Hiking with Children Hiking Long Island Some tips from Long Island's most popular a former child. hiking guide is out in an updated fourth edition. READ MORE ON PAGE 5 READ MORE ON PAGE 11

Spring 2014 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference — Connecting People with Nature since 1920 www.nynjtc.org New York Comes PEOPLE FOR TRAILS KNOCKING Zachary Kunow Suffern, NY State Park Agencies Turn to and 29 lean-tos in the Catskills, we will use Last July, we brought the model to Ster - Trail Conference for Volunteer our expertise to help the state preserve and ling Forest, where three AmeriCorps About: Zack is a 14-year-old protect the Catskills. members were the backbone of a three- Recruitment, Training freshman at Suffern High School New volunteers, partnerships, and trail month trail stint at the park that trained 78 and Senior Patrol Leader of Boy Our long-time partners at related projects in the region are likely volunteers at 10 workshops and put to trail - Scout Troop 21 in Suffern, NY. New York State Office of to emerge as we play a greater role building 76 unique volunteers who worked Loves the outdoors. in the Catskill Forest Preserve. Stay tuned a total of 2,166 hours. Together, they com - Parks, Recreation, and Historic and bookmark your web browser for pleted nearly a mile of sustainable new trail Earned Eagle Scout status by Preservation (OPRHP) and nynjtc.org/catskills for announcements in the Doris Duke Wildlife Sanctuary leading the project to build a 60’- long bridge on the Long Swamp the New York Deptartment of and links. and a major repair to the Wildcat Moun - tain/Townsend Trail in the northern part of Trail in Sterling Forest State Park Environmental Conservation State Parks, Palisades the park. Dubbed the Palisades Trail Crew, this past fall and winter. (DEC)—two agencies that own (West of Hudson) and Taconic after the regional park unit in which they (East of Hudson) Regions How Did They Do It? Turn to page a significant portion of the work, these volunteers and a new set of The Bear Mountain Trails Project is the AmeriCorps members will continue to 6 to read more about this project. land where our volunteers inspiration for a model of volunteer His Boy Scout Troop: Troop 21 of maintain and build trails— recruitment, training, and trail building Why choose the Suffern, NY. Scoutmaster: Wayne want more of what the that we are bringing to other state parks in Kunow, Zack’s father. On February our area. Designated projects are the focus Trail Conference? 22, Zack became the 137th Eagle Trail Conference has to offer. for AmeriCorps crews that are on site four Because we have a Scout from Troop 21. The troop is days a week over a period of months build - a new member group of the Trail In the Catskills ing new trails, completing reroutes and 93-year record of Conference and will maintain the The DEC and Trail Conference will be maintenance projects, training volunteers, extraordinary volunteer 3.2-mile Long Swamp Trail, which deepening their relationship. The DEC has and developing new volunteer trail crews. they have come to know well. asked the Trail Conference to take the lead The reliable presence of a trail crew at a service in parks and role in managing all volunteer activities in site over an extended period has proved Says Sterling Forest Park the forest preserve. In addition to manag - attractive to many traditional volunteers, on trails. Manager Jeff Hutchinson: ing our program, which recruits and trains who appreciate the flexibility and availabil - “…this project was colossal.” volunteers who maintain 200 miles of trails ity it offers them. continued on page 2 Says Trails Chair John Mack of Zack and Troop 21: “They cheerfully worked hard together Walkable Westchester description has been updated and ing, from level, paved pathways to narrow with clear leadership.” enhanced, all making for informative, yet woodland trails. The environments range By Jane and Walt Daniels delightful reading. from salt-water wetlands to rock outcrop - Says Zack: “I knew this project Walkable Westchester is the creation of pings. So for any walker in Westchester, would be challenging when I took New second edition covers Jane and Walt Daniels, Westchester resi - whether a suburban mom looking for a it on, but I also knew it would be more parks, more trails dents who are long-time hikers, trail paved path or a veteran hiker out for a day- rewarding and give a great sense designers and builders, and open-space long trek, this book is the perfect of accomplishment.” The best guide to the outdoors of advocates. The original idea for the book companion. It’s even fun reading on a Westchester just got even better. Walkable came about when, unable to find a hiking treadmill. His Future: After high school, Westchester , the indispensable handbook to guide exclusive to Westchester, they decid - Order your copy now on our website, Zack plans to study in the field hiking, walking and exploring in Westch - ed to create one themselves. They thought Westchester.nynjtc.org, by phone (201- of law enforcement, forestry, ester County, is now available in a new the task would involve about 70 to 80 512-9348 ext. 11), or in our office. conservation, wildlife management, second edition. Including more than 600 parks and about 200 to 250 miles of trail. or environmental engineering. miles of trails in over 200 parks, preserves, Eight years later, in 2009, they came out The Family: The Kunows have and sanctuaries, it is the latest addition to with the first edition and let readers in on a a family membership in the the offerings of guidebooks and maps pub - secret: there a lot of open public space in Trail Conference. lished by the Trail Conference. Westchester and, no matter where you live, This edition, at 448 pages, is bulging some of it is close by. with new and updated information, That first issue included more than 180 including details on 26 new parks, 42 more parks and preserves and described just miles of trails, and intriguing sidebars on under 600 miles of trails. This new edition history, lore and nature. There are plenty of updates these spaces and adds even more new photographs, detailed maps as well as detail and history as well as more than a Trail Walker blogs county locator maps, and driving direc - score of new parks and available open space. all year long. tions with GPS coordinates. Every park The book covers a wide variety of walk - VOLUME XLI, N UMBER 2 ISSN 0749-1352 Visit blog-tw.nynjtc.org and read about Trail Conference people, projects and relevant trail stories. Page 2 Spring 2014

VOLUME XLI, NO.2 SPRING 2014

GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR LOU LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER We Are A TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970-100) (ISSN 0749-1352) is published quarterly by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as a 4-Star Charity benefit of membership. Subscriptions are available to libraries only at $15.00 a year. The Trail Conference has recently achieved Periodical postage paid at Mahwah, N.J., and additional offices. Postmaster: Send address Charity Navigator’s highest ranking, the changes to the address below. Opinions expressed coveted 4-star rating for our sound fiscal by authors do not necessarily represent the policy management and commitment to account - or position of the Conference. Contributions of ability and transparency. Charity Navigator typed manuscripts, photos, and drawings are welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style is the nation’s largest evaluator of charities, and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. and is a resource used by donors to help Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER them make their giving decisions. are January 15 (Spring issue), May 15 (Summer This “exceptional designation” (four out issue), August 15 (Fall issue), November 15 (Winter issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot of a possible four stars) differentiates the be acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. Trail Conference from other charities and For information on advertising rates, please write indicates adherence to good governance or call. Copyright 2014 by: At Darlington, Rooms Are Alive and best practices that demonstrate trust - New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. worthiness to the public. 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Rt. 202) We invite you to review our profile at Mahwah, NJ 07430 with the Sound of Hammers CharityNavigator.org. 201-512-9348 email: [email protected] editorial email: [email protected] On February 1, construction work began World Wide Web: www.nynjtc.org on our soon-to-be headquarters at the Dar - lington Schoolhouse. Employees of Mahwah-based LaBarbiera Custom Call for Award Homes, a division of VHI Builders, began interior renovations by grading and spread - Nominations G R E

ing gravel over ground-level crawl space B N E

and framing partitions for two small, new E Do you know someone who has done R G an outstanding job as a volunteer? rooms on the first floor. R E T E

Meanwhile, the restoration team is P The Volunteer Committee is looking for working to finalize design plans, obtain all Beacon Point, a site-specific work by George nominees. With more than 1,000 people Trakas in Beacon, NY, completed in 2007. Mission Statement needed approvals, and complete fundrais - who volunteer, we know award-worthy The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a ing for the project. volunteers are in our ranks. Who do you federation of member clubs and individuals The Trail Conference is transforming Noted Environmental know who has done an outstanding job? dedicated to providing recreational hiking the historic 1891 Darlington Schoolhouse Members may nominate individuals for opportunities in the region, and representing the interests and concerns of the hiking community. into its Headquarters and Visitors Center. Sculptor George Trakas the annual awards that the Trail Confer - The Conference is a volunteer-directed public Restoration will be in accordance with the ence Board presents every fall. The service organization committed to: Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the to Design Darlington deadline is July 1, 2014. • Developing, building, and maintaining hiking trails. Rehabilitation of Historic Properties. At Landscape The nomination process is easy. Check • Protecting hiking trail lands through the same time, an important objective is to nynjtc.org/awards to see the awards, support and advocacy. create an energy-efficient building with a George Trakas, world renowned environ - qualifications, and if the potential candi - • Educating the public in the responsible minimal carbon footprint. This will be mental sculptor, and the Trail Conference date has received an award in the past. use of trails and the natural environment. achieved by good insulation and sealing of announced in early March that Mr. Trakas Then fill out the online nomination Board of Directors the building envelope, efficient equip - will design the landscaping at the future form or e-mail it with supporting state - Chris Connolly Chair Gaylord Holmes Vice Chair ment, LED lighting, and geothermal headquarters. Both Mr. Trakas and Trail ments to the Volunteer Committee at Richard Levine Treasurer heating and cooling. Conference Executive Director Edward [email protected]. To get ideas of what Daniel Chazin Secretary Goodell expressed confidence that the land - information is needed, see nynjtc.org/ Directors scaping will be a remarkable setting for the files/award_nomination_sample.pdf Walter Daniels Richard Levine To contribute to the campaign and Christine DeBoer Edward Saiff architectural jewel that is the schoolhouse. Charlotte Fahn Dave Stuhr help us raise the final funds needed, Mr. Trakas was born in Quebec in 1944 Suzan Gordon Daniel Van Engel and has lived in New York City since 1963. James Gregoire Ned Whitney contact Don Weise at 201.512.9348 NEW YORK COMES KNOCKING Daniel Hoberman Patsy Wooters x13 or [email protected]. The New Many of his projects are site specific, and Richard Katzive he often recycles local materials and incor - continued from page 1 York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a porates them into his work. build trail at Sterling Forest and elsewhere Staff 501 (c)(3) conservation organization. Edward Goodell Executive Director A notable example of his work is the in the greater Palisades region this season. Joshua Howard Deputy Executive All gifts are tax deductible and will Newtown Creek Nature Walk in Brooklyn. The success in the Palisades region at Director create a permanent Headquarters Through the generosity of an anonymous Sterling Forest led New York State Parks Don Weise Development donor, any incremental costs relating to Mr. officials to approach us with a request to Director for the Trail Conference and restore Trakas’s services will be fully funded and duplicate this model in their Taconics the Darlington Schoolhouse for the For a full list of staff visit will not require raising additional funds. Region (our East Hudson region). As of the www.nynjtc.org/content/staff benefit of the community. Learn more about George Trakas and his deadline for this issue, priority trail projects The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a work at http://blog-dsh.nynjtc.org/?p=569 in Hudson Highlands State Park were volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is being identified for the Taconics Trail Crew a federation of 103 hiking and outdoor groups, and 10,000 individuals. that is expected to launch this spring. As at Bear Mountain and in the Palisades region, Call for Nominations for Board, Delegates-at-Large Trail Conference AmeriCorps members printed on recycled content paper will provide training and opportunity for The Trail Conference Nominating Committee invites nominations for PLEASE RECYCLE TRAIL WALKER other volunteers who want to get involved. membership on the Board of Directors and Delegates-at-Large. The Watch our website for exciting opportu - qualifications for Board of Directors are current membership in the Trail nities to volunteer and train with these and Follow NYNJTC! Conference and service participation in trail activities or on a Trail all of our crews this season. Please see page Conference committee. The qualification for Delegate-at-Large is current 3 to read about how we are working with membership in the Trail Conference. Self-nominations for Delegate-at-Large AmeriCorps to expand and diversify our and Board of Directors are appropriate and welcome. volunteer program. facebook.com/nynjtc Please email your nomination to [email protected]. The deadline for twitter.com/NYNJTrailConf receipt of nominations is Friday, April 25, 2014.

York-New Jersey region. hike descriptions and the production of the New, Free Visual Each map point is linked to a trailhead. best trail maps in the region. Click to find links to full descriptions of To check out this new Visual Hike Loca - Hike Finder at hikes that start at that trailhead as well as to tor map, visit hikes.nynjtc.org. To find directions and weather. information about hiking and volunteering hikes.nynjtc.org Narrow your search on the Hike Finder on trails in our region, and to purchase Map by typing in a ZIP code, adjusting the your own sets of the best trail maps for our The trail- and tech-savvy volunteer enthu - level of difficulty and length, and clicking region, visit nynjtc.org. siasts of the New York-New Jersey Trail on features such as “Swimming,” “Water - All hikes and parks are available on our Conference have developed a brand-new fall,” and “Public Transportation.” website and also can be accessed via a text Visual Hike Finder map that links to our All hikes are written and curated by Trail index at nynjtc.org/view/hike . online catalog of hikes and parks. This new Conference volunteers, who are on trails Hike Finder Map displays point locations constantly, building and maintaining Zoom in on the region of interest, click on a that lead to 335 hikes (and counting) from 2,000 miles of trails in our region, and col - point, and find one or more hikes. 221 trail heads in 122 parks in the New lecting and updating trail data for use in Spring 2014 Page 3 From the Executive Director they relate to trails and volunteerism. It identified that led us to increase, since PEOPLE FOR TRAILS results in a set of goals that will invigorate 2009, our annual contributed volunteer Planning our work. The Trail Conference has a very hours by 50%, from 50,000 to 70,000, good record of setting actionable goals and and our trail miles by 15%, (breaking the Last 5 achieving them. 2,000 miles). It also led us to create and of Our First Our 2003 strategic plan called for the field an invasive plant strike force. organization to invest in three priorities: I mention the good results of our last 100 Years digital map-making, using the Bear Moun - two strategic plans because we will be start - tain Trails Project to train volunteer trail ing another strategic planning process later crew members, and acquiring land to this year. The details of the 2014 strategic protect our long-distance trails. The planning process should be clear by the Rose Harvey, the Commissioner of New fundraising campaign of 2004/05 was time the Summer Trail Walker is published. York State Office of Parks, Recreation and inspired by these goals and provided the A first step will be outreach to collect opin - NY State Park Police Historic Preservation (OPRHP), discussed support to establish these very successful ions and perspectives from our her long range goals for New York’s park programs. constituents. Where they work: State parks system at our winter meeting held at Man - • Most of our maps have been digital in the Hudson Valley hattan College in February. The state’s park for years and our last analog map, system is huge, and, as she clearly and hon - South Taconic Trails, will be converted A strategic plan Safety first: In addition to being estly told us, so are its challenges. But, this year. In addition, 20,000 smart provides a powerful, first-responders to 911 calls from armed with a strategic plan for addressing phone maps have been downloaded lost or injured hikers in state parks these challenges, Commissioner Harvey since launching in spring of 2012. optimistic map in our region, park police work to exuded optimism about the future of New • Our land acquisition program has ensure public safety, handle York’s beloved park system. protected much of our long-distance to the future. complaints and crime in state Our Trail Conference audience could trails, especially the Shawangunk parks, and enforce New York and only applaud goals that we share with Ridge Trail. We’ve independently pro - State Parks laws and regulations. OPRHP: tected 2,000 acres of land in the last I realize that for most people, planning is The most calls for help come • Keep state parks and trails open, safe, decade and have jointly protected not a watchword for excitement. But keep from: New York State Park Police affordable, and accessible; another 2,000. Many of these lands this in mind. The planning we do together Captain Michael Cappuccilli uses a • Increase, deepen, and improve the vis - have been turned over to the state of this year will guide the Trail Conference Trail Conference map on the wall itor experience in parks and on trails; New York, and we are pursuing addi - right up to its 100th anniversary in 2020. of his office to point to the #1 • Build a 21st-century green and tional critical properties. That, I think we can agree, is something to location to which his unit responds sustainable park and trail system. • The Bear Mountain project has creat - get excited about. to 911 calls from hikers: Breakneck I joined the applause, but also quietly ed a fabulous trail experience on the Ridge in Hudson Highlands State appreciated the power and optimism that original section of the Appalachian Park. During peak summer and fall can come from a strategic plan. Trail over Bear Mountain but, more months, he says, the park police Over the past decade the Trail Confer - importantly, hundreds of volunteers respond to at least one call for ence has developed strategic goals about have been able to experience the joy — Edward Goodell help each weekend. every five years. The process is much like a of trail building and many are Executive Director map update—we take a look at current and applying their skills elsewhere in [email protected] Their favorite maps? Trail expected realities and make changes as nec - the trail system. Conference maps are essential essary. Our strategic planning brings Our 2008 strategic planning process was tools for their search and rescue together our various cohorts for a shared truncated by the Great Recession. Even so, operations. “They are a very look at current and expected realities as a number of important strategic goals were important tool for us and are the best maps that I’ve come across,” he says. “They are very coveted when we need to go searching for hikers. They hold up if the weather Building the Future with Help from AmeriCorps is bad, and they help keep us from getting lost too,” he adds with a Where is the next generation viduals to commit themselves to full time er), and Kevin Simpson (Bear Mountain smile. of trail leaders going to service to their country, and an education Construction Manager) are just a few that With thanks from us: come from? award to further their higher education in a we know of. The Trail variety of ways. The Trail Conference has welcomed Conference donated a fresh One big source that has proved its effective - AmeriCorps is a petri dish that grows AmeriCorps members managed by other supply of the East Hudson Trails ness on trail projects and in communities new generations of outdoor leaders, and organizations on trail projects in the past. map set to the unit as well as a for decades is AmeriCorps. The Trail Con - quite a number of our own leaders—vol - Starting this year, we are developing our special combined wall map. ference is embarked on a strategy to recruit unteers, staff, and partners—have been own AmeriCorps program and look for - Cappuccilli is regional commander AmeriCorps members and give them nurtured by it: Skip Card (former board ward to welcoming, training, and and executive officer of the opportunities to learn and serve in our area member), Karen Lutz (ATC Mid-Atlantic cultivating 12 members in May. They will Hudson Valley District of the by improving our trails and strengthening Region Director), Ama Koenigshof (Trail be assigned to trail projects in our region, State Park Police. our corps of traditional trail volunteers. Builder/Educator), Peter Dolan (New Jer - where they will also help us grow and train AmeriCorps is a direct descendant of the sey Program Coordinator), Leigh Draper our base of local volunteers. Depression-era Civilian Conservation (former East Hudson Program Coordina - Plans were still in the works as of the Corps, which built and improved parks tor), Jennifer Easterbrook (Administrative deadline for this issue, but we expect to and outdoor facilities in our region and Assistant), Erik Mickelson (Field Manag - assign members to the Bear Mountain across the nation. Lakes Welch, Silvermine, Trails Project, the new Palisades and Tacon - Turkey Hill, and Pine Meadow in ic Trail Crews (see “New York Comes Harriman State Park are local examples Knocking,” page 1), our Invasives Strike of CCC products. Force in New York and, if funding permits, Like its 1930s predecessor, AmeriCorps in New Jersey. programs provide participants with job Are you an AmeriCorps conservation training, leadership skills, opportunities for alumnus? Let us know. Send an email to: service that improves communities and the [email protected]. environment, a living stipend to allow indi -

Sunday, June 1 Our Summer Meeting

Save the Date! Page 4 Spring 2014 HHII KERSKERS’’ ALMANACALMANAC A Sampling of Upcoming Hikes Sponsored by Member Clubs

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

April AFW. Norvin Green, NJ. Leader: call 973-644-3592 or visit ADK-MH. Acra Point, Windham, NY. Leader: Sue Mackson, 845- AFW. Blue Mountain Lakes, NJ. Leader: call 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to register. Meet: 471-9892, [email protected]. Meet: Contact leader for visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to register. Meet: Saturday, April 5 10am. Moderate to strenuous hike at moderate pace; out by 3pm. details and car pool options. 3.3 miles and 1,000 ft. elevation gain, 10am. Moderate hike at a moderate pace; out by 3pm. SW. Cranberry Lake, Westchester Co., NY. Leader: Mayer Saturday, April 19 or 5.2 miles/1,300 ft. if we add Burnt Knob. Moderate pace on this Saturday, May 24 Wiesen, 516-671-2095. Meet: 9:25am at Grand Central info booth, well-known trail, part of the Escarpment Trail in the Catskills. SW. Garrison to Manitou, NY. Leader: Marvin Malater, 718-376- SW. Bay Ridge to Sunset Park, NY. Leader: Bob Lazzaro, upper level. 6 moderate miles. Explore marked trails in this park Excellent views and spring wildflowers. near Valhalla. Lunch at museum’s picnic tables. Suggested 3608. Meet: 8:25am at information booth at Grand Central [email protected]. Meet: 10:30am outside last stop of R subway NYR. New Rochelle to Manhattan, NY. Leaders: Camille Cooper, donation $3. Station. Linear 10-mile hike on forested rolling hills; moderate at 95th St. and 4th Ave. in Bay Ridge. Moderate 5 miles along pace on climbs. Osborn Loop, Appalachian Trail, then into Mani - 212-838-0714, [email protected], and Anna Shore Rd., from Verrazano Bridge to Owl’s Head Park. Then follow UCHC. Jockey Hollow National Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: tou Nature Preserve and visit an old estate with paths Marynowska, 718-384-2908. Meet: call leaders for details. From the Greenbelt to 8th Ave. Chinatown to stop for lunch. After lunch Ed Mancuso, 917-714-9411. Meet: 10am. Visitors center parking lot. overlooking the Hudson River. Return on 4:26 train from Manitou. station in New Rochelle we’ll take local streets across bridge to brief tour of Green-Wood Cemetery. Suggested donation $3. A 4-5 mile hike at easy to moderate pace on various trails. Some historic Glen Island Park, with its castle. Then south on Shore Suggested donation $3. Sunday, May 25 up-and-down terrain. Road, East Coast Greenway, stopping at Bartow-Pell Mansion. Sunday, April 20 AMC-NYNJ. Central Park Tree Walk (Northern Part) . Leader: Sunday, April 6 Trail back to East Coast Greenway, then across the Bronx. Ford - AMC-NYNJ. Sugarloaf Mtn. and Breakneck Ridge Trail, NY. ham Rd. across University Heights Bridge to Manhattan. Visit all Bob Susser, 212-666-4371, [email protected] (contact leader the IHC. Palisades and the Giant Stairs, NJ. Leaders: Guy & Jen Leaders: Nancy & Art Tollefson, [email protected], 212-727- five Sherman Creek parks. Out to Dyckman St. (#1 train station). week beforehand to confirm walk is still on). Meet: 10:30am in Percival, 973-590-7437, [email protected]. Meet: 9am at Alpine 8961 (before 9:30pm). Meet: 10am at Breakneck Ridge parking lot Dana Discovery Center, inside the park near 110th St./Lenox Ave. Boat Basin, Alpine, NJ. Moderately strenuous 8 miles. Hike north on on Rt. 9D, just north of tunnel above Cold Spring, NY (8:44 Metro AMC-NYNJ. Rockefeller State Park, NY. Leader: Bob Susser, entrance. Relaxed stroll to identify some of the trees in Central Shore Path along the Hudson, scramble over the Giant Stairs, and North train from Grand Central to Breakneck Ridge; leaders take 212-666-4371, [email protected] (contact leader the week before - Park. Many stops; ending about 3pm. then ascend to Long Path for return. Bad weather cancels. train). Moderate-plus pace and about 2,400 ft. elevation gain (but hand to confirm walk is still on). Meet: Take 10:20am Metro-North Hudson Line train from Grand Central, arriving Philipse Manor at UCHC. Jockey Hollow National Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: ADK-MH. Millbrook Mtn. and Gertrude’s Nose, Minnewaska not face of Breakneck), 8 miles. Enjoy panoramic views of Hudson 11:12; sit in first or second car. Leisurely 6-mile stroll on shady Jay Dibble, 908-289-8813. Meet: 10am at visitor center parking State Park, NY. Leader: Roberta Forest, 845-750-7059. Meet: River from East Hudson Highlands. Bad forecast may cancel; carriage paths and wooded lanes, with many panoramic vistas. lot. Hike 5 miles at moderate pace, with a couple of steep 10am at upper lot of Minnewaska (parking fee applies). contact leaders eve before if in doubt. sections. Boots recommended. Heavy rain cancels. AFW. Turkey Hill Lake, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: call AFW. Giant Stairs, State Line Lookout, NJ. Leader: call 973- UCHC. Lewis Morris Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Louise White, 973-644-3592 or visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and Saturday, May 31 644-3592 or visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to 973-746-4319, cell 973-856-3327. Meet: 10am Sunrise Lake at the to register. Meet: 10am. Easy to moderate hike at leisurely pace; ADK-NJR. Skannatati Lollipop Loop, Harriman State Park, NY. register. Meet: 9:30am. Strenuous hike at a moderate pace; out lowest parking lot (right turn down the hill below boathouse). We out by 1:30pm. Leader: Allison Tully, [email protected] or 845-656-0442. by 2:30pm. will take various trails for about 4 miles at a moderate pace. Meet: Contact leader for meeting time and place. 7 miles, moder - Saturday, May 10 UCHC. 4 Birds Indian Cliffs, Rockaway, NJ. Leader: Jean Fletch - Sunday, April 27 ate-plus pace and moderate terrain. er, 973-285-5263, day of hike cell 973-452-1567. Meet: 10am at the ADK-MH. West Mountain–Timp, Stony Point, NY. Leader: Mel SW. Garrison/Sugarloaf, East Hudson Highlands, NY. Leader: Boy Scout Camp Winnebago / Farny State Park parking lot for a Kleiman, [email protected], 845-216-6805. Meet: 10am at Marvin Malater, 718-376-3608. Meet: 8:25am at Grand Central June Terminal info booth. 11 miles on forested rolling hills; moderate moderately paced 5 - 7 miles around the camp to the Indian Cliffs Anthony Wayne parking area, Harriman State Park. 9 difficult Sunday, June 1 above Split Rock Reservoir. Bring a light lunch and water. Serious - pace on climbs. Osborn Loop, Sugarloaf Hill So., Appalachian miles in the ‘high alpine meadows’ of Harriman. AMC-NYNJ. Dater’s Mine, Augusta Mine and Beyond, NY. ly inclement weather cancels. Trail, Curry Pond Traverse, West Point Overlook at Arden Point. NYR. Newfoundland to Haskell, NJ. Leader: Michael Chenkin, Suggested donation $3. Leaders: Tom Parliment, [email protected], 845-634-4116 Saturday, April 12 917-703-5460 (please do not call between sundown Friday and (call before 10:30pm). Meet: contact leader for meeting time and AFW. Black Rock Forest, NY. Leader: call 973-644-3592 or visit AMC-NYNJ. Fort Tryon & Inwood Hill Parks, NY. Leader: Bob sundown Saturday). Meet: call leader for details. We’ll take place. Moderate 9 miles with hills. After the mine visits we’ll head www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to register. Meet: Susser, 212-666-4371, [email protected] (contact leader the week unmarked trails to Kanouse Mtn., then to Highlands Trail at Echo to Claudius Smith’s den for fine views of the Catskills, then to a 9am. Strenuous hike at moderate pace; out by 4:30pm. beforehand to confirm walk is still on). Meet: 11am at entrance to Lake. Then south and east through Norvin Green State Forest; out pretty lake. Fort Tyron Park (A train to 190th St., elevator up to Fort Washing - to Haskell on Posts Brook Trail. UCHC. Hartshorne Woods County Park, Middletown, NJ. Leader: AFW. Merrill Creek Reservoir, NJ. Leader: call 973-644-3592 or ton Ave.). 3 miles at very moderate pace, with great views of the IHC. Bare Rock Loop, Sterling Forest, NY. Leaders: Guy & Jen Richard Perlmutter, 908-289-8853, [email protected]. visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to register. Meet: Hudson and the city. Includes visit to the Cloisters museum, end - Percival, 973-590-7437, [email protected]. Meet: 9am at Meet: 10am at the Rocky Point parking lot. Beautiful views of the 10am. Easy hike at a moderate pace; out by 2pm. ing around 4pm with optional stop at Indian Road Café. Sterling Forest Visitor Center, 119 Old Forge Rd., Tuxedo, NY. Navesink River and the Atlantic Ocean. Moderate pace, with lots of ups and downs, but none especially difficult. Hike concludes about Sunday, June 4 UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Strenuous 9 miles. Explore this new trail, offering very pretty 12:30pm. ADK-NJR. West Mountain to the Timp. Leader: Deanna Felicetta, Richard Perlmutter, 908-289-8853, [email protected]. views both north and south. Bad weather cancels. [email protected] or 845-216-2021. Meet: Please leave Meet: 4pm at the Trailside Visitor Center Parking Area. Everything Sunday, May 11 your name and contact phone number to register for meeting looks different in the late afternoon light. We will mostly walk May AMC-NYNJ. BYOB Hike (Binoculars, That Is), Harriman State time and place. 9 miles, moderate-plus pace and terrain. adjacent to watercourses. See a gorge and a ravine, and of course Saturday, May 3 Park, NY. Leader: Nancy Tollefson, [email protected], 212- Saturday, June 7 the valley formed by the Blue Brook. Hike ends about 6pm. SW. Annual Great Saunter, NY. Leader: For details on where to 727-8961 (before 9:30pm). Meet: 9:20am at commuter lot on East Sunday, April 13 meet and how to register, call the Shorewalkers hotline at 212- Village Rd. in Tuxedo, NY (8:30 Shortline bus from Port Authori - National Trails Day ty to Tuxedo; leader takes bus). Moderate 6 miles with some AMC-NYNJ. Traditional Palm Sunday Hike, Harriman State 330-7686 or go to www.shorewalkers.org. Meet: 7am. 32-mile gentle hills. Come view the annual migration; past springs have NYNJTC. Visit nynjtc.org/calendar for details of planned events. Park, NY. Leader: Tom Parliment, [email protected], 845- walk, at a steady but not fast pace, around Manhattan’s rim. We featured many colorful warblers along Victory Trail and Lake 634-4116 (call before 10:30pm). Meet: contact leader for meeting keep to the waterside as much as possible: through more than 20 Sunday, June 8 Skenonto. Forecast of heavy rain cancels. time and place. Brisk 8 miles with hills. A pleasant hike through parks and touching dozens of communities and cultures. Rain or AMC-NYNJ. One-Way Hike to Suffern, NY. Leader: Art Tollefson, southern Harriman State Park, ending at St. John’s in the Wilder - shine. Individual $20 ($10 each additional family member); chil - IHC. Tuxedo Circular, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Roy [email protected], 212-727-8961 (before 9:30pm). ness church for 3pm service followed by refreshments provided dren under 18 free. Williams, [email protected]. Meet: 9am at Tuxedo metered lot Meet: Contact leader for transportation info and shuttle instruc - by parishioners. Sunday, May 4 (free on weekends), 1 East Village Rd., Tuxedo, NY. Moderately tions no later than Thursday before hike. 11 miles with hills at a strenuous. Hike north on R-D trail towards Parker Cabin Mtn., moderately brisk pace. A rare chance to visit the southern end of IHC. Stonetown Circular, Ringwood, NJ. Leader: Paul Ferlazzo, ADK-NJR. Camp Smith Trail, NY. Leader: Deanna Felicetta, then various trails back to Tuxedo. Bad weather cancels. the Suffern-Bear Mtn. Trail in Harriman State Park. [email protected]. Meet: 9am at Stonetown Recreation [email protected] or 845-216-2021. Meet: Please leave parking, Mary Roth Dr. (off Stonetown Rd.), Ringwood, NJ. Stren - your name and contact phone number to register for meeting Saturday, May 17 UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Eck uous hike. Red trail up Board, Bear, and Windbeam. Help leader time and place. 8 miles, moderate-plus pace and terrain. ADK-MH. Hyde Park Walkabout, NY. Leader: Mike Cunningham, Khoon Goh, 908-790-0939. Meet: 10am at Trailside Nature Cen - prepare for a Ridge Run in Vermont. 203-748-7233 (call 7-9pm), [email protected] (email before ter parking lot on Coles Ave. A 4+ mile hike at a moderate pace. May 16 noon). Meet: 9:30am at Roosevelt Farm Lane parking, just Boots strongly recommended. Rain cancels. The activities listed are sponsored by member clubs of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. All hikers are welcome subject to club regula - west of Rt. 9G. Shuttle required. 6 miles at moderately fast pace. Saturday, June 14 tions and rules of the trail. You are responsible for your own safety. Wear hiking boots or strong, low-heeled shoes. Bring food, water, Hike 5 different trails in one day and earn a free Hyde Park Walk - rain gear, first aid kit, and a flashlight in a backpack. Leaders have the right and responsibility to refuse anyone whom they believe ADK-NJR. Norvin Green, NJ. Leader: Allison Tully, about patch. cannot complete the hike or is not adequately equipped. Easy, moderate, or strenuous hikes are relative terms; call leader if in doubt. [email protected] or 845-656-0442. Meet: Contact leader SW. George Washington Bridge and Beyond, NY. Leader: Cy for meeting time and place. 8 miles, moderate pace and moder - More than 100 clubs belong to the Trail Conference, and many of our affiliate groups sponsor hikes not listed in the Hikers’ Almanac. Adler and friends, [email protected]. Meet: 10am at info booth ate-plus terrain. For a descriptive list of Conference clubs, consult our website or send a SASE with your request to NY-NJ Trail Conference. in GWB Port Authority bus terminal, @ 178th St./Broadway (A AFW. Allamuchy State Park, NJ. Leader: call 973-644-3592 or Club Codes train to 178th). Walk over the bridge, then down 400 stone steps visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to register. Only those clubs with hikes offered in this issue are listed below. Please call numbers listed to confirm. to Hudson shore and north for 5-8 miles. Spectacular views, Meet: 9:30am. Moderately strenuous hike at a moderate pace; waterfall. Bad weather cancels. Suggested donation $3. ADK-MH Adirondack Mountain Club IHC Interstate Hiking Club out by 2pm. Mid-Hudson NYR New York Ramblers Sunday, May 18 Sunday, June 15 ADK-NJR Adirondack Mountain Club SW Shorewalkers NYR. Bradley Mine and Bottlecap Trail, Harriman State Park, IHC. Old Croton Aqueduct and Westchester River Walk, NY. NY. Leaders: Lee Ruelle and Eve Proper, [email protected]. Leader: Richard Mohovich, 201-675-6304, figgman@mind - North Jersey-Ramapo UCHC Union County Hiking Club Meet: contact leaders for details. A-SB trail over Green Pond Mtn. AFW Adventures for Women spring.com. Meet: Contact leader to register and for details. Clubs wishing to have hikes listed in Hikers’ Almanac to Crooked Rd. and White Bar Trail. A-SB and Bottlecap Trail, over Moderate 8-mile hike from Tarrytown to Hastings on Hudson, AMC-NYNJ Appalachian Mountain Club, should send their schedules to [email protected] or to the Surebridge Mtn. woods road to Hurst Trail, then AT and Arden Trail Conference Office. The deadline for the Fall issue is along the Old Croton Aqueduct and Westchester River Walk. NY-North Jersey May 15. Valley Rd., pausing at Bradley Mine. Back on Long Path, AT Gravel/paved trails and streets, mostly flat. through the Lemon Squeezer and past Island Pond.

ties, programs, and services of the highest environmental policies and practices. It We Welcome Four New Trail quality and to furnishing these recreation - offers educational programs and work - al opportunities in the most effective, shops throughout the year and maintains Supporting Clubs as Members efficient, and economical manner possi - approximately 3.5 miles of hiking trails Jolly Rovers ble. They maintain over 124 miles of trails within Alley Pond Park. www.jollyrovers.org largely lost to antiquity. The Rovers are a in 21 county parks. nonprofit trail building club that emerged Boy Scout Troop 21 of Suffern, Jolly Rovers are a roving volunteer trail from the Bear Mountain Trails Project. Alley Pond Environmental Center New York crew focused on technical stone construc - www.alleypond.com tion and maintaining trails for the Trail Monmouth County Park Zachary Kunow, a Scout from this troop, Conference. Their goal is to build beauti - System Outdoor Recreation The Alley Pond Environmental Center led Troop 21 on the construction of a ful yet naturally integrated stone structures www.monmouthcountyparks.com (APEC) is a nonprofit environmental edu - major bridge on the Long Swamp Trail in such as staircases and retaining walls into cation organization dedicated to educating Sterling Forest State Park as his Eagle trails when and where trails require them. The Monmouth County Park System is children and adults in the New York met - Scout project. The troop has agreed to The Rovers also train local volunteers in committed to improving the quality of life ropolitan area, protecting and preserving maintain this trail. Read about this big other regions, spreading awareness and of the citizens of Monmouth County by Alley Pond Park open spaces and water project on page 6. knowledge of traditional masonry skills providing park and recreation areas, facili - bodies, and advocating for sustainable Spring 2014 Page 5 Hiking PEOPLE FOR TRAILS with H C N Y L Children N E E R

By Peter Dolan U A M never intended to have a job bringing Will Soter kids outdoors. I’ll be the first to admit Kingston, NY Ithat I took my initial position in the woods not to connect with people, but to obesity is also on the rise as sedentary pas - Volunteers to manage practice the skills I’d need as a zoology times increase. Take it slow. maintenance and maintainers on major; a job leading backpacking trips and Looking towards a larger sense of health, about 100 miles of Catskills trails teaching at a wilderness school would cer - the future of our green areas relies on the Pick the right trail. in Ulster and Sullivan County as tainly put me ahead as a field biologist. decisions these children grow to make – if Bring good snacks. Trails Co-chair with his good What I didn’t expect was that I’d enjoy they never learn to love the outdoors, what friend Alex Marra (see page 9). outdoor education so much that I’d even - motivation will they have to protect it? If Dress right. tually drop all the lab work so that I could we raise a generation of youth disconnect - He took his first hike at the age of be in the field full-time. And one joy that ed from nature, then nature will eventually Think Fun . seven, when he joined the Boy never got old, whether it was in the moun - pay the price. But more importantly in the Scouts. tains of southern California or locally on short term, taking children outside can be Bear Mountain, was that of introducing fun (if it’s planned well)! engage with the environment (not hand- Moved to the Catskills in 2001, new people to the outdoors. For many held video games!). Choose a route with after college. “I have been hiking people, the best chance to do that is So, how do you plan to take a hike views that you know you won’t mind here, and the surrounding area through children. with kids? spending time looking at. While the kids ever since.” • Before worrying about anyone else, are playing or exploring, you can read a Outdoor credentials: Became a focus on yourself. Are you ready to take a book and capitalize on the down-time as member of the Catskill 3500 Club slow hike, enjoy frequent rests, and get real - well. in 2009. Is a New York State ly enthused about any scary bugs or gross Licensed Guide and, with Alex, is scat that may turn up? If so, you’re ready. If • If you’re feeling up to it, try a few basic co-founder and CEO of Upstate you’re in the mood to bag a peak or blow activities and games to get kids paying Adventure Guides. He is also a off some steam in a power-hike, now is more attention to their surroundings. The licensed guide with Destination probably not the time to include a child. Appalachian Trail Conservancy website has Backcountry Adventures and is a a fantastic page on simple things you can member of the Catskill Mountain • It’s all about location—select the right do with little to no materials required. Club. hike for the audience. The Best Hikes with appalachiantrail.org/hiking/hiking- Children books, carried on the Trail Con - basics/families-groups/hiking-games-and- Off-trail: Will was an assistant ference website, can help you choose from activities manager for Home Depot 2005 - more than 120 hikes throughout New York 2008 and then Barnes & Noble and New Jersey which are suitable for If you include a child on your next hike, 2008 - 2010. In 2010, he took time smaller legs. Loop hikes preferred! You can not only might the experience plant the off from working to be home with his growing family. N also find some suggestions on our website: seed for a future volunteer—you may enjoy A L

O nynjtc.org/content/great-familyfriendly- taking it slow and looking at nature D What Will says: “As my daughters N

N hikes through a child’s eyes more than you A

O are a little older now, and my J expected. I’m sure it’s what’s kept my par - schedule has begun to open up, The author (lap) explores the Delaware • While you might be able to overlook a ents so young! Water Gap with his father and brother. I’m looking for ways to become tiny blister or minor hunger grumbles, more involved in the local hiking There are a few reasons to make the such things can be deal-breakers for a child. Peter Dolan is New Jersey Program Coordi - community.” effort to include a child on a future hike. Be sure everyone’s equipped comfortably, nator for the Trail Conference. His current The idea of Nature Deficit Disorder, while and pack extra snacks and insulation if efforts to get people outdoors include recruit - Interested in finding out how you not listed in any official medical manual, there’s any chance of it getting chilly. ing and training students at our neighbor, can help on trails in your region? has gained traction in response to the Ramapo College, where he is organizing a Get in touch with Volunteer increasing amount of time children spend • Rest is a good thing—pack a lunch and new volunteer trail crew. Coordinator John Leigh, indoors and in front of screens. Childhood encourage kids to bring a few toys that [email protected]

Amazing Summer Science Camp Opportunity for Kids 12 -18 at Black Rock Forest

You may have hiked Black Rock Forest biodiversity, nature journaling, and forest before, from the top of Split Rock where ecology (including tree climbing!). Classes one can see New York City, to the bottom are hands-on, interactive learning experi - of Glycerine Hollow… or perhaps you ences that are fun as well as informative. haven’t had the chance. Either way, don’t One class is a collaboration with neighbor - you know children who would love to ing Storm King Art Center for outdoor spend a week at Black Rock Forest, learn - experiences that hone students’ observa - ing from the landscape while immersed in tional skills while surrounded by science, art, and nature? monumental sculptures. Black Rock Forest Consortium, which Most classes are half-day and will be includes the Trail Conference, welcomes offered both morning and afternoon middle and high school students (grades 6- (morning 8:30-12:30, afternoon 1:30- 12) this summer for authentic, week-long 5:30). Drop-off and pick-up service will be learning experiences in nature, working provided at the Cornwall Post Office. For a directly with scientists and artists. The focus more immersive experience, students can is on understanding nature through scien - reside in the “green and smart” Forest tific observation and investigation. Classes Lodge all week, with three meals provided allow students to explore subjects of interest each day, activities every evening, 24-hour without the pressure of a grade. They are supervision, and nurse and EMT on-site. developed and taught by experts and pro - Summer Science Camp is certified by the vide an opportunity to explore college and Orange County Department of Health. career possibilities in the natural sciences while having fun in Black Rock Forest. For more information or to register This year, nine classes are offered on top - online visit www.blackrockforest.org. ics such as ornithology, turtle biology,

We thank these retail partners for their extra support Page 6 Spring 2014 People for Trails. Trails for People. A quarterly look at some of what our volunteers have been doing to assure public access to nature. Scouts Build Loooooong Swamp Bridge By Wayne Kunow W O N U K

E N Y A W

: S O T O H P

Zachary Kunow, a 14-year-old freshman at Suffern High for materials and supplies. Thanks to a very generous dona - moved to the site from piles of rock slag from a 19th cen - School, Senior Patrol Leader of Boy Scout Troop 21 in Suf - tion from Tilcon New York Inc., sponsored by Ed Cicalese, tury mine about 100 yards down the trail. Work on site was fern, NY, and my son, is an outdoorsman and which covered most of the materials, Zack exceeded his shut down during hunting season. However, we took the environmentally-minded young man. When it came time goal. Along with other donations from local businesses, opportunity to move the trusses and other bridge material to choose an Eagle service project at the end of 2012, he friends, and family, to property adjoining the park in early December. This was knew he wanted to do something for an environmental Zack ended up raising achieved with the assistance of Mark Olson (Assistant organization. That “something” turned out to be a 60-foot more than $6,000 of Scoutmaster of Troop 21) from MP Olson Excavation. bridge on the Long Swamp Trail Loop in Sterling Forest monetary and material Mark provided use of his flatbed trailer and a Bobcat to State Park. “I was looking for an Eagle Project that would donations. During this move the trusses and material. be challenging,” Zachary said. “Designing and building a time he was able to On December 21st, Zack coordinated a large group to bridge sounded fantastic!” obtain a permit from assist moving the 20-foot trusses and bridge material Given the size of the bridge, engineering help was need - the DEC. Also, after through the woods to the bridge site. Thirty-seven people ed. Zack worked with Brian Brooker from Brooker making a few modifi - including members of the troop, the Trail Conference, Engineering on the design. “Mr. Brooker and I chose a truss cations to the design friends, and family erected the trusses on location with tem - bridge design made of triangles because it’s economical, effi - recommended by the porary support. The splices were added for two 20-foot cient, and very strong,” Zack says. The bridge is 60 feet in state engineers, he sections to create the 40-foot span that was needed. length and 40 inches wide with 5-foot-high truss/railings. It received their approval Additional workdays with the troop followed, during is composed of a 40-foot span meeting a 20-foot span over as well. which top rail supports were constructed, a footing for the a gabion filled with rocks. We constructed the west side of the bridge was dug, and the floor was laid. The After getting approval from Jeff Hutchinson, Park Man - trusses in our driveway, final workday was on January 19, 2014 when another ton ager and John Mack, West Hudson South Trails Chair, the transported them to of rocks was moved to create walking ramps on both the design was submitted to the state engineers for review. We the park, and raised the east and west sides of the bridge. met with the Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) bridge. Sounds very In all, the troop put in 836 person hours and 12 work - Long to review the site and discuss the DEC permit process. If simple! Zack had four days into the planning and construction of the bridge. Zack Febru the permit could be secured, the plan was to start building workdays with the troop (both scouts and parents) to build said, “I knew this project would be challenging when I took Troop the bridge during the summer and complete it by the end the six 20-foot trusses, which were completed in October. it on, but I also knew it would be rewarding and a great of the year in 2013. The 40-foot span was created by splicing two 20-foot sec - sense of accomplishment.” In ad Unfortunately, Zack broke his collarbone just before tions. As a result of this project and our vested interest in this Scoutm Memorial Day, delaying the start until the fall. He used this Next, the troop started working on site to clear the new trail, our troop has been approved as a Member Club of the extra time to actively fundraise to meet his $5,000 budget trail and build two gabions. Several tons of rocks were Trail Conference and will be assigned as maintainers of the

Momentum Continues for Hudson Fjord Trail 125 people braved the forecast of another Big February Snow to attend the first of three public meetings about a draft master plan for the Hud - son Fjord Trail, envisioned to extend between the Cold Spring and Beacon, NY train stations. The trail would run along the Hudson River in Putnam and Dutchess Counties and offer safer access to existing trail

heads for Hudson Highlands State Park. N W O T

Participants were residents of Putnam and southern Dutchess County. S P I L Environmental leaders from all local organizations, and government I H P -

officials, including the entire Philipstown Town Board, Cold Spring Trustee G N O R

Stephanie Hawkins, Beacon Mayor Randy Casale, Putnam County T S M

Legislator Barbara Scuccimarra, Assemblywoman Sandy Gale, Deputy R A

K

Putnam County Executive Bruce Walker, and Linda Cooper of New York U H C State Parks participated. The Trail Conference’s East Hudson Program T V E H

Coordinator Hank Osborn facilitated one of the discussion groups. C S

Z I

Visit the project’s page at facebook.com/HudsonFjord L

Recruiting the Neighbors at Ramapo College New Jersey Program Coordinator Peter Dolan spent time on the Ramapo College campus this past winter, introducing students to the Trail Conference and recruiting them as volunteers for a new college trail crew. The campus is already a Mossy Glen Trail Gets New Bridge near neighbor in Mahwah, and will be a next-door neighbor when we move into the Darlington Schoolhouse. When snow shoers from Mid-Hudson ADK hit the Mossy Glen Tr In the course of two months, Dolan met with 150 students, most of whom had never before heard of the Trail Confer - bridge over the Peters Kill was ready for them. A new trail bridge w ence. Of those, one in three signed up to learn more about volunteering with us. Already students are looking to be placed year. The project was a collaborative effort between Tahawus Trails in volunteer positions recruiting, maintaining, teaching, attending Trail University courses, doing GPS work, and assisting one torn away by a raging Peters Kill during Hurricane Irene in 201 with projects identified by Bergen County and our volunteer leaders. the Blueberry Run Trail. The Ramapo College Crew initiative is about much more than providing hands in the field – it’s about creating a rela - Volunteers who worked on the project with Eddie Walsh were tionship with a major neighbor to our soon-to-be new headquarters at the Darlington Schoolhouse and cultivating the Webber, and, from the Jolly Rover club crew, Roch Boucher, Arti next generation of environmental leaders, volunteers, and activists through this exciting program. Doug Comeau, Duane Card, Marc Patterson, Marc Sierziga, Matt Spring 2014 Page 7 Long Path & JOIN PEOPLE FOR TRAILS ON ONE OF THESE EXCITING PROJECTS THIS SEASON Shawangunk As of the deadline for this issue, snow was still deep throughout our region. Many crews were waiting for the snow to melt to plan their Ridge Trail projects and schedules. Check the crew trip calendar at nynjtc.org/view/trail-crew-outings News

2014 promises to be another exciting year O

for the Long Path. On National Trails Day L L E T

(June 7) the new 9.5-mile off-road section S O C

from Wittenberg Mountain to Phoenicia, Y T R in the Catskills, will open. For this to hap - A M pen, about 1.5 miles of trail still has to be cleared, and several more rock steps and Enjoy a Service South Taconic turnpikes have to be constructed. Vacation in Our Closest Trail Extension The majority of this work will be done Wilderness Area: The The South Taconic Trail is being during a service trip that is scheduled from Catskill Mountains extended six miles south to the May 31 to June 7. Anyone who wants to be Or, help by doing a Taconic Park Rudd Pond area in part of this project, please check the online supply hike Millerton, NY. This is the natural calendar for details (nynjtc.org/calendar), starting point for the trail, which or contact the Trail Conference office. See As part of our work to build 9.5 recent land acquisitions have now also the Service Vacation notice at right. miles of new backcountry trail made possible. The route requires Not only will there be need for a crew for the Long Path between the building about five miles of brand that week, we also will need volunteers to Village of Phoenicia and the Slide new trail through open woods, assist with the logistics before, during, and Mountain Wilderness Area, the hemlock groves, waterfalls, and after the work week: a camp has to be set Trail Conference will be offering rock ledges with open views. up, and tools and food have to be brought a weeklong backcountry service up the mountain. vacation between May 31 and The weekends prior to this work week June 7, National Trails Day. Our we also will be working on the new trail, goal is to open this exciting new and additional volunteers will be needed to trail on National Trails Day. help finish the trail by the June 7 deadline. You can come for just a day, or for an entire On this extended backcountry weekend. Again, please check the online service trip the crew will be calendar for details. working on the section of new Other sections of the Long Path will also trail that traverses Cross Mountain see activity in the year to come. The Long between Wittenburg Mountain Path North Hiking Club has scheduled a and Mount Pleasant. The crew bridge building event in Cole Hollow on will be camping each night on National Trails Day, while south of the the mountain at a base camp, Catskills, in Napanoch, we are moving a and work will include clearing short trail section from the road onto the trees and vegetation, and tread D&H Canal towpath. This too will require construction such as raking, side- a new bridge. hilling, waterbars, and stone steps. The construction phase of this In 2012 we reported 1,714 hours of project begins Saturday April 26, The Trail Conference will be leading Swamp Trail for at least the next couple of years. On work, which cleared most of the first 3 and will extend into 2015. Work several hikes to the worksite and uary 22, Zack became the 137th Eagle Scout from miles on Romer Mountain. In 2013 a will range from cutting and the base camp to resupply the p 21. whopping 4,545 hours went into the proj - clearing with loppers and hand crew. Volunteers are needed to ect, which saw us reach Mount Pleasant saws, to heavier work digging carry supplies and tools up and ddition to being Zack’s father, Wayne Kunow is from both sides. Now only the section on side hills and treadway smoothing. down. If you are interested in master of Troop 21 and a Trail Conference member. Mount Pleasant remains to be cleared. We In September, the Jolly Rovers either opportunity, please email hope you will join us. rock crew has scheduled a full the Trail Conference at weekend of rock work. [email protected]. Co-Chairs Jakob Franke and Andy Garrison No experience is necessary to join A New Trail to Go to the fun, and there is plenty of work Black Rock Forest for all abilities. Crew work days will be scheduled throughout this summer and fall, and will be posted on the Trail Crew Outings web page Walk or Run on nynjtc.org. Or contact Andrew Seirup, at [email protected] or to Protect the 845-350-2023. —Andrew Seirup Palisades Andrew is our Trails Chair for the East Hudson region. Sign up now for the “Escape to Workshop participants last year helped the Palisades 6k Trail Run/Walk” scout route for a new trail. Sterling Forest The Hudson Highlands Nature Backcountry Museum in Cornwall is planning to Lace up and speak out as you enjoy Trails Project create a new trail connecting their a scenic loop hike or run on the 6-mile network with that of Black This year we’re kicking off the trail- Long Path, right across from the Rock Forest’s. One of the results building season at Sterling Forest proposed LG Tower. E will be the creation of a lovely by creating the next section of the R E

U viewpoint overlooking Cornwall Doris Duke Trail, which will extend O F

E Trails include the Long Path, Shore and north to the Shawangunks uphill to join up with the Allis Trail D U A

L Trail, Carpenters Trail and Dyckman and Catskills. The Trail Conference on Sterling Mountain. The Allis is C - N

A Hill Trail. is assisting with this project. Last a ridge-top trail running from the E J October, we held a Trail Layout & Appalachian Trail in the northern e May 4 at 9am, Fort Lee, NJ Design workshop at the site, and section of the park, south along rail at Minnewaska State Park Preserve this winter, the For more information and to on May 31, we will lead a Tread & Sterling Ridge and across the New was completed on the popular trail by the start of this Drainage: Side-hilling workshop Jersey border to link up with the register, please visit that will begin to build the trail. trails in Ringwood State Park. and Trail Conference volunteers. The bridge replaces www.escapetopalisades.com 12 and is similar to another bridge over the stream on All are welcome to register for this workshop, whether it is to add to Join us for a Sidehilling Party in early May, details to be found here: e Joan James, Jim Gebhard, Mike Garrison, Dave All net proceeds will support your trail skills or to become a part of this project. Sign up at http://nynjtc.org/content/sterling- e Hidalgo, Bob Brunner, Tim McElwee, Vic Alfieri, Protect the Palisades efforts. forest-trail-project Decker, Matt DeGraff, and Liz Degraff. nynjtc.org/view/workshops Page 8 Spring 2014 STAFF Conservation & Trail Advocacy

Erik Mickelson Is New Field Manager The Trail Conference welcomes Erik Mick - elson as the newest member of our staff. Erik fills the new position of Field Manag - er and is already a familiar face to many volunteers who worked with him last sea - son at Sterling Forest State Park, where he was a member of the AmeriCorps crew. Erik grew up in Virginia Beach, VA, went to college in Tucson, AZ, and came to Ster - ling Forest from Oceanside, CA. Since then Erik has worked at well over 40 different trail sites in Southern Califor - nia and New York. He worked with the Gunks Greenway: Priority Conservation Project notable trail firm Bellfree Contractors; was a regular trail volunteer with the San Diego Mountain Bike Association (he was their Trail Volunteer of the Year in 2009); and Safeguarding the Gunks Greenway Hike with Us This Spring and Environmental Protection Fund volunteered as Calavera Hills Preserve Trail On February 4, 2014, the Mamakating Get to Know the Shawangunk Established in 1993, the EPF is the state’s Captain with the City of Carlsbad, CA. He Town Board voted unanimously to Ridge Trail dedicated source of funding for critical also sat on the Oceanside Bike/Walk Sub - endorse a casino at the top of the ridge. Check nynjtc.org/calendar for guided environmental programs. Governor Cuo - committee in charge of trail development. Developer David Flaum, owner of a 345- spring hikes along the Shawangunk Ridge mo proposed to invest just $20 million in What’s different about trail work in New acre parcel (location of the former Trail, where we will be showcasing the land protection in the next fiscal year. York? “Here there are more rocks and more Shawanga Lodge) off Exit 114 of Route trail building and conservation and advo - Sadly, no money to protect land on the duff,” he says with a smile. “More humidi - 17/86 and overlooking the Basha Kill cacy work the Trail Conference is doing in Shawangunk Ridge is in the governor’s ty and more bugs. Also more trees, which Wildlife Management Area, had request - the region. land protection budget proposal. This, I love.” ed the endorsement. The Trail Conference despite the fact that the state has identi - is an adjacent landowner to the Flaum fied the Ridge as a priority area for open parcel, and we oppose a casino at this site space protection, worked with the Trail owing to the negative impact it would Conference in the past to add land to have on our decades-long efforts to pro - ridgetop state forests, and is funding Trail tect the integrity of this spectacular Conference efforts to promote a Gunks ridgetop for wildlife habitat and human Greenway on the Shawangunk Ridge. recreation. We sent a letter to the town The 100+ member coalition Friends of board stating our concerns and asking NY’s Environment worked to increase that they not endorse the casino. We were EPF funding overall, to $200 million. We in good company with partner organiza - joined that effort and a February lobby tions such as the Basha Kill Area day for it in Albany, and also advocated Association and many individuals. for an increase in the land acquisition Despite losing this round, we will moni - budget in particular. Kevin Simpson, an AmeriCorps volun - tor development proposals. teer with us last year on the Bear Mountain Trails Project, returns this year as seasonal construction manager on the Harriman Trails Access Our States’ Environmental Budgets project. Kevin is from Asheville, NC, and The winter closing of Route 106 in Harri - In both New Jersey and New York, the Trail grew up hiking and backpacking. He man State Park, between Rt. 17 and Conference weighed in, along with our graduated in 2004 from the University of Kanawauke Circle, led to a flurry of reports partners, on state government budget North Carolina-Asheville with a major in from hikers about a decrease in access to plans. Our focus was on securing funding sociology. He has taught English to young trailheads both along that road section and for land protection programs. people in Korea and Taiwan, counseled others. We formed a Harriman Trails Green Acres In the Garden State, the NJ and taught at an alternative camp for Access committee, comprising volunteers Keep It Green Coalition led successful young people, and worked as a teaching and representatives of member clubs, to campaigns to pass statewide ballot meas - assistant in public schools. He is an active collect hiker input and review the issue. ures in 2006, 2007 and 2009 generating member of the Carolina Mountain Club, The committee’s goal is to identify issues $600 million for state open space, farm - Wild South, and the Carolina Mountain Protecting the Palisades and recommendations that can be made to land and historic preservation programs, as Land Conservancy. Kevin’s hope is “to Our challenge to LG Electronics’ plans to park officials. well as dedicated annual funding for capi - merge my work with young people and build a tower on the National Historic tal improvements to state parks and other my interests in trails.” Scenic Palisades picked up significant September Bear Hunt in the public lands. Since 2012, when funds were momentum this past winter. Catskills Not a Good Idea set to run out, NJKIG has conducted a • Two separate letters from the National New York State’s Dept. of Environmental Sustainable Funding Campaign to secure a Park Service to Edwin Fehre, Chair - Conservation has proposed adding a new sustainable source of funding for the man of the Englewood Cliffs Planning September bear hunt season in the Catskills. preservation and stewardship of New Jer - Board, discussed the "serious negative The goal is to manage the bear population, sey’s natural, recreational and historic impact" of the LG project. which we accept is an issue across New York treasures for generations to come. The • The Natural Resources Defense State. Lasting for 16 days beginning on the effort continues. Council and the New Jersey Conser - first Saturday of September, the proposed Environmental Protection Fund In vation Foundation announced their new season coincides with a time of high use New York, the focus of The Friends of moves to join the lawsuit against LG by other recreational Catskills users, particu - New York’s Environment, a partnership Electronics over its plans. larly hikers and fall foliage seekers. In a of more than 100 groups, is on the • Six Bergen County mayors signed a comment letter to DEC, we stated our Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). letter declaring their opposition to opposition to this particular proposal. Aside Established in 1993, the EPF is the state’s the plans. from issues of public safety, the Trail Confer - dedicated source of funding for critical • And the Palisades Interstate Park ence is concerned that a September hunting environmental programs that protect clean Commission unanimously approved a season would cause many visitors, including drinking water, magnificent parks, family resolution of opposition. hikers, bird watchers, fishermen, nature farms, and open space. We joined that photographers, cyclists and others, to stay effort and also advocated for an increase in In all cases, opposition is only to the away from the Catskills and thus the com - the land acquisition budget in particular. height of the planned tower, not to LG’s munity businesses they traditionally We also weighed in on funding for State use of the site for its headquarters. patronize, during this peak tourist season. Parks, with representatives participating in Follow the issue on our coalition website, These users represent a far larger group than an annual Parks Advocacy day in Albany, protectthepalisades.org. do hunters. We feel strongly that a new, ear - and worked to raise awareness of Catskill ly hunting season is not an optimal solution issues, including adequate funding and to managing bear populations in the Catskill staffing for the Dept. of Environmental Mountains region. Conservation, during a Catskill Awareness Day in Albany. Spring 2014 Page 9 Trailside Nature PEOPLE FOR TRAILS Discovering Ferns provide clarifying illustrations. The spores of ferns are packaged into By Edna Greig tiny sacks called sporangia. In many species On just about any woodland walk, you’re of ferns, sporangia are arranged in a charac - likely to encounter ferns, some of the old - teristic pattern on the underside of the est plants to inhabit the earth. Ferns blades. But there are some exceptions as predate flowering plants and reproduce not noted below. by seeds but by spores. All native ferns in our area have horizon - A sample of our region’s ferns tal underground stems called rhizomes. In There are about 80 species of ferns in our early spring, the leaf buds on the rhizomes region, with the following being some of Alex Marra expand and, in most species, uncoil into the more common: Christmas fern fiddleheads Hurley, NY the appropriately-named fiddleheads. Fid - Christmas fern ( Polystichum acrosti - dleheads are a delightful sight in early choides ) – A fern of drier woodlands with a Volunteers with his good friend spring. Some are stout and covered with once-pinnate blade. The ferns can form a ly-related interrupted fern ( Osmunda clay - Will Soter (see page 5), as new dense silver or white hairs to help protect dense carpet on the forest floor. The fronds toniana ) grows in somewhat drier areas and Trails Co-chair for about 100 miles them from the cold. Others are delicate are evergreen, and the previous year’s carries its sporangia in the middle of the of Catskills trails in Ulster and and difficult to spot among the leaf litter. fronds provide a nice backdrop to the blade, hence, the blade is “interrupted.” Sullivan Counties. The fiddleheads continue to uncoil into densely silver-haired fiddleheads of early Royal fern ( Osmunda regalis ) – A fern of mature leaves which, in ferns, are called spring. The name Christmas fern may stem wet areas that can grow up to six feet tall. What does a Trails Chair do? fronds. Fern fronds consist of leaf-like from the use of the evergreen fronds for Its twice-pinnate blades resemble the leaves Acts as regional trails manager, blades and stalks that connect the blades to holiday decorations. of the locust tree. It’s sometimes called the recruiting and supporting trail the rhizomes. Fern blades can be simple Cinnamon fern ( Osmunda cinnamomea ) flowering fern because its sporangia sit atop maintainers and supervisors, (undivided) or they may be divided one, – A fern of moist to wet areas with a twice- the blades like light brown flower clusters. tracking their work, communicating two, or three times, also known as once- pinnate blade. This fern is easily Ostrich fern ( Matteuccia struthiopteris ) – with park managers and Trail pinnate, twice-pinnate, and thrice-pinnate. recognizable by its sporangia, which are not A spreading fern of marshy woods that can Conference partners, and being the The degree of division of a fern’s blade is on the undersides of the blades but rather grow to 42" tall. The name comes from the liaison between a regional network important to its identification. Fern field are carried in dense masses, or “cinnamon ostrich-feather-like shape of the fronds that of volunteers and appropriate Trail guides delve into this concept further and sticks” that rise above the fronds. The close - have twice-pinnate blades. The fiddleheads Conference staff. Most also get out are edible. on trail projects whenever they can. Hay-scented fern ( Dennstaedtia punc - tilobula ) – An adaptable fern that can form Trail Experience: Alex is a long- dense stands in a wide range of conditions, time hiker and hike leader, is a from dry to moist and sun to shade. It’s member of the Catskill Mountain often found along roadsides. Its brittle, Club, Catskill 3500 Club (he light green, twice-pinnate blades smell like expects to complete his winter hay when crushed. peaks this year), Adirondack Maidenhair fern ( Adiantum pedatum ) – Mountain Club, and the Trail A beautiful, unique-looking fern of rich Conference. He is a licensed New woodlands with delicate, circular blades York State Guide. He is co-founder, atop dark, wiry stalks. with Will, and CEO of Upstate A fern field guide can help you discover Adventure Guides LLC. these and other fairly common, as well as Off Trail: Alex is owner and not so common, ferns of our region. founder of Hudson Valley Weather (hudsonvalleyweather.com) and is Member Edna Greig is a regular contributor a store manager for Home Depot, to Trail Walker .

G managing a workforce of up to I E R

G 150 people.

A N D E What Alex says about his new Delicate maidenhair ferns volunteer position: “I’m excited!” Interested in doing trail work in the Catskills? Get in touch with The Enlightened Hiker: Trails and MUD! Volunteer Coordinator John Leigh, [email protected] By Ama Koenigshof Yes, we want to walk around muddy patches when we come to them, and in spring, we may encounter them Advice from Leave often. But walking around the mud No Trace in Mud ends up widening the trail, causing added impact to the environment Season: Be Ready we are out to enjoy and more main - to Get Muddy! tenance issues for trail stewards. So • Wear waterproof boots. why do muddy patches happen and how to trail builders deal with them? • Consider using gaiters We asked Trail Builder and Educator • Be prepared to hike or run Ama Koenigshof to explain. down the middle of the trail even when it’s wet or Muddy patches on trails are usually caused by a poor trail alignment that does not muddy – stepping off the allow water to run off it, or by the develop - designated trail to avoid ment of a berm on the downhill side of the mud or standing water can trail that then acts as a dam. The key to a sustainable, mud-free trail is to get the quickly lead to the creation water flowing across the trail, not down it of undesignated trails, which can lead to even more erosion. See more at: http://lnt.org/blog/ mud#sthash.StHlfAol.dpuf

or standing still. A side-hill trail that fol - walk around stepping stones. When choos - Typically, each side of the tread way is lined lows the contours of the land will be a ing stepping stones, the rocks should be at with rock or logs that are dug into the permanent solution if done correctly. That least 1 cubic foot in size with at least one ground and “set” in place. Crush rock fills being said, muddy spots happen. Here are nice flat side. Ideally, they are placed with a the area between the sides; if the area is real - some ways we deal with them: gap no larger than six inches between them ly muddy, the crush may be wrapped in Stepping Stones are a good solution if a to ensure comfortable walking. geotextile. On top of all this is mineral soil, trail corridor is narrow, if there is a good Turnpike is a trail segment that is built compacted to create a crowned tread sur - supply of large rock nearby, and if the trail to rise above wet ground. It is a good solu - face that sheds water. Maintenance is for pedestrians only. If the trail corridor tion for any width trail corridor, when includes re-crowning the tread surface to Stepping Stones is very wide (more than six feet), hikers will crush rock and mineral soil are nearby. continued on page 11 Page 10 Spring 2014 IN MEMORIAM TRAIL CONFERENCE SUPPORTERS Ruth M. Robinson DONORS TO THE ANNUAL FUND November 23, 2013 – February 24, 2014

Doris Aaronson, Hedy & Dave Abad, Helga Abel, William Abrams, Stewart Alter, Estelle Anderson, Susan & Haron Andima, Daniel L. Antognini, Bruce N. Anton & Andreea Sparhawk, Patrick J. Applegate, Howell O. Archard, Michael J. Ashworth, Richard C. Avidon, Edith Barth, Jonathan D. Beard & Rachel Theilheimer, Peter G. Becan, Don Beier, Robert Bender & Loretta Nash, Hanna & Andy Benesch, David Bennett, James & Laurie Benson, Robert & Ellie Berlin, Thomas R. & Nancy M. Berner, Theresa Berntsen, George F. Bevans, Richard & Maryan Bing, Sherri Biscan, Ed Blaumeiser, John B. Blenninger, Stanley & Ida Bochner, John A. Boehning, Brian & Jody Boland, Jack & Susan P. Bolnick, Hong & James Bong Pyo, Mike & Flo Boucher, John V. Bracco, William Bracey, John Bradley, Jane M. Brain, Jonathan L. Brandt, Hal Brill, Charles B. Brock, Kathryn L. Bryn, Harvey K. Bucholtz, Richard & Shari Buchwald, David W. Buell, Peter Buffington, Richard Burke, Julie Burnett-Toscano, Michael J. Burns, George H. & Geraldine Byrne, Ann Cahill, Vincent Caintic, Catherine Calabria, Robyne Camp, Mark & Barbara H. Cane, Russ & Diane Cannizzaro, Frank Caputzal, Kathleen Caren, Eileen Carnes, Gina Carson, Martin J. & Helene J. Celnick, Helen M. & Richard Cerny, Michael Chaberski, Daniel D. Chazin, William Chiappane, George M. Cimis, Roger Clark, Paul G. E. Clemens, Brian A. Coan, Evan Colgan, Brian Collins & Michelle Tuorto- Collins, Robert P. & Josephine Conger, John Conlon, Michael Cooney, Stephen Cooper, Gayle Cornish, Peter Coy, Tom Cullinan, Mark J. Dallara, Lyn E. Damari, Robert J. & Irina Danetz, An avid hiker and long-time benefactress of Jane & Walt Daniels, George F. Davenel Jr., Kathleen Davies, Christopher B. Davis, Monica & David H. Day, Jerome Dean, Michael DeBernardi & Denise R. DeBernardi, Michael E. the New York-New Jersey Trail Confer - Doehring, Paul T. & Diane Donoghue, Margaret Donohoe & David Tull, Paul Doxey, Stephan Drighes, Patricia B. Dufort, Marion Dugan & Pat Dugan, Laura Enos & Greg McAlpin, ence—including a generous bequest— Christopher Ezzo, Charlotte & Stanley Fahn MD, Thomas Faust, Eva Esteve Ferrer, Douglas Fisher, Linda Fitzgerald, Bill D. Foelsch, Roland & Mary Ann Folter, Paul Forgie, Jay Francis & Elizabeth Bradford, James & Laura Frasier, Sheldon Freidenreich, Neil & Caren Loebel-Fried, Gregory Frux & Janet Morgan, Ronald Furia, Charles Gadol, James Gahler, William Ruth Robinson passed away last year at the Gannett, John C. Gaut, Sam Gellens, William H. Gelles, Catherine Gemmell, Clifford Norman Gerenz, Frances V. Gibbs, Michael S. & Karen L. Gilbert, Robert J. Glynn, Daniel Gold, age of 88. Born in Wellington, New Peter J. Gollon, Ronald Good, Edward K. Goodell & Lynne S. Katzmann, James C. & Susan P.R. Goodfellow, Coralyn & Abraham Gorlicki, Richard G. Gramlich, Scott & Mary Zealand, Ms. Robinson spent her youth on Greifenberger, Rhea Grill, Lalla R. Grimes, John & Anne Grob, Elliot & Sue Grover, Mary Beth Grybowski & Stephanie Sclafani, David Haase & Esther Schwalb, Robert Hagedorn, Carl Hagelin, Doug & Nancy Haitch, Eileen P. Hanna, Frank Hariton, Natalie M. Harris, Jon Hawkes, Sidney B. Heimbach MD, Clayton Hemmert, Jan Hesbon, Andrew Heyward, Michael the island of Western Samoa where she met Higgins, Mac & Carroll Highet, Daniel Hoberman, Andrew Hofstetter, Mary H. & Arthur C. Horst, Robert Horton, Samuel G. Huber, Paul & Amy Impelluso, Samuel W. Ingram Jr., and married an American pilot. After his Matthew Insley-Pruitt, Walt Jamros, Andy & Helaine Janovsky, Alexander Jaspersen, Marlene Jeenel, Lillian C. Jewett, Robert J. Jonas, Joyce C. & Morris R. Judson Jr., Denis J. Kaminski death in World War II, Ms. Robinson Jr., Jeffrey Katz, Richard & Marion Katzive, Paul J. Kaufman, Barbara & Bradford Kendall, Brian L. Kennedy, John Kenselaar, Norma Kerlin, Elizabeth Klaber, Gary & Virginia remained in the United States and graduat - Knackmuhs, Jack & Judy Kossover, Ruth Kramer-Schoenrock, Bob Kreizel & Tamara Sandy, Rex & Greta Nettleton, Edward Landau, Russell M. Layne & Maripat Barlow-Layne, Kenneth Lee, Louis Leonardis, Richard R. & Diane Levine, Alan Lieber & Alice Heffner, Howard & Rosemarie Liebmann, David & Catherine Lilburne, Mary Lloyd, Donald Locascio, Dorothy A. ed from the University of South Carolina Lourdou, Frances R. Lowney, Kathleen Madden, Paul Makus, Jeanne Mancini, Stephen Marano, Brian Markey & Virginia M. Lincoln, Bonnie H. Marsh, James Martocci, Anders & before moving to New York. A reporter and Carlene Maxwell, Robert Mazzola, Dan McCarthy, Tim McGee, James R. & Theresa A. McKay, Edith & Scott McNutt, Gloria & David Meade, Marius Medveschi, Carl J. Mendez, Richard editor with The New York Times for more J. Menfi, Robert W. Messerschmidt, Christian & Peter Meyer, Scott Michenfelder, Arlys Mikolay, Daniel K. Miller, William D. Mishler, Richard W. & Barbara F. Moore, Michael & Ingrid than 30 years, Ms. Robinson channeled her Morley, Andrew Moroz, Martina Moss, Lee Mott & Barbara Simmons, Kirsten Munro, Dagi K. & John R. Murphy, Francesco Nargentino, Andrea Natalie, G. Gail Neffinger, Marilyn Neimark, Carol A. Nestor, Daniel North, David Northcutt, Edward T. & Barbara O’ Brien, Chris Oldfather & Fredrica Wyman, Glenn W. Oleksak, Fred H. & Anne Todd Osborn, Yoon K. love of the outdoors into dozens of articles Pae, Robert Paine, Ronald Passaretti, Randolph Patrick & Lisa Reider, William F. & Mary H. Penny, Karen L. Peterson, Jeanne Petta, William & Georgann Pettenger, G. W. Phillips, on hiking, ski touring, travel, and adventur - Richard Pine & Cheryl Agris, Gale & Louis Pisha, Albert J. Poelzl, Gabriel Pompe, Mark Porterfield, James Prommel, Dan Pupel, Barbara Raab & Ilene Sameth, Robert J. Reardon, Jane ing. Her personal achievements included Restani, Edward Ribitzki, Neil B. & Kathryn M. Rindlaub, William L. Roach Jr., Bonnie Robins, Mark Robinson, Allen Rochkind, Larry Rockefeller, Audrey Roco, Gordon Roehrer, Alan S. Rojer, Ron S. & Marilyn Rosen, Robert C. Ross, Francesco Rossi & Jennifer Vogel-Rossi, Mark & Barbara Rubin, John Rudder, Frank Russo, Marc P. Ryan, Phyllis S. Safer, Nancy summiting all peaks of the Catskills over Sall & David Brogno, Howard & Suzanne Samelson, Kenn Sapeta, Gunvor Satra, Joshua Schickman, Heiko Schoder, Ruth Schorsch, Seth Schwartz, Edward Schwetz, George Senft, 3500 feet, all peaks of the Adirondacks over Alfred A. & Carol Seymour-Jones, Laura Shanahan, Kyle & Michael Sherry, Deborah Shields & Robert Feldman, Isidore Shiffman, Simon & Nancy Z. Sidamon-Eristoff, Richard S. 4600 feet, and treks in the U.S. and Cana - Siegel, Manuel J. Silberberg, Edward S. Silsbe, Kenneth Simpson & Arlene F. Boop, June P. Slade, Jim Sligar & Diana Sattelberger, Carl T. Smith, Douglas & Joan Nickel Sohn, Mike & dian Rockies, South America, and Europe. Peggy Sormani, Susan Spear, David Spiwak, Fredrick Stanley, Vicki Steinhardt, Eric Steinhart, Lucas Stelling, Josh B. Stern, Susan Sterngold, Ian D Stewart, William Stoltzfus Jr., David P. Stuhr, Joe M. Sullivan, Jan A. Summers, Richard Sumner, Judith Swan, Laura Szwak, Anne Marie Tallberg, Emmanuel Tanner, Michael Taylor & Sharon P. Churcher, Straat Tenney, She will be deeply missed by her friends and Larry Thomas, J. Bruce & Beverly Thomson, Michael Tillison, John Todaro, Nancy & Art Tollefson, Cynthia A. Tollo-Falls & Stuart Falls, John P. Turrell, Shelby P. & Glen V. Umland, climbing companions. Lucia Vail, Jacques Van Engel, Janice M. Vicine, Richard E. & Elizabeth Voigt, Jonathan Wagman, Ed & Eudora Walsh, Richard Wasserman, Richard Watson Maggie Rupp, Ann C. Watts, Judith M. Weiner, Georgette Weir & Jean-Claude Fouéré, Lisa A. Weiss & Dr. Ken Zadeck, Janice M. Whipple, William E. Wickey, Robert Willemann & Catherine Ray, Evan & Maria Mike Warren Williams, Steven B. & Nathalie E. Yafet, Ann Yasuhara, Jia You, Gail A. & Albert Zimmerman, Adam Zion, Nancy Zoebelein, Martin F. Zumsteg A long-time hiker and TRIBUTES CORPORATE, FOUNDATION photographer of the For good karma in the hopes of seeing dad, In memory of Larry Braun & OTHER DONORS Appalachian Trail and Ken Malkin, on the trails soon John and Kolp, John B. Blenninger, AMC Delaware Valley Chapter, AT&T Foundation, Avon New York trails, died Laurie Malkin Malcolm Spector, Susan Puretz Products, Inc., Ayco Charitable Foundation, benevity, on Jan. 31. Mike Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Earthshare Chapters, Fidelity In appreciation and support of Don Weise In memory of Jim Burkitt served as Trails chair of Audrey Roco Bill Morris, Heike Robins Charitable Gift Fund, Ford Foundation Matching Gift Program, German-American Hiking Club, Golden Family the New York-New In honor of George Petty In memory of Joan E. Ehrenfeld David Ehrenfeld, Jane Dimyan-Ehrenfeld Foundation, Google, Google Matching Gifts Program, Hi- Jersey Trail Confer - Helen Lowenstein Camp Outdoor Activity Club, Hike for Mental Health, Hudson In honor of our son Glenn who supervises In memory of Tom Dunn City Savings Bank, Interstate Hiking Club, Kirkland & Ellis ence in the early the Highland Trails James R. and Gail Brown Foundation, Leanne Freas Trout Foundation, Inc., 1970s and con - Frances Oleksak In memory of Fred Perkuhn for the Meadowlark Foundation, Merck Partnership For Giving, tributed photographs to many Trail In honor of our son, Rob Arecchi’s birthday Trails for People Project Microsoft Donation Program, Network For Good, New York Conference publications. In 1994 he Hiking Club, Novartis, Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Marlene Arecchi John J. and Pamela A. Grimmke received the William Hoeferlin Award for In support of the trail maintenance in Fahnestock Program, Prudential Foundation, Prudential Foundation In memory of David V. Woolf Matching Gifts Program, QVT Financial LP, Robert Wood his service to the Trail Conference. Mike Naola B. Gersten-Woolf Christopher Obuck Johnson Foundation, Royal Alliance Associates Inc., Sierra published a photo book on the A.T. and In memory of Alta Sumner Thanks to a Jolly Rover for map donation Club Lower Hudson Group, Smart Family Foundation, Inc., Richard Sumner Katherine Saenger and Robert Walkup The Mabee Family Foundation, The New York Community collaborated on Walking the Appalachian In memory of my father, Torleif Meloe To help the fight against the LG Tower Trust, Thendara Mountain Club, Topfield Foundation, Trail . His photos appeared in the National Erica A. Meloe Mark Becker, Lori Charkey Union County Hiking Club, United Way Of The Capital Geographic book, Mountain Adventure , Region, Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program, in many Appalachian Trail Conservancy Westchester Trails Association, Zadeck Family Foundation calendars and the covers of dozens of Tributes are only printed for donations of $25 or more. Hagstrom regional maps. Mike started hik - ing in the New York area in the 1950s and remained an avid hiker throughout his life. DONORS TO THE DARLINGTON SCHOOLHOUSE FUND He was a hike leader for the Sierra Club and November 23, 2013 – February 24, 2014 New York Ramblers. He is survived by his Suzanne Andora Barron, Jeremy Apgar, Michael and Kathy Azzara, John Baranowski, Alfred Y. Bentley Jr., Anne Perkins Cabot, Daniel D. Chazin, William C. Close, Chris Connolly, Ted partner, Sharon Moir, an A.T. thru-hiker. J. Dengler, Jennifer Easterbrook, David J. Epstein, Howard L. and Ellen Frey, Robert E. Fuller, Sam Gellens, Robert J. Glynn, Edward K. Goodell and Lynne S. Katzmann, James and Jane Gregoire, Anthony E. Hartle, Peter and Rita Heckler, Daniel Hoberman, Gaylord C. and Anne J. Holmes, James M. Hourihan, Joshua Howard, Philip L and Melinda Kerstein, John K. Pete Seeger Leigh IV, Gerhart H. and Rose Lempp, Richard R. and Diane Levine, Len and Sue Lyon, Pasquale Marcotullio, Doris M. Masse, Mary and Gay Mayer, Erica A. Meloe, Drinker Biddle and Reath LLP, Meghan O'Connell, Joanne E. Reinhardt, Robert Ross, Walter and Stephanie Rothaug, George S. and Ingrid E. Rothbart, Mellonie Sanborn, V. Dennis and Paula A. Sandhage, Donald and Joann Schwamb, Jeffrey P. Senterman and Maurice Lemire, Smart Family Foundation, Inc., Valerie Smith, Mark and Mindy Sotsky, Dennis D. Stripe, Richard Sumner, Albert Szesciuk, Janet Thomas, Nancy and Art Tollefson, Diana Trebb, Donald Tripp and Denise Jarvis, Greg Verhoff, Hike for Mental Health, Donald L. Weise, Evan and Maria Williams, Gary Willick, Andrew Y. Wong, Patsy and Roy Wooters

ATTENTION!! Pete Seeger and Shorewalkers’ Cy Adler A musican, social activist, and a leader and inspiration to a generation of environmen - Mountaineers, Hikers, Campers, talists, Pete Seeger died Jan. 27 at the age of 94. He founded the environmental organi - Hunters and Anglers zation Clearwater in 1966, and its namesake sloop was a familiar sight to hik - ers, boaters, and anyone on or along the When was the last If you care about our open spaces, Hudson River after its launch in 1969. time you thought Clearwater focused attention not only on improving the water quality of the river, but about your legacy? join a league of caretakers and renewing appreciation for the beauty of the Hudson Valley. Mr. Seeger himself was a By including a bequest to the protectors of our natural environment. familiar sight, lending his musical talents to Trail Conference in your will, support a host of organizations, enjoying you will help us continue the walks with Shorewalkers (see Cy Adler’s legacy of trails and connecting Please go to: remembrance on shorewalker.org), and people with nature for picking up litter along the shore in his long- generations to come. time hometown, Beacon. He supported the www.naturalresourcestewards.org Trail Conference and became an honorary For information, contact “field checker” when he once sent in a cor - Don Weise, [email protected], rection to a Trail Conference map of the or call 201-512-9348, ext. 13 East Hudson Highlands, where he lived. Spring 2014 Page 11 The Sensoria sock is made of a washable, PEOPLE FOR TRAILS Smarter socks synthetic wicking fabric and will be avail - able this spring from Heapsylon LLC, a for hikers and Redmond, WA-based technology compa - ny, CEO Davide Vigiano said in a runners telephone interview. The company also By Howard E. Friedman, DPM manufactures a shirt and sports bra that use a sensor to record heart rate. High tech companies keep trying to push The sock incorporates three sensors, one their products onto the trail by getting each under the heel, near the big toe, and them either in your backpack or on your near the small toe, each less than 1 mm wrist. But this spring, the newest high tech thick. To activate the sensors, the hiker or product for hikers actually aims to come runner attaches a battery-powered anklet to Walkable Westchester between you and the trail – as long as you the sock via snaps. The anklet contains an Team are wearing socks. Really smart socks. accelerometer and other technology which Called Sensoria, these new socks will, allow it to capture data from the sensors in Westchester, NY according to their developers, record and the sock. The user can see the data as it is project an image of exactly how your feet being collected on his or her smart phone or Volunteers: It takes a team. are striking the ground. Are you a heel even Google glasses, with pressure reflected Authors: Jane and Walt Daniels (hats) striker, forefoot striker, or mid-foot striker? as either green, the lowest reading, or yellow Project manager: Jim Simpson Do you put more pressure under the big or red, a high reading. The sock sensors do Primary field checkers: Carol and toe area or the small toe area? not have a GPS, but can be paired with Erik Jensen, Eileen West. These existing GPS units, Vigiano said. three volunteers contributed a Data can also be downloaded as a video combined 270 hours to walking, strip from the anklet after the hike. verifying, traveling, and filing Harvard evolutionary biologist Daniel reports. Lieberman Ph.D, who has authored many The following volunteers each studies on barefoot running and is the contributed a minimum of 15 hours A I author of The Story of the Human Body

R to field checking: Ken Blitz, Daniel O S (2013 Pantheon) is collaborating on the N Chazin, Merilee Croft, Peter E S mobile application, according to Vigiano. Diamond, Mary Dodds, Zachary Understanding how the foot strikes the These smart socks are ideal for trail or Gold, Carolyn Hoffman, John ground can be important, especially for road runners who not only want to know Jurasek, Mark H. Linehan, runners, since many researchers suggest how far and fast they have traveled but also Catharine Raffaele, Will Raffaele, that mid-foot and forefoot strikers are less want to modify their gait, or be notified if Anne Rahikainen, Kate Ray, Lynn prone to injuries than heel strikers. (Walk - they have started suddenly pronating or Salmon, Fred Stern, Jacques Van ers and hikers are normally heel strikers). supinating and want to try and minimize Engel, and Robert Willemann The Sensoria socks will, the company injury. Moreover, the sock could give a says, detect if the wearer’s gait has changed before and after look at exactly how an arch Others who helped trail check during a hike or run, also record distance support or foot orthotic changes the pres - were: Adele Abrahamsen, Bruce traveled, cadence (number of foot strikes sure under the foot. and Priscilla Lucas, Paul Meck, per minute), number of steps taken, calo - Wesley Salisburg, Victoria San ries burned, and other metrics. A number Howard E. Friedman, DPM, is an avid Juan, Surekha Soni, Anne of existing products, such as the hiker, a podiatrist in Suffern, NY, and a Sheridan, William Varner, Gene Nike+Sportswatch, can provide some simi - frequent contributor to Trail Walker . Find Wiggins lar information, but no other device on the many of his articles on our website at What they checked: 600+ miles of market geared for the athletic consumer nynjtc.org/news/health-news. trails in 200 parks, preserves, and can generate data and images of the pres - other open spaces sure generated under your feet. More volunteers: Copy editing: Dianne Press; Indexing: Suse Bell; Cover photograph: Herb Chong Coming this Spring provides directions to the trailhead. The unique geology and climate of Long Grand Total volunteer hours? Updated, Fourth Island make it a fascinating place to hike “It’s a guesstimate,” says Jane. But year round. Despite its suburban popula - something in the neighborhood of Edition of Hiking tion close to New York City, there are many 5,500, both on- and off-trail for Long Island places on the island where the walker can the whole Walkable Westchester seek solitude amid the beauty of the natu - team. ral world. Glaciers of the last ice age formed Professional contributors: Nora For more than a decade Hiking Long Island its hills and plains. The moraines that run Porter, graphic design; Allison has been the most popular guidebook to the length of this 118-mile Island afford Werberg, cartography. the area’s trails. Author Lee McAllister has hilltop views of the ocean from miles away. spent the past 30 years hiking, photograph - The overlap of southern and northern cli - Special mention: Ossining Public ing, and researching natural Long Island, mates on its terrain produces an unusual Library, where many editorial discovering its beauty on and off the beat - mix of plants, birds and wildlife. There are meetings were held and which en path. hardwood forests and pine-barrens, hills is hosting the book launch on This fourth edition of Hiking Long and kettleholes, fields and beaches, bluffs Saturday, April 5 at 2 pm. Island describes parks and preserves of Nas - and bogs, rivers and bays, dunes and dwarf sau and Suffolk Counties, and hiking trails pines, maritime forests and grasslands, Meet the Authors: To schedule throughout the area. It updates all the trails coastal plain ponds and burn areas, and a presentation by Jane and and adds a few new ones as well. It shows haunting moorlands. And Hiking Long Walt Daniels, contact Jane at the walker where to explore natural beauty Island leads the walker to all of it. [email protected]. To see in small parks and larger tracts of public Watch for the publication announce - where they will be speaking, lands. Relevant stories of area history ment on our website and in our electronic visit westchester.nynjtc.org enhance the trail descriptions. The book newsletter, E-Walker , and plan to order The newest edition of this popular guidebook helps hikers choose the hike most appropri - your copy, on our website, by phone (201- is expected to be available in April. ate for their abilities and interests, and 512-9348), or in our office.

THE ENLIGHTENED HIKER are “set” perpendicular to the path of travel continued from page 9 while one or two long half rounds are sus - pended across the two sills and attached encourage water runoff. with large nails or screws creating a flat Corduroy is created when logs are wooden walking surface above the muck. It placed side by side perpendicular to the can become slippery if always wet. Bog path. It is a good solution when there is a bridging is not the proper solution if there is supply of newly downed trees nearby. A ever running water in the area, because the certified chain sawyer or many dedicated structure will shift and possibly wash away. people with handsaws cut the downed trees Puncheon and Boardwalk both use into pieces of similar diameter that are as decking attached to stringers. With pun - long as the trail is wide. The trail tread way cheon, the stringers are placed on sills “set” is dug out to be twice as deep as the diam - Bog Bridge Paving and Bridge on the ground; with boardwalk the sills are eter of the logs. The logs get placed side by raised on piers. The construction options side, perpendicular to the path of travel, resist rot for hundreds of years and keep the entire area is completed, it is covered are extensive, require carpentry skills, and and are recovered with the mud that was people from sinking into the slop. with mineral soil to lock the structure can require specialized equipment. dug out. The key to corduroy as a success - Stone Paving –Think stone patio or together. This solution is great for high ful solution is that the logs are dug deep cobblestone street. This solution is for puz - water flow areas. enough into the ground that they never zle lovers. Each rock is “set” at the same Bog Bridging is a good solution if a trail become exposed. If done correctly, the logs height with as few gaps as possible. Once corridor is narrow. Two full round log sills Page 12 Spring 2014

seemed to be holding up nicely under their loads of ice—they really can't sink much.” Featured Hike The Trail Conference plans three projects at the preserve this season: a bridge to span By Robert Ross Molly Ann Brook; a permanent bridge to replace a temporary bridge near the north end of the preserve; and installation of rus -

Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve: N I

tic benches at scenic locations along with a Z A H C footbridge over a small feeder stream. If L E

A Jewel Amidst the New Jersey Suburbs I things go well, Boy Scouts will complete N A these projects in spring and summer of this D The lake at Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve year. The Trail Conference is also working with the borough to obtain grants to build A free map of the Franklin Lake Nature an accessible trail at the preserve. Preserve is available for download Trail use at the preserve is likely get a on the Trail Conference website, boost if, as expected, the borough votes to nynjtc.org/map/franklin-lakes-nature- allow lake access for car-top boats. preserve-trail-map. John Moran says: “The preserve is truly an amazing crown jewel amid attractive Robert Ross is an occasional contributor to surrounding suburbs. The big beautiful Trail Walker and is a member of the Trail lake is an eye catcher–with fishing, birding, Conference Conservation Committee, focus - and picnic opportunities, along with plen - ing on trail conservation opportunities in ty of scenery for photography. The forests, New Jersey. islands, dikes, dams and smaller ponds pro - vide a wide variety of terrain and habitat to amble along with family and friends.” N I Z A H C

L Hikers’ E I N A Shoreline paths are an attractive feature at the preserve. D Marketplace

The New York-New Jersey Trail Confer - blaze) is a 0.5-mile trail which starts at the Go Places with Trail Maps and ence has maintained trails at the lovely Preserve Shoreline Loop trail and crosses 75-acre Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve in the northern end of the lake on an earthen Books from the Trail Conference. Bergen County since December 2011. Sev - dike. A third, red trail, leads from the Pre - eral projects are on the docket for us there serve Shoreline Loop Trail out of the this year—to be accomplished in collabora - preserve to the nearby High Mountain Get the complete set tion with Eagle Scout candidates—and one Park Preserve, where one can enjoy more recent one completed by the Borough of than 11 miles of trails on 1700 acres, and of trail maps at one Franklin Lakes improved a popular trail get a stunning view of Manhattan to the great, low price! across the water. southeast on a clear day and long views Our map combo offers all of our over a valley, a reservoir, and occasionally high-quality Trail Conference maps magnificent sunsets. at a 5% discount (members get an The shine on this gem Until recently, the Island Bridges Trail at Franklin Lakes was interrupted by breaches additional 25% discount). Save big of a preserve gets in the dike in two places. Recently, howev - on shipping charges! er, the borough installed two floating even brighter with bridges to fill the gaps, and these now per - Find it on our online store under Combos. trail improvements. mit hikers to walk the entire length of the Island Bridges Trail. We cover your favorite hiking areas in the New York-New Jersey region, The views to the south from these including Harriman-Bear Mountain, the Catskills, North Jersey and Jersey bridges incorporate most of the lake and, to Highlands, East and West Hudson Highlands, and more. Currently, there are two relatively easy the southwest, a splendid view of High Find all our publications, and select trail guides from others, on our website, trails in the preserve. The Preserve Shore - Mountain. Of the two new floating and get your 25% member discount ! line Loop (white blaze) is a 1.5-mile loop bridges, John Moran, chair of our North - trail that circles the entire upper basin of east Jersey Trails Committee, reports: “I Visit www.nynjtc.org/panel/goshopping! the Preserve; the Island Bridges Trail (blue snow shoed over them this winter, and they Or call 201-512-9348

Support Trails, Parks and Open Join/Renew NY-NJ Trail Conference Membership Space in the New York-New Jersey 2,000 miles of trails; your membership helps us expand our horizons. Included with membership, Trail Walker , 10% discount on purchases at many region by joining the New York- outdoor stores, and 25% discount on all Trail Conference maps and books purchased directly from the Trail Conference. Save time and a tree by joining or New Jersey Trail Conference. renewing online at www.nynjtc.org. Just click on the Join/Renew Now button. MEMBERSHIP TYPE Select one: Join Renew Membership # if available______The Trail Conference maintains more than 2,000 miles e of trails, advocates for parks, protects open space, and Individual Joint/Family

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n A joint membership is for two adults residing at the same address. Great Discounts at supporting outdoor retailers

o and other businesses. See our partners at For my membership of $50 or more, send me a: F Trail Conference Cap OR Harriman-Bear Mountain Map Set

C nynjtc.org/content/retail-partners

To purchase a gift membership, call 201-512-9348, extension 26. l Tuition-Free Enrollment in our Trail University i

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