www.nynjtc.org Connecting People with Nature since 1920 March/April 2009

New York-New Jersey Trail Conference — Maintaining 1,716 Miles of Foot Trails

In this issue: More on Bikers & Hikers...pg 2 • Marauding Salamanders...pg 7 • Darlington Update...pg 10 • Cautionary Tales...pg 11

It’s our public face to the world, a resource for hikers, and a tool The First Place to Go When for our volunteers. It’s nynjtc.org and on March 1 look for the You Want to Get Outside launch of the first phase of what ultimately will be a wholly redesigned website. Our goals are to: 1. be the best, super user-friendly source for information about hiking and trails in the New York-New Jersey region; 2. provide opportunities to get involved; 3. make it easier to get maps and books.

We invite Trail Conference members to • Connect with a local hiking club by explore and test the new site. Register so searching our list of member organiza - that you can give us feedback via comment tions and the list of upcoming features and access forums, where regis - scheduled hikes. tered users can share info about hikes, • Volunteer by finding the job that trails, and related topics. Our home meets your needs and indicating your address stays the same: www.nynjtc.org. interest immediately. If you have bookmarked this address on In the future, we plan to add exciting your Favorites list, there is no need to new social-networking capabilities for our change it. The following features, and members, volunteers, and potential mem - more, will be available on March 1. bers to work and engage with one another • Find a Hike by checking features that online. In this first phase, our objective is appeal to you and sorting the results simply to make it easier for people to get by Park, State, Length, Difficulty, or outside and have fun. Our new website is a gateway to hiking and trail volunteering in our region. Features. This resource will launch Our redesigned website has one further with information on 200 hikes provid - goal: to attract new revenue to support our The “old” Trail Conference website, which comprises thousands of pages, many ed by Daniel Chazin through his Hike trail work—through ads prompted by still to be adapted to the new site, will continue to be available through the new of the Week columns for The Record increased website traffic. In both good eco - website. Just scroll down to “Old TC Pages” in the left column of the new site, and (Hackensack, NJ). More hikes from nomic times and bad, every penny counts click on “Home”; you will be returned to the old website. Old pages will disappear additional authors will be added over for the Trail Conference, an independent, as information is transferred and users will be redirected to new pages accordingly. time, so be sure to check in regularly. volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organiza - • Find information about parks, pre - tion that otherwise relies entirely on dues, serves, and other open spaces , and donations, and grants for funding. links to their websites, by using our As with all Trail Conference projects, urban county. Their one-volume resource Find a Park tool. development of this new website has been Walkable identifies and describes 180 parks, pre - • Renew your membership, make a accomplished largely through the efforts of serves, sanctuaries, and protected open donation, buy one of our maps or dedicated volunteers. Meet this extraordi - Westchester spaces and almost 600 miles of hiking trails books (and get your 25% member nary crew on page 3. in Westchester County. discount) by using our new easy and Continued development of the site will The authors reveal that the county is simplified purchase process. require additional volunteers. If you are If Westchester County is not high on your something of a walker’s heaven. “Aside interested in getting involved, click on Vol - list of hiking destinations, maybe it’s time from property in and near Heritage Hills in unteer and indicate your interest. to think again. The Trail Conference is Somers and two isolated tiny pockets else - pleased to announce publication of a where in the county, all homes in New Trail U. and Trail Crew Season Opens (See page 5) brand-new title: Walkable Westchester , by Westchester are within one mile of a park long-time hikers, trail activists, and boundary or place to walk,” they note. Westchester residents Jane and Walt Hard to believe given the county's proxim - Daniels. The book is expected to be avail - ity to New York City. able for purchase in mid-March. The “Walkable Westchester is a ‘must have’ for Danielses have compiled (and uncovered) a New York City hikers without a car,” wealth of hiking opportunities in this sub - reports Robert DeCandido, Urban Park Rangers. “Many places in Westchester are easily reached by public transportation and the authors even tell you exactly how avail - able it is. Bravo!” The book details a range of hiking oppor - tunities in the county, from handicapped accessible to rugged terrain, through wood - lands, wetlands, fields, and meadows; along streams, ponds, lakes, and Long Island Sound. Trails include paved paths, woods roads, dirt roads, or narrow woodland foot - paths in urban, suburban, rural, and natural settings. “Who would have known there are so many parks in Westchester?” asks Suse Bell, the book’s volunteer indexer and a res - ident of New Jersey. “I had thought it was just endless suburbs as depicted in a John Cheever novel.” continued on page 9

VOLUME XXXVI, N UMBER 2 ISSN 0749-1352 Non-Profit US Postage Paid Permit No. 1239 Bellmawr, N.J. H S L A W E I D D E A birds-eye view of some of the work accomplished last year on the Bear Mountain Trails Project. Page 2 March/April 2009

need to be lined somehow, with rocks or That is a shame. I have always wanted logs, to keep the path narrow. This was increased bicycle access to be tied to VOLUME XXXVI, NO.1 MARCH /A PRIL 2009 done successfully on the Ramapo Valley increased compliance with trail use GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR Cycle Club race route, the first bicycle restrictions. Back in 1998, that was con - LOUIS LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER trail built in Ringwood with the approval sidered too accommodationist by many The TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #1239) Hikers and Bikers: Room for Both? of the park’s management. active Trail Conference members. Now, it (ISSN 0749-1352) is published bi-monthly by The following letters respond to the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as a The other feature is the requirement of sounds like the same position would benefit of membership. Subscriptions are Jane Daniels’ column, “Hikers a fairly smooth, hard-surfaced way over brand me as an anti-bicycle dinosaur. But available to libraries only at $15.00 a year. and Bikers in Common Cause?” wet areas. Round rocks spaced two feet the desire for hiking-only trails is not an Periodical postage paid at Mahwah, N.J., and published in the January/February apart, excellent for pedestrians, provide extremist position. The Wilderness Act additional offices. Postmaster: Send address 2009 issue of Trail Walker . bicyclists with no way to avoid damaging prohibits bicycles in wilderness areas. changes to the address below. Opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily represent the policy the wet ground. They are a high-tech intrusion which, for or position of the Conference. Contributions of Alliances are in Hikers’ Interest The requirements for a proper bicycle many of us, conflicts with the backcoun - typed manuscripts, photos, and drawings are Kudos to Jane Daniels for her article. trail, taken together, add up to one that is try experience we seek to enjoy. welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style Building bridges with mountain biking more intrusive than a footpath. This is one and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. organizations, horseback riders, and trail of two basic reasons why hiking-only trails Bob Moss Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER are January 15 (Mar./Apr. issue), March 15 runners is clearly in our best self interest. should be available in all major parks. Bloomfield, NJ (May/June issue), May 15 (July/Aug. issue), Like us, they are firsthand witnesses to the July 15 (Sept./Oct. issue), September 15 trail damage caused by motorized vehi - Bob Moss is former Trail Chair and Trail (Nov./Dec. issue), November 15 (Jan./Feb. cles. But not long ago, many disgruntled Supervisor of the Highlands Trail (HT). He issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot be acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. mountain bikers were more closely is currently a maintainer on the HT. For information on advertising rates, please write aligned with ATV riders than with hikers. or call. The good news is that this trend Trail Protection Copyright 2009 by: appears to be reversing itself, albeit slow - Requires Collaboration New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. ly. Communication and the willingness I am a long time hiker and mountain bik - 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Rt. 202) Mahwah, NJ 07430 to seek common ground have led to er but a new member of the Trail 201-512-9348 mountain biking groups’ building sepa - Conference. I want to support your con - e-mail: [email protected] rate trails and urging their members not servation efforts and trail maintenance editorial e-mail: [email protected] to ride on hiking-only trails. efforts. I hope we can all co-exist on the World Wide Web: www.nynjtc.org One such example is at the former trails and tolerate a similar type of user Jungle Habitat property in West Mil - group that would like to help conserve ford, NJ. The most developed part of and protect what's left of our forests the property almost became an ATV and trails. and mountain biking park in 2002. Not every trail is suitable for bicycle Nowadays, the same land houses a use; however, there is enough space to network of trails for walking, run - share with other trail lovers who ning, horseback riding, and biking. choose to use wheels instead of heels. Mission Statement The trails, built by mountain bikers Current scientific data supports the The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a from JORBA (Jersey Off Road Bicycle research that hiking and biking have sim - federation of member clubs and individuals Association) are kept separate from our ilar impacts on the trails. dedicated to providing recreational hiking nearby Hewitt-Butler and Burnt Mead - With the rising costs of fuel and the opportunities in the region, and representing the ow trails by the old Jungle Habitat need to reduce greenhouse gases, I think interests and concerns of the hiking community. The Conference is a volunteer-directed public perimeter fence. it is a good idea to create nearby recre - service organization committed to: NJ Trail Runners also schedules work ation opportunities for mountain • Developing, building, and maintaining days with the South Mountain Conser - bicyclists in areas that are appropriate for hiking trails. vancy for trail building and maintenance their use. We need to encourage more • Protecting hiking trail lands through support and advocacy. activities. Trail runners, who generally young folk to get outside for the health • Educating the public in the responsible stick to woods roads, represent a young benefits, which would also increase our use of trails and the natural environment. and rapidly growing new source of poten - volunteer base. tial Trail Conference members. The local economies can get a little Board of Directors Robert Boysen Chair As non-traditional trail use continues benefit from trail tourism and, together, I Chris Connolly Vice Chair to grow and enforcement of trail use rules know we can make a greater difference Mac Highet Treasurer remains virtually non-existent, the Trail towards making this planet a better place. Daniel Chazin Secretary Conference is wise to be reaching out to Directors its newest potential allies. User groups Michael Vitti Henry Atterbury Ann Gruhn Ellen Cronan Peter Kennard will not always agree and we must contin - Glen Head, NY Jane Daniels Seth McKee ue to stand up for hikers’ interests. But by Bill Gannet Edward Saiff looking for common ground, non- The author is a Trail Conference member, Matt Garamone Mary Smart Josie Gray Daniel Van Engel motorized trail user groups can present a president of CLIMB (Concerned Long united front in the battle to protect our Island Mountain Bicyclists), New York State Staff Edward Goodell Executive Director trails and pass meaningful off-road vehi - Second , Jane’s remarks about bicyclists’ IMBA (International Mountain Bicycling Joshua Howard Deputy Executive cle legislation. attitudes were quite unexpected. She Association) Representative, and a member Director Don Weise seemed surprised that they “love being in of the New York State Trails Council. Larry Wheelock NY West Hudson West Milford, NJ the outdoors and exercising in a way that Regional is fun.” I always thought that Jane had lots Wheels & Heels: Representative Hiking-Only Trails Are Essential Different Trail Experiences Christie Ferguson NY East Hudson of interactions with mountain bikers dur - Regional Having spent the years 1998–2001 mon - ing her years as East Hudson Chair. Jane Daniels claims there are similarities Representative itoring trail use and trail conditions in While I believe that bicyclists’ behavior and common cause between biking and Brenda Holzinger New Jersey northern New Jersey, and still hiking and has improved much since the early ’90s, hiking. If [such claims] would promote Regional Representative maintaining those trails usually twice a Jane is missing a key point. Of course separate biking and hiking trails for wide - Bill O’Hearn Conservation week, I feel I should comment on Jane they’re friendly when you meet them on ly different trail experiences I could agree. Director Daniels’ interesting account of her day the trail and chat, or help them build Otherwise they only serve as an attempt Jeremy Apgar Cartographer doing trail work with mountain bikers. their trails. However, to this day, they for bike acceptance on the hiking trails. Gary Willick Fulfillment First , Jane provides a puzzling and generally turn prickly or hostile the The real hiking trail similarity and Coordinator incomplete description of the “differences moment the subject of trail use restric - common cause is with the nation’s wilder - Catherine Gemmell Volunteer & Information between footpath standards and bicycle tions is broached. There are still far too ness areas. The absence of wheels here is a Manager [trail] standards.” She lists only two: wider many who feel it is their God-given (or at basic principle because wilderness areas J. Cal Rizzuto Help Desk curves on switchbacks, and ramps instead least Constitutional) right to ride where and hiking trails aim to bring back the Administrator of steps. We all know that hiking trails they please. old North America that existed before Part Time have steps on very steep sections. In these In the 1990s, the Trail Conference wheels came from another part of the Hedy Abad Membership places, building a ramp instead would wasted hundreds of staff and volunteer world. Program Manager result in a somewhat massive structure. I hours trying to get the State Park Service You can see the true meaning of this if Kathy Goldman Office Assistant have never encountered such a structure to designate trail uses and enforce those you slow your journey to a walk. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a on any of my woodland excursions. designations, in the face of clear evidence volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is a federation of 103 hiking and outdoor groups, Perhaps more important, Jane missed that the Park Service had no intention of Bill Coffin and 10,000 individuals. two critical features of a well-designed enforcing any such thing. Jane doesn’t tell Chittenango, NY bicycle trail. The data from my surveys us what the current trail use policies are. demonstrated conclusively that trails with From the tone of her article, and my past Hikers Need to Work with Bikers rocky treadways, which are typical of experience, I would guess that the 1990s I just wanted to let you know that I just those in northern New Jersey and nearby designations are dead letters, or have been renewed my membership. I have been a New York, widen significantly under formally jettisoned, and the bicyclists can member and supporter of the Trail Con - printed on recycled content paper mod¬erate bicycle use. Therefore, they ride anywhere. ference for a few years now, but I was hesitant in renewing my membership this year. My main concern was where the Send Us a Letter Trail Conference stood on the issue of Visit Our New Site Today! Email it to [email protected]; in the subject line, put “letter to TW editor”; or send it mountain biking on the New York-New to Trail Walker Letters, NY-NJ Trail Conference, 156 Ramapo Valley Rd., Mahwah, www.NYNJTC.org NJ 07430. continued on page 11 March/April 2009 Page 3

From the Executive Director offered by a club is one of the best ways to example) now are being actively managed sample new hiking areas and meet other by highly competent volunteers. Finding an UPSIDE hikers. By offering outings to the public It is not clear as I write this but the feder - to the Downturn and getting the word out, including in this al stimulus plan may help with green newsletter (see Hikers Almanac, pages 8-9) infrastructure including trail construction. For people who have been affected, and all and on our new website, clubs that seek to Also, according to a January 23, 2009 of us have but some more than others, this grow their membership can expand their Op-Ed in the New York Times , the Serve economy is no joke. Certainly, we at the reach and effectiveness. Hiking clubs are America Act is “a bipartisan solution ready Trail Conference are seeing the giving abil - reporting larger numbers showing up for to go” that “would rapidly expand the num - ity of our members decline and having to mid-winter, weekday hikes that were previ - ber of full-time and part-time National revise our budgets and tighten our belts On New Year’s Day, 20 hikers joined an ADK ously the domain of hardy retirees. Hikes Service volunteers.” The Trail Conference club outing for a half-day hike on the accordingly. on community trails close to home and could attend to a great many identified trail Wappinger Greenway Trail, constructed by The crunch we find ourselves in is simi - Trail Conference volunteers and staff. involving a commitment of just a few projects if there were incentives for people lar to that of nonprofits in other sectors. hours rather than an entire day are, some to become full-time volunteers. Revenues from our traditional sources of parks are reducing hours and “front coun - say, proving to be especially popular. Another piece of good news is that, even support—members, donors, and sales— try” services, trail conference volunteers are Another example of a dividend of the though state and local park budgets are are tracking the downward trend of the maintaining extensive networks of trails economic downturn is the seeming uptick likely to get worse before they get better, as economy. At the same time, state and local that offer a whole world of backcountry in volunteering. Attendance at our month - long as we have the financial support of our cuts to park and open space expenditures experiences for the intrepid hiker. Individ - ly orientations for volunteers is growing members, Trail Conference volunteers will mean that we have to do more with less. uals and families are discovering the and waiting lists are getting longer due to a still be doing their jobs keeping trails open! Even so, and not to diminish the very delights offered by our region’s treasure lack of vacancies in certain areas. We are People struggling with hardship will con - real hardships that come with a down econ - trove of parks, preserves, and other open seeing more people volunteer as a way to tinue to enjoy access to places where they omy, there are some silver linings. spaces. Many are venturing for the first give back, keep busy, and maintain balance can exercise their bodies and rejuvenate Many people are finding excellent vaca - time onto the trails that our members during prolonged job searches. Thorny their spirits at little or no expense. tion and weekend destinations close to know, love, and care for so well. projects that once seemed to be on the back home, sometimes adjacent to their own This trend points to opportunities for burner forever (updating management – Ed Goodell, [email protected] back yard. Even while our cash strapped our member clubs. Joining a guided hike agreements with our agency partners, for

Volunteer Profiles circuit. Today he is a partner and Ken Malkin , of Hillsdale, NJ, content descriptions of Meet the Web creative director for Magnitude 9.6 developer. Ken, already a trail maintainer Fahnestock State (magnitude9point6.com). Doug has been and volunteering in the TC office as an Park, and parks in Redesign Team generous in volunteering designs, graphic assistant to the TC regional representatives, Dutchess County elements, and web strategy advice to the was soon also attracted to the web project. and New York Development of a new and complex web - Trail Conference web team. He is active He joined Phil on developing content for City. In addition site may not top the list of volunteer with his son’s Boy Scout troop and occa - the Find a Park feature, concentrating on to hiking, Gayle opportunities associated with the Trail sionally enlivens meetings with tales of parks and public open spaces in New York. enjoys trail running Conference, better known for its “Get their adventures into nature. Ken is a former merchandising executive and mountain bik - Dirty” pitch to potential new recruits. But with “heavy com - ing. Her favorite as many of our volunteers know, trail work Ann Gruhn , of Mount Kisco, NY, project puter use.” He has local hike is on the AT in Putnam County, happens inside as well as outside. manager. With her pre-retirement experi - been hiking for between Hortontown Hill Road and Fahne - Our redesigned website (launch date ence in information technology and project more than 30 years stock State Park. March 1) is a particularly complex indoor management, Ann throughout the project. It uses open source content man - was a natural vol - TC region, and Arthur Gardineer , of Congers, NY, data agement technology (the platform is called unteer for the web beyond. “I told my input. Arthur has been a do-it-all office vol - Drupal) with the capability of supporting a design team. She wife that if we’d unteer for the Trail Conference for the past “community driven website.” The Trail assumed a project complete the year. He agreed to take on the daunting Conference aims to ultimately offer a web - management role White Mountain task of inputting all the information com - site where volunteers can meet and work in 2008 and also 4000 footers, we’d hike next in Switzer - piled in Daniel together, and hikers can share information, assists in some of land. We did, and we did, many times.” Chazin’s seven stories, hike plans—all online. the site develop - He notes, “I always wanted to return some years of Hike of It has been a long trek to Phase 1 launch ment efforts. She of the joy my family had because of other the Week columns and big thank-you’s go to the project’s core has been instrumental in keeping the team TC volunteers and now I can.” for The Record into volunteers. focused on Phase 1 goals and with her our new, search - excellent management skills has gently Gayle Edgerton , of New York City and able Find a Hike Walt Daniels , of Mohegan Lake, NY, TC’s enforced accountability. Ann was elected to Dutchess County, NY, content developer. database, one of technology guru. Walt has shouldered vir - the Board of Directors of the Trail Confer - Gayle describes herself as a fairly new volun - the new features tually the entire technology load during the ence in June 2008 and is co-chair of the teer with the Trail Conference. She started on our new web - site’s development, with some support pro - Technology Committee. Ann is an avid working on trail building just this past fall, site and one we hope will be a popular vided at the end by a contracted website hiker in our region and abroad. Her cur - joining the team that is putting in a new resource for the public. developer. He has volunteered as the Trail rent favorite destination is Rockefeller State trail at Wonder Lake State Park in Putnam Conference’s webmaster since 1996, when, Park Preserve in Westchester County, “with County, NY. That’s a long way from her Staff support for the project is provided by working with friend and fellow volunteer an after-hike stop at the Blue Hill Café at “real world job” as a clothing designer. Dur - Georgette Weir, communications specialist, Ed Clarke, they Stone Barns.” ing the winter trail building hiatus, Gayle and Ed Goodell, executive director. launched TC’s first volunteered for the web team, writing up website. (This, Phil McLewin , of Mahwah, NJ, content essentially, is the developer. Phil is a professor emeritus of Attend the Trail Conference’s site that is now economics, who taught at Ramapo College being replaced.) for nearly 35 years. A long-time hiker (he ORIENTATION WORKSHOP! Walt is the model favors Harriman State Park), after retiring of an “early he attended a trail maintenance workshop, Are you thinking about volunteering for the Trail Conference, but don’t know adopter,” enthusi - “thinking, as many of us do, I could now where to start? astic about new give back for all those years of hiking TC- technology offerings. He became a com - maintained trails. I even tried a work crew, Would you like to have a better understanding of the Trail Conference and the puter programmer in 1956, earned a PhD moving small boulders to build steps. But volunteer opportunities available? in physics in 1968, is retired from IBM, has then I saw a call for volunteers to help long been an active trail builder, especially develop the new Join us for one of our V OLUNTEER ORIENTATION sessions to: on the AT, and with wife, Jane, became an web site. As a pro - • Learn more about the details of our volunteer programs. AT 2000-miler in 2007. In his down time fessor I designed • Meet new and experienced volunteers. these past few years, he and Jane authored and maintained Walkable Westchester , also being launched my own profes - • Discover the many ways you can contribute to your trails this March. sional web site and and give back to the open space you enjoy so much. thought—gee, • Gain a better understanding of how the Trail Conference Doug Cleek , of Mahwah, NJ, designer here’s a novel way Connects People with Nature. and internet strategist. “Doug is a classical - to maintain trails ly schooled designer with a thorough by maintaining a Register now for our next Orientation to be held on Tuesday March 17, 2009, understanding of technology.” That’s what website of parks and trails. It was also much 6:00 pm — 7:30 pm at our Mahwah office by: his company website says, and we have lots easier on my back.” Phil took the lead on • Visiting our website: www.nynjtc.org/volunteers/vif.html, of cause to believe it. Past clients of Doug’s researching and writing descriptions of include AOL, Bayer, MCI WorldCom, parks, preserves and public open spaces in • Emailing: [email protected] with “Orientation” in the subject line, or Lexis-Nexis, ABB, Hilton, AT&T, Ameri - our region for the new website. He also • Calling the office at 201-512-9348 can Express, Chase, Toys ‘r’ Us, and introduced subsequent volunteers to the Sheraton. In 1993 Doug charged into the effort. “I take great satisfaction knowing I Anyone interested in learning more about who we are and what we do is world of new media by founding the am responsible for adding so much content encouraged to attend one of our monthly ORIENTATION workshops. agency K2, dedicated to interactive design to the new web in the hopes it will help You must register to attend. and marketing. The firm became a leader other hikers find parks they want to in the field, winning awards for web explore. I know I did.” designs and putting Doug on the speaker’s Additional Upcoming Orientation Dates: Tuesday evenings, April 21, May 19, June 16 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at locations to be announced. Page 4 March/April 2009 Conservation Advocacy & Trail News From the The answer, which will probably change Scenic Trail, and we hope for more fund - Conservation Director: by the time you read this, is that the pack - ing from the Land and Water William P. O’Hearn age will help to some degree. Our four U.S. Conservation Fund, Forest Legacy pro - senators and our congressional delegation, gram, and the Highlands Conservation Obama and especially Representatives Hinchey and Act. These federal programs have suffered Blowdowns Hit West Hudson Hall in New York, are already engaged in under the previous administration but Area Hard Congress to gathering good “shovel-ready” projects that may finally be coming back to life, even in Hikers and maintainers should be prepared the Rescue? will fit into the $3.1 billion allocated (in this challenging economic environment. to find significant blowdowns on trails the draft version) toward “improvements Lastly, we can expect and should above 700-feet elevation in parks west of As we all know by now, the land trust on public lands, including new roads, demand to see a new attitude at EPA the Hudson River and along the Kittatinny community is facing the frustration of trails, and facilities.” There is also $400 (Environmental Protection Agency), the Ridge in New Jersey. A mid-December ice plenty of land available (at great prices), million budgeted for flood control efforts, Dept. of Interior, U.S. Forest Service, storm wreaked havoc on many parks and but no money to pay for it. At the same which will include purchases of open space Army Corps of Engineers, and other feder - preserves at these elevations; the Catskills, time, we are watching the green infra - that will improve water quality. And last, al agencies that cover environmental issues. however, seemed to be largely spared. structure in our parks–parking lots, camp but certainly not least, there is $30 billion The Democrats are now firmly in control sites, woods roads, foot bridges, for highway construction, a portion of of our federal government; let’s make sure etc.–degrade because of state, county, and which could be used to fund bicycle and they don’t forget that the environmental local funding cuts. So, when we hear pedestrian programs. community helped put them there. about the new President and Congress Beyond the stimulus package itself, we proposing an $815 billion stimulus pack - continue to work on federal legislation that age, we have to ask: How green is it? would fund a feasibility study for the desig - How much will it help us at the state and nation of the Long Path as a National local level? Conservation & Advocacy News Notes Make sure you get Action Alerts from the Trail Conference so that you can help support our region’s trails, parks, A Storm King trail in January and open spaces. Set your email program to accept mail from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference! One of the hardest hit parks was Min - NEW JERSEY objectives identified for the Hudson Hills National Historic Site. newaska State Park Preserve, which, with TC Contact: and Highlands Community Trails Pro - The Trail Conference’s East Hudson its staff reduced by budget cuts, closed NJ Regional Representative Brenda Holzinger, gram, a joint venture of the Trail Community Trails Program and the Hud - entirely for one month as the remaining [email protected] or 973-303-3538 Conference and Teatown Lake Reservation. son Hills and Highlands Community staff worked to clear primary carriage This grant of NPS expertise and Trails Program will benefit from the roads. Trail Conference volunteer crews NEW YORK resources will facilitate and result in the development of an overall strategy for joined the efforts in January. TC Contacts: documentation of the process of develop - engaging and fostering communities’ Though all parks are open, not all hiking West of Hudson Regional Representative ing community trails in three areas: involvement in creating, promoting, and trails have yet been cleared. This winter’s Larry Wheelock, [email protected], Wonder Lake State Park (Putnam Coun - adopting community trails. frequent snow and ice storms have further 201-512-9348, ext. 16 ty), Angle Fly Preserve (Westchester), and The HHH area is depicted in the delayed clearing. Maintainers are encour - East of Hudson Regional Representative Teatown Lake Reservation’s Northern map below. aged to visit their trail sections as soon as Christie Ferguson, [email protected], Westchester Eco-Trail. Each project is at a possible; clear where it’s safe and report big - 201-739-4434 different stage of trail planning, design, Hudson River Improvement Fund ger problems to your trail supervisor. Trail construction, and maintenance. will help the Eagles and chain-saw crews will be assigned as River, Trails, and Conservation Goals for the collaboration also include The Trail Conference has been awarded a needed. Assistance Awarded to East Hudson linking communities to existing parks, grant from the Hudson River Founda - Trail problem reports can also be made The East Hudson Community Trails pro - trails, and linear parks—including the tion’s Improvement Fund to provide to the Trail Conference’s regional represen - gram has been selected to receive a grant, in major state park complexes and the educational signage regarding trail clo - tatives: the form of technical assistance, from the Appalachian Trail. sures and eagle protection efforts on the West Hudson: Larry Wheelock, National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Beard brings experience in facilitating trails at George’s Island County Park in [email protected] Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA). park-community connections, such as in Westchester County. In the proposal, East Hudson: Christie Ferguson, Christie Ferguson, the East Hudson the town of Hyde Park, where the NPS Christie Ferguson, the East Hudson [email protected] Regional Representative, will collaborate has been part of a concerted plan and Regional Representative, detailed the New Jersey: Brenda Holzinger, with Karl Beard, the Upstate New York effort to connect trails and parks in the need for additional measures to protect [email protected] NPS staff member, on a plan to achieve town, including the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt Bald Eagles roosting in the park during winter. Hiking in certain areas of George’s Island is curtailed during winter months in order to minimize disturbances to roosting eagles. This is to be more fully explained with the new signs. At the same time, eagle viewing will be promoted at other locations at the park and neighbor - ing properties. The new signs will advance the aims of the George’s Island Park Bald Eagle Roost - ing Site Protection Project, which seeks to enhance access to Hudson River habitat for the local community and visitors to the area while providing opportunities for environmental education and enrichment and generating awareness about Bald Eagle use of the Hudson River and the Hikers pick their way through blowdown Hudson River Valley. atop the Fishkill Ridge in mid-December. The sign project was a good match for the Hudson River Foundation, which Celebrate Highlands Trail seeks to repair habitat along the Hudson Crossing the Delaware, May 16 River and improve facilities and shore - The Highlands Trail (HT) “Welcome to front access points. The Trail Conference Pennsylvania” Celebration, a joint venture is working closely with Westchester between the AMC and the TC, will be held County Parks, NYS Dept. of Environ - Saturday, May 16, at the Delaware River in mental Conservation, and Teatown Lake Reigelsville, NJ, and PA. There will be an Reservation on this project. official walk of the HT across the bridge from New Jersey into Pennsylvania. Exact time is to be determined, but there will be refreshments, afternoon hikes, and possibly even canoing and kayaking on the river. There will also be a Hunterdon County HT opening celebration in mid-late June. Please check the May/June 2009 issue of the TW for details and join us! Get the “Hike of the Week” www.NYNJTC.org March/April 2009 Page 5

METRO TRAILS CREW WEST HUDSON NORTH CREW Leaders: Joe Gindoff, 718-614-2209, Leaders: Denise Vitale, 845-738-2126, Trail Crew [email protected]; Linda Sullivan 347-721-6123, [email protected] [email protected] Dave Webber, 845-452-7238, Teaching Practical Skills to [email protected] Schedules No experience is required. We provide the training, Trails Volunteers at Locations tools, gloves and the fun! Please bring a lunch and Work dates TBA. plenty of water. A day pack to carry your lunch and Throughout the NY-NJ Area March — April 2009 supplies is suggested. Sturdy work boots or other NEW JERSEY APPALACHIAN TRAIL FIELD CREW hiking footwear is mandatory. All participants must Leader: Gene Giordano, For the latest schedules and additional sign in to perform trail work. RSVP is a must. [email protected] March — May details, go to our website. Second Saturday of Each Month, BEFORE March 1: March/April April through November To register for a class, go to our website. The 1. Go to www.nynjtc.org Additional work dates may be announced. Please Work begins at 9am and is finished before 4pm. Trail Conference offers workshops in Trail 2. Click on “Trail Crews/Work Trips” in right column check the website, or contact Linda Sullivan to Building and Trail Maintenance at locations be put on the Metro Trail Crew notification list: Covers the entire NJ section of the AT, blue-blazed across our region. Register online or by call - AFTER March 1: [email protected]. side trails, and shelters. Supplements work by our individual maintainers as requested and for special ing the office, 201-512-9348, ext. 14. 1. Go to www.nynjtc.org 2. Scroll to “Old TC Pages” in left column and March 21, 28, April 25, May 2 (Saturday) work projects. Workers bring gloves, lunch, and To register online: click on “Home” Pelham Bay Park water; all tools, equipment and training provided. 1. Go to www.nynjtc.org 3. Click on “Trail Crews/Work Trips” in right column Leader: Liz Gonzalez Email leader to be placed on email notification list. 2. Click on Get Involved Join the Friends of Pelham Bay Park in restoring BEAR MOUNTAIN TRAILS PROJECT 3. Click on Trail University TBD = To Be Determined wetlands, building footbridges and waterbars, 4. Select Register Now removing invasive plants, planting trees and Project Manager: Eddie Walsh, For all trips bring work gloves, water, maintaining trails at New York City’s largest park, [email protected], 845-591-1537 Descriptions of workshops can be found lunch, insect repellent. In some cases, comprised of 2,765 acres and over 13 miles of Volunteer Coordinator: Christopher Ingui, on our website: tools are provided. Contact leaders in shoreline. We work on Saturdays from 10am to 201-783-3599 1. Go to www.nynjtc.org advance for meeting times and places. 2pm. Transportation to work site may be by foot, 2. Click on Get Involved Volunteers must become members of with canoes and on horseback. Confirm meeting Work begins March 22 (Sunday) 3. Click on Trail University place with leader. General work days are planned Thursdays 4. Select Trail U Courses the Conference to participate in these through Mondays. Training will be provided projects. A one-time “guest” participa - April 18 (Saturday) according to participant's skill level, interest, tion is allowed, so bring your friends. Location TBA; 9am and project needs. Leader: Joe Gindoff NORTH JERSEY WEEKEND CREW Meet: 8:30am at Bear Mountain Parking Lot A Leader: Sandy Parr, 732-469-5109 EAST HUDSON CREW for all days, unless other arrangements have been made. Preregistration with the Bear Second Sunday of each month April 25 (Saturday) Mountain staff is required. Trips start at 9:30 am; call for location and Trail Maintenance Mini-Course details during the week before the scheduled trip at Ward Pound Ridge April 3 through May 4 day. Tackle a variety of projects ranging from trail Contact: Brenda Bates, Park Manager, 914-864-7317 (Thursdays through Mondays) repair to bridge building in northern New Jersey. Meet: 9:30am at the Trailside Nature Museum For experienced crew members only Ward Pound Ridge. Special Worktrips with Peter Jensen NORTH JERSEY WEEKDAY CREW Join Ward Pound Ridge’s trail volunteers* for a and Associates March 28 – 29 (Saturday, Sunday) Leader: John Moran, [email protected] brief update meeting about the park’s 40 miles of Stone Cutting, Splitting and Shaping trails followed by hands-on learning while doing Contact Bear Mountain Project Staff to sign Location: Bear Mountain State Park This crew covers the NJ Ramapos, Ringwood S. P., clearing, trail blazing, maintenance and/ or erosion up and for more information. Time: 8:30am Norvin Green S. F., and NJ Palisades area. Its control. Skills-building workshops are listed under Coordinator: Eddie Walsh, purpose is to respond quickly to immediate Trail University, to the left on this page. [email protected] needs, rather than to schedule definite events far *Ward Pound Ridge Volunteer Trail Maintainers meet weekly in advance. If you’re interested in being on call year round and do trail work. If you would like to be put on SHAWANGUNK RIDGE CREW Participants may register for only one day or both their email list for notifications, contact Christie Ferguson, Leaders: Jakob Franke, [email protected], for this work, contact John Moran by email. EH Regional Representative, at [email protected] days. March 28 is devoted to general instruction on 201-768-3612 stone splitting using rotary hammer drills, rifting WEST JERSEY CREW Andy Garrison, [email protected], hammers, and feathers and wedges. On March 29, AT Restoration in Fahnestock State Park Leaders: Monica and David Day 845-888-0602 we will split into two groups. Group 1 will learn the With RPH Cabin Volunteers Club Phone: 732-937-9098 Cell: 908-307-5049 basics of splitting and cutting. Group 2 will work Beginning in March; Dates TBA Email: [email protected] Bring water, lunch, gloves, and tools if you have with hand hammers and chisels and learn to finely Leader: Tim Messerich, [email protected] Website: www.trailstobuild.com them. Extra tools will be available. shape stones as we install step and crib walls. Fifteen stone steps need to be installed on the Appalachian trail. This section of trail has been washed April 4 (Saturday) Bring your lunch, plenty of water, gloves and sturdy out for many years. The work site is about one mile April 25 (Saturday) Trail Maintenance 101 work shoes, and be prepared to get dirty. All tools, north of the Rt. 301 crossing. No experience neces - Shawanga Lodge Road Connector Location: Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, NY materials and training will be provided. Beginners sary, just your willingness to help preserve the trail. We’ll be sidehilling. Time: 9:00am are welcomed on all work trips. Contact the leader for details. For other projects, Meet: 10am at the corner of Shawanga Lodge Road Instructor: John Magerlein visit timtrek.mikentim.com. and Ferguson Road in the town of Mamakating. Coordinator: Christie Ferguson, East Hudson All events begin at 9:00am. Please phone/email the Regional Representative, [email protected], leaders for meeting location and driving directions. WEST HUDSON SOUTH CREW May 17 (Sunday) 201-739-4434 There is usually a walk to the work site, so please Leaders: Chris Ezzo (Crew Chief): 516-431-1148, Lenape Ridge Trail Extension be there on time (call the leaders’ cell phone if you [email protected] We will be cutting new trail in April 4 (Saturday) are coming to an event and are running late). Rain Brian Buchbinder: 718-218-7563, Deerpark to extend the Lenape Stone Step Construction and Rock Moving Basics cancels – if in doubt, call the leaders between 6:00 [email protected] Ridge Trail. Location: Bear Mountain State Park and 6:30 that morning. Claudia Ganz: 212-633-1324, [email protected] Meet: 10 am on Route 6, at the Time: 8:30am Bob Marshall: 914-737-4792, town line of Greenville and Deerpark Instructor: Eddie Walsh Carpooling: if anyone is interested in carpooling [email protected] (in Orange County). (offering a ride or riding), please let the leaders Monica Day: 732-937-9098, Cell: 908-307-5049, April 11 – 12 (Saturday, Sunday) know and we will try to arrange a shared ride. (Pas - [email protected] June 6 (Saturday) Stone Crib Wall Construction sengers please be prepared to contribute for gas.) Lenape Ridge Trail Extension Location: Bear Mountain State Park April 19 (Sunday) We will be cutting new trail in Time: 8:30am April 18 (Saturday) AT at Orange Turnpike Deerpark to extend the Lenape Coordinator: Eddie Walsh Warren Trail, Jenny Jump State Park Leader: Chris Ezzo Ridge Trail. Meet: 10 am on Route 6, at the April 19 (Sunday) We will continue work on the new Warren Trail town line of Greenville and Corridor Monitor Workshop in Jenny Jump State Park, extending it towards April 23 (Thursday) Deerpark (in Orange County). Location: RPH Shelter on AT in Dutchess County Buzzard’s Glory Road. Ramapo/Dunderberg Trail at Tuxedo Time: 9am to 4pm Leader: Bob Marshall Instructors: Ollie Simpson and Ron Rosen May 2, Saturday Coordinator: Christie Ferguson, East Hudson Douglas Trail, Worthington State Forest April 25 (Saturday) Regional Representative, [email protected], We will continue our work installing water Beginner Workshop 201-739-4434 bars and check dams on the Douglas Trail See Trail U for details in Worthington State Forest. Leader: Chris Ezzo April 25 (Saturday) Trail Construction and Restoration HIGHLANDS TRAIL CREW Location: Sterling Forest or Harriman State Park Leader: Glenn Oleksak, [email protected] Time: 9am to 4pm West Hudson South Crew Summary for 2008 Instructors: Monica and David Day We meet on the first or second Sunday of each Coordinator: Larry Wheelock, month, with additional trips sometimes scheduled. [email protected], 201-512-9348, ext.16 We tackle a variety of Highlands Trail projects from The West Hudson South Crew finished up another busy year of trail construction. All told trail maintenance to trail building. they spent 950 hours rebuilding and repairing damaged and eroded hiking trails. In Har - April 26 (Sunday) For details on trips: riman-Bear Mountain State Parks, the crew built several stream crossings in Popolopen Trail Maintenance 101 1. Go to www.nynjtc.org Gorge, completed trail relocations on the Diamond Mountain Tower Trail, and performed Location: Schunemunk Mountain State Park 2. Scroll to “Old TC Pages” in left column erosion control work on the Seven Hills and Fawn Trails. In Sterling Forest State Park the Time: 9am to 4pm and click on “Home” crew completed a relocation on the Sterling Lake Loop Trail. Instructors: TBD 3. Click on “Trail Crews/Work Trips” in right colum I’d like to thank everyone who came out and contributed time and sweat to all these Coordinator: Larry Wheelock, Please contact leader if you are coming on a trip so [email protected], 201-512-9348, ext.16 that you can be notified of cancellations. projects. Without these people we wouldn’t have such great trails. Thank you: Victor Alfieri, Gail Brown, Jim Brown, George Batten, Roland Breault, Brian May 9 (Saturday) Buchbinder, Chris Connolly, David Day, Monica Day, Kelly Dwyer, Chris Ezzo, Charles Trail Maintenance 101 Silver-Frankel, Robert Foldes, Joyce Gallagher, Claudia Ganz, Joe Gindoff, Mary Hilley, Location: North/South Lake Campground Joan James, Andrea Kellner, David Kellner, Richard Lynch, John Mack, Kim MacLeod, Pavilion, Catskills Time: 9am to 4pm Bob Marshall, Gay Mayer, Lori Maynard, Doug McBride, Trudy Pojman, Bob Randhare, Instructors: TBD Kevin Riley, Bruce Shriver, Trudy Schneider, Erwin Schaub, Robert Weber, Hanson Coordinator: Larry Wheelock, Wong, Elizabeth Zeldin, and Steve Zubarik. [email protected], 201-512-9348, ext.16 —Chris Ezzo, Crew Chief Page 6 March/April 2009 Trail Conference members can take Volunteer Classifieds: Get Involved! advantage of exclusive discounts and benefits with participating Contact [email protected] or 201- Appalachian Trail Corridor Manager 512-9348, ext. 14, to indicate your interest This is an exciting job for someone who has retailers and businesses! or get more information about these or AT corridor boundary monitoring and other volunteer opportunities. Information maintenance experience. Supervise bound - is also available at www.nynjtc.org; click ary monitors, coordinate semi-annual You can recoup the cost of your on Volunteer. reporting, work with the monitors to main - membership in one visit! tain neighbor and government contacts and Become a Trail Volunteer! with the local management committee to Opportunities abound! stop illegal boundary activities, and assess Help to keep our region’s footpaths environmental and development impacts. accessible, pristine, and protected. Trail work not your thing? Shelter Caretakers Needed! You can still donate your time and support Help maintain shelters in the Catskills by the Trail Conference or by working in our doing minor repairs and reporting their office or from home. condition to the park managers. Trail Crew Chief Assistant AT Corridor Monitors: (work from home) Appalachian Trail in New York Are you not inclined to do the heavy work Anyone with an adventurous spirit, a love of of trail building but would like to support getting off-trail, and a strong land conserva - our trail crews? Here is an opportunity to tion ethic is encouraged to sign up for take on an important part of building and The Trail Conference is proud to offer a Membership training to become a volunteer. Appalachian repairing our hiking trails by becoming a

e Benefit Program, which was created to provide our Trail Corridor Monitors are needed in New Trail Crew Chief Assistant. The work will members with money-saving discounts at area retailers

c York to monitor the boundaries of the AT involve contacting prospective recruits for and service providers — benefits only available to S trail lands, maintaining boundary markings the crew, keeping records of the work n Trail Conference members. and reporting conditions to the land man - done and the people who volunteered, as

e agers. Training is required - find out if well as other duties as requested by the As part of your Trail Conference membership, you are

r monitoring is the right volunteer opportuni - Trail Crew Chief. If you’re comfortable T issued a card identifying you as a Trail Conference ty for you by taking the course offered on working with people, have some organiza - e member, making you eligible for all program discounts. April 19 (see Trail U schedule on page 5). tional skills and time during the spring, f I To receive your member discounts, you must present summer, and fall, then this kind of work

n your valid membership card at the time of purchase. Maintainer Assignments Available! could be just right for you. Some stores offer the discount only on select items,

o Adopt a segment of a trail to keep clear so be sure to ask. Web Writers: F and blazed by walking it two or more

C Maintain a part of our new website We encourage our members to take advantage of this times a year. Catskills: We have 24 vacancies for trail Work from home or in the office. Adopt a l incredible opportunity that comes with a Trail Conference i membership. New discounts and offers are continually maintainers in the Catskills area. Get in part of our new online database to add E early to get your choice of trail! information, monitor or maintain. a being added so be sure to visit our website’s membership Black Rock Forest: There are also vacan - Required: a computer, online access, com - r benefits area at www.nynjtc.org/commerce/discount.html for current offers. cies for trail maintainers in the beautiful mitment to accuracy, ability to be concise, T Hudson Highlands in New York. willingness to learn and use online tools

N Staten Island Trails: Maintainers are that are still in development. A great 25% Discount on Trail Conference publications and

J needed for sections of the Staten Island opportunity to support trails without get - clothing when purchased directly from the Trail Conference. Greenbelt. Help maintain the trail, clean ting dirty.

N FREE Subscription to the Trail Walker , the Trail up litter, trim plant growth, clean out E VBA Programmer - Conference’s bi-monthly newsletter filled with timely articles water bars, refresh blazes, and work with and columns that will enhance your hiking experiences. Trail Conference volunteers, Boy Scout Work with Fulfillment Coordinator to Y groups, and park employees to repair these write project specs and algorithms. Project Money-Saving Discounts at participating retailers beautiful trails! includes creating an interactive application N B and businesses. that uses caller’s information as input and On-trail leadership opportunities! creates a Word file with directions to Workshops and Seminars on trail maintenance existing stores in his/her area. Need and construction, leadership training, wilderness first aid, Trail Supervisor for Westchester VBA programming experience for Excel, chainsaw operation, environmental monitoring and We have a rare opportunity for an individ - Access, Word; ability to learn a new API GPS operation. ual with the skills to oversee the Trail (MS MapPoint). Volunteer Opportunities to “learn by doing” in Conference maintainers in Westchester. areas as varied as trail maintenance, construction, Trail Supervisors are expected to collect Executive Assistant publications, environmental monitoring, and cartography. and summarize the Trail Maintainers’ Do you have good organizational and cler - reports twice yearly for the regional Trail ical skills? Are you proficient with Access to the Hoeferlin Library at the Trail Chair, work with trail maintainers on trail Microsoft Office software? The Trail Con - Conference office that includes more than 1,000 books concerns, and help coordinate with Trail ference Executive Director is looking for on hiking round the world, along with maps, guides and Crews on work projects identified by trail someone help to manage his workload to a historical archive. maintainers. In addition, this position asks ensure the most efficient and effective use you to walk all of the trails we maintain in of his time. If you have the above skills and Some of Our Discount Partners the area once a year to be familiar with can come into the office on a regular basis them and the problems reported by trail 4–20 hours a week, let us know! maintainers. If you enjoy working with others and are interested in dedicating Data Entry and Clerical Support your time to support the trail maintainers Office help needed for our office in Mah - in Westchester, then this is the role for you! wah, 2 –3 hours a day, twice a week. Duties include: Internet research, processing and Trail Crew Chief for East Hudson shipping orders, and stocking of our Supervise and work with regional Trail books, maps and supplies. Chairs and Trail Supervisors to lead Trail Crew trips throughout the East Hudson Publications Volunteers Needed area. Trail Crews provide the construction The Publications Committee is looking and trail restoration needs in order to for volunteers to help with upcoming ensure that trails are built or repaired to book and map projects. If you have skills Trail Conference standards. Determine the in the areas of writing, editing or proof - work schedule, help identify and plan reading, you can help us produce a new or projects, build your team of volunteers, revised trail guidebook. We are also look - and mentor new leaders. ing for volunteers to serve as project managers for our books and maps, and for Appalachian Trail people who can field check trail descrip - Overseer or Supervisor tions or GPS trails to ensure that we have For the volunteer who likes to organize as the most up-to-date information. much as hike, the job as an AT Trail Over - seer might be just right. Hike the entire trail in your assigned area (about 20 miles) at least once a year to evaluate its condition, report problems, recommend trail reloca - tions, and provide trail information. VISIT WWW.NYNJTC.ORG/COMMERCE/DISCOUNT.HTML Supervise trail maintainers on your section. FOR COMPLETE LIST OF MONEY-SAVING DISCOUNTS! March/April 2009 Page 7

Science & Ecology studies reptiles and amphibians, and if you aquatic breeding habitat, adjacent terrestri - especially throughout deciduous forests. find one (or more) herpetologists out in al upland habitat is also critical for nearly Many people have encountered these Marauding conditions such as these, they are likely to all the remaining non-breeding needs of black, yellow-spotted salamanders at least be searching for one thing in particular – the adults. Salamander populations cannot once in their life. Salamanders: salamanders. persist in one habitat without the other. No discussion of our regional mole sala - There are approximately 15 species of manders is complete without mentioning The Earliest salamander living in the New York-New one last species that is a bit of a rogue Sign of Spring Jersey metropolitan area. Some species among the others. Marbled salamanders By Jeremy Feinberg breed over extended periods of time and in (Ambystoma opacum ) follow many of the unique habitats, such as the redback sala - same rules as the other Ambystoma except mander ( Plethodon cinereus ), which breeds for the fact that they breed in the fall, when on land, or the spring salamander the wetlands first fill with water after the G

(Gyrinophilus porphyriticus ), which breeds R summer drought, instead of spring. They E B N

in isolated springs and small tributary I probably do this to get a jump on the oth - E F

streams. Y er salamanders they compete with. M E

However, most of the largest, best R Marbled salamanders are the smallest of E J known salamanders in our region are mem - A vernal pool in spring our Ambystoma , so if they were to breed at bers of the genus Ambystoma , commonly the same time as the larger species, they referred to as “mole salamanders.” There Depending on where you are in our area, would not stand a chance. By breeding in are four members of this group in our there may not be any habitat for salaman - the fall, the aquatic larvae are already well- region (or five depending on the outcome ders or there may be dozens or even developed when the other species arrive the of a debate over two species that hybridize). hundreds of different breeding wetlands following spring. These salamanders are characterized by scattered within a particular area. At night, Other species in our area include: the explosive breeding migrations during the people with a little knowledge, care, and blue-spotted salamander ( Amybstoma lat - first few nights of thawing spring rain, usu - keen eyesight may even witness a breeding erale ) and Jefferson salamander ( Ambystoma ally in March. migration over a roadway. While roads jeffersonianum ) hybrid group as well as the Explosive migrations involve a mass ter - make it easy to see a breeding migration, two-lined salamander ( Eurycea bislineata ), restrial movement of adult salamanders to they are usually catastrophic for the sala - longtail salamander ( Eurycea longicauda ), their breeding wetlands, often the same manders, as cars rarely if ever stop for northern dusky salamander ( Desmognathus G

R pond where they themselves were born. slithering salamanders. Juveniles may meet fuscus ), mountain dusky salamander E B N I Male salamanders may arrive before the same crushing fate as they migrate away (Desmognathus ochrophaeus ), northern red E F

Y females, and leave behind a sperm packet from their pond later in the year. Some salamander ( Pseudotriton ruber ), mud sala - M E R

E known as a spermatophore. Females will towns have constructed special passageways mander ( Pseudotriton montanus ), four-toed J Tiger salamanders up close follow in search of spermatophores. After or have enacted road closures on heavy salamander ( Hemidactylium scutatum ), red- fertilization, the female deposits a jelly-like migration nights. spotted newt ( Notophthalmus viridiscens ), When most people think about spring, egg mass. Within a few hours to a few days, One of the earliest species to breed is also and slimy salamander ( Plethodon they probably envision the arrival of warm the adult salamanders disappear and return one of the rarest amphibians in the mid- glutinosus ). weather, bright sunshine, birds calling, and to their subterranean upland habitats. Atlantic region. The eastern tiger Explosive migrations! What a great flowers blooming. However, if you consid - Aquatic salamander larvae (similar to salamander ( Ambystoma tigrinum ), endan - excuse for an evening hike in early spring! er things from a slightly different tadpoles) emerge from the eggs after sever - gered in both New York and New Jersey, is perspective, there is an alternate universe of al days. The predatory larvae develop also the second largest terrestrial salaman - Jeremy Feinberg is a herpetologist and doctor - spring awakenings that people are seldom quickly and, if lucky, survive to lose their der in North America. Primarily restricted al candidate in the Graduate Program in aware of. While the idea of thawing ice, gills and venture onto land as young adults to pine barrens habitats in our region, this Ecology and Evolution at Rutgers University. rainy nights, and temporary puddles of after several months, hopefully before their species will breed on any warm, rainy He is interested in understanding the specific waist-high water (known as “vernal pools”) pond dries during summer. night, even as early as November, Decem - factors that lead particular species to become may not sound spring-like or exciting to Mole salamanders are typically associated ber, or January. rare or extinct. most people, to some, especially herpetolo - with vernal pools and other temporary wet - The spotted salamander ( Ambystoma gists, these conditions are ideal for lands (e.g. wet meadows, agricultural maculatum ) follows on the heels of the observing one of the first true signs of wetlands, ditches) where predatory fish are tiger. However, they are much more com - spring. A herpetologist is someone who not an issue. In addition to this essential mon and widely distributed in our area,

Keeping Up with the Sedges By Michael Alcamo Sedges reproduce in annual cycles by means of seeds, but are also perennials—at the end of the growing season, they die back to the ground level, and the following year, they will Sedges (genus Carex ) present the usual classic paradox of botany and hiking: we walk sprout from underground rhizomes or roots. In this way, a sward of sedges might actual - through them or over them, yet few hikers are able to point them out. ly be one large organism. From a distance, sedges look like their plant cousins, the grasses; however, they have Sedges depend on the wind, not insects, for pollination, though their flowers neverthe - important structural differences. First, a sedge has a clearly defined triangular stem; grass - less attract insects. Sedge flowers are considered delicacies by sedge grasshoppers, leaf es are usually round. And, looking closer, you’ll see that a sedge’s leaves are spirally arranged beetles, aphids, billbugs and some plant bugs, caterpillars, and moths. In wetlands, the in three ranks, while grasses have alternate leaves in two ranks. seeds or seedheads of sedges are food sources for ducks, rails, certain songbirds, small Sedges prefer wet areas and are found either rooted in moist ground or rooted in the rodents, and some turtles. sediment of shallow water at the edges of a pond or lake. They are vitally important parts There was great excitement in the sedge-loving community recently when the Large- of the ecology of a marsh, bog, or fen. Headed Sedge ( Carex macrocephala ) was discovered in New Jersey. This sedge is native to Sedges are flowering plants—and what flowers they have. For such modest plants, the range Russia, Japan, and the Pacific coast of Canada. In summer 2005, New Jersey botanist of flower structures is quite dramatic and beautiful. The flowering part—or “inflorescence”— Louise Wootton discovered three populations growing in a coastal area of the state. Pro - is a group of small florets, which may have some missing parts. The “staminate floret,” or male fessor Wootton hypothesized that dried sedges had been used as shipping material, and portion, is at the top of the structure, and the pistillate florets (female) are beneath. Wind car - that a few grains had blown into the wind when someone in New Jersey opened a box of ries the pollen grains to the stigmatic surfaces of female florets on another plant. something made in Japan many years ago. The sedge has a fruit, which is a dry achene bearing one seed, which is sometimes Many sedges are listed as endangered or threatened in New York and New Jersey, so enclosed in a perigynium , a small inflated structure. unless you know that a species is very common, it’s better to enjoy them from a distance, Once the seed forms, it can remain dormant for quite some time before germinating and to let them continue to live their placid sedge lives. into a new plant. Generally, the seed will germinate only in the presence of sunlight and temperatures above 10 degrees Celsius. Michael Alcamo is a writer and naturalist and a member of ADK’s Mid-Hudson Chapter as well as the Trail Conference. Look out for these sedges

Carex comosa Y T L I H N H O J © : S H P A R G O T O

H Carex conjuncta Carex blanda Carex scoparia Carex blanda P Page 8 March/April 2009 HHII KERSKERS’’ ALMANACALMANAC A Sampling of Upcoming Hikes Sponsored by Member Clubs

March Wednesday, March 11 UCHC. Stokes State Forest, NJ. Leader: Alan Breach, 973-875- Saturday, March 28 SW. Rockland Lake to Haverstraw, NY. Leader: Oliver Wayne, 4376. Meet: 10am at Stony Lake parking. Moderate 7 miles on UOC. Birding at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Area. Leader: George Sunday, March 1 917-415-2567. Meet: Take the 9A bus from Port Authority Bus Swenson, Tinsley, and Blue Mtn. Trails. Pitcher, 732-828-1890. Meet: must preregister. Morning hike on GAHC. Palisades & Hudson Shore, NJ. Leader: Helly deLiz, Terminal; call leader for details. Hilly 8 miles at a moderate pace. Saturday, March 21 level ground around Jamaica Bay and a large pond that offers 201-592-6377. Moderate hike; preregistration requested. Meet: Long Path partly around Rockland Lake, see NYC from Hook Mtn. SW. Bridges and Waterways of Central Park, NY. Leader: many sightings of shorebirds. Linwood Park Shopping Center, west side of Rt. 9W, Fort Lee, NJ, State Park, steep White Trail, then through Haverstraw State Park at 10am. Matthew Brozyna, 917-912-9533. Meet: 9am at atrium entrance to SW. East Hudson Highlands, NY. Leader: Marvin Malater, to commuter ferry to Ossining (additional cost), where we get the Time Warner complex, 59th St. and Columbus Circle. Moderately 718-376-3608. Meet: 8:20am at Grand Central Terminal informa - IHC. Terrace Pond to Echo Lake, NJ. Leaders: Guy and Jen train to NYC. Donation requested. paced 8 miles. Under, over, around, and through many of the tion booth for 8:50 train to Garrison, NY (RT). Moderately paced Percival, 973-590-7437. Meet: 9am at Echo Lake parking, Newark Thursday, March 12 architectural wonders of Central Park, up to Harlem Meer then 10 miles, with climbs. Forested, rolling hills along the Appalachian Watershed, W. Milford, NJ. Strenuous hike. The Highlands Trail UCHC. Ringwood State Park, NJ. Leader: Dave Hogenauer, 973- ending at Sheep’s Meadow. About 5 hours. Donation requested. Trail, Curry Pond Traverse, and Arden Point river overlook of West and many others will take us from secluded Terrace Pond in 762-1475. Meet: 10am at second lot past Manor. 7 miles at a fast Point. Donation requested. Wawayanda State Park to Echo Lake in the Watershed. Shuttle UCHC. Pyramid and Turkey Mtns., NJ. Leader: Al Verdi, 973- pace; not many hills. Cooper Union Trail to Governor’s Mtn., with required; bring crampons and walking pole. 263-8569. Meet: 10am at Pyramid Mtn. parking. 4-5 miles with UCHC. Tourne Park, Boonton, NJ. Leader: Susan Jacobs, its wonderful view of the reservoir. some steep, rocky sections; not for beginners. Includes detour to 973-402-2555. Meet: 10am; call for directions. Moderate hike to Monday, March 2 Saturday, March 14 Tripod Rock. top of the Tourne, with wildflowers, a stream, and lake. Some ups RVW. Westkill Mountain (3880'), Catskills, NY. For information: SW. Bay Head to Manasquan Inlet, NJ. Leader: Craig Nunn, ADK-MH. Overcliff Trail, Mohonk Preserve, NY. Leader: Lalita and downs. Steady rain cancels. 973-994-2314. Strenuous hike: 7 miles, 5.5 hours. Meet: 8am. 551-206-6823; call before 10pm. Call morning of hike after 6am if Malik, [email protected], 845- 592-0204. Enjoy magnificent ADK-MH. Appalachian Trail, MA. Leader: Pete McGinnis: Inclement weather date, following Monday. Note: snowshoes and weather doubtful. Meet: 11:20am at Bay Head, NJ, RR station (take views of Shawangunks Mountains, Mohonk, and Minnewaska on 845-454-4428 or [email protected]. Contact leader for details. crampons required. 9:07 North Jersey Coast train from Penn Station to Bay Head; this easy 5-mile loop on carriage roads in Mohonk Preserve. Meet NYHC. Cranberry Lake, Westchester County, NY. Leader: WEC. Surprise Lake Hike for Young Adults, NJ. Leader: led by leader boards at Secaucus). Easy 8 miles on streets. Walk past at New Paltz Diner parking lot at 10:00am. Please confirm partic - Mayer Wiesen, 516-671-2095; call before 10:30pm. Hike along marked associate naturalist; call Weis Ecology Center at 973-835-2160; inlets and ponds along Jersey shore, stopping from time to time ipation. Fee for nonmembers of Mohonk Preserve. trails in a Westchester County Park. Cross boardwalks and eat at pic - must preregister. Meet: 11am. 7-mile moderate, social hike for adults to look for birds. Donation requested. NYHC. Staten Island Greenbelt, NY. Leaders: Steve and Bettye nic tables; a trip for the civilized. Bring lunch and an extra pair of socks. ages 18-30. We’ll follow Bearfort Ridge up to Surprise Lake in Abram UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Joan Soffer: call 7-9pm, 718-720-1593; on day of hike, 917-270-9967. Meet: 9:30am, Grand Central Terminal information booth. S. Hewitt State Forest; fantastic views of Greenwood Lake. Carpool Lepselter, 908-273-4188. Meet: 10am at Trailside Center on Coles Celebrate spring in the Greenbelt, but wear good shoes; it might No smoking on trip. Joint with Outdoors Club and Shorewalkers. required. Hazardous driving conditions cancel. $5 fee. Ave. at N. Providence Rd. 4-5 miles at a brisk pace. Steady be muddy. Bring lunch and beverage. Take 10:30 boat from South Sunday, March 29 UCHC. Jockey Hollow National Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: rain cancels. Ferry and meet leaders at the S74bus, B ramp. Drivers and Mae Deas, 908-233-6641. Meet: 10am at visitor center parking. GAHC. Rockwood Hall Park & Old Croton Aqueduct, Briarcliff RVW. Woodstock Town Hall Property, NY. For information: people from Brooklyn, call for directions. ($3 nonmembers) 4-5 miles at moderate pace with some hilly sections. Manor, NY. Leaders: Manfred Janowski, 914-428-4573 or cell 845-246-7174. Easy walk: 3 miles, 2 hours. Meet: 10am. Sunday, March 22 914-949-4933, and Evelyn Hoyer, 718-457-8319. Moderate and Tuesday, March 3 Sunday, March 15 IHC. Lake Skannatati, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Roy easy hikes with x-country skiing; preregistration requested. Meet: UCHC. Garret Mtn. Hike and More, NJ. Leaders: Wally Koenig, GAHC. Wards Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River, NY. Williams, 570-828-6207. Meet: 9am at Lake Skannatati, Seven parking lot at end of Rt. 117 West in North Tarrytown at 9:30am. 973-684-5528, and Dave Sutter, 973-778-0992. Meet: 10am at Leader: Brian Kassenbrock, 718-748-0624. Moderate and easy Lakes Drive. Moderately strenuous. We’ll visit the little cemetery IHC. Highlands Trail—Byram to Stephens State Park, NJ. Lambert’s Castle in West Paterson, NJ. After climbing the short hikes with possible x-country skiing; preregistration requested. on Beech Trail, Hasenclever Mine, and Lakes Askoti and Leader: Ursula Davis, 973-786-7087. Meet: 9am at Shop Rite but fairly steep road to top of Garret Mtn. we’ll do 4 easy miles on Entrance fee. Meet: museum at 10am. Skannatati. Bad weather cancels. Plaza, Rt. 206N, Byram (Stanhope), NJ. Moderately strenuous wide paths. Then carpool to Paterson to visit the Great Falls and 8 miles through Allamuchy State Park, along the Muscenetcong some antique locomotives. Steady downpour cancels. River. Steep descent to visit an old Indian village, and Old Historic Thursday, March 5 Waterloo Village. Shuttle required. UCHC. Reeves Meadow, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: TLR. Popolopen Torne, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: George Pullman, 973-773-2678. Meet: 10am at Reeves Meadow preregistration required; call 914-762-2912, ext. 110, or go to visitor center, Seven Lakes Dr. Moderately strenuous 8+ miles at www.teatown.org. Meet: 10am. Get a 360-degree view of the a brisk pace; for experienced hikers. Highlands and the Hudson from this gem of a little peak. Adults Saturday, March 7 only; $5 fee. Rain cancels. Out by 2pm. UCHC. Watchung Trail Maintenance, NJ. Leader: call Betty WEC. Pancake Brunch Hike, NJ. Leader: Don Weise; call Weis Kelly, 908-527-4900, ext. 4231, to preregister. Meet: 9:30am; we’ll Ecology Center at 973-835-2160; must preregister. Meet: 9:30am. work until noon. Have fun while giving back to the trails; meet Strenuous 8-9 miles with steep climbs, great views, and a short people while working outdoors. Bring clippers, trash bag, and bushwhack. Out by 1pm, when you can join us for a full pancake good working gloves. Severe thunderstorm/rain cancels. brunch (extra fee for brunch). $8 fee. AFW. Round Valley, NJ. Leader: call 973-644-3592 to register or NYR. Pawling Nature Preserve, NY. Leader: Lee Ruelle, 212-388- go to www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 10am. Moderate hike; 0354. Meet: 7:30am at Grand Central Terminal for 7:46 train to out by 2pm. Appalachian Trail stop, one-way (we’ll return from Harlem SW. Statues and Monuments of Hoboken, NJ. Leader: Tom Valley/Wingdale). We’ll head north on the AT onto Hammersly McBreen, 516-812-0156. Meet: 10am at PATH Train entrance at Ridge, then descend to a waterfall and a remnant of Great 6th Ave. and 33rd St., Manhattan. 5 miles at a fast pace with some Swamp. After other loops on the AT and other trails, we’ll head hills; out in about 4 hours. Bring binoculars or camera with zoom out to Harlem Valley train station via local roads. lens. Heavy rain/snow cancels. Call eve before until 9pm if in Monday, March 30 doubt. Donation requested. RVW. Bearpen (3600') and Vly (3529'), Catskills, NY. For information: 845-246-8616. Strenuous hike and bushwhack:

Sunday, March 8 N A

M 8 miles, 6 hours. Meet: 8am. Inclement weather date, following

IHC. Allamuchy Mtn. State Park, NJ. Leader: Jim McKay, J O 973-538-0756. Meet: 9:30am at Sussex Branch Trail, southern P Monday. Note: Snowshoes and crampons required. Y D

parking lot on Waterloo Rd., Stanhope, NJ. Moderate 6-8 miles in U R

T April the north section of the park. AMC hikers pause during a weekend of ambitious fall hiking in the Catskills. Wednesday, April 1 TLR. Last Chance for Eagles!, NY Leader: expert naturalist Charlie Roberto; preregistration required: call 914-762-2912, ext. IHC. Patriots’ Path – Fosterfields to Morris Co. Arboretum, UOC. Walking Tour of Princeton, NJ. Leader: guided by a UCHC. Allamuchy South, NJ. Leaders: Don and Jeane McLellan, 110, or go to www.teatown.org. Meet: 9am. Catch one last glimpse NJ. Leader: Claire Bransfield, 908-240-1479. Meet: 9am at Foster - Historical Society volunteer. Meet: must preregister at 732-568- 908-464-6246. Meet: 10am at Scenic Overlook off I-80 East, of wintering eagles before they leave for their northern home. fields Historic Farm, Kahdena Rd., Morristown, NJ. Moderate hike 9241. 2-mile guided walk through historic Princeton. Limited to 15; Hackettstown, top parking lot. Fairly level 5 miles around the lake. Croton Boat Ramp and will travel to other sites along the river. using newly acquired rights-of-way to use the Patriots’ Path to $7 fee. Thursday, April 2 Dress warmly and bring binoculars. Children welcome; must be make a country and city hike ending with a visit to the arboretum. NYR. Dunkerhook, NJ. Leader: Chris Zeller, 212-260-4879. Meet: AFW. The Palisades. Leader: call 973-644-3592 to register or go accompanied by an adult; free program. AFW. Goshen, Letterrock and Stevens Mts. Harriman State 7:35am at Port Authority Bus Terminal for 7:50 bus to Lodi (#161, to www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 10am. Moderate hike; SW & NYHC. Staten Island Beaches, NY. Leader: Ray Krant, Park, NY. Leader: call 973-644-3592 to register or go to one-way). From Rt. 46 we’ll pass through cemeteries to the out by 2pm. Saddle River, by trails in Saddle River County Park to Dunkerhook, 718-435-4994. Meet: 10:15am at waiting room on Manhattan side www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 10am. Moderate hike; out UCHC. Sterling Forest, NY. Leader: Katya Hansen, 732-530-5213. then follow Ho-Ho-Kus Brook via parks, woodland and streets to of Staten Island Ferry terminal. 6.5 miles at a moderate pace. by 3pm. Meet: 10am; call for directions. Moderately strenuous 7 miles We’ll walk on boardwalk and beach from South Beach to Oakwood White Lake in Waldwick. Back to Dunkerhook through Saddle Monday, March 16 including an interesting mine site; for experienced hikers. Beach. Donation requested. River County Park. RVW. Balsam Lake Mountain (3600'), Catskills, NY. For infor - Friday – Sunday, April 3-5 UCHC. South Mtn. Reservation, NJ. Leader: Louise White, ADK-MH. Black Rock Forest, NY. Leader: John Kolp, 845-496-1731. mation: 607-363-7267. Moderate-plus hike: 5.5 miles, 5 hours. SW. Cape May, NJ, Weekend. Leader: Walt Wright, 917-783-6540. 973-746-4319; call before 9pm. Meet: 10am at Tulip Springs park - A moderately paced 10-mile ramble through the woods starting Meet: 9:30. Inclement weather date, following Monday. Note: Meet: Contact leader well in advance so we can plan accommoda - ing, Brookside Ave., Millburn. 4 easy miles through pine forest, with a minor climb over seldom visited Whitehorse Mountain, then snowshoes and crampons required. tions and carpooling. Easy walks with a focus on birding overlooking a beautiful gorge and crossing the Raritan River. onto the day’s only major climb, over Black Rock. A mix of trails and Thursday, March 19 roads takes us around Tamarack Pond and the Chatfield Stone (renowned location on the Atlantic flyway), beach walks (Atlantic Tuesday, March 10 AFW. Ramapo Mtn. State Forest Almost-Equinox Hike, NJ. House to return via the Reservoir Trail. Bring appropriate footgear. Ocean and Delaware Bay), and admiring the Victorian architec - UCHC. Black Rock Forest, NY. Leader: Arnie Seymour-Jones, Leader: call 973-644-3592 to register or go to Inclement weather/bad road conditions may cancel. Meet at Black ture (the town is a National Landmark). Spend 2 or 3 nights; call 201-768-3864. Meet: 10am; call for directions. Moderate 6-7 miles www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 4pm. Easy hike; out by Rock Fish and Game Club parking area in Orange County at early for details and to register. with very good views and some steep pitches. 7:30pm. junction of NY 32 and Angola/Pleasant Hill Road at 9:55am. Saturday, April 4 Monday, March 23 UCHC. Watchung Trail Maintenance, NJ. Leader: call Betty Kelly, RVW. Ashokan High Peak, Catskills, NY. For information: 908-527-4900, ext. 4231, to preregister. Meet: 9:30am; we’ll work The activities listed are sponsored by member clubs of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. All hikers are welcome subject to club regula - 845-338-8772. Moderate/Strenuous: 7.5 miles, 7.5 hours. Meet: until noon. Have fun while giving back to the trails; meet people tions and rules of the trail. You are responsible for your own safety. Wear hiking boots or strong, low-heeled shoes. Bring food, water, 8am. Inclement weather date, following Monday. while working outdoors. Bring clippers, trash bag, and good work - rain gear, first aid kit, and a flashlight in a backpack. Leaders have the right and responsibility to refuse anyone whom they believe ing gloves. Severe thunderstorm/rain cancels. cannot complete the hike or is not adequately equipped. Easy, moderate, or strenuous hikes are relative terms; call leader if in doubt. Tuesday, March 24 AFW. Appalachian Trail. Leader: call 973-644-3592 to register UCHC. Jockey Hollow National Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: More than 100 clubs belong to the Trail Conference, and many of our affiliate groups sponsor hikes not listed in the Hikers’ Almanac. or go to www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 9am. Strenuous Mae Deas, 908-233-6641. Meet: 10am at visitor center parking. For a descriptive list of Conference clubs, consult our website or send a SASE with your request to NY-NJ Trail Conference. hike at a moderate pace; out by 5pm. Rt. 94 to State Line by Moderate 6 miles around perimeter of this lovely park, including Greenwood Lake, NJ. Club Codes Mt. Kemble Trail. Bad weather cancels. Only those clubs with hikes offered in this issue are listed below. Please call numbers listed to confirm. SW. Croton-Harmon to Teatown Lake, NY. Leader: Dorothy Wednesday, March 25 ADK-MH Adirondack Mountain Club-Mid Hudson TLR Teatown Lake Reservation Lourdou, 212-685-6443. Meet: 8:30am at Grand Central Terminal RVW. Fern Cliff Forest, Rhinebeck, NY. For information: info booth to take 8:56 train to Croton-Harmon, arriving 9:51am. AFW Adventures for Women UOC University Outing Club 845-246-4590. Easy walk: 5 miles, 2-3 hours. Meet: 10am. GAHC German-American Hiking Club UCHC Union County Hiking Club Moderate 10 miles with one steep up and down. Pleasant woods Inclement weather date, following Saturday. walk on Croton Aqueduct, returning the same way. Mud likely, so IHC Interstate Hiking club WEC Weis Ecology Center Thursday, March 26 boots recommended. Donation requested. NYHC New York Hiking Club UCHC. Ramapo State Forest, Oakland, NJ. Leader: Bob Bieri, NYR New York Ramblers Clubs wishing to have hikes listed in Hikers’ Almanac should 201-664-3813. Meet: 10am at Skyline Dr. parking, upper lot. RVW Rip Van Winkle send their schedules to [email protected] or to the Trail Conference Moderately strenuous 8 miles through various scout camps; for Office. The deadline for the May/June issue is March 15. SW Shorewalkers experienced hikers. March/April 2009 Page 9

SW. The Jersey-Hudson River Saunter, NY-NJ. Leader: Sunday, April 19 Matthew Brozyna, 917-912-9533. Meet: 9:15am at info booth in GW AFW. Long Mountain, Harriman Mountain State Park, NY. Leader: Bridge Bus Terminal (178th St. @ Broadway). Amazing 14+ mile call 973-644-3592 to register or go to www.adventuresforwomen.org. medium-paced walk. After crossing the GW Bridge, we spiral Meet: 9:30am. Moderate hike; out by 2:30pm. Member Club Profile south along the Palisades and shores of NJ, passing through GAHC. Sterling Forest State Park, NY. Leader: Mathias Wuethrich, Hoboken and ending at the newly rebuilt pier near the tip of The Trail Conference comprises 10,000 individual members and more than 100 908-253-9042. Moderate hikes. Meet: Frank Lautenberg Visitors Jersey City, NJ. A visually stunning 7+ hour mini-saunter. Return Center at 9:30am; call for directions. member clubs with a combined membership of 150,000 hikers. We invite club to Manhattan on PATH train. Rain cancels! Donation requested. IHC. Silvermine, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Roy UCHC. South Mtn. Reservation, Millburn, NJ. Leader: Lee representatives to submit photos from hikes or maintenance outings or other events Williams, 570-828-6207. Meet: 9am at Silvermine Picnic area, Fanger, 973-376-3160. Meet: 10am at Locust Grove parking, Glen. Seven Lakes Dr. Strenuous hike. Bad weather cancels. (please set your digital camera for highest resolution). Email your photos, along with Ave. across from RR station. Moderate 4-5 miles at steady pace. Bad weather cancels. SW. Garrison to Manitou, East Hudson Highlands, NY. Leader: complete caption information to: [email protected]; put “TW club photo” in the subject line. Marvin Malater, 718-376-3608. Meet: 8:20am at info booth at NYHC. Great Kills to Staten Island Mall, NY. Leader: Ray Krant: Grand Central for 8:50 train to Garrison, NY (RT). 7-9 miles at 718-435-4994. Moderate hike at steady pace through Greenbelt moderate pace, with hills. Osborn Loop, Appalachian Trail, then Outdoor Bound on White, Yellow, and Blue Trails with nice scenery. Bring lunch descending into Manitou where we follow the road northward for and water. Meet at 10:15am, Manhattan side of Staten Island Adventures an extended shore view. Return is from Manitou Station at Ferry. ($3 nonmembers) 5:05pm. Donation requested. Sunday, April 5 Outdoor Bound Adventures (OBA), a UCHC. Pyramid Mtn., Montville, NJ. Leaders: Jeffrey Sovelove, AFW. Bunker Hill. Leader: call 973-644-3592 to register or go to travel and adventure business based in [email protected] and Lee Ousley, [email protected] . New York City, became a member organi - volunteered to help with trail crew proj - www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 10am. Easy hike; out by 1pm. Meet: 10am at visitors center parking. 4-5 miles with significant IHC. Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Roy Williams, 570-828- climbing. Bad weather cancels. zation of the Trail Conference last June. In ects on the AT and elsewhere in the East early January, 11 guides employed by Hudson area, and work trips are being 6207. Meet: 9am at Elk Pen Parking, Arden Valley Rd., Arden, NY. NYHC. Van Cortlandt Park to Downtown Yonkers, NY. Leaders: Strenuous 12 miles, visiting many mines throughout the day. Helen Mangione-Yee and George Glatz; call between 7-8am only, OBA were out getting lessons in trail planned for them this spring and summer. Bad weather cancels. 212-533-9457. Hike via Putnam Trail and Tibbetts Brook Park on maintenance from Supervisor Ollie Simp - Outdoor Bound Adventures was UCHC. Jockey Hollow, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Dave Bennett, easy trails at moderate, steady pace; some ups and downs. son and staff member Christie Ferguson founded in 1982 as a day-hiking compa - 973-701-0248. Meet: 10am at visitor center parking. Moderate 5 Meet: 10:45am in the Bronx at 242nd Van Cortlandt on the Beekman Uplands Loop, a 1.7-mile ny. Today, under owners Kirk Reynolds miles in this historic park. Park/Broadway (park side), last stop of #1 train; sit in first car of train, right token booth and right staircase. Return via Metro side trail to the AT in Dutchess County. and Connie Magee, who purchased the Monday, April 6 North or bus. Rain, ice, snow, or temperatures below 20 degrees They clipped away encroaching brush and business in 2003, OBA’s experienced UCHC. Cedar Grove Park, NJ. Leader: Roz Bloom, 973-364-0186. cancels. ($3 nonmembers) got the trail ship-shape for hikers. After - guides take people on a wide variety of Meet: 10am; call for directions. An easy, level hike. A railroad bed, hemlock gorge, and the reservoir. Tuesday, April 21 ward, Christie Ferguson, East Hudson outdoor adventures, covering day, week - SW. Wantagh Nature Trail, Long Island,NY. Leader: Robert Kess, Regional Representative for the Trail end, and longer international trips. Thursday, April 9 631-225-0297. Meet: 9:59am at Wantagh RR station, west end of Conference noted their high level of Hiking, rock and ice climbing, snowshoe - UCHC. Bearfort Ridge, Hewitt, NJ. Leader: George Smith, 973- platform; take 9:06am LIRR train from Penn Station to Wantagh 778-3586. Meet: 10am at A&P for short shuttle to trailhead; call enthusiasm for lopping and clearing. ing, horseback riding, mountain biking, (RT). 6 miles at an easy pace. We’ll see freshwater wetlands, a for directions. 8 miles, strenuous morning followed by a moder - “Despite the cold temperatures and snow rafting, and volunteer service trips abroad former NYC reservoir, and waterfowl. Donation requested. ate afternoon; for experienced hikers. on the ground, they arrived at the trailhead and close to home are among the activities UCHC. Reeves Meadow, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Bob at 10am and jumped into the work. Of on their calendar. They also offer active Saturday, April 11 Bieri, 201-664-3813. Meet: 10am at Reeves Meadow visitor center, UCHC. Jockey Hollow National Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Seven Lakes Dr. Moderately strenuous 6 miles with many hills and course, being experienced guides, they outdoor programs for young people. Mae Deas, 908-233-6641. Meet: 10am at visitor center parking. one rock scramble. Reeves Brook, Raccoon Brook, Poached Egg, were well prepared, wearing lots of layers For Kirk, Connie, and the other OBA 4-5 miles at moderately fast pace with some hilly sections. and Pine Meadow Trails. and donning new work gloves.” guides, the focus is on pursuing not only Sunday, April 12 Thursday, April 23 By mid-day, most of the trail was clear their own passion for outdoor adventure, UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Ellen UCHC. Schunemunk Mtn., NY. Leaders: Jim and Carolyn Can - and Ollie was happy to designate OBA as but also sharing these experiences with Jeydel, 908-232-2413. Meet: 10am at Trailside Center on Coles field, 973-728-9774. Meet: 10am at Black Rock Fish and Game lot; its permanent maintainers. OBA has also people living in the city. Ave. at New Providence Rd. Moderate 5-6 miles. call for directions. Moderately strenuous 8+ miles; for experi - The Trail Conference is pleased to have Monday, April 13 enced hikers. Long Path and Jessup Trail will give us sweeping views along the ridge and unforgettable conglomerate rock this dynamic and active outdoor business UCHC. Great Swamp, Chatham, NJ. Leader: Len Shnitzer, 732- working with us to preserve our network 499-9176. Meet: 10am; call for directions. Easy, level walk along beneath our feet. the boardwalk and Laurel Trail. Saturday, April 25 of trails and ensure quality hiking oppor - tunities for the future. The company is Tuesday, April 14 SW. Annual Doggie Stroll, NY. Leader: Mayer Wiesen, 516-671- UCHC. Popolopen Gorge, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: 2095. Meet: 1:30pm corner of Queens Blvd. and Kew Gardens Rd.; also a retail partner, offering discounts to Arnie Seymour-Jones, 201-768-3864. Meet: 10am at Bear Mtn. take E or F train to Union Turnpike, exit front car. 3 miles at a Trail Conference members. Inn. 6-7 miles up the gorge to Popolopen Torne (optional climb) relaxed pace. Afternoon stroll in Forest Park, Queens, for doggies Learn more at Outdoor Bound Adven - and back Timp-Torne Trail to Fort Montgomery. escorted by their owners (those without dogs are welcome too). tures’ website: www.outdoorbound.com. Donation requested. Thursday, April 16 UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Joan UCHC. Kittatinny Valley State Park, Andover, NJ. Leader: Mae Lepselter, 908-273-4188. Meet: 10am at Trailside Center on Coles Deas, 908-233-6641; must call to register day before the hike. Ave. at New Providence Rd. 4-5 miles at a brisk pace. Steady WALKABLE WESTCHESTER Meet: 10am at visitor center on Goodale Rd. Fairly level 5-6 miles. rain cancels. continued from page 1 Friday-Sunday, April 17-19 Sunday, April 26 ADK-MH. Backpack the Old Loggers Path, PA. Leader: Russ IHC. Trail Clearing on Sterling Ridge Trail, NJ. Leader: Jim Can - Walkable Westchester has been a labor of Faller, [email protected]. The Old Loggers Path is one of field, 973-728-9774. Meet: 9am at south end of Sterling Ridge love for Jane and Walt. They began their Pennsylvania’s premier loop trails because it showcases some of Trail, Rt. 511, Hewitt, NJ. Moderately strenuous day working on the state’s most scenic areas. A 27-mile loop of moderate difficul - project in late 2001, initially thinking that another spring cleanup. Bring clippers and good working gloves; ty with mostly gradual ascents/descents and some steep the county had 70-80 parks, preserves, and you can also use the club’s tools. We need everyone’s help! Rain sections. Limited to 10 in good physical condition. Fit beginners date is Saturday, May 2. sanctuaries with 200-250 miles of trails. By welcome. Participants need own gear and food. Meet at trailhead 2005, they had identified 150 places, and at 1pm on Friday. Contact leader to register. AFW. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, NJ. Leader: call 973-644- 3592 to register or go to www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: by 2008 the list of parks had grown to 180. Saturday, April 18 – Sunday, April 19 10am. Easy hike; out by 2pm. Half of the parks they had never heard of, AFW. Backpacking in Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: call 973- and 22 of those parks did not exist when 644-3592 to register or go to www.adventuresforwomen.org. TLR. Fishkill Ridge, NY. Leader: preregistration required; call 914- Meet: 9am Saturday; out by 3pm Sunday. Moderate hike with 762-2912, ext. 110, or go to www.teatown.org. Meet: 10am. Hike this the project started. some difficult sections; for experienced backpackers. rugged 1,900-acre park preserved by Scenic Hudson. The climb up The authors have been assisted by many the Overlook Trail is steep and strenuous in places, but affords volunteers in the course of this project. Saturday, April 18 great views of the Catskills, Hudson River, and the foothills of the TLR. Celebrate Earth Day at Teatown, Ossining, NY. Leader: Taconic Range. Out by 2pm. Adults only; $5 fee. Rain cancels. “Without them, the book would not have preregistration required; call 914-762-2912, ext. 110, or go to been possible,” they note. Thanks for help - Tuesday, April 28 www.teatown.org. Meet: 8am. Teatown’s first hike-a-thon ing to bring Walkable Westchester to UCHC. Apshawa Preserve, West Milford, NJ. Leaders: Carolyn fundraiser to help raise funds for Teatown Lake Reservation. publication go to: Out by 2pm. and Jim Canfield, 973-728-9774. Meet: 10am at Macopin Rd. parking; call for directions. 6 miles. Explore the trails and lakes in Project manager: Ruth Rosenthal UCHC. Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ. Leader: Lynn Gale, 973- Passaic County’s 512-acre preserve in the Highlands region. Providers of information, advice, and 763-7230. Meet: 10am at parking on Franklin Ave.; call for directions. Co-author Jane Daniels on Dancing Rock Easy hike on Lenape Trail and some sidewalks through this beauti - Thursday, April 30 general assistance: Christian Lenz Cesar, ful gem designed by Olmsted; we may see cherry blossoms. UCHC. Pine Meadow Lake, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Daniel Chazin, Linsay Cochran, Don Derr, Margaret Douglas, Ann Gruhn, Peter Ellie King, 908-233-8411; must call day before hike to register. Derr, Carol Jensen, and, from Westchester Hibbard, Herb Hochberg, Erik and Carol Meet: 10am at Reeves Brook visitor center on Seven Lakes Dr. County Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Jensen, Irwin and Paula Levine, Mark H. 6 miles to this beautiful lake, with some hills and rock scrambling in the morning. Conservation, David DeLucia, Bob Linehan, Bruce Lucas, Priscilla Lucas, TJ Del Torto, and Paul Gisando. Mancini, Barry R. Mark, Naomi K. Mark, Manager of trail checkers: TJ Mancini Mary Anne Massey, Mary Mallonee, Chip Editors: Daniel Chazin, Barry Fingerhut, Meakem, Paul Meck, Catharine and Will TJ Mancini, Ruth Rosenthal Raffaele, Kate Ray, Bob Ross, Dietrich Indexer: Suse Bell Schmidt, Carol Stix, Tom Sullivan, Jim Trail checkers, “who like astronauts, Stirbis, and Robert Willimann. went out on missions in poorly charted areas Professional services were provided by under the guidance from mission control cartographer Allison Werberg and book (the authors)”: Rochelle Auslander, Michael designer/layout artist Nora Porter. Photogra - Bennett, Daniel Chazin, Nora Cheng, Don phers included Herb Chong (cover photo), Marie Barcia-Marcy, and Paul Meck. To order your copy of Walkable Westch - ester , see Hikers’ Almanac on page 12 or visit www.nynjtc.org. List price: $24.95. Trail Conference members get a 25% discount. R I E W E T T E G R O E

G Lasdon Gardens is among the places to A hungry tree in the Taconics walk described in Walkable Westchester . Page 10 March/April 2009 DONORS TO THE ANNUAL FUND Progress Report on the Darlington Schoolhouse November 22, 2008 to January 23, 2009 GIFTS Marilyn Adair, John & Josephine Adams, Richard & Anita Adelman, Robert Ambaras, Estelle Anderson, John & Bonnie Anlian, Jill H. Arbuckle, Stephen M. Autenrieth, Peter M. Balma, Stephen Barre, George Barrett, Gerald A. Becan, Margaret Begley, Donna Nye & Deborah Bell, Hanna & Andy Benesch, David S. Bennett, Clifford & Marcy Berchtold, Michael Bieber, Sherri Biscan, Ed Blaumeiser, Walter Bogdewicz, Jack & Susan P. Bolnick, Michael J. Bolotsky, Daryl & Matthew P. Boylan, Robert & Rose Marie Boysen, John V. Bracco, Raymond A. Bragar & Robin Hertz, Vincent & Rosemary Brancato, Jonathan L. Brandt, Charles B. Brock, Han & Afina Broekman, Margaret W. Browar, Katherine Brown, Kurt F. Brown, Harvey K. Bucholtz, David W. Buell, Olive Burkitt, James L. Burns, James Canfield & Carolyn Canfield, Richard S. & Alice V. Cantor, William B. Cater & Debbie Carter, Robert Cherdack, Philippe Cheyette, William Chiappane, William C. Close, William J. Cofone & Susan Greer, Rita Cohen & Richard Stern, Richard M. Cohn, Harriet Cornell, Pat Cotter & Francis Turner, Matthew & Jennifer Coulter, Ruth & Wally Cowan, Ron D. Croney, William Crowley, Andrea J. Damato, Geoffrey Dann & Lauri Novick-Dann, Christopher B. Davis, Monica Day & David Day, Carolyn H. Dittus, Michael E. Doehring, Keith C. Doell, John P. Dolan, Laurie E. Donald, Paul T. Donoghue, Richard Dresser, David & Barbara Dykhouse, Arthur H. & Nancy Ebeling, Marcia Egger & James Langford, John Ellingboe & Page Hartwell, Vincent Ellison Jr., Richard Elrauch, Michael Engel, Jeanne B. Epstein, John & Judith Estok, Margaret H. & Donald Eucker, Jo Ann Evans & Andrew Frazzano, Sheila C. Ewall, Frances Lee Fanger, Lou Feeney, Harriett & Michael Finck, Jean R. Fletcher, Roland & Mary Ann Folter, Larry Fox, Because of the continuing interest in the hold of this project and are very visible Michael J. & Virginia J. Foxx, Neil Fried & Caren Loebel-Fried, Claudia L. Ganz, Ned & Laura JT Gardner, David Gedzelman rehabilitation of the Darlington School - and very hands-on in directing this & Judith Turner, Maria A. Geiselhart & Tom J DiBella, Clifford Norman Gerenz, Tom Gilmore, Alan Glickman, Kenneth R. Goddard, Robert Gold, Sibyl Golden, Michael J. Goldey, Richard W. Goldsmith, Toby Golick, Dan Goodman, Josie Gray, house as our future headquarters, we have project. An associate, Blair Hines, is the Stella Green & Bob Green, Fred I. & Barbara E. Greenstein, Robert Gregory, John Grob & Anne Grob, Marilyn L. Gross & decided to provide updates from time to landscape architect. All three individu - Kim Hausner, Ann Guarino, Wilhelmina A. Haruk, Edward Z. Hawkes, The Hayda Family, Sidney B. Heimbach MD, Howard time on our progress toward our move-in als have put their mark on the project. D. Helms, Ludwig Hendel, William R. Hickerson, Kenneth A. Hicks, Peter E. Hobday, Richard T. Holden, Nancy Horch, date. We are now in the “permit” phase of • Conservation Director Bill O’Hearn Leonard Houston & Dorothea Houston, Samuel G. Huber, Warner W. Johnston, Gregory Joseph, Thomas J. Joyce, Joyce C. Judson & Morris R. Judson Jr., Howard Kaplowitz & Robert Gaudreau, Norman & Myrna Kasser, Robert M. & Linda S. Katz, the project, during which we need to pro - has joined the committee as the coordi - Richard & Marion Katzive, Paul J. Kaufman, Noel A. Kemprowski, Barbara & Bradford Kendall, Peter L. Kennard, Robert J. vide our site plan and architectural nator in charge of managing the Kess, Richard H. & Galene A. Kessin, Howard D. Kessler Jr., Susan Ketchum, Charles & Anita Kientzler, Frederick K. & Jo Kies, drawings to state, county, and local regula - permitting process. He is currently Philip L. & Melinda Kirstein, Harry R. & Karen S. Kissileff, Edward D. Kleinbard, Janet C. Kohler, Jack & Judy Kossover, tors to obtain the approvals needed before working with the team of project sup - Charles Kovacs, John S. Krtil, Adam Lechner & Ellen Gold, Laura Leso, Michael B. & Sally C. Levin, Rosanne Levitt, Simon & Edna Litten, Antonio Lopez, Carl Loutzenheiser, Richard E. Lutringer, Leonard & Sue Lyon, Natalie A. Macke, Carol G. we can start construction. porters to help us work through the Maclennan, Deborah Magocsi & Jason Boyd, John C. Mahle Jr., Andrew Maldonado, Kenneth H. Malkin & Linda Z. Malkin, necessary approvals. Joel & Ruth Mandelbaum, James H. Martin, Jimena P. Martinez & Michael J. Hirschhorn, MaryAnn & Charlie Massey, Frederic Mauhs, Mary & Gay Mayer, Douglas F. McBride, Seth L. McKee & Ellen Butowsky, William Meier, Marc S. & Nancy C. Melamed, Raymond John Menell, Julius & Muriel Merl, Michael Merritt & Hilary Wilder, Timothy Messerich, Robert W. CPLA has created a sketch design of the Messerschmidt, Christian Meyer & Hwa Soon, Daniel K. Miller, Katherine T. Miller & Sandra Caravella, James P. Monticello, finished building (see above) that features a Richard & Catherine More, Joe & Linda Moreng, Andrew Moroz, Martina Moss, Dagi K. Murphy & John R. Murphy, Virginia two-story addition at the rear of the struc - & Bob Nasser, Allen I. Newman, Bob & Alma Newton, Thao & Lan Nguyen, W G Nichols & Janice Holleny, Thaddeus H. & ture. This planned addition captures the Hanny G. Niver, David Nolan & Family, Daniel North, David & Betsy L. Nussenbaum, Adam H. & Melissa Offenhartz, Bradford Olson, Dean F. & Lorrie Paccioretti, John Palczynski & Pat Laverty, Patty Lee Parmalee, Anthony V. & Domenica classic lines of the schoolhouse while provid - Paterno, Lawrence G. Paul, Robert J. Permutt, William & Georgann Pettenger, Hugo M. Pfaltz, G. W. Phillips, Gale & Louis ing the space for an environmental education Pisha, Luis C. Pi-Sunyer, David Polesky, Peter Policarpo, James Prommel, Vicki Raeburn & Charles Raeburn, Daniel center on the first floor and a large meeting Raleigh, Steven & Sandra Richman, Nancy A. Riekert, William L. Roach Jr., Alan S. Rojer, Ned Rothenberg & Lois Ellison, Joseph Rowan, Donald & Susan Rudbart, Carole Russo, Howard & Suzanne Samelson, Elusha A. Samuel, Michael Sasse, room for public presentations on the second. Joseph Scalia, Erwin S. Schaub, Robert J. & Rhoda Schermer, Darrel Schoeling & Jeff Corbin, Aaron Schoenberg & Kathy At the same time, Conklin Associates is Schoenberg, Ruth Schorsch, Susan Schuur, Steve R. Schwinn & Susan J. Schwinn, Patricia Merritt & Jeffrey Scott, George developing a site plan that will add parking Blair Scribner, Peter H. Seitz, Shaun Sensiba, Leon Shim, Linda Shwab, Simon & Nancy Z. Sidamon-Eristoff, James B. along an existing roadway and turn the Simpson, Ollie Simpson, June P. Slade, Jim Sligar & Diana Sattelberger, Chuck Smith, Gerson Smith, Michelle D. Smith, Norman J. Smith, Mike & Peggy Sormani, Jonathan Spencer & Andrea Jansz, Salvatore Sposito, Y. Spravtsev & I. Fortunately, we have assembled an excel - area in front of and behind the building Poznanskaya, James P. Springer & Nancy C. Elckman, Scott D. Stanford, William J. Steinmann, Susan Sterngold, Phyllis lent professional team: into rain gardens that will hold and clean A. Stewart, Robert Stillman, Jan A. Summers, Lawrence Swayne, J. Bruce Thomson & Beverly Thomson, Carl E. & Victoria storm water runoff before releasing it to A.D. Thune, Nancy & Art Tollefson, Kenneth E. Tomiak, Martin A. Treat, Diana Trebbi, Jan & Sandra van Heerden, Alan J. • Tibor Latincsics , PE and PP, of Con - adjacent wetlands. VanAntwerpen, Dave R. Vars, Richard & Anna Vislocky, Richard E. & Elizabeth Voigt, Ed & Eudora Walsh, Katherine Walsh, Rudolf J. Walter, Loren Wasserman, Peter Weed & Celia Barbour, Georgette Weir & Jean Claude Fouere, Robert & Virginia klin Associates and Trail Conference The volunteer Darlington Steering Weismantel, Patrick G. & Winifred J. Welsh, Edward B. Whitney & Martha Howell, Suzanne Wilder, Thomas M. & Edith K. Life Member, is generously donating Committee is under the new leadership of Williams, Stefan Vranka, Marty & Nancy Willick, Allan Winkler, Philip Winograd, Melissa Wohlgemuth & Matt Howard, his time to develop the site plan and Eddie Saiff, professor of Biology at David V. & Naola B. Woolf, Steven B. & Nathalie E. Yafet, David & Anne Yaspan, H. Neil Zimmerman engineering drawings that demonstrate Ramapo College, who has served on and ORGANIZATIONS/MATCHING GIFTS to the land use authorities how the chaired the Mahwah Environmental Com - American Express Foundation, Earth Share, Fortunoff, GoodSearch, Network For Good, Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts rehabilitated Schoolhouse will enhance mission as well as the Mahwah Board of Program, Prudential Foundation Matching Gifts Program, REI, The Environmental Fund for NJ Inc., Thendara Mountain Club, Union County Hiking Club, United Way of Tri-State, UPS Foundation the community and improve water Education. Eddie would like to acknowl - quality on the site. edge the great accomplishments of the DARLINGTON SCHOOLHOUSE • Andy Norin, land use attorney with former chair, Chris Tausch, in keeping the Chaz E. Champenois & Meg Cushing, Darryl Dator Rehill the law firm Drinker, Biddle & Reath, project moving forward. In Honor of Daniel Van Engel’s 60th Birthday Mike & Kathy Azzara, Debra and Donald Green, Steven Grossman, Martin Horowitz, Scott & Amy Kellman, William & is providing pro-bono counsel and Geraldine Pehush, Reed Perron & Janice Cutler, Edward & Sharon Reitz, Linda & Vaughn Smith coordinating the overall compliance with regulations of NJ Dept. of Envi - LAND ACQUISITION In honor of our dear friend George Petty’s 80th birthday & STEWARDSHIP FUND Louis & Helen Lowenstein ronmental Protection, Bergen County, David L. Cullen In memory of Raymond H. Torrey Mahwah, and Highlands land use TRIBUTES John & Wanda Giuffrida authorities. In memory of Christopher Malone In memory of Shelley Norton • The Colgan Perry Lawler Aurell Asso - Laurie Cocca, Elizabeth Chadwick, Kathy & Charles Carol Mallett Adelman ciates (CPLA) architectural firm, in the Iantosca, George & Ann Katterman, Joseph & Deborah In memory of William Kaiser - Breakneck Ridge Trail person of Win Perry as Partner Emeri - Lamonica, Charles & Mary O’Neill, Philip E. & Lisa Tracy Christopher Murphy tus and Project Leader, and Walter Savoie, Alexandra & Joseph Sexton, Cheryl Tavares In honor of Richard Lynch Aurell as Managing Partner, have taken In honor of Daniel J. Lehman of Brooklyn NY Margaret Lynch Jon Lehman In honor of my father, Torleif Meloe In the name of Ethel Meringer Erica A. Meloe Own a TC Trail Map? James M. Hourihan In honor of Margaret Freifeld In memory of Harry Bott Vicki Steinhardt Take Our Trail Map Survey! Rita Boyd, Ronald Fecher In loving memory of my mother, Dorothy Proctor Jonas In the name of Ms. Lisa Weiss & Dr. F. Kenneth Zadeck Robert J. Jonas As our organization is Donald J. Zadeck In memory of my father, Frank Napolitano continually updating In memory of my grandfather, Frank Napolitano, Harold & Shirley Baird our trail maps and born 1900, who attended the Darlington Schoolhouse In memory of Cleo Sterngold looking to expand our Lisa Carlson David Sutter & Naomi Sutter Tributes are only printed for donations of $25 or more. offerings of maps for new areas, we would like to obtain a better understanding of how people use our maps and what map features people prefer. Your input in this Wednesday Speaker Series survey can help us to improve our current The Trail Conference and Campmor maps and also ensure the production of are teaming up for another series of new top-quality trail maps in the future. presentations relating to outdoor topics. The talks are free and will take place at The survey is available online at the store in Paramus starting at 7 pm. http://tinyurl.com/TCmapsurvey Wednesday, March 11 North Forest Canoe Trail – details TBA Wednesday, March 18 Hike New York City Chris and Catherine Brooks Wednesday, March 25 Hiking the New Jersey Highlands George Petty Wednesday, April 1 NJ Search & Rescue Rich Roller and crew

For directions, visit www.campmor.com March/April 2009 Page 11 Appalachian Trail Festival 2009 Book Review At the Mercy We often hear the message, “Weather The 37th Biennial Meeting of the of the Mountains can change rapidly. Be Prepared.” Author Peter Bronski makes the case vividly with Appalachian Trail Conservancy True Stories of Survival and Tragedy chronicles of tired or lost hikers ill-prepared in New York's Adirondacks for the onset of rain, snow, cold, or wind. July 17-24, 2009 Hypothermia and accidents resulting in By Peter Bronski Castleton State College, Castleton, Vermont broken limbs or worse are the common stories. Anxiety plays a big role as well, and Hosted by the Green Mountain Club an increasing one as hikers equipped with cell phones or personal locator beacons call Here are some of And in the evening... for help when facing the slightest chal - the week’s highlights: Friday, July 17: GMC Executive Director lenge. Bronski reminds us that our own • 2,000-miler reception Ben Rose and Director of Field Programs carelessness or bad luck may put others at • Early morning birding Dave Hardy present “Vermont from A to risk too, when emergency personnel are • Appalachian Trail Conservancy Z” and “A Short Look at the Long Trail.” called out for rescues. membership meeting Sunday, July 19: Author and long-dis - Bronski makes some careless errors in his • Hikes on the Appalachian Trail tance hiker Cindy Ross entertains with her introduction. He reports, for example, that in southern Vermont multi-media show: “A Family’s Journey Marcy was first climbed in 1837 and that • Appalachian Trails and Tales Along the Continental Divide,” about her by then “buildings already stood atop • Lessons on “going light” trek with four llamas, two children, and Mount Washington and an auto road led • Trail magic discussion one husband. up to the top.” Yet according to Mount - • Virtual tour of the Long Trail Lodge Monday, July 20: The Honeymooners The Lyons Press, 2008 Washington.org the first building was • Climate change and the Quartet, a mixed a cappella group from the Reviewed by Jean-Claude Fouere constructed there in 1852 and the road cer - Appalachian Trail Upper Valley, perform old favorites with a tainly was not traveled by autos at that time! • Rattlers and Ribbons, new twist. Plus, Chris Hanna and Mary This compilation of ill-fated outings and a Nevertheless, this is a must read for any - a workshop on northeastern snakes Lou Recor show slides from their adven - good number of successful rescues in the one thinking of enjoying the great outdoor • Greenwall Shelter roof replacement ture, “Hiking the Pacific Crest.” Adirondacks might make one think twice experience, in the Adirondacks or else - • Trail maintenance from Kent Pond Tuesday, July 21: Sam Jamke presents before adventuring into the wilderness. It where. It offers good reminders of the to Thundering Falls “New Zealand’s Great Walks,” and the did me. I read this absorbing but sobering importance of experience, preparation, and • Ice cream run to Ben & Jerry’s factory town of Castleton sponsors its weekly Con - set of tales just prior to a planned weekend humility in approaching the great Adiron - in Waterbury cert on the Green. of backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in dack outdoors. As Bronski shows us, when • Narrated M/V Carillon cruise on Wednesday, July 22: Mike Tougias gives the Adirondack High Peaks. I didn’t change things go wrong in the wilderness, one can Lake Champlain a talk: “There’s a Porcupine in my Out - my plans and head instead to a beach in the be very close to haven, and yet very far. • American Revolution sites including house.” The Vermont Institute of Natural Caribbean, but I did inventory my cloth - Hubbardton, Saratoga and Ticonderoga Science staff presents: “Coyotes in New ing, pack equipment, and readiness more England.” carefully than I might have otherwise. For more information Thursday, July 23: Paul Houchens shows or to volunteer, see slides from his adventure: “Hiking and www.vermont2009.org. Paddling through Alaska and the Yukon Ter - Registration begins March 1. ritory.” John Mudge talks about the “History and Names of the White Mountains.”

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR been extensively considered or attempted. continued from page 2 Those meetings must be made more interesting. Topics should be scheduled Jersey trail network. But in the Janu - which will encourage audience participa - ary/February issue of Trail Walker I was tion. Consider recent Trails Council happy to see an article in which Jane meetings which had very spirited discus - Daniels speaks about meeting and work - sions on incursions of trail and motor ing with the mountain biking bikes on the hiking trails, and another community. meeting that dealt with a proposed new I look forward to more work done side trail that originally was planned with a by side with the Trail Conference. good deal of road walk. Extensive mem - ber interchange resulted in interesting, Evan Fineman exhilarating, and productive meetings. Fair Lawn, NJ Surely, there are appropriate topics which will result in comparable participatory On Another Topic… and exciting delegate meetings. The Delegates, through their club affil - Improve Delegates Meetings, iations, represent over 100,000 hikers. It Don’t Cut Their Number would be very valuable, both to the clubs Re Bob Boysen’s “From the Chair” and to Trail Conference environmental column in the September/October 2008 and conservation efforts, if a significant Trail Walker , “Proposed: That There Be percentage became motivated to become Fewer Delegates Meetings.” involved in these matters. They could The original and continuing basis for become a very potent local political force. the esteem and reputation of the Trail Discussions at the Delegates meetings to Conference rests with our trail work, and draw out methods by which such involve - that derives directly from the strength, ment could be encouraged could be very energies, and devotion of the volunteer helpful. Coming to our area in March! base. To continue that positive interac - My main point is that there must be a tion, it is important to maintain the number of alternative therapies, short of Two locations: impression that members (or their repre - the radical surgery of reducing the num - New York City & Rockland County/North New Jersey sentatives, the Delegates) have the ber of meetings, to make Delegates See exciting films on mountain themes from around the world. opportunity to comment, advocate, and meetings more interesting. if necessary, direct the actions of the Trail Jack Driller Conference. Whether they do or do not Ridgewood, NJ VISIT SPONSOR TABLES, WIN GREAT RAFFLE PRIZES & SUPPORT THE exercise this opportunity is not relevant; that PROGRAMS OF THE NEW YORK - NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE they believe they can is all-important. The writer serves as Trail Supervisor for Reducing the number of delegate meet - Bear Mountain-Harriman SW (since ings will create the impression that the 1998) and was First Vice President of the Wednesday, March 4, 2009 Tuesday, March 10 and leadership, be it volunteers or staff, wants Trail Conference Board of Directors in Suffern, NY — Lafayette Theater Wednesday March 11 to discourage member inputs. 1980 and 1981. In 2005, he was presented Sponsors: Leki, Ramsey Outdoor, New York City — Peter Norton Bob Boysen comments that the atten - with the William Hoeferlin Award, which NJ Rock Gym, Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa Symphony Space dance at Delegates meetings has been recognizes Trail Conference volunteers who steadily declining. And to counter that have demonstrated exemplary service to trail Programs on March 10 and 11 trend, he recommends reducing the num - maintenance, management, and/or trail are entirely different. ber of annual meetings from three to two. land protection. Sponsors: Gore Mountain, Leki, Other solutions are possible, but have not Paragon Sporting Goods

Find ticket information, film lists, and directions, at www.chestnutmtnproductions.com click on “Banff Mountain Film Festival”

Tickets for Suffern, NY available at all Ramsey Outdoor locations and at www.ramseyoutdoor.com ADULTS: $15.00, STUDENTS: $11.00 • DAY OF SHOW: $18.00/$14.00 Page 12 March/April 2009

Driving: From the New England Street. Turn left onto Park Avenue and at Thruway, take Exit 19, Playland Parkway. the end turn right onto Boston Post Road. Featured Hike Take the first right off the Parkway, turn The entrance to Marshlands Conservancy left, and then right at the next intersection. is about 200 yards on the left. By Georgette Weir In 0.3 mile, merge with the Boston Post Road. The entrance to Marshlands To learn about the other 179 places to Marshlands Conservancy Conservancy is to the left just past the walk in Westchester County, buy Walkable Rye Country Club (0.5 mile). Westchester from the Trail Conference (see Hikers’ Marketplace below) or your on Long Island Sound Public transportation: Metro-North favorite book store. New Haven Line, Harrison Station. Cross Halstead Avenue and walk down Purdy Hikers’ Marketplace NY-NJ TC member? YES NO JOINING NOW Member #______Please order by circling price Retail Member P/H Total Maps (TC published except where noted. Discounted shipping available for orders of 8 or more.) S L E I Catskill Trails (2005) & see combo $14.95 $11.21 +$1.65 ______N A D

T NEW!! East Hudson Trails (2008) $10.95 $ 8.21 +$1.50 ______L A

W NEW!! Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails (2008) & see combo $ 9.95 $ 7.46 +$1.50 ______& E

N Hudson Palisades Trails (2005) $ 8.95 $ 6.71 +$1.50 ______A J Marshlands Conservancy offers a rare public access to Long Island Sound from Westchester. NEW!! Kittatinny Trails (2009) & see combo $12.95 $ 9.71 +$1.65 ______North Jersey Trails (2007) $ 9.95 $ 7.46 +$1.50 ______Hiking isn’t just about backcountry trails Trails are unmarked and Marshlands is a Shawangunk Trails (2008) & see combo $10.95 $ 8.21 +$1.50 ______anymore, and neither is the Trail Confer - great place to meander or go birding. For South Taconic Trails (2006) $ 4.95 $ 3.71 +$1.10 ______ence. The Hudson Hills and Highlands those who prefer directions, the Danielses NEW!! Sterling Forest Trails (2008) $ 7.95 $ 5.96 +$1.30 ______Community Trails Program, our one-year- describe (but not in the book) a 1-mile West Hudson Trails (2006) $ 8.95 $ 6.71 +$1.50 ______old partnership with Teatown Lake walk that starts from the Nature Center. NEW!! Old Croton Aqueduct (Friends of OCA, 2008) $ 4.95 $ 3.71 $1.00 ______Reservation, focuses on developing and Take the trail that begins at the right side maintaining networks of trails in densely of the Nature Center (as you face it), cross Books populated Westchester, Putnam, and a small bridge and take the trail to the left NEW!! Walkable Westchester (2009) $24.95 $18.71 +$3.50 ______southern Dutchess counties. along the meadow. (The large white house Appalachian Trail Guide to New York $19.95 $14.96 +$3.00 ______The latest book from the Trail Confer - overlooking the meadow is the Jay Heritage & New Jersey (2007) ence, Walkable Westchester (see story on Center. John Jay, the first chief justice of Hiking the Jersey Highlands (2007) $22.95 $17.21 +$3.50 ______page 1), is another manifestation of this the United States, grew up on the property. New York Walk Book (2005) & see combo $22.95 $17.21 +$3.50 ______new orientation toward promoting hiking He is buried nearby on land still owned by New Jersey Walk Book (2004) & see combo $19.95 $14.96 +$3.50 ______opportunities close to home. Jane and Walt his descendants.) Follow the left edge of the Circuit Hikes in Northern New Jersey (2003) $11.95 $ 8.96 +$2.50 ______Daniels have written a one-volume ency - meadow; at its far end take a side trail to Day Walker (2002) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.00 ______clopedia of 180 places, large and small, to the left and a view of the marshlands and Harriman Trails Guide (1999) & see combo $16.95 $12.71 +$3.50 ______hike in a county better known for its an osprey nest platform. NEW!! Hiking Long Island (2008) $22.95 $17.21 +$3.50 ______bedroom communities and proximity to Retrace your steps back to the meadow Iron Mine Trails: NY/NJ Highlands (1996, rev. 1999) $ 8.95 $ 6.71 +$2.50 ______Manhattan than for its hiking trails. and then head left downhill. Cross through Kittatinny Trails (2004) & see combo $18.95 $14.21 +$3.00 ______A preserve known as the Marshlands a salt marsh and go out onto a spit, known Long Path Guide to NY/NJ (2005) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.00 ______Conservancy is an example. This modest-size as Marie’s Neck. Take the right fork and Scenes & Walks in the Northern Shawangunks property—170 acres—is on Long Island circle the end of the spit. Just before reach - (2006) & see combo $13.95 $10.46 +$3.00 ______Sound in the town of Rye, is owned and ing the trail junction to return to the managed by Westchester County Parks, and mainland is a fireplace chimney. For those Doodletown: Hiking Through History in a is accessible both by car and public trans - wishing to explore less-used trails, turn Vanishing Hamlet on the Hudson (1996) $12.95 $ 9.71 +$3.00 ______portation. A network of nearly three miles of right at the chimney and continue towards Nature Walks in New Jersey (2003) $14.95 $11.21 +$3.00 ______trails traverse the site and connect varied the shore. Otherwise the return trip is to AMC Catskill Mountain Guide (2002) $19.95 $14.96 +$3.00 ______habitats, including meadow, deciduous for - retrace your route back to the meadow and Shawangunks Trail Companion (2003) $18.95 $14.21 +$3.50 ______est, and salt marsh. Perhaps most appealing, then take the first trail on the right into the Moon Take a Hike NYC (2006) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.00 ______Marshlands offers one-half mile of shoreline forest. Pass a trail that comes in from the Walking Manhattan’s Rim (2003) $13.95 $10.46 +$3.00 ______on the Sound, one of the few such places left, and at the next junction, go left to NEW!! 50 Hikes in the Lower Hudson Valley (2008) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.50 ______accessible to the public in New York. return to the Nature Center. 50 Hikes in New Jersey (2006) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.50 ______Best Hikes w/ Children in New Jersey (2005) $15.95 $11.96 +$3.00 ______Don’t wait any longer! Best Hikes w/ Children in the Catskills & Hudson River Valley (2002) $14.95 $11.21 +$3.00 ______Become a member now! Hudson to Delaware: The Great Valley (2004) $75.00 $56.25 +$5.50 ______NEW!! West Milford’s Bakers Dozen (2008) $ 9.95 $ 7.46 $2.50 ______1,700 miles of trails; your membership helps us expand our horizons. Combo-Packs Included with membership, Trail Walker , 10% discount on purchases at most Harriman (2-map set & book) $23.40 $18.23 +$3.50 ______outdoor stores, and 25% discount on all Trail Conference maps and books NY & NJ Walk Books $38.60 $28.95 +$4.50 ______purchased directly from the Trail Conference. Shawangunk (3-map set & Scenes & Walks book) $21.65 $16.24 +$3.00 ______Kittatinny (4-map set & book) $27.80 $20.85 +$3.00 ______Save time and a tree by joining or renewing online at www.nynjtc.org. Just click on the Join/Renew button. The Personal Touch Note Cards: TC Collection $12.00 $ 9.00 +$3.00 ______MEMBERSHIP LEVEL DUES Long-sleeve Denim Shirt Circle: M L $29.90 $22.42 +$5.50 ______Supporter $30 Polo Shirt (Forest Green) Circle: S M L XL $19.90 $14.93 +$5.50 ______Family $40 Trail Conference Baseball Cap $ 5.00 $ 3.75 +$2.10 ______*Sponsor Individual $60 Trail Conference Logo Patch $ 2.50 $ 2.50 postpaid ______*Sponsor Family $75 Long Path Logo Patch $ 2.75 $ 2.75 postpaid ______*Benefactor Individual $120 Trail Conference Logo Decal Circle: Inside Outside $ .85 $ .85 postpaid ______*Benefactor Family $150 *Life Individual $1,000 Subtotal ______*Life Joint $1,500 Postage/handling from above ______Senior Individual (65+) $25 New Jersey residents add 7% tax* ______Senior Family (65+) $30 TOTAL ENCLOSED $ ______Name ______Method of Payment: Address ______NAME Check or money order enclosed City ______State ______Zip ______Visa Mastercard Amex ADDRESS Day Phone ______Evening Phone ______Card #______E-MAIL ______CITY STATE ZIP Exp. Date: ___ /___ Check or money order enclosed Visa Mastercard Amex Signature: ______EMAIL TELEPHONE Card # ______Exp. Date: ____ / ____ Make check or money order payable to NY-NJ Trail Conference, and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley Make check or money order payable to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. For a full descriptive catalog, please write or call 201-512-9348. and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. *Tax must be paid on books, maps, misc., but not on clothing or shipping, by customers *New Sponsor, Benefactor, and Life Members may elect to receive a with NJ ship-to (not billing) addresses. Prices are subject to change. (3/09) Trail Conference cap. Check here if you would like us to send you a cap. Tax-deductible. Dues are not refundable. YOU CAN ALSO ORDER AT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.NYNJTC.ORG