September/October 2002
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RAIL ALKER TNEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE...MAINTAININGW OVER 1500 MILES OF FOOT TRAILS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002 Storm King Trails to Open in Annual Meeting, Torrey Memorial Time for Fall Hiking! Hike October 27 Reopening Storm King State Park has at Harriman S. P. been a priority for the Trail Conference in recent months, and an exceptional turn- The Trail Conference’s Annual Meet- out by hikers at a midweek, evening meet- ing and the yearly Torrey Memorial Hike ing on the park’s status proved their com- will be joined in one exciting event this mitment and bolstered the cause. year, to take place Sunday, October 27 at Nearly 150 citizens, most of them hik- Harriman State Park. ers sporting tags reading “Open All Trails The day will begin with a continental Now,” crowded a meeting room at Bear breakfast and socializing at 9 am at the Mountain July 26 in which representatives Silvermine Picnic Area in the park (just of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers re- off Seven Lakes Drive, approximately 1.7 ported on their nearly three-year study of miles south of the Long Mountain traffic unexploded ordnance (UXO) at Storm circle). The Annual Meeting will follow, King. The attendees were there to show from 10 am until noon. The meeting will their support for Trail Conference efforts CHARLES PORTER include an awards ceremony and board to get the park open once again to the Moore also said that additional political said he was ready to get the crew into the elections (candidates are named on page public. The park has been closed since intervention will be needed in order to get park “as soon as they let us.” 2). Advance registration is requested by 1999, when forest fires unexpectedly deto- funding to complete the cleanup. October 18 so refreshments can be ordered nated historical explosives that had been “The Trail Conference fully supports (form is on page 3). lobbed into the area during a century these recommendations,” TC Executive MEMBER ADVOCACY STILL NEEDED At 12:30, those interested in making (1840s-1940s) of artillery practice by West Director Edward Goodell said at the meet- Storm King State Park should be made the yearly pilgrimage up Long Mountain completely safe for public use by removal Point and the Cold Spring Foundry. ing. “I think I can also speak for the orga- to the Torrey Memorial will shuttle to the of all military ordnance from its lands. start at the Long Mountain parking lot. Near the end of the meeting, and in nization in pledging our full cooperation The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers esti- response to direct questions from hikers, in implementing these recommendations mates the cost of this cleanup will be Individuals should carpool as necessary Palisades Interstate Park Commission Ex- as quickly as possible and in trying to get $5-$7 million. But the money will not for return or circuit hike back to ecutive Director Carol Ash said that more you a budget to complete the cleanup.” be allocated without public pressure. Silvermine. The Torrey Memorial can be than two-thirds of the park could be fully Write to: the starting point for other hikes in the Trail Conference maintainers were nu- Senator Charles E. Schumer area. open before the end of August. She said a merous in the audience, and they left the Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton third section that shows evidence of ord- meeting eager to get back on the trails to Congresswoman Sue W. Kelly This year’s Torrey Memorial hike will nance would remain off-limits to all, in- assess and begin the necessary work. Af- Congressman Maurice Hinchey be the 65th for the annual event. It honors cluding fire fighters, although marked ter the fires, explosions, Army surveys, and Urge them to work to add these funds the Trail Conference’s first president and trails in it that have been declared clean to the Department of Defense’s FUDS co-founder, Raymond H. Torrey. three years in which no work could be (Formerly Used Defense Site) program. by the Corps might be open by October. done, maintainers likely have a lot wait- Keep up with the latest on Storm King Note: daylight savings time ends early on Ash’s promise of a quick opening of ing for them. West Hudson Crew Chief news, including trail openings, at the Trail the 27th—clocks go back one hour. portions of the park was based on recom- Bob Marshall attended the meeting and Conference web site: www.nynjtc.org. mendations by the Corps and its survey for UXOs. The Corps found no evidence of ordnance in two sections of the park, but did in a third. It recommended that Bear Encounters on the Rise in reports of human-bear encounters on trails the two clean sections could be open for and campsites of northern New Jersey. full public use and that marked trails in Northern New Jersey Parks, Trails Garth Fisher, TC-sponsored the third section—which have been declared Ridgerunner on the Appalachian Trail in Hikers in the Kittatinnies and clear of ordnance to a distance of 25 feet the state, says that in his first two weeks Date: 7-15-02 homeowners in West Milford are among on either side—also could be open to the of duty this summer, “I saw more bears Time: 4:30 pm the many recreationists and residents in public contingent on proper “institutional than I had seen in all of 2001.” Location: Worthington State Forest, NJ, northern New Jersey telling bear stories controls,” i.e., signs that indicate the risks He says problems have been particu- Backpacker Camp Site # 2 this season. While local newspapers have and prohibitions against going off-trail. larly numerous in Situation: Five tents stand in a loose circle. thrilled to such re- James Moore, project manager for the Worthington State Twelve backpacks lie on the ground. A ports as that of a Corps, said a full clean-up of the contami- BEARS WANT YOUR FOOD; Forest, where, in food bag hangs on the bear pole. No one 500-pound bear nated section will cost $5 to $7 million; addition to ambling is in sight. breaking down one DON’T GIVE IT TO THEM money for the job is not in his budget, off with unattended Observation: One of the backpacks is homeowner’s ga- though he has made the request. packs, bears have moving up the hill. There is a black furball rage door to access the untold treasures Both Ash and Moore noted that Con- ripped through vacant tents (including attached to the backpack. behind it, and of other bears injuring do- gresswoman Sue Kelly’s interest in the Fisher’s), grabbed food in the presence of —Garth Fisher, mestic dogs, Trail Conference officials project had helped advance it to this point. Appalachian Trail Ridgerunner have been fielding an unusual number of continued on page 6 from the president’s notepad... source experience would be invaluable to TRAIL WALKER the Administrative Committee, Volume XXIX, No. 5 Sept./Oct. 2002 which wants to revise our personnel manual and investigate benefits for our Georgette Weir Editor Nora Porter Managing Editor hard-working staff. Thompson Prentzel Advertising Manager • Special events: If you enjoy entertain- The TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970- ing, how about helping with special events 100) (ISSN 0749-1352) is published bi- Off Trail such as our major donor hikes, annual monthly by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as a benefit of membership. Of meeting, delegates meeting, training ses- membership dues, $4 is allocated to a one- About 400 Trail Conference members gram and make it even better. sions, open house, or annual Torrey Me- year subscription. Subscriptions are available volunteer their time on trails—clipping, • Jan Hesbon, a fundraising profes- morial Hike? to libraries only at $15.00 a year. Periodical sawing, digging, rolling rocks, painting sional, has put together our newly an- postage paid at Mahwah, N.J., and additional • Public outreach: Do you like to talk offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to blazes, and just generally making sure that nounced charitable gift annuities program to people? Consider talking to them about the address below. Opinions expressed by au- the 1500 miles of trails in our region are (see page 5), enrolled our charter mem- hiking and the Trail Conference at public thors do not necessarily represent the policy in good shape for the rest of us to walk ber, and will be managing the program. or position of the Conference. Contributions outreach events. It’s a great way to spread of typed manuscripts, photos, and drawings on. These trail maintainers are the TC’s • Frank Bamberger, a retired collec- the word about how much fun it is to hike are welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for largest group of volunteers, and likely al- tion agent, makes phone calls from home and where to do it. We even have hand- style and length. Send SASE for writers’ guide- ways will be. to collect our accounts receivable and to lines. Submission deadlines for the TRAIL outs and materials to put together the booth. WALKER are January 26 (Mar./Apr. Issue), As our organization grows, however, check which retailers still offer a discount Our Volunteer Projects Director, Josh March 25 (May/June issue), May 25 (July/ so does our cadre of off-trail volunteers. to our members. Erdsneker, can help get you connected to Aug. Issue), July 26 (Sept./Oct. Issue), Sep- Among this group are individuals who The valuable services provided pro tember 25 (Nov./Dec.