Coordinator , previously trails director Linda & Daniel Thys, Michael Tillison, Howard Tokosh, Eve Tomczak, Diana Trebbi, Maria Celina Trzepacz, Marilyn and before that, New Jersey field representative, Van Houten, Christie Van Kehrberg, Stephen J. Van Osten, Frank Van Zanten, Matthew & Lisa Visco, Ed & Nancy J. Wallace, Ed & Eudora Walsh, Robert J. Ward, Hedley M. & Barbara Weeks, Larry A. Wehr, Ari Weinstein, Gerhard retires as the most senior member of the Trail Werni, Jennifer Wheary & Paul Walker, Janice M. Whipple, David B. & Adrienne K. Wiese, Gordon & Janet Willcox, Conference staff. Larry began volunteering Evan & Maria Williams, Roger & Laura Williamson, David Winther, Deborah S. Wohl, Ellen Yoffa, Gene & Muja Yoon, with the Trail Conference in the mid 1980s Gary A. Zemel, Hugh N. Zimmerman, Martin F. Zumsteg, David Zwerling on a project in the Catskills at Kaaterskill Falls. He became a regular with the West TRIBUTES For the Invasives Strike Force Hudson Trail Crew, taking Metro-North In memory of Will Bastian Paul Zofnass to Cold Spring, meeting Crew Chief Ward Chewning, Shirley Morgan, Glenn Stephens For bridge repair in Minnewaska Bob Marshall, and working on projects In memory of Tom Dunn Dava Weinstein & Dorothy Calvani throughout the region. He became a James R. & Gail Brown In honor of the PIPC Fundraiser In memory of Dr. Joan Ehrenfeld Appalachian Mountain Club part-time staff member in 1998, manag - Susan Hazlett ing a Student Conservation Association CORPORATE, FOUNDATION In memory of Joachim “Joe” Oppenheimer crew for the Trail Conference in the F F

& OTHER DONORS O N

Grace & Fred Sisto, June P. Slade, David & Naomi Sutter, Delaware Water Gap. In 2000, he became a I M Daniel R. & Lynne H. Van Engel, Alan Eisenstein American Conservation Association, Avon Matching Gifts full time staffer, initially focusing much of his A E

Program, Boy Scout Troop 96, Capacity Coverage, R

In memory of Trudy Pojman’s son D Deutsche Bank, EarthShare New Jersey, Ever Green Hiking time and attention on the Appalachian Trail N David & Naomi Sutter Club, Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, GoodSearch, Pochuck boardwalk project in Vernon, NJ. Larry is a gourmet cook known to many Trail A In honor of Kim Hausner’s birthday Hudson Valley Outfitters, Meadowlark Foundation, NECA, Janet G. & Paul G. MacDonald Conference members as the source of delicious home-made blueberry pancakes at our Network For Good, Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Annual Meeting. In retirement, Larry plans to travel and to be thoughtful about his next In honor of Charlie Massey’s 90th birthday Program, Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts Program, Mary Anne Massey Shorewalkers Inc., Smart Family Foundation, Inc., volunteer choices. “I’m not going very far,” he says, hinting he may turn up on trail proj - In honor of Herb Richman’s 70th birthday Truist, Verizon Foundation ects and even in the Mahwah office from time to time. He reveals himself as a fan of the Hermine & Jeff Goldstein Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series when he concludes, “So long, and thanks for all the In honor of Larry Wheelock’s retirement fish.” If you are considering a gift in Larry’s honor, Larry would prefer that you make a gift from the Trail Conference to the Larry Wheelock Trail Crew Tool Room in our new headquarters. A secret admirer Tributes are only printed for donations of $25 or more. Peter Tilgner & Suzan Gordon has already donated $10,000 in Larry’s name and another donor has offered to match every donation dollar for dollar until we reach the $50,000 goal. Call the Trail Conference EARLY DONORS TO THE office to learn how to contribute in Larry’s honor. “TRAIL CONFERENCE HEADQUARTERS” Hello to… New Jersey. “I am excited to put down CAMPAIGN Jennifer Easterbrook, some roots with the New York-New Jersey To December 5, 2012 Headquarters Campaign Assistant Trail Conference and help in continuing Jennifer comes to the Trail Conference after the growth of the Conference’s culture of GIFTS two years as an AmeriCorps member with volunteer learning and trail building/main - Jeremy Apgar, Michael & Kathy Azzara, Harold & Shirley Baird, Melissa Bean, Dr. George L. Becker Jr., Theodore & City Year Greater Philadelphia and time as tenance excellence,” she says. Marianne Beke, Edna & Laszlo Berkovits, Nancy Boye, Robert L. & Rose Marie Boysen, John Brotherton, Ms. Susan Burris, Skip Card, Lisa Carlson, Lynn Carter, Lynn Vogel, Chaz E. Champenois, Meg Cushing, Chris Connolly, Jane & a crew leader with the Student Conserva - Walt Daniels, Darryl Dator Rehill, Michael L. DeLuca, Allyn Dodd, Edward & Joan Doherty, Jennifer Easterbrook, tion Association. Before joining the Trail John K. Leigh, Ronnie Ebenstein, Eleanor Eilert, Don & Phyllis Fairbairn, Sergio Fernandez, Michael & Robin Findling, Brian & Conference team, she worked as a field Volunteer Coordinator Deborah Fisk, Matthew Garamone & Adrienne Booth, Michael & Judith Gewitz, Robert J. Glynn, Edward K. Goodell & Lynne S. Katzmann, Suzan Gordon & Peter Tilgner, Debra & Donald Green, James & Jane Gregoire, Steven manager at New Jersey Environmental John joins the Trail Conference after being Grossman, John & Marianne Gunzler, L. Eduardo & Candace Gutierrez, Robert M. Hagon, Peter & Rita Heckler, Federation, which works on environmental a senior district executive with the Boy Daniel Hoberman, Martin Horowitz, Joshua & Melissa Howard, Richard & Marion Katzive, Scott & Amy Kellman, campaigns. Jennifer earned her B.A. in Scouts of America. Before that John was a Albert Kent Jr., David & Elizabeth Kramer, Robert Krumm, Margaret Kulp, Tibor Latincsics P.E., Andrew T. Lehman, anthropology and sociology at Richard philosophy and theater major at Rutgers Richard R. & Diane Levine, Margaret Cook Levy, Maribeth A. Ligus, Hugo & Ruth Lijtmaer, Kara Lindstrom, Laurence H. Little, Tino Longobardi, Alice Luddington-Cantor, Mr. Bryant D. & Joan Malcolm, Audrey & Lee Manners, Jonathan Stockton College of New Jersey in 2009. University. He grew up backpacking Martin & Lindsay Gafford, George & Betty She resides in West Milford, NJ. around Harriman State Park as well as all McDonnell, Kevin H. McVey, Elizabeth & over New Jersey and most of the Catskills. Joseph Morley, Andy S. Norin Esq., Thomas Ama Koenigshof, He looks forward to working with the vol - O'Brien, Lila Oppenheimer, Alyssa Orwig, Trail Builder/Educator Fred H. & Anne Todd Osborn, John D & unteers of the Trail Conference. Nicholas Pappas, William & Geraldine Originally from Michigan, Ama received a Pehush, Reed Perron, Janice Cutler, Richard bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State Desk Change W. Pierce, Amy Quarttaccio, Carolyn Reer, Joanne E. Reinhardt, Edward & Sharon University in nonprofit administration. It Reitz, Linda Rohleder, David P. & Bridgette was at GVSU and a student organization Melissa Bean , formerly program assis - Rudman, David C. Saalfrank Sr., Jeanne Sabatie, Eddie & Robbie Saiff, Michael Sasse, Walter W. Scherer, Richard called Alternative Breaks that she found her tant, was promoted to Operations and Scherrer, John Schlett, Gary Schulze, Ann Marie Snyder, Jeffrey P. Senterman & Maurice Lemire, Ravi Sethi, K Dianne love for environmental stewardship, trail Finance Assistant and took on her new Maki, Mary P. Shaw, Anne M. & Marleigh M Siebecker, Robert D. Simpson, Linda & Vaughn Smith, Edward & Barbara Solomon, Robert & Gayle Sussman, George Sutton, Chris Tausch, Stiles Thomas, Lillian Thomas, Fred H. & Anne building, and service learning. Since then, responsibilities in late summer. She is very Todd Osborn, Daniel R. & Lynne H. Van Engel, Constantine G. Vasiliadis, Ellen Stewart, Scott & Jennis Watson, Ama has participated in and led trail main - excited to grow with the organization, and Georgette Weir & Jean Claude Fouere, Donald L. Weise, Gary Willick, Larri Wolfson, Susan Rhea Wolfson tenance and construction crews run by has prepared for the challenges of her new CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & OTHER DONORS nonprofit organizations all over the coun - position by hiking Mount Washington and Boye Foundation, Fyke Nature Association, Conklin Associates, The Fred J. Brotherton Charitable Foundation, Home try from Georgia to Tennessee to getting her skydiving A-license. She has Depot, Malcolm Brooker Company, Inc., Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Twinbrook Nurseries Inc., Pfizer Foundation Washington to Colorado to Arizona to had to land her parachute in a baseball field Matching Gifts Program, The New York Community Trust, Woodland Trail Walkers, Smart Family Foundation, Inc., Bergen County Preservation Trust, New Jersey Historic Trust, New Jersey Green Acres Program New Mexico to California to Maine to only once. Pennsylvania and now to New York and Winter 2013 Page 11 process to occur regularly; ice, however, Book Review Expanded Sixth Traction provides little friction, which leads to slip - ping and falling. Cairns: Edition of West Traction is the minimum friction needed Aids for to avoid slipping. Traction aids for walkers Messengers in Stone Hudson Trails Map and hikers are designed specifically for use By David B.Williams on packed snow or ice. For deep snow, Set Now Available Winter snowshoes or skis would be more effective; for several inches of loose snow, with no Hiking ice, slipping is generally not a problem. The New York-New Jersey Trail Confer - Some devices are advertised just for walk - ence is pleased to announce the publication By Howard E. Friedman, DPM ing, while others are marketed for running of the revised sixth edition of our West and hiking as well. Hudson Trails map set. This two-map set Traction aids stretch around the covers trails and parklands west of the sole of a shoe or boot. Additional Hudson River in the Hudson Highlands of features to help stabilize the Orange County, New York. Nearly 70 device to the shoe may include a miles of marked trails in Storm King State Velcro strap that goes over the Park, Black Rock Forest, Schunemunk top of the shoe and a thin metal The Mountaineers Books, 2012 Mountain State Park, and other nearby bar that fits around the front of Reviewed by Jonathan Beard parklands are shown, including over 10 the shoe. All such devices are easy miles of the Long Path and nearly 25 miles to put on and take off. Most hikers in the Hudson Valley don’t rely of the Highlands Trail. Traction aids can be divided into on cairns very much; we’re used to blazes two main categories: spike-less and painted or, increasingly, nailed to trees. But spiked. One well-known maker of spike- the modest pile of stones marking the X

A less devices is Yaktrax. Their products southern end of the Bockey Swamp Trail, R T K

A feature coiled metal wrapped around elastic where it meets the Red Cross in Harriman Y bands. The company website says the idea State Park, has been my friend for years. was inspired by a Sherpa in the Himalayas Thanks to David Williams’ discursive wearing a similar type device. new book, we know a lot more about cairns, Most winter traction aids, however, fea - the roles they have played in history, and ture metal spikes in one form and size or even their effects on ecology. He nicely bal - another. Even Yaktrax sells a hybrid device ances three themes: cairns as markers, cairns with both coils and spikes. The most pop - in science, and cairns as spiritual totems. ular traction aids feature aluminum or Williams knows his science, and he When George Mallory’s sun-bleached stainless steel spikes about a quarter inch in begins by discussing the rocks themselves, body was finally found several hundred feet length. Microspikes by Kahtoola are one of because, for instance, cairns made of piled below the summit of Mount Everest 75 the most popular traction aids and feature sedimentary rocks are different from cairns years after his fatal climb, at least one boot a web-like network of metal chains fitted made of piled igneous rocks. Further, it was still intact. One of the climbers who with 10 steel spikes each 3/8 inch in length. turns out a surprising amount of informa - found the body radioed to base camp, “You Kahtoola also markets a “hiking crampon,” tion can be discovered by examining the can see the metal cops, bottom of his which is lighter in weight than many other surface of the rocks in any cairn. boot.” Mallory climbed with metal spikes crampons but features metal spikes either In deserts, scientists can sometimes date attached directly to the sole of his boots. three-quarters or one full inch in length. ancient cairns by measuring layers of rock By the time Sir Edmund Hillary success - Another popular product is Stabilicers, varnish, the hard coating baked onto stone fully climbed Mount Everest in 1959, 35 which feature replaceable steel cleats that by the sun. In more temperate climes, the The most significant enhancement to years after Mallory, heavy steel crampons affix to a rubber platform that straps to a lichens on the various surfaces of a cairn’s this sixth edition is an expanded map of were de riguer for mountaineers.Crampons shoe or boot. stones can provide an idea of when it was Schunemunk Mountain, which includes strap on to a climber’s boots, often using a built. But that is just the human history of the route of the Jessup/Highlands Trails specialized binding, and have as many as Which Device to Choose a cairn: even a small pyramid made of four and Long Path along the southern portion 12 sharp metal spikes, sometimes serrated No rigid guidelines currently exist to deter - or five stones piled up creates a new of the ridge and features a larger scale, mak - and often more than an inch long, to solid - mine which winter traction device is best microenvironment. Not only do cairns ing it easier to read. The map incorporates ly grip into hard ice. When a misstep could for hikers, though some principles will be enclose a shaded, moist habitat for bacteria, the recent relocation of the Long Path on be fatal, crampons are a necessity. helpful to consider. For ice-climbing, tradi - fungi and insects, they can also serve as Schunemunk Mountain and the resulting These days, outdoor retailers sell a vari - tional crampons are required. They not refuges for rodents and the snakes that prey reblazing of the trail along the western ety of traction aids in addition to only provide aggressive traction, but also upon them. ridge of the mountain. Trail descriptions crampons, from coiled metal springs to have front-pointing teeth needed to ascend Williams used to work as a park ranger with detailed mileage figures are now short metal spikes affixed to an elastic band vertical ice walls. out West, and he has, ironically, spent years included in the text on the map back to that can be pulled around the soles of boots For level walking on an ice-covered side - demolishing cairns. At Hawaii Volcanoes provide additional guidance for trail users. or sneakers. Which traction aids should an walk, a spike-less device could be sufficient. National Park, visitors have damaged his - Additional viewpoints are now shown adventurer with ambitions more modest But on a trail, coping with uneven terrain toric lava flows to build cairns. In Yosemite, on the maps, and other minor corrections than those of Mallory or Hillary use when and modest changes in elevation, a more National Park rangers beg tourists not to and changes have been made, making this winter hiking in our region? aggressive rugged traction aid with spikes make so many cairns that they overwhelm new edition of the West Hudson map set would be most effective. If one will be the natural beauty. In 1975, he reports, the the most accurate we have ever published. Friction and Traction hiking over a mix of rock as well as ice or Massachusetts Department of Environ - The maps include 20-foot contour lines, The daily act of walking, not to mention hard-packed snow, steel spikes will be more mental Management, worried that the UTM gridlines, green overprint for public hiking, is made possible in part by friction durable than aluminum. And if one plans huge cairn marking the site of Henry access lands, parking areas, and other – the resistance of the ground against the to hike up or down steep routes, a longer David Thoreau’s cabin was attracting van - points of interest. As always, the maps are sole of a shoe or boot. The momentary fric - spike will likely provide more traction. dals, took it apart, and put the stones in printed in vibrant color on waterproof, tion underfoot allows the walker to remain A pair of hiking poles can also help to storage. This cairn at Walden Pond is an tear-resistant Tyvek. stationary long enough to swing the other increase stability on slippery terrain. example of a commemorative cairn, rather At only $8.95 ($6.71 for Trail Confer - leg in the forward direction, place it on the than one marking a trail. ence members), this comprehensive map set ground, and then repeat the process. Dry Howard Friedman E. Friedman, DPM, is Messengers in Stone explains the many is a must-have for exploring these parklands ground provides enough friction for this an avid hiker, a podiatrist in Suffern, NY, uses to which cairns are put: trail markers, in Orange County west of the Hudson and a frequent contributor to Trail Walker. cultural monuments, wayside shrines. River. To obtain the revised map set, shop Sometimes simple rituals are associated online at www.nynjtc.org, call 201-512- with cairns. From Indonesia to Mexico, 9348, or stop in at the Trail Conference and Korea to Papua New Guinea, he notes, office. The maps are also available on Apple Advertise in you will find cairns at the top of steep mobile devices through the PDF Maps app. climbs; walkers pick up rocks, transfer their Visit nynjtc.org/pdfmaps to learn more Trail Walker. fatigue to the stone, and add it to the about this exciting digital map offering! Our readers: Active, outdoor pile—then travel on, unburdened. Visit trailpubs.nynjtc.org and click on the enthusiasts in the greater West Hudson Trails cover panel for addi - New York metropolitan area. tional resources, including suggested hikes, park contact information and much more. Call 201.512.9348, ext. 26. This map set was produced with support from North Jersey Ramapo Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, a member club that leads outings in the area.

Page 12 Winter 2013

5.65 The trails reach Museum Village The trail follows country roads for the Road; turn left, and follow the road, next 13.4 miles to Mountain Road, on the Featured Hike crossing under Rt. 17 (future I-86). Shawangunk Ridge, and continues along 6.10 Turn left into a commuter parking the ridge northward for about 17 miles, By Daniel Chazin lot. The trails make a sharp right onto following the route of the Shawangunk the Heritage Trail, which is an Orange Ridge Trail, before it meets the old route of A New Long Path in Orange County County paved rail-trail. the Long Path in Wurtsboro State Forest. 7.10 The HT leaves the rail-trail, while the LP continues on the rail-trail. 11.25 The trail passes the town of Chester, which has eateries and ice cream. 15.40 The trail reaches the Village of Goshen, where there is a creamery right next to the trail and lots of facilities in town. The trail turns right onto St. James Place, then turns left onto S. Church Street. At the light, the trail crosses Rt. 207 and follows the second road left E

(W. Main Street). K N A

16.10 After about 0.5 mile on W. Main R F

Street, the trail turns sharply right onto a O K A driveway, across from St. John’s Cemetery. J E

K The Village of Goshen offers history, ice N

A The trail then immediately turns sharply

R cream, and other treats for walkers. F

B left onto the rail-trail, which is non-paved O K

A at this end. J The new route of the Long Path passes Orange and Rockland Lake. 18.45 The trail reaches Hartley Road and turns right. We’ve been bringing readers lots of Long October 22, I explored the route through Path news in the past year, owing to the the village of Goshen, and on November extraordinary efforts by volunteers to move 12, I blazed the route through Goshen and Hikers’ 71 miles of it to better locations (less road- Hampton. The trail follows country roads walking). In the course of late summer and for the next 13.4 miles to Mountain Road, Marketplace fall, the biggest series of those moves, in on the Shawangunk Ridge.” terms of miles, was accomplished in Orange The trail changes on Schunemunk County. There, 30 miles of road walk has Mountain are depicted on the new West Go Places with Trail Maps and been reduced to about 16, and the trail now Hudson Trails map set (see page 11). A link passes through a variety of parks, trails, to a step-by-step guide to the entire Long Books from the Trail Conference. towns, and scenic views. Ice cream can be Path is available on our website: had, as can a tour of the Harness Racing nynjtc.org/region/long-path. Museum and Hall of Fame (in Goshen). This featured hike starts at the top of Planning to get fit in 2013? Jakob Franke, Long Path co-chair with Schunemunk, where the LP meets the yel - Fit yourself out with the best trail Andy Garrison, summed up the big reroute low-blazed Jessup Trail. For the purpose of maps for our region. Get all 11 great as follows: “In August we refurbished the this description, this junction is Mile 0.00. map sets for one discounted price! Jessup Trail on Schunemunk Mountain How you get to this point is up to you. To (and co-blazed it with LP markers), and in head north on the LP, which is also co- Price: $107.78; 80.84 (members) September we blazed the section along aligned with the Highlands Trail at this (postage/handling $6.50) Orange and Rockland Lake and the Her - point, turn southwest at this junction. Our map combo offers all 11 high-quality itage Trail [a rail-trail] to Middletown. On Trail Conference maps at a 5% discount (members get an additional 25% discount). 0.00 The LP junction with the Jessup Save big on shipping charges: Just $6.50 Trail/Highlands Trail (HT). when you buy the combo pack! 3.90 The Jessup Trail ends at the Find it on our online store under Combos. parking lot of Gonzaga Park (an Orange County Park). The LP and HT continue We cover your favorite hiking areas in the New York-New Jersey region, on Seven Springs Road. including Harriman-Bear Mountain, the Catskills, North Jersey and Jersey 4.50 The trails turn right into the Highlands, East and West Hudson Highlands, and more.

E woods, passing several stone walls.

K Find all our publications, and select trail guides from others, on our website, N

A 5.25 The trails cross Rt. 208 and R and get your 25% member discount ! F

B enter the woods near Orange and Rock - O K A

J land Lake. The trails reach the lake and Visit www.nynjtc.org/panel/goshopping! A volunteer adds a Long Path blaze to the follow the shoreline. Heritage Trail, a rail-trail. Or call 201-512-9348

Support Trails, Parks and Open Join/Renew NY-NJ Trail Conference Membership Space in the New York-New Jersey 1,850 miles of trails; your membership helps us expand our horizons. Included with membership, Trail Walker , 10% discount on purchases at many region by joining the New York- outdoor stores, and 25% discount on all Trail Conference maps and books purchased directly from the Trail Conference. Save time and a tree by joining or New Jersey Trail Conference. renewing online at www.nynjtc.org. Just click on the Join/Renew Now button. MEMBERSHIP TYPE Select one: Join Renew Membership # if available______The Trail Conference maintains more than 1,850 miles e of trails, advocates for parks, protects open space, and Individual Joint/Family

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n other products A joint membership is for two adults residing at the same address.

o For my membership of $50 or more, send me a:

F Great Discounts at supporting outdoor retailers and Trail Conference Cap OR Harriman-Bear Mountain Map Set C other businesses To purchase a gift membership, call 201-512-9348, extension 26. l

i Tuition-Free Enrollment in our Trail University E Name ______a introductory courses

r Address ______Workshops and Seminars on trail maintenance

T City ______State ______Zip ______

and construction, leadership training, wilderness first

N Day Phone ______Evening Phone ______aid, chainsaw operation, environmental monitoring and

J E-MAIL ______GPS operation Check or money order enclosed Visa Mastercard Amex N

E Access to a wide range of volunteer opportunities

- Card # ______Exp. Date: ____/ ____ on-trail and off-trail Make check or money order payable to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, Y and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Find links to all these and more at nynjtc.org. N B Tax-deductible. Dues are not refundable.