TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 1

RAILWALKER TNEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE — MAINTAINING OVER 1,600 MILES OF FOOT TRAILS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004

In this issue: Trail University...pg 2 • Ecology Q & A...pg 5 • Volunteer Classifieds...pg 6 • Are You Covered...pg 7 • Book Notes...pg 10 TC Sets $2.5M Goal for Trails The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference staff GIS specialist. supports the Trail Conference work of Acquisition and Stewardship Fund will has announced an ambitious $2.5 million The campaign theme “Connecting Peo- protecting corridors that link public open evolve into an endowment that will sustain capital campaign, “Connecting People with ple with Nature” is a reference to the space and making them accessible to the the Conference’s stewardship mission. Nature.” The campaign aims to raise funds Conference’s mission of “connecting peo- public by building and maintaining a net- to meet two major challenges: protecting ple with nature” by work of hiking trails. Protecting threatened Trails on Bear Mountain and improving the connectivity of our corridors requires assembling many small Volunteers from the NY-NJ Trail region’s trail system, and increasing the • Protecting public open space through parcels, a labor-intensive and expensive job Conference built the first section of the Conference’s capacity to recruit and train grass-roots advocacy and land trail crews who can build and maintain acquisition; trails. • Providing access to nature by develop- Specific projects have been identified: ing, building, and maintaining hiking land acquisition and stewardship along trails; and existing and potential trail corridors in • Educating the public in the responsible New York and New Jersey; major trail use of trails and the natural environment. rehabilitation on Bear Mountain, includ- ing the historically important first section “This is an exciting time for the Trail of the Appalachian Trail; and developing Conference,” says Jane Daniels, chair of the vitally important Geographic Information TC board of directors. “We want to ensure System resources. that people in this rapidly developing

At the time of the announcement at region always have access to good trails and JOSH ERDSNEKER its Annual Meeting on October 31, the open space. We know how important The campaign will support the Trail Conference mission: “connecting people with nature.” Conference was in the happy position of these are to our quality of life. The Trail that falls outside the mission of most gov- Appalachian Trail in 1923. Eighty-one being more than halfway toward its goal. Conference has long been a dynamic and ernment agencies and nonprofit land trusts. years, countless maintenance trips, and Development Director Jim Davis reported important organization in helping people The Trail Conference, however, has the millions of visitors later, the AT and the that by the end of September, $1,498,400 connect with nature, and we hope this mission of protecting trails and long two other major trails on Bear Mountain had been received through 69 gifts. campaign will fuel that commitment as we experience of working with multiple owners (Major Welch and Suffern-Bear Mountain) Further, the Conference already could undertake major projects over the next of small holdings to develop trails. Funds need significant renovation. point to a number of important achieve- decade.” contributed to the campaign have already With an estimated 500,000 people ments in its target areas made possible by protected portions of the Shawangunk reaching the summit of Bear Mountain this early fundraising success. These ELEMENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN Ridge Trail and the Long Path in the each year, and more than 100,000 hiking include acquisition of trail corridor lands Land Acquisition and Stewardship Catskills. Other corridor lands in need of on the AT there (it is the most heavily on the Shawangunk Ridge and in the By far the biggest goal of the campaign—$2 protection have been identified in New traveled section of the trail), the treadways Catskills, preliminary planning for Bear million—is to capitalize a Land Acquisition Jersey and elsewhere in New York. As trail on Bear Mountain have become signifi- Mountain trail work, and the hiring of a and Stewardship Fund. This revolving fund corridors are fully assembled, the Land continued on page 9

Trail Conference Volunteer Awards Trail Conference Qualifies for $500,000 Each year, the board of directors of the Trail New Jersey Green Acres Matching Grant Conference honors those who have shown extraordinary dedication to the cause of The New Jersey Department of Environ- state. This funding is contingent upon the trail preservation. This year, eleven individ- mental Protection and the Garden State passage of a legislative appropriation. uals were recognized in five award Preservation Trust recently approved the Included in the $500,000 is an addition- categories. Board members are not eligible Trail Conference’s application for a Green al $100,000 above the standard nonprofit for any Trail Conference awards. Acres Matching Grant to the tune of award. This is due to the fact that many, if The Raymond Torrey Award is the $500,000. The availability of these funds not all, of our trail projects are located in Conference’s most prestigious award, given will assist us at this important time in pro- the New Jersey Highlands, an environmen- for significant and lasting contributions tecting hiking trail corridors throughout tally sensitive area that provides water to that protect our hiking trails and the land New Jersey. As a matching grant, these millions of our fellow New Jersey residents. upon which they rest. This year the award monies must be matched with other non- Please turn to page 3 for more Advocacy & goes to H. Neil Zimmerman. Neil, who Green Acres funding in order to be spent Conservation news. was unanimously elected an Honorary on preservation efforts throughout the Member of the Trail Conference in 2002, served as president of the Trail Conference from 1987-1999. With then Executive VOLUME XXXI, NUMBER 6 ISSN 0749-1352 PERMIT #970-100 Director JoAnn Dolan, Neil played a cru- cial role in the preservation of Sterling Forest as a state park. He oversaw a large growth spurt in both membership and recognition for the Conference, as well as greatly expanded publication efforts. After

LARRY WHEELOCK LARRY his stint as president, Neil was instrumen- H. Neil Zimmerman gets TC’s top award. continued on page 9 TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 2

TRAILWALKER FROM THE CHAIR VOLUME XXXI, NO. 6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR LOUIS LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER

The TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970- 100) (ISSN 0749-1352) is published bi- dedication really inspires me.” the natural world so they become a monthly by the New York-New Jersey Trail Trail University Conference as a benefit of membership. David Day and Monica Resor are also constituency of voters who act to save more Subscriptions are available to libraries only at at Bear Mountain products of the West Hudson Trail Crew. land in the “natural” state. He says he “stays $15.00 a year. Periodical postage paid at They now lead the West Jersey Trail Crew, involved to ensure that after we have saved Mahwah, N.J., and additional offices. A significant goal of the capital campaign building steps and relationships equally the land we protect it against ourselves so Postmaster: Send address changes to the address below. Opinions expressed by authors do not announced by the Trail Conference is to well. David reports that he “loves to hike, it does not get loved to death, and, necessarily represent the policy or position of raise funds to support major repairs on the spend time in the woods, and cares about hopefully, to minimize our impact on the the Conference. Contributions of typed trails on Bear Mountain (see campaign wild places.” He finds that “trail work is a surrounding (biological) community.” manuscripts, photos, and drawings are story). This high-visibility project will not fusion of all that, plus the bonus of having Our newest crew chief, Denise Vitale, welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. only repair the trails, but will serve as a great people to share it with.” who this past summer agreed to organize Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER valuable recruiting tool and training school Although Monica found that the chal- the new West Hudson North Trail Crew, are January 15 (Mar./Apr. issue), March 15 for new trail volunteers, a goal equally lenging location of her first work trip did got a big shot of creative inspiration while (May/June issue), May 15 (July/Aug. issue), July 15 (Sept./Oct. issue), September 15 important for our continued effectiveness not offer much opportunity for an inexpe- working on the Twin Forts Trail under the (Nov./Dec. issue), November 15 (Jan./Feb. in the New York-New Jersey region. At Bear Mountain Bridge during the summer issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot be Bear Mountain, experienced TC hands will of 2003. In that project, a team of volun- acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. be giving instruction to newcomers in how teers coordinated and instructed by Ed For information on advertising rates, please “Laying out and building write or call. to construct a trail, build erosion controls Walsh learned some heavy-duty trail-build- Copyright 2004 by: and steps, harden treadway surfaces, etc. It ing skills, including how to safely move New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. is an ambitious project that will require trails that others could one-ton rocks using high-lines. Ed’s enthu- 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Rt. 202) Mahwah, NJ 07430 coordination of lots of people over at least siasm and expertise helped the team build a 201-512-9348 two seasons. I like to think of it as Trail enjoy gave me a sense of long, steep set of steps according to plan; e-mail: [email protected] University, Trail U. for short. unplanned was that the project resulted in editorial e-mail: [email protected] Our volunteer-driven Trail Conference is creative satisfaction...” Denise’s readiness to create and head up a World Wide Web: http://www.nynjtc.org well prepared to take on this perhaps new trail crew. (The quality of work by intimidating project. That our volunteer Trail Conference volunteers at Twin Forts goals for the project are realistic is borne rienced person to contribute, the project also was a wow factor that helped further NEW YORK - NEW JERSEY out by the history of many of our current nevertheless drew her in on three levels. cement the relationship between the TRAIL CONFERENCE volunteers. “The six feet of side hilling that I did that Palisades Interstate Park Commission and Mission Statement Bob Marshall, now a volunteer trail con- day was a physical challenge—digging, the Trail Conference, which have always The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, sultant, remembers that he began his trail moving the rocks, leveling the tread. It was been joined at the hip, so to speak.) founded in 1920, is a federation of member career helping to relocate the Appalachian a creative challenge—I alone was responsi- As you can tell from these experts, a trail clubs and individuals dedicated to providing Trail in Putnam County. He quickly ble for creating that section of trail. It was project is not just about giving something recreational hiking opportunities in the region, and representing the interests and concerns of became hooked. “Laying out and building part of a larger whole, as I was part of the to the trail community in return for trail the hiking community. The Conference is a trails that others could enjoy gave me a team that was building this trail.” Monica pleasures enjoyed, and it is more then just volunteer-directed public service organization sense of creative satisfaction,” Bob says. went back the next weekend, and the next, moving rocks and getting dirty. It is about committed to: Well designed switchbacks and side hills are and the next. More than 10 years later, she learning, challenges, creativity, and friend- • Developing, building, and maintaining hiking trails. a trademark of the trails Bob has designed. says the attraction hasn’t faded. ship. So think seriously of joining us in the • Protecting hiking trail lands through Another of our current crew leaders, Sandy Parr, now Chief of the North spring at Trail U. There will be something support and advocacy. Chris Ezzo, joined Bob’s West Hudson Jersey Crew, got his training under the for everyone as we embark on this big new • Educating the public in the responsible use of trails and the natural environment. Trail Crew and moved into the post of crew wing of Dick Warner, retired North Jersey project at Bear Mountain. chief when Bob stepped down. “Crew Trails Chair. Sandy likes to provide an Board of Directors became like family,” Chris says, “and their opportunity for others to get interested in – Jane Daniels, Chair, Board of Directors Jane Daniels Chair Tom Humbach Vice Chair Daniel Chazin Secretary Herb Hochberg Treasurer Directors Mary Vance Duggan John Moran John Gunzler Robert Newton Gary Haugland Anne Osborn Peter Heckler Mary Smart Art Lebofsky Malcolm Spector Staff Crew chiefs, past and present, from left to right: Bob Marshall, Chris Ezzo, Monica Resor & David Day, Sandy Parr, Denise Vitale Edward Goodell Executive Director Maureen Walsh Administrative Director Larry Wheelock Trails Director however, that my opinion would not have Joshua Erdsneker Volunteer Projects a strong enough impact, so I asked the Director NYNJTC for advice. Jim Davis Development When I walked into the TC office for the Director Edwin McGowan Science Director Letters first time, I had absolutely no idea where to Richard Benning Land Protection turn or what to do after I had written my Specialist Thanks for TC Help initial letter. Thank you to the TC staff for Lisa Cargill Development In 1989, a complete environmental impact all of your guidance and support. In Associate Nayarid Barahona Product Manager study was done for a project called Pierson particular, your knowledge and expertise Ramon McMillan Administrative Lakes on the New York-New Jersey border has helped me and others who have Assistant in western Rockland County, adjacent to become active on this issue understand the Part-time Staff large parkland areas. At the time an SEQRA process and its application to this Amy Little Coordinator, extremely comprehensive findings state- project. I have truly appreciated your Shawangunk ment was issued which provided clear interest, input, references, and letters on Ridge Coalition guidelines for development of the area with behalf of our efforts. Thank you for giving John Myers Land Acquisition Director respect for its unique environment. In May me hope and focus, and for leading me to Gary Willick Fulfillment Staff of this year, I became aware of an applica- the right people. Neil Woodworth Counsel, Trail tion to develop the property in a way that –Deborah Kurtzman, Ramapo, New York Conference/ADK completely disregarded the standing Partnership low-impact measures and put the natural Ms. Kurtzman is overly modest. She walks beauty, wetlands, and existing archeological in a proud Trail Conference tradition of The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a individual open space advocacy for the volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It sites at risk. I wrote a letter to the Town of is a federation of 85 hiking and outdoor groups, Ramapo outlining many of the reasons that benefit of all. It is inspiration for the rest and 10,000 individuals. I opposed the proposal. I was concerned, of us. –Ed Goodell

2NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 TRAILWALKER TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 3

From the That, however, has changed over the Executive Director years, most markedly so in the last decade. The experience of building our two most recent long-distance trails—the A DVOCACY From Marking Shawangunk Ridge Trail and the CONSERVATION Trails to Acquiring Highlands Trail-—illustrates the point. In & the case of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail highest peaks along the trail, including the begun in 1991, a brand new, end-to-end Nantahala National Forest in North Trail Lands trail was completed in five years, mostly by Carolina and the Cherokee National Forest obtaining revocable permissions from in Tennessee. The USDA Forest Service has What is the landowners. The Highlands Trail, begun in extended until November 15 the deadline difference 1999, is still a work in progress; gaps large for the public to comment on its proposed between building and small interrupt the trail and roadwalks changes. Additional information is a long-distance connect parks and conservation areas. available from the Appalachian Trail trail and creating The difference that emerged in a decade Conference (www.appalachiantrail.org). a greenway? The is that sprawling development in the Hud- The NY-NJ TC is a maintaining club of difference is a son Valley and New Jersey Highlands the ATC.

couple of decades. fragmented open space and made develop- GEORGETTE WEIR Let me explain. ment of ridge lands a viable and profitable More towers to rise on scenic mountains? Shawangunk Ridge Qualifies for Trail Conference volunteers and member proposition. In this century, we cannot Federal Forest Legacy Funding clubs have been doing both since 1920 complete a long-distance trail without first Statewide Wireless Network Threatens At a meeting of New York’s Department of when the Palisades Interstate Park manag- creating a greenway by filling in the gaps Wild Lands in NY Environmental Conservation Forest Lega- er, Major Welch, asked hiking clubs to between existing parks. Revocable permis- The New York State Office for Technology cy advisory committee, the Shawangunk jointly mark a system of hiking trails in the sions are a good first step in greenway (OFT) is currently working on a plan for a Ridge was approved for addition to the newly created Harriman-Bear Mountain creation, but are not a final solution in the statewide wireless network (SWN). The state’s land acquisition areas that qualify for Park. Major Welch knew then what many face of increasing development pressure. rationale behind the project is to imple- federal Forest Legacy Funding. The USDA current land managers are discovering— Acquiring land or trail easements are the ment a reliable two-way radio system for and the Forest Service have become the hiking trails are the least expensive and only ways to permanently protect long-dis- use by all police officers, rangers and other major sources of federal funding for land most environmentally benign way to tance trail corridors. However, it must be emergency workers. The Trail Conference acquisition matching grants from provide access to public lands. done now, while the connecting tracts are /ADK Partnership understands the need Washington. These funds may be used to Three years later, inspired by Benton still available and affordable. We are at a for such a system, but has serious concerns match other local funding grants to MacKaye’s vision for an Appalachian Trail, decisive moment—an open space endgame about the impact of the SWN on the wild preserve the Shawangunk Ridge—a we began our first long-distance trail where our collective actions over the next and scenic lands of New York. The part- dramatic rocky escarpment that extends project: constructing the first section of the decade will determine the pattern and con- nership submitted detailed testimony and from Rosendale, New York, to High Point, Appalachian Trail, from Bear Mountain to nectivity of regional hiking opportunities written comments to OFT voicing the New Jersey. The ridge features rare and Tuxedo, NY. By 1930, the AT was for decades, if not centuries, to come. opinion that the construction of commu- exemplary ecological communities, includ- completed all the way across both New As hikers, with our focus on access to nication towers and appurtenances on ing over 25 known rare plant and animal York and New Jersey. nature, scenic views, and open space these lands is incompatible with their wild species, and is priceless in terms of water- In those days, finding a backwoods route connectivity, we have a unique role and character and is a likely violation of the shed value, scenic resources, and on which to construct a trail was not a mandate. It is not a role we sought, Forever Wild clause of the New York State recreational value. Although most of the problem. Rural populations were declining any more than we sought to mark and constitution. The Draft Generic Environ- northern portion of the Shawangunk and lands were reforesting. All one had to maintain trails in 1920, but it is a role we mental Impact Statement (DGEIS) for the Ridge has been protected, much of the do was mark a route along high ground are uniquely able to fill. plan was scheduled to be released this fall. southern part of the ridge—the route of with as few river and road crossings as It is for this reason, to protect current and the 40-mile Shawangunk Ridge Trail, possible. Permissions were readily obtained future trail corridors, that I am urging every NJ Legislature Takes Aim at Green Acres which extends from High Point, New from private landowners to cross these hiker to make as generous a gift as possible On September 13, the New Jersey Jersey, to Sam’s Point in New York— “worthless” lands. “In the good old days,” to our Land Acquisition and Stewardship Assembly Agriculture Committee remains in private hands. The Trail we did not have to create the greenway, just Fund. Your contribution will be put imme- approved A-2923, legislation that “limits Conference looks forward to using these plot the most scenic route through a sea diately to work protecting trail lands. I certain State and nonprofit open space funds to preserve and save the ridge. of green. Building and blazing were the believe we owe it to all those who have come acquisitions in municipalities.” This bill is hard parts. before us and all those who will follow. a major threat to Trail Conference efforts to NYS Budget Passes with Intact – Ed Goodell protect hiking trail corridors in New Jersey Environmental Protection Fund [email protected] and comes hot on the heels of the Fast- In early August, the New York State Track legislation (see Sept./Oct. TW), Legislature adopted a state budget for approved by the legislature in August. This 2004-2005. The Trail Conference/ bill would cripple Green Acres and non- Adirondack Mountain Club Partnership is profit land preservation efforts. It is based happy to report that the Environmental Click, Shop, and Donate on the false premise that preserved lands Protection Fund (EPF) is fully funded at are an economic liability, and the best use $125 million. Do you shop online? As the holiday-season link to a web page titled greatergood.com. of township property is land developed as The governor’s budget proposal appro- nears, and you begin shopping for those you From this link, you can choose from more tax ratables. A loud outcry directed toward priated $29.9 million for land acquisition. love, why not let your purchases benefit the than 100 brand name retailers. You will Assembly representatives may prevent the The Trail Conference-Adirondack Moun- Trail Conference, at no extra cost to you! have access to a variety of merchants such as bill from moving forward. For additional tain (ADK) partnership strongly advocated How does it work? By entering the Trail LL Bean, Lands End, Amazon.com, Barnes information and updates, visit that additional funds were necessary, and in Conference’s Commercial Zone and then and Noble, Avon, JCrew, The Gap, as well as http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/ the end, the legislature increased the land connecting to select online retailers through home electronics and computer stores, greenacres. acquisition line item from $29.9 million to a special link on the Trail Conference’s web home and bath stores, pet supply retailers, $32 million. The list of projects eligible for page, up to 15 percent of everything you gourmet food shops, and dozens more. Roadless Rule Repeal Threatens AT this funding include ones connected with buy benefits the New York - New Jersey Please pass this link along to everyone Nearly 50 segments of the 2,100-mile-long Fahnestock State Park, Schunemunk Trail Conference! you know, especially with the holiday Appalachian Trail (AT) are endangered by Mountain, Sterling Forest, Shawangunk When you are ready to shop, shopping season just around the corner. the Bush administration’s controversial Ridge, Catskill Mountains and Delaware visit our web page at Your purchases can really help us make proposal to repeal the federal roadless rule River region, Beaverkill/Willowemoc, and http://www.nynjtc.org/commerce/ a difference. in order to exploit national forests for clear- the Long Path. index.html. From this page, you will see a cut logging and other commercial uses, The partnership is also proud to report according to a detailed mapping analysis that $5.75 million has been allocated for undertaken by the nonprofit Campaign to stewardship. Stewardship funding is critical Protect America’s Lands (CPAL). for the preparation and maintenance of state The total of 47 AT trail segments in or land for public use. Hiking trail maintenance near 401,405 acres of at-risk national forest work is funded from this pot of money. areas include some of the best known and most scenic sections of the trail, including Contributors to this column include Neil Springer Mountain in Georgia, White Woodworth, counsel to the TC/ADK partner- Mountain National Forest in New ship, and Richard Benning, TC land Logos are property of respective companies Hampshire, and views from some of the protection specialist.

TRAILWALKER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 3 TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 4

The section of the former Stillman Trail Parker Cabin Hollow Trail that connects this trail relocation to the Is Reestablished parking lot on the east side of 9W’s crest The Parker Cabin Hollow Trail in Crew Notes RAIL remains part of the park’s trail system. This Harriman S.P. has been reestablished with A Passing Question T orphaned section of trail currently retains orange reflective blazes supplied by PIPC the familiar yellow and blue blazes. It will staff. The western trailhead begins on the By David Day be getting a new color and name before south side of Rt. 106, diagonally across the Since most of the work the trail crews do in EWS long. Parking along 9W allows access to the road from the second (most easterly) park- this region is on – or closely adjacent to – N northern trails of the Park via this section ing area after the NY Thruway overpass, existing trails, it is not uncommon for hik- Stillman Trail Relo Ends 9W Hazard of trail. and runs 1.2 miles east to a junction with ers to pass by where one of our projects is for Hikers at Storm King S.P. —Greg Robie the White Bar Trail. The trail is accessible underway. Some just pick their way silent- The Stillman Trail relocation in Storm Trail Supervisor via public bus and train service. Daniel ly past us and say nothing. Many carefully King State Park is open for hiking. The Storm King State Park Chazin, editor of many Conference guide- walk around the work site with a brief relocation work was completed at the end books, notes, “This trail is a wonderful “Hello” and move on. Some even say of September. The new route eliminates Ivan KOs Dunnfield Creek Trail, addition to our Harriman trail system, as it “Thank you for doing this,” which is cer- the hazard of crossing 9W. If part of what Old Mine Road, Camping at makes it possible to take a continuous hike tainly gratifying. you enjoy about hiking this trail is the thrill Worthington State Forest on marked trails (with one short roadwalk) But then there are the people who ask of avoiding becoming road kill, that chal- The Dunnfield Creek Trail and upper glen from the Harriman railroad station to the “What are you doing?”… lenge is no longer part of the experience of in Worthington State Forest were devastated Tuxedo railroad station, both of which are I usually start out by identifying the crew hiking this trail. Sorry! by heavy rains from the remnants of now accessible from Penn Station, New as volunteers from the NY-NJ Trail Con- Hikers heading north into Storm King Hurricane Ivan. Trail crew members York, via the Secaucus Junction station.” ference, and that we are “working on the State Park from Black Rock Forest (BRF) inspecting the trail deemed it impassable See page 300 of Bill Myles’ Harriman Trails trail.” While the details may be obvious to now traverse the summit of Whitehorse and, as of the deadline for this issue, plans for a more detailed description of the trail. us, they may not be to them. So I go on to Mountain and venture down a rocky for dealing with the altered landscape were explain that the lopsided ditch I’m sticking northern flank to the Duggan parking lot in initial stages. Above where the trail Section of Hasenclever Iron Trail Closed rocks into is a “waterbar,” and that its pur- in BRF. This parking lot now serves as the diverges from the AT, only the bridge The section of the Hasenclever Iron Trail pose is to help redirect water off the trail, trailhead parking for both the Stillman nearest the Dunnfield parking remains and that goes past Peter’s Mine has been closed. thus avoiding erosion of the treadway. Or, Trail relocation and eastern BRF trails. The it is largely missing its supports on one end. Corroded drums were found 60 feet from that we are re-routing that particular piece relocated trail (blazed yellow) follows Nothing remains of any of the other bridges the trail, which recently opened in of the trail with a staircase or switchbacks Mountain Road north under 9W through on the Dunnfield Creek Trail. In addition, a Ringwood State Park. The Environmental to avoid a difficult or dangerous scramble. the tunnel and up to the crest of the hill section of the valley wall and trail—above Protection Agency and Ford Motor Co. are Or, that we are placing step-stones so that and the Headmaster’s House at Storm King where the Blue Dot goes off but before the evaluating dump sites in the area for a when the floods come, they won’t need School. There it turns east and leads up the next stream crossing beyond there—is just possible clean-up. The company once used knee-boots to hike there. western side of Butter Hill. This section of gone. Old Mine Road is closed indefinitely the 500-acre site as a dumping ground; the Generally, that is about the end of the the trail winds up to the saddle west of due to flood damage and trails in the park drums were apparently missed in a cleanup interaction; the passer-by offers a “well Butter Hill. There it rejoins the existing can be accessed only via the Dunnfield of the area in the 1990s. As of the deadline thanks for all the work” and moves on. route of the Stillman Trail. The old trail’s parking area off of route I-80. The park is for this issue, Trail Conference staff and Some have stayed and visited longer, dis- blazes on Whitehorse Mountain have been closed for camping. volunteers and park officials were investi- cussing what may need to be done on this blacked out. gating options for detouring around or trail or that. A couple of times, however, relocating the trail. continued on page 6 Flurry of Bridge Building In Trail Crew Schedules Harriman/ Bear Mountain For the latest schedules, go to nynjtc.org EAST HUDSON CREW HIGHLANDS TRAIL CREW and click on “Trail crews/ Work trips.” We make a special effort to arrange Contact the leader for details, no more TBD = To Be Determined pickups at the nearest Hudson Line train than one week before the scheduled station; call to make arrangements. No work date. All projects are TBD. For all trips bring work gloves, water, special skills are required; the crew leader Leader lunch, insect repellent. In some cases, and other experienced crew members Bob Moss: 973-743-5203 tools are provided. Contact leaders in will teach newcomers. advance for meeting times and places. Leaders Nov. 14 (Sunday) Volunteers must become members of the Walt Daniels: 914-245-1250 Conference to participate in these Jack Seirup: 914-232-4871 WEST JERSEY TRAIL CREW projects. A one-time “guest” participation Leaders is allowed, so bring your friends. Weekdays: Walt Daniels David Day and Monica Resor: Call to indicate your availability and 732-937-9098, WEST HUDSON SOUTH CREW learn project details. [email protected] Footbridge on 1777-79 Trail in Harriman S.P. Leaders Heavy morning rain cancels. Chris Ezzo: 516-431-1148, Nov. 13-14 (Saturday, Sunday) Tenta- Over the past year, Harriman/Bear [email protected] tive Note: Due to the heavy damage to Mountain State Park has truly been Brian Buchbinder: 718-218-7563, Leader: Walt Daniels several trails in western New Jersey, our fortunate to have benefited from an [email protected] Massive bridge and puncheon workshop schedule is very likely to be altered as extraordinary amount of bridge building: Claudia Ganz: 212-633-1324, at Georges Island. more assessments come in. There may • Redecking of the Nurian Trail bridge [email protected] Meet: 9 am at Cortlandt train station. also be additional trips scheduled. Please over the Ramapo River in Southfields by Robert Marshall: 914-737-4792, contact the leaders or check the sched- park staff. [email protected] ules on the websites (www.nynjtc.org or • Two bridges built as Eagle Scout Monica Resor: 732-937-9098, NORTH JERSEY CREW www.trailstobuild.com). projects at the Nurian Trail crossing [email protected] Leader of Stahahe Brook. Sandy Parr: 732-469-5109 Nov. 6 (Saturday) • Two fiberglass bridges built by the West Trips on the following dates are TBD. Jenny Jump S. F. Erosion control, Hudson Trail Crew, one (65') carrying the Nov. 4 (Thursday) Bob Marshall Second Sunday of each month. Tread repair. Meet: 9 am, location TBD 1777W, 1779, and the Timp Torne trails Nov. 6 (Saturday) Chris Ezzo Trips start at 9:30 am; call for location over Popolopen Creek, and the other (15') Nov. 7 (Sunday) Bob Marshall and details during the week before the Nov. 20 (Saturday) on the new Twin Forts Trail, between Forts Nov. 13 (Saturday) Brian Buchbinder scheduled trip day. Tackle a variety of We will spend the day clearing blow- Clinton and Montgomery. Nov. 18 (Thursday) Bob Marshall projects ranging from trail repair to downs and trimming back some of the • The Hudson River Bridge Authority’s bridge building in northern New Jersey. remaining damage from the huge ice professionally built suspension bridge, storms a couple years back. If you are a spanning the mouth of Popolopen Creek certified sawyer in New Jersey, please between Forts Clinton and Montgomery. consider joining us for the day. continued on page 10

4NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 TRAILWALKER TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 5

part in the feast. Finally, invertebrates, SCIENCE microorganisms, and fungi stripped the COLOGY bones of any remaining soft tissue. By the E time I arrived on the scene months after & her death, the bleached bones were Deer: A Native Challenge to Our Natural Heritage supplying calcium to knawing rodents and By Edwin McGowan, Science Director, PhD a source of interest to me, a passing hiker. Unfortunately, the positive ecosystem At first glance, the old deer bones, picked dozen fawns and eaten literally tons of functions of this graceful native mammal clean by scavengers and strewn about the twigs and foliage. Each spring, her discard- are being overshadowed by the negative forest floor, looked like any others. As a ed winter fur provided nesting material for consequences of its exploding population. matter of routine, I paused from my hike rodents and birds alike; her copious drop- No longer controlled by predators or to look them over and to see if I could pings offered a meal to microscopic hunters in most areas, deer numbers often

locate the skull, a quick key to the animal EDWIN MCGOWAN that had been. Sure enough, the nearly Deer fence in Highlands showing contrast intact skull was just a few feet away—no between vegetation in browsed (right) and antler pedicles—a doe skull, but from a unbrowsed (left) forest. remarkably old doe. This particular animal appeared to be at least 11 years old at the of alien invasive species, disliked by the time of its death, based on the extensive hungry deer. So, like the growing national tooth wear. Tooth wear is rather constant deficit, out-of-control deer herds are and predictable in deer, and this deer had creating deferred costs, in this case precious little tooth enamel left. ecological ones, for future generations. No doubt this doe had survived so long The solution to this problem is not an because she resided in central Harriman easy one. First, one must adopt the philo- Park, an area lacking both hunters and sophical position that deer impacts are a significant road traffic. Our two most problem and not just some new natural competent deer predators—the gray wolf equilibrium. If we embrace the stance that and eastern cougar—had been eliminated our natural heritage—that being the full from the area, along with white-tailed deer, complement of local flora, fauna, and nat- centuries earlier. Deer had returned by the ural communities—is worth conserving,

1930s. A return of these predators, howev- JIM DAVIS then deer cannot be ignored. Whether by er, does not appear likely, for both political An old doe’s jaw bone and teeth give hints to her life story. traditional means such as hunting and and biological reasons. decomposers and later nutrients to hungry far exceed the carrying capacity of the land, selective culling, or new innovative plant roots. As an older doe, she would leading to ravaged forests. At its worst, methods such as immuno-contraceptives, have been a leader among the other deer, such as in Harriman State Park, excessive the deer problem must be addressed. always at the front when traveling and ever deer browsing has completely restructured According to legend, Native Americans vigilant for signs of danger. Her choice of the plant community. Aside from a few understood the role of the wolf in keeping paths in the surrounding hills may even unpalatable species, native trees and shrubs deer strong. Absent the wolf, conservation- have blazed the way for one of our trails, as are not regenerating there. Instead, new ists must find new ways to maintain our trail planners often co-opt deer trails as sprouts are nibbled back at the ground healthy forests and healthy deer. hiking routes. each year forming bonsai-like shrubs Note: Please keep an eye out for our Her death offered yet more: life-saving unable to escape the reach of the ever-pres- new TC Volunteer Science webpage at

GEORGETTE WEIR food for an emaciated coyote in the lean ent deer. Palatable herbaceous plants of the www.nynjtc.org, due out this fall. The Over the course of her lifetime— winter woods; scraps for crows, ravens, forest floor don’t stand a chance. As an page will feature current and upcoming comparable to a centenarian in human woodpeckers, and an adventurous gray unwanted side effect, this all-out assault on science opportunities for members. years—she may have given birth to two fox. Perhaps a wintering bald eagle took our native flora likely promotes the spread Get involved!

This was apparently a freshly dead animal. means? No. Still, it was a tough winter and The carcass was intact except for a portion the live deer I saw during the survey looked $17,780 Award to ECOLOGY of the butt, which I understand is consid- to be in very bad shape—as the deer looked ered a delicacy by coyotes and other TC for AT Work Q&A By Edwin McGowan scavengers. No vultures circled the area. A grant for $17,780 to the Trail Conference Again, no visible sign of trauma was evident. will pay for the materials to replace approx- Periodically, I receive emails from hikers What is going on here? We’ve all seen an imately 800 feet of puncheon and build an with questions about trailside wildlife, occasional dead deer in the woods, but addition to an existing footbridge on the including deer. This past winter Ed three? On a single short trail segment? Appalachian Trail in Vernon, NJ. The grant Goldstein, a TC member and AMC hike Right ON the trail? In good weather after was announced by the New Jersey Dept. of leader, wrote describing a rather eventful a relatively mild month? And one still alive, Environmental Protection (DEP) and is and gruesome March 15 day hike on the apparently not having crawled off to die? funded by the National Recreational Trails Long Path in Harriman State Park. And no sign of trauma? Program, part of the Transportation Equity Now, the dilemma. What should we Act for the 21st Century, which provides Q: About 200 yards from the have done, and what would you do, when money to states for developing trails and Denning, we encountered a deer carcass on we encountered the dying deer? trail facilities. These funds, which are the

the side of the trail. There was still some EDWIN MCGOWAN only federal ones that are completely devot- meat on the bones, and the legs with fur A: March is a tough time for deer. By late this past winter. If one is really interested in ed to trail projects, are generated by federal Qwere still attached, but almost all had been winter they have used up most of their fat determining the condition of dead deer, a gas taxes. eaten. What was left had some odor, but it reserves but have little new forage available long bone can be cut cross-wise to examine Work will begin shortly on the puncheon was not overly strong. The animal seemed Ato them. Starvation is not uncommon, the bone marrow. Fat in the marrow will west of Route 94 in Vernon (south-bound to have been dead for two-three days. especially after a long winter with consis- appear white—a sign of a deer in good on the AT), which has been deteriorating After another 300 yards or so, we encoun- tent snow cover and low temperatures, like condition. A starved deer’s marrow will for some years, and a bridge across a tered a dying deer just off the trail. The deer last year’s. Harriman, being badly over- look like red gelatin—indicating this last tributary of the Wawayanda Creek, which was lying on its side, and its legs were all browsed, offers very little in the way of reserve of body fat has been consumed. can no longer handle the current level of moving—perhaps twitching would be a bet- winter forage beyond acorns, which were As far as intervening in this natural frequent flooding. Work will continue over ter word. The rest of the deer was spotty last year and would have been hard process: Although the impulse to end the the next two years. motionless, including, conspicuously, its to reach under the snow. deer’s misery is quite understandable (I Thanks go to DEP’s Office of Natural head. There was no sign of trauma—no Finding several starved deer together in have faced a similar dilemma before), this is Lands Management and the State Trails blood, and the legs appeared unbroken—yet one area is also not uncommon. Back in how nature works, and mostly in our Council, under whose advisement these the animal was clearly helpless and dying. 2000, I did winter survey work in absence. Park rules also prohibit direct funds are distributed, and to the manage- Another 200 yards or so, just at the Harriman and found dead deer clusters in interaction with wildlife, including collect- ment of Wawayanda S.P. for their height of land for this trail segment, another several locations off trail. Could I be certain ing, killing, or possessing park wildlife. encouragement and help in acquiring these deer carcass lay about 10 feet off the trail. they starved and didn't die by some other funds and assisting with the project.

TRAILWALKER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 5 TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 6

Do you know who keeps your Volunteer Classifieds: Get Involved! favorite trails Are you looking for new challenges and Catskills Hike of the Week Catskill MOU Translator open for you? opportunities to get involved with Trail The Trail Conference is expanding its pop- We are seeking a volunteer who is com- Conference activities? Please review the ular Hike of the Week series to newspapers fortable reading and transposing legal By Josh Erdsneker TC Volunteer Classifieds for exciting and in Ulster, Greene, and Sullivan counties. documents. The Trail Conference will be I love the challenge of hiking the interesting ways for members to become We are looking for hike writers and a proj- converting its Memorandum of Under- rugged Devil’s Path in the Catskills, involved with the Conference’s efforts. ect manager to facilitate the success of our standing (MOU) with the State of New the amazing views you earn atop Volunteers are the heart and soul of our efforts. For information, please contact York and the Department of Environ- Breakneck Ridge in the Hudson organization. Become an active part of Josh Erdsneker, [email protected], at the mental Conservation (DEC) into a new Highlands, and the stunning rock our family and get more involved. If you Trail Conference office 201-512-9348. format called Adopt a Natural Resource. formations known as the Megaliths on are interested in volunteering with the This is a great opportunity for a detail ori- the Jessup Trail on Schunemunk TC and do not see an opportunity that Bear Mountain Charrette and Design ented individual with an interest in Mountain. Until I completed my suits you, contact Volunteer Projects Coordinator helping to strengthen our relationship south-bound thru hike of the Director Joshua Erdsneker, either by The NY-NJ Trail Conference, along with with the land managers in the Catskills. Appalachian Trail in December 2001, email [email protected] or call the office several other agency partners, has begun For information, please contact Larry I never gave any consideration to how 201-512-9348, and he will find a way the process of redesigning the trails over Wheelock, [email protected] or at the trails I hiked were maintained. to get you involved. Bear Mountain. The cornerstone of this the Trail Conference office 201-512- I never bothered to consider the indi- project is the relocation and rehabilitation 9348. viduals, not to mention the volunteers, Catskill Assistant Trail Chairs of the Appalachian Trail. We are looking who provided me with the opportuni- With more than 100 maintainers and for a project manager whose responsibili- Other Opportunities: ty to hike the AT. I just assumed that 200 miles of hiking trails, our Catskills ties would include project coordination, • Outreach Events Coordinator the park managers, and state and Trail Committee is one of the largest trail event arrangements, writing, and keeping • Tabling Event Representatives federal governments took care of the committees in the Trail Conference. To our teams on schedule. The project man- • Book Reviewers trails. I was wrong. improve our communications with our ager will begin ASAP and work to • Office Volunteers It’s concerned hikers and leaders like volunteers and land managers, we are December. On average, the project man- • Catskill Forest Preserve Pete Senterman in the spectacular seeking two assistant chairs to help ager will work one day per week spread Trail Maintainers mountains of the Catskill Forest coordinate the efforts of our volunteers. over the week as necessary. If you are inter- • West Hudson North Trail Committee Preserve, Larry Braun leading the West Help preserve and protect the Catskill ested in this opportunity or want to learn Trail Maintainers (Minnewaska SP, Hudson North Trail Committee, wilderness by getting involved now. For more about it, please contact Larry Black Rock Forest, Schunemunk SP, MaryAnn Massey in the Hudson information, please contact Josh Wheelock at [email protected] or Storm King SP) Highlands, and hundreds of other Erdsneker, [email protected], at the Trail 201-512-9348. dedicated volunteers who work to keep Conference office 201-512-9348. the trails you enjoy so much, open and accessible. Help keep someone’s favorite hiking CREW NOTES trail open. Volunteer to adopt a section Volunteer Policy Join the Water Bar continued from page 4 of trail in the Catskills or Black Rock Handbook something special has happened – the pass- Forest, join the trail crew in the East Party at Norvin er-by has pulled off his or her pack and Hudson region to rebuild a damaged The Trail Conference pitched in for a while. (One dog-walker up bog bridge or prevent a trail from has a created a Green State Forest on Schunemunk tied his pooch to a tree being washed away, or help lead the new Volunteer Policy The Norvin Green State Forest trail super- and spent the afternoon building steps with efforts of our dedicated volunteers in Handbook. This visors are putting together an ad hoc group us near the top of the Sweet Clover relo!) these regions. All it takes is a few days handbook has been of workers to build water bars in the forest. I’d like to say that some of these people a year to make a difference. You will designed to detail the We plan to meet on a monthly basis any- have joined the crews, but I don’t believe meet great people and be giving back policies that have time that the ground isn’t frozen. Although any have. One or two may have become to the community that has provided so been put into place we will concentrate on building water bars, maintainers; a couple are on our prospect- much for you. to protect our volun- we will occasionally do reroutes or any oth- ing list for future participants. All of them, Imagine arriving at your favorite teers. The handbook er job that requires attention. We invite our however – whether they stayed and trailhead and finding the trail over- covers: harassment policies, liability and regular trail maintainers to join us as well as worked, or just said “hello” and moved on grown and the blazes worn away or even accident insurance, eligibility require- any other willing workers, regardless of – have been exposed to the reality that trails worse, closed because it was damaged ments, and much more. All Trail their experience or lack thereof. The work don’t just happen. from erosion and a lack of proper main- Conference volunteers in leadership posi- will entail digging narrow ditches and plac- This level of consciousness-raising is tenance. Make sure that doesn’t happen tions such as board of directors, committee ing either rocks or logs in a position to becoming more important all the time. As to you or any other hiker. Get involved chairs, project managers, trail crew chiefs, catch or direct the flow of water off the more and more wild land is being lost to today. Call Josh at the Trail Conference and trail supervisors will be given a copy of trail. We make a point of having fun while development, showing that there are peo- office to find out how you can get the policies. Any volunteer who would we work to stem trail erosion. If interested ple caring for the trails and the trails’ involved. You can also pick a work trip; like to have his/her own copy of the please contact Bob Jonas, 908-232-7059, environs, will help to re-enforce the value schedules are on page 4; find a trail that policies can obtain a copy online at [email protected]. of these places as they are. Maybe they will you’ve hiked and help repair it. www.nynjtc.org/volunteers/ think more about the value they got from Now more than ever, we need vresource.html#trails or by calling the that day on the trail. volunteers to maintain and protect the office at 201-512-9348. If you have any By the time you read this, the West Jer- trails that we have come to appreciate questions about these policies, please feel sey crew’s fall trail work season will only and often take for granted. Tell Josh, free to contact Josh Erdsneker, Volunteer have a couple trips left, but it is never too [email protected], that you want to Projects Director at the Trail Conference late to check it out. (At least one crew – the make a difference and volunteer. office or via email at [email protected]. North Jersey Crew – goes out year-round, so there is almost always something going on.) There are many more miles of trails development in New Jersey, so the spring season is already being planned. Come on out and join the fun! David co-leads the West Jersey Crew with Monica Resor and works with the West Hudson Crew on a regular basis.

www.NYNJTC.org

6NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 TRAILWALKER TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 7

Are You Covered? in New York administered by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, are required A Review of Volunteer annually to sign the OPRHP Volunteer Hunting Seasons Insurance Coverage Service Agreement and to comply with its terms. Such volunteers are provided with Hunting Schedules Black Rock Forest closes to all hikers The Trail Conference is concerned about New York State workers’ compensation New York and New Jersey have from Nov. 22-Dec. 14, inclusive. For the safety and welfare of the individuals coverage in the event of an accident. announced their hunting schedules for details, call 845-534-4517. who volunteer on the trails. Volunteers are large game and times when firearms are responsible for maintaining their own New York State Department permitted. Hikers are strongly urged to More information about New York’s health and liability insurance. In the event of Environmental Conservation wear safety orange clothing during these hunting schedules is available from that a volunteer’s personal policy coverage Volunteers who perform assigned tasks on times. Dates listed are inclusive. the Department of Environmental is insufficient, the NY-NJ Trail Conference, behalf of the Trail Conference on lands Conservation at www.dec.state.ny.us. and/or certain public agencies on whose administered by the New York Department NEW YORK: Southern Zone lands Trail Conference volunteers operate, of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are (including Catskills) NEW JERSEY may provide additional liability and acci- required annually to sign the DEC Volun- Deer Season No hunting anywhere on Sundays. dent coverage for the benefit of volunteers teer Service Agreement and to comply with Regular: Nov. 22-Dec. 14 New Jersey has very complicated hunt- who may be injured or sued in the course its terms. Such volunteers are provided Archery: Oct. 15-Nov. 21; Dec. 15-19 ing seasons that vary depending on of performing their assigned tasks on behalf with New York State workers’ compensa- Archery (Westchester Co. only): location and kind of weapon permit. of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. tion coverage in the event of an accident. Nov. 1-Dec. 31 There is, however, no hunting permitted The Trail Conference provides liability Muzzleloader: Dec. 15-21 on Sundays. It is recommended that hik- insurance coverage to protect volunteers National Park Service ers verify the hunting dates for the who are performing their assigned tasks on (includes Appalachian Trail lands) Black Bear, Catskills location in which they are interested. behalf of the Trail Conference. Volunteers Volunteers who perform assigned tasks on Regular: Nov. 27-Dec. 14 Call 609-292-2965, Monday through protected by this coverage include individ- behalf of the Trail Conference on lands Muzzleloading: Dec. 15-Dec. 19 Friday, or 908-637-4125 (the Pequest ual members of the Trail Conference and administered by the National Park Service Archery: Oct. 15-Nov. 21, Dec. 15- Trout Hatchery, open seven days a week) individuals belonging to member clubs. (NPS) are required to comply with the Dec. 19 or visit www.njfishandwildlife.com. The Certain public agencies on whose lands terms of the NPS Volunteers in the Parks following dates for deer season apply in Trail Conference volunteers operate pro- program. Such volunteers are provided Special regulations apply on Long many zones. vide insurance coverage to volunteers who with secondary insurance coverage in the Island. For more details, go to: may be injured in the course of performing event of an accident. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/ Deer Season their assigned tasks on behalf of the Trail dfwmr/wma/lihunt.htm Firearms (statewide): Dec. 6-11; Dec. 15 Conference on these lands. The extent of Other Lands is a permit shotgun day. There are insurance coverage provided varies, Volunteers who perform assigned tasks on Hunting is not allowed in Bear additional muzzleloader and permit depending on the particular provisions of behalf of the Trail Conference in New Jer- Mountain-Harriman State Park. shotgun days in many zones. the public agency involved. In general, sey state parks and forests, on county or However, it is allowed in parts of workers’ compensation benefits are provid- municipal lands, or on privately owned Minnewaska, Sterling Forest and Storm Archery: Sept. 11-Nov.27 and Jan. 1-31 ed. In most cases, volunteers are lands, may be eligible for limited, second- King State Parks. Call 845-786-2701 for in most zones, excluding Sundays. reimbursed for the cost of necessary ary insurance coverage in the event of an more details about hunting in these parks. medical care. In some instances, they are accident or injury. also reimbursed for lost wages incurred as a The Trail Conference’s volunteer acci- result of the injury. Pain and suffering dent insurance provides accidental death Youths Get Project Support New Edition of arising from an injury is not compensated. and dismemberment benefits, as well as from Lever Fund Volunteers who operate in more than one excess medical expense coverage. For vol- Hiking Long Island park may be subject to varying insurance unteers who have their own health The Elizabeth Levers Fund is a matching coverage policies, depending upon the insurance, their coverage is primary, but grant fund that supports youth trail projects. Out in January particular location where the accident or the Trail Conference’s policy will cover any Managed by the Trail Conference, it honors injury takes place. deductibles, co-payments, etc. For volun- a long time supporter of hiking trails. Three The second edition of the New York-New In order to receive the benefits of insur- teers who do not have their own health projects recently were granted support from Jersey Trail Conference publication Hiking ance coverage provided by a public agency, insurance, the Trail Conference’s policy the fund. Long Island will be available in January. volunteers must comply with the terms provides medical expense benefits on a pri- • The Youth Resources Development The book, authored by Lee McAllister, is specified by that agency. Volunteers who mary basis, up to a pre-determined limit. Corporation of Poughkeepsie will be a comprehensive guide to parks and trails wish to maintain a trail or serve as a constructing three kiosks along the from western Nassau County to the member of a trail crew on land managed by Questions? Appalachian Trail in Dutchess County, eastern tips of Long Island. a public entity are required to comply with Any questions regarding the extent of with the support and under the oversight Lee McAllister is a well-known natural- these terms. insurance coverage provided should be of the Dutchess-Putnam AT Management ist and hiker from Long Island who referred to Joshua Erdsneker, the Volunteer Committee. They were awarded a grant of co-authored the successful NY-NJ TC book New York State Office of Parks, Projects Director at the Trail Conference $930, which represents half the cost of this Hiking the Catskills, published in 1989. Recreation and Historic Preservation and office. Trails supervisors and trail crew lead- project. The first edition of Hiking Long Island, Palisades Interstate Park Commission ers, while very knowledgeable on matters of • Mark Jordy plans to install three published in 2001, had steady sales. The Volunteers who perform assigned tasks on trail maintenance and construction, may additional kiosks along the AT in Dutchess new edition adds two new hikes, with maps behalf of the Trail Conference on lands not be knowledgeable on matters relating County as an Eagle Scout project, and was and photos, and rewrites a section to take administered by OPRHP, including parks to insurance coverage. awarded a grant of $800 towards the account of frequent changes to a nature $1,800 cost of his project. trail in Theodore Roosevelt County Park • Another Eagle Scout project, by Ben near Montauk Point. The new hike in Nas- Andrews, involves construction of a new sau County is the Wantagh Nature Trail, bridge (and a bench) on a trail in the which links the Nassau County Mill Pond Where there’s a Will, Ramapo Valley County Reservation, under Park with the Town of Hempstead’s Twin the supervision of John Moran, North Lakes Preserve. In Suffolk County, the there’s a Trail Jersey Trails Chair. His grant of $300 added hike is on the Paumanok Path from represents half the cost of his project. Laurel Valley County Park to the Long When we build them, you hike them. We’ve been Pond Greenbelt. building and protecting trails for at least four Publications Committee Chair George generations of hikers since 1920. That’s 1,600 miles Hike the Path of Petty, who was project manager for this in New York and New Jersey to date. Help us keep Asset Protection with edition, notes, “The first edition was well building for the next generation by naming the received, which made the preparation of a Charitable Gift Annuity this revision much easier.” New York-New Jersey Trail Conference in your to the Trail Conference. The new edition is a large format book will. A bequest makes a wonderful gift, and it like the first edition, with 365 pages includ- lasts beyond one lifetime. ing an extended introduction on history, For information, contact Jim Davis geology, plants, animals, and tips for hikers. at the Trail Conference office, For confidential information and legal language, The book also has a new index and new 201-512-9348. All inquiries are front and back covers. Price: $19.95; contact the Trail Conference at 201-512-9348, kept strictly confidential. or by email; [email protected]. $15.95 for TC members. For ordering information, please turn to page 12.

TRAILWALKER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 7 TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 8

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation Donors To the CONTRIBUTIONS Capital Campaign Trail Walker is a bi-monthly paper published GIFTS by the New York-New Jersey Trail As of September 30, 2004 ADK Ramapo Chapter, Anonymous*, Doug and Barbara Arbesfeld, Robert P. and Joan T. Augello, Conference, 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Christopher K. Bastedo, Dr. George L. Becker, Jr., Avon products Foundation Inc., Alexander and Margaret Bancroft, Susan A. Baresel, Edna and Mahwah, New Jersey 07430. The editor and Robert & Rose Marie Boysen, Robert F. Busha, Doris Laszlo Berkovits, Minor Bishop*, John B. Blenninger*, Douglas O. Bowers, Robert W. Boyajian, Mike managing editor is Georgette Weir, at the Cadoux & Hal Schwartz, Daniel D. Chazin, Ronna J. and Maryann Bozzo, Charles B. Brock, John and Patricia Brotherton, Clifford H. Browder, Howard same address. The annual subscription price Cohen, Chris K. Connolly, Donald T. Corrigan, Jane Brown & Nancy A. Houghton-Brown, Elinor Buckley, David W. Buell, Michael J. Burns, William F. is $15; contact person is Maureen Walsh; & Walt Daniels, JoAnn L. Dolan, Mary Vance Burns, Ann Cahill, Dennis Carbonero, John Carey, Robert J. Chervy, Philippe Cheyette, William telephone number is 201-512-9348. The Duggan, Claudia L. Ganz, Golden Family Chiappane, Susan Chiaravalle, Barry P. Clark, Vincent R. Clephas, William C. Close*, Neil and tax status of the organization has not Foundation, Edward K. Goodell, Brian Goodman, Katherine Cohen, Steven R. and Phyllis S. Cohen, Eileen Comerford, Joseph A. and Marion Costa, changed during the preceding 12 months. James A. Gregoire, John Grob, Roberta A. Grob, John Charles R. and Adele W. Dahlberg, Mark J. Dallara, Andy J. Damato, Robert Daniele, Judge B. As of the filing date of October 1, 2004, & Marianne Gunzler, James E. & Barbara Hanson, Daniels, Jack W. Davis, Jerome Dean, Lois N. DeConca, Richard DeCoursey, Michael L. DeLuca, the average number of copies of each issue Gary Haugland, Peter & Rita Heckler, Herbert & Robert S. Denzau, Brigitte Dessauer, John Devery, Duncan Douglas*, Richard D. and Joyce Draper, during the preceding 12 months was Audrey Hochberg (In Memory of Carol Hochberg), Alfred P. Drasheff, Earth Share*, Arthur H. and Nancy Ebeling, John Ellingboe & Page Hartwell*, 9,500; the actual number of copies of the Samuel G. Huber, Thomas E. Humbach, IBM Vincent Ellison Jr., Jeanne B. Epstein, Sheila C. Ewall, Christopher Ezzo, Robert P. Faherty Sr., single issue published nearest to the filing Corporation, Robert J. Jonas, Richard & Marion Family Mayer Foundation*, Edward W. Fanslau, Donald E. and Mary Sue Farquhar, Richard S. Flint, date was 9,500. The paper has a total paid Katzive, William M. & Christina Kelly, Peter L. Jim M. and Roseline S. Flynn, Robert L. and Judy Foester, Ben and Phyllis Frankel*, Edgar L. and and/or requested circulation of 7,400 Kennard, Albert Kent, Jr., Marilyn Kurland, Dr. Art Olive I. Freud, Peter Gabriele II, Robert Galli, Michael E. Gellert, George Gentsch, JoAnn Abbadessa, (average) and 7,468 (actual, most recent Lebofsky, Jane A. Levenson, Gloria Lewit, Ann G. Michael S. and Karen L. Gilbert, Richard W. Goldsmith, Rebecca W. and Henry E. Goodhue, Gabriel W. Gorenstein, Joan B. Gossner & Will Ortiz, Glenn S. Gray, David Graybeal, GreaterGood.com, issue). The average free distribution for the Loeb, Chester S. Logan, John & Karen Magerlein, Robert W. Grize, John Grob & Anne Grob*, Richard Grunebaum, Joseph O. and Dolores Grupp, 12 months preceding the filing date was MaryAnn and Charles Massey, Family Mayer Nancy and Ronald Gurmann, Dr. Thomas B. Hakes, Eileen P. Hanna, John M. Hanrahan & Maria 1,980 (average) and 1,980 (actual, most Foundation, Robert W. Messerschmidt, William D. Butrico, Betsy Hanson, Betty Heald, Joseph P. Henderson, John J. Higgins, Christopher J. Hoen & recent issue). The total average distribution Mishler, John & Claudia Moran, Natural Resources Defense Fund, Edward & Helen Green Neuburg, New Cynthia Hoen, Richard T. Holden, Ed and Terry Hoyt, Samuel G. Huber*, John Hunkele, was 9,380; the actual distribution of the Daniel M. Hunt, Harry M. Iyo, Joan D. James*, Howard Kaplowitz & Robert Gaudreau, single issue published nearest to the filing Jersey Conservation Foundation, Robert L. and Alma Newton, Anne T. and Fred Osborn, George P. Michael A. Kaye, Mr. Kevin D. Barron, Stephen Klepner, John Kolp, Cinthia Seibels, date was 9,448. Robert F. Koshinskie, John S. Krtil, Michael A. Lea, Leonard M. and Joan Leiman, Dennis J. Lenz, This information is reported on U. S. Perkinson, Dale L. Ramsey & Sarah Schindler, Dr. Albert Rosen, Jane T. Sandiford, Alfred A. Joan and Norman M. Levine, Helmuth H. Loddigs, Chester S. Logan*, Maryellen and Robert Postal Service Form 3526 and here as Lorefice, Michael and Sandra Mandel*, Marie Baier Foundation*, Robert F. Marshall, Sally B. and required by 39 USC 3685. Seymour-Jones, Smart Family Foundation, Malcolm Spector, Phyllis A. Stewart, Phyllis James H. Martin, MaryAnn and Charlie Massey, Virginia S. Mattice, W. Barnabas McHenry, Esq., Anna Teitelbaum and Anthony Lunn, Peter and Suzan McLellan, Gary Mennitt, Timothy Messerich, Walter A. Metzger, Christian Meyer & Hwa Soon, Daniel Tilgner, Enrico A. & Evelyn Tissi, Unilever United K. Miller, Francis X. Miller, Katherine T. Miller & Sandra Caravella, Richard S. Mitnick, States, Constantine G. Vasiliadis, Nicholas J. Robert W. Montgomery, Sharon F. and David W. Moore, Martina Moss, Miklos Muller & Jan Keithly*, Viggiano, Hedley M. & Barbara Weeks, Weitzenhof- Dr. John R. Murray III, Douglas Myer, Robert and Karla Norfleet, Daniel North, Joachim and Lila fer/Seminole Foundation, H. Neil Zimmerman Oppenheimer, Walter L. Ortz, David P. Parker, Betty P. and Winston C Perry, William and Georgann Pettenger, Dianne T. Philipps, G. W. Phillips, Frederick J. Pinkney, Gale and Louis Pisha, Junius L. Powell Jr., Paul K. Praus, Thompson and Joan Prentzel, James Prommel, Joel P. Rabin, Joe Raiola, Chris and Lydie O. Raschka, Ruth B. M. Robinson*, Gordon Roehrer, Charles L. Rood, Dr. Albert Refrigerator Rosen*, Brian Rosner & Barbara Wafel, David Roth, Robert H. Roth, Donna Cheung, Rubashkin Family Fund, Johann and Antonie Safar, Ayako Saito, Margaret E. Sargente, Neil C. Schaefer & Sought for Harriet Rzetelny, Carl Schiemann, Dudy L. Schindler, Fran Schnall, Trudy Schneider, TC Office. Steve R. Schwinn & Susan J Schwinn, Paul E. Scraggs, James R. Sheil, Terry Sherman, Constantine Sidamon-Eristoff, Mr. Harry J. Smith, Richard Smith, William A. Sommerville, Richard E. Sparrow*, Malcolm Spector*, Erik S. Spencer, Ursula Springer, Scott D. Stanford, John J. Stankard, Margaret J. The Trail Conference is Starmer, Bill Stoltzfus Jr., Barry Strugatz, Ned and Tara Sullivan, Rush Taggart & Dorothy Bedford, looking for a mid-sized Rudy Templin, The Bobolink Foundation*, Althea S. Thornton, Carl E. and Victoria A.D. Thune, refrigerator in working Peter Tilgner & Suzan Gordon*, Enrico A. and Evelyn Tissi*, Ronald D. Tissot, George Treible, Alice condition approximately L. Tufel, David G. Turene, Lynn R. and Jerome Uhrig, Janice M. Vicine, Nicholas J. Viggiano, Douglas 22-24" x 57" for our A. Villepique, Irene M. Voce, Kevin J Walsh & Molly A McEneny, William I. and Joan Weisberg, office. If you have one Martin Weiss, Ken and Marilyn Weissman, John W Wizeman, Peter Wolff, Hanson Wong, you would like to Neil F. Woodworth, David V. and Naola B. Woolf, Sarah F. Yarmolinsky, Ann Yasuhara, Arthur E. donate, contact Ramon Zimmermann, Seymour Zubkoff McMillian at the TC SPECIAL GIFTS MEMORIAL GIFTS office, 201-512-9348 or In honor of the marriage of Lisa Weiss In memory of Paul Leikin offi[email protected]. and Kenneth Zadeck Thomas J. Joyce, Manny J. Silberberg Beth Adler, Joshua and Jessica Auerbach, In memory of Leopold “Many” Frank Rocky Bernstein, Joe Borzetta, David Edelsohn, Coralyn Gorlicki & Abraham Gorlicki Felicia Gross, Kathryn Hochstetler, Myra Oltsik, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc.*, Rosemary In memory of Harry Zakim Stanton, Angela Tielen, Mark Wegman Lydia and Noah Zakim In honor of Chris and Laurie’s wedding MATCHING GIFTS Raymond L. Greenberg HP Employee Charitable Giving Program, Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts Program For Stilman Tool Fund Anonymous*, Lydia and Noah Zakim *Members of the Raymond H. Torrey Society To Shawangunk Ridge Coalition James Brown III, Robert J. Carinci, Raymond L. Greenberg, Shawangunk Valley Conservancy

www.NYNJTC.org

8NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 TRAILWALKER

TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 9

TC VOLUNTEER AWARDS Gary Haugland, retiring board member hiking community at large. Over the past award recognizes four individuals. continued from page 1 after 12 years of service, has demonstrated and present Suzan has served zealously as Ed Goldstein and Terry Murphy have tal in the preservation of Stony Kill Falls in over many years that trails are his passion. the chapter’s programs and special events both collected GPS data for the Trail the Shawangunks and remained active as Gary’s breadth of service includes being chair and as secretary, while Peter has Conference maps and in doing so have chair of the TC conservation and advocacy president of the Trail Conference Board of served as president and is currently hike individually logged many hours and miles. committee. Directors from 1999-2001 and serving as schedule chair. In addition, they serve As TC life member Herb Chong points The William Hoefferlin Award Long Path South chair. He is currently admirably as co-supervisors for Sterling out, without their efforts we would not recognizes TC volunteers who have chair of the Trails Council. Forest State Park for the Trail Conference. have collected the data we needed. demonstrated exemplary service to trail Pete Heckler, retiring from the board of The Major Welch Trail Partner Award John Mack is recognized for his outstand- maintenance, management, and/or trail directors after nine years, has also worked is given to government or private TC ing efforts to help get the Highlands Water land protection. There are three award long and hard in the field. His long-term partners who have provided long Protection Act approved. Jane Daniels, chair honorees this year. service to the Trail Conference includes and/or significant help to the hiking of the board of directors, commented that Roland Breault is honored for his serv- serving as chair of West Hudson Trails community. This year, the award goes to the hours John spent organizing the effort, ice to West Hudson trails. He has been an South. In that capacity he has worked tire- Congresswoman Sue Kelly in recognition copying letters, and forwarding them to active member of both the West Hudson lessly with the Palisades Interstate Park on of her persistent political intervention that Trenton made a difference. Trail Crew and the West Hudson Chain- trail issues. Winner of American Hiking resulted in action by the Corps of U.S. Don Pachner is honored for his efforts in saw Crew for several years and has worked Society’s Volunteer of the Year Award in Army Engineers and $5-7 million in creating insurance policies that are both countless hours on dozens of trail work 2002, Pete also has been instrumental in federal funding to clear Storm King State useable and affordable by hiking organiza- trips. He was a major contributor in build- establishing trails in Sterling Forest State Park of explosives. It is largely owing to her tions. In the words of TC life member Irene ing the Popolopen Gorge Bridge and the Park. efforts that the project to remove these Szabo, “He has labored long in an arena Twin Forts Trail, and he has always been The Ken Lloyd Award honors individu- hazards is currently nearing completion that most mortals shun for its complexity willing to make an extra effort to insure als who have given exemplary service to and the area is being made safe for hiking and crashing tedium, to the benefit of all of that a job is well done. In addition he is a their club. This year the award goes to two once again. us and our hard-won little budgets.” maintainer of the Hillburn-Torne-Sebago individuals: Suzan Gordon and Peter The Extra Mile Award recognizes those Trail in Bear Mountain-Harriman State Tilgner. This wonderful team has been volunteers who have demonstrated excep- Parks and has made many improvements tireless in giving their time and effort for tional commitment to projects such as a to his section. both the Ramapo Chapter of ADK and the book, map, or advocacy. This year, the

$2.5 M FOR TRAILS learned together, and have since been CAMPAIGN LEADERSHIP Make Your Gift to the Campaign continued from page 1 applying their knowledge and skills COMMITTEE The Trail Conference accepts gifts in elsewhere in our trail system. Mary Smart, Co-chair many forms, but the most common cantly degraded. Reconstructing the Increased trail access for people with John Gunzler, Co-chair forms are: Appalachian Trail and other trails on Bear disabilities and improved links among key George L. Becker, Jr. • Cash or check Mountain is the perfect opportunity to natural, historic, and cultural features are Lisa Cargill • Appreciated securities undertake a high profile, multiyear trail additional goals for the Bear Mountain Chris Connolly • Planned Gifts including charitable project that can serve as a focus for the project, which is now in the design stage Jane Daniels annuities, trusts, and bequests Conference’s recruiting and training with a target of beginning work in 2005. James Davis • Real estate programs. Edward Goodell • Life insurance The Trail Conference aims to raise at Geographic Information System Herbert Hochberg We encourage donors to make pledges least $250,000 to initiate the: GIS is an advanced mapping tool for Peter Kennard with payment periods of 3 to 5 years. • Design and building of permanent, combining maps and data. It is a technolo- Robert Newton Contact: James F. Davis, sustainable routes for the AT and other gy that can be applied to virtually every Development Director Bear Mountain trails consistent with Trail Conference program: trail land [email protected] Appalachian National Scenic Trail protection, protecting view sheds, planning standards and that will accommodate construction of new trails, tracking trail heavy trail use; maintenance needs, monitoring species • Recruitment and training of new trail and the environment, and mapping trails volunteers; and and other recreational and cultural assets. • Demonstration and interpretation of GIS technology will greatly enhance trail building, the AT experience, the quality and effectiveness of Trail including leave-no-trace philosophy, Conference work. and the significance of partnership The cost of computer hardware and efforts to conserve and protect public software and the employment of an access to open space. experienced GIS operator for a period of three to five years will be a minimum of Bear Mountain offers challenges and $250,000. opportunities above and beyond typical trail building projects. The project will be MAKING IT HAPPEN highly visible to the public, and the scale of “Connecting people to nature,” says the work will rival other major building Conference Executive Director Ed projects we have tackled in recent years. Goodell, “means having enough high The project offers a great opportunity not quality, natural areas to connect with and only to build trails, but also to build our hike through. As avid outdoor enthusiasts, teams of volunteer trail workers. Trail Conference members have long been The Conference expects the Bear on the forefront of conservation efforts in Mountain project to attract new volunteers the region. The vision that prompts this who will learn the techniques and skills of capital campaign is in that tradition.” trail building and trail maintenance. These Your financial support is essential. All new people, added to an already sizable Trail Conference members will be invited corps of volunteers, will allow the Trail to participate in this ambitious campaign. Conference to take care of an ever-growing Together we can preserve and expand system of hiking trails. These expectations responsible public access to a regional are based on recent experience with proj- network of hiking trails and open spaces for ects such as the building of the Howell Trail now and the future. in Storm King State Park, the relocation of For information on how to give, contact the Popolopen Bridge in Bear Mountain Development Director Jim Davis at State Park, and the building of the Pochuck [email protected] or by calling the office boardwalk and suspension bridge on the at 201-512-9348. Appalachian Trail in New Jersey. In each instance, Trail Conference volunteers successfully completed technically challenging projects demanding much skill and hard labor. The crews worked and

TRAILWALKER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 9 TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 10

Location: Salisbury Mills, Orange County Hike Description: This loop will take you Length: 8+ miles on several (more if you get lost; a map, #8 Rating: Strenuous from the Trail Conference, is highly recom- mended) of the more than 25 miles of trails FAVORITE HIKE Features: At nearly 1700 feet, Schunemunk, that criss-cross Schunemunk. From the By Georgette Weir one of New York’s newest state parks, is the parking area, cross Taylor Road and follow highest point in Orange County. An 8-mile paved road past a barn, meadows, and care- Schunemunk Mountain State Park long open ridge offers expansive views of the taker’s cottage, where pavement ends at a Hudson Highlands, Shawangunks, Catskills, gate. Where road turns left, look for yellow Hudson River, and everything in between. blazes of Jessup Trail going west. Follow Underfoot on the ridgetop is an unusual yellow through woods, meadow, along a pink conglomerate, pebbly with white quartz woods road that parallels railroad for half a stones up to 6 inches in diameter. mile, then cross tracks (look and listen first), and turn onto red-blazed Otterkill Trail for Terrain: steep slopes, rocky footpaths 150 feet. Yellow leaves red to follow the course of the Baby Brook up the mountain. How to get there: From Route 9W, take At about 1.8 miles from parking area, you Quaker Ave. exit; turn left at end of exit; then meet the Barton Swamp Trail (red). Follow right at Rt. 32 light, then left immediately this 1.5 miles to where the Western Ridge after bridge (there is a sign for Storm King Trail (blue dot on white) joins on left. This Art Center) onto Orrs Mills Road. In about short trail takes you quickly and steeply up 2 miles, look for left turn onto Otterkill to the western ridge and the yellow blazes of Road; after crossing Moodna Creek, turn left the Jessup Trail. Turn left on yellow, enjoy- onto Taylor Road. Look for hikers’ parking ing the views and the ridge rocks (short side area on left in about one mile. trail marked by cairns takes you to the Megaliths), and follow it back to where you Watch out for: Deer ticks, rattlesnakes, will retrace your steps.

GEORGETTE WEIR copperheads, trains, unmarked trails, This hike was featured as a NY-NJ Trail Hiker/photographer Herb Chong zeroes in on the beautiful getting lost. Is it worth it? Yes, see Features, Conference Hike of the Week in the pink and white conglomerate of Schunemunk Ridge. above. Poughkeepsie Journal, September 16, 2004

public transport must find their own info), This cookbook convinced me there was hours for public parks, and telephone a better way to eat in a one-pot environ- numbers for up-to-date information about ment in the backcountry. The book is laid BOOKNOTES fees, hours, trail maps, and so forth. All out in an easy-to-follow format, with the that seems to be missing is a better indica- At Home work and On The Trail direc- Green Enchantments: A Catskill door guide services. This book is probably tion of hiking mileage. tions separated to help the skilled or Outdoor Guide and Collected Essays most useful to folks looking to get to know Helpful ancillary material includes unskilled chef with their preparations. Catskill Press, an Imprint of Ruder Finn the variety the Catskills has to offer rather black-and-white photographs, a good My cold oatmeal has been replaced by Press, 2004 than to those seeking a singularly or introduction with sensible hiking tips, a either a zesty serving of Crimson Skies By Michael Boyajian ruggedly outdoors adventure. useful index, and the authors’ guide for Oatmeal, (page 27) or with a few tasty Reviewed by Georgette Weir choosing an outing according to tastes and Niagara Bars (page 37), which took me less A Guide to Green New Jersey: interests. Recommended for both begin- than 45 minutes to bake. The dinner and Author Michael Boyajian is a New York Nature Walks in the Garden State ning hikers and veterans of all levels who drink recipes, for the most part, are easy to City-based attorney who, with his wife, has Lucy D. Rosenfeld and Marina Harrison want to do more exploring in New Jersey. prepare at home and easy to complete after a second home in the Catskills, and he Rutgers University Press, 2003 a long day of hiking. clearly loves and has extensively explored Reviewed by Alice L. Tufel One word of caution for those hungry the region. His approach to his subject is trail-going chefs: to successfully follow meandering and personal; the book seems Two elements made this book stand out for many of the recipes in this book, you will part vacation journal, part regional adver- me: It is nicely written, and it made me need to plan ahead and spend a few hours tisement. Boyajian describes hikes, cultural want to get out and try the walks. The in your kitchen before heading out. Also, attractions, favorite campsites, a horseback authors of this attractively produced guide- owning a dehydrator will make more of the ride, the nirvana of pancakes at Sweet Sue’s book have written six previous guidebooks recipes a reality. in Phoenicia (a heavenly experience together, and their writing and editing familiar to many Catskill hikers to which experience is evident. Boyajian dedicates two full pages). His The authors divide the state into 40 FLURRY OF BRIDGE BUILDING continued from page 4 recommended destinations include some regions (more in central and northern New not commonly found on visitor itineraries Jersey than in the south), and provide sev- • Park staff’s rebuilding of the third and many of his hikes are of the non-peak- eral hikes for each region. While their focus bridge over Pine Meadow Brook, which bagging variety, a benefit for those looking is not on rigorous hiking (although some carries the 7 Hills, Kakiat, and Pine to enjoy Catskills’ woods-walking without strenuous hikes are noted), the authors Meadow Trails. the rigor of a strenuous climb. Bluestone have chosen a good variety of trails and ter- • A bridge built on the Hillburn-Torne- Wild Forest just outside of Kingston, is one rain in quiet areas that provide an escape Sebago (HTS) Trail between the Ramapo such place cited by the author. from civilization for “hikers, bikers, beach- Torne and the Russian Bear by West Haiku (or haiku-like) lines appear on combers, gardeners, power walkers, and Lipsmackin’ Backpackin’ Hudson Trail Crew member and HTS trail nearly every page; random Catskill-related strollers of all kind.” Outings are described Lightweight Trail-tested Vegetarian maintainer Roland Breault. facts are presented in boxes; and photos by in federal/state parks, gardens and arbore- Recipes for Backcountry Trips • Last, but by no means least, another the author are printed as full-page, four- tums, mountains, forests, nature centers by Christine and Tim Conners Eagle Scout bridge project is proposed by color images, unfortunately often lacking and preserves, rail-trails, vineyards, Globe Pequot Press, 2004 Scoutmaster and AMC NY-NJ Trails Chair clarity and vibrancy. Photo subjects are not orchards, and corn mazes. Reviewed by Josh Erdsneker George Cartamil for the southern end of identified. Step-by-step trail descriptions are not the 1777 Trail, near its Rt. 9W trailhead. Boyajian’s writing style is informal, a bit given, but more than enough information Cold oatmeal, Ramen noodles, hot cocoa So, every time you pass over one of the labored, occasionally repetitive, and incon- is here to whet your hiking appetite and get from a packet, and if I’m lucky, a few noted structures, stop and think of the time, sistently informative (sometimes he gives you started, including descriptions of the Snickers bars; that’s what I usually pack effort, and money that has been dedicated specific road directions to destinations, vegetation, wildlife, and views you can when I’m on a backpacking trip. I never toward that purpose. Then consider volun- sometimes not, for example). You will need expect to find along the way, interesting complained, I thought it was a rite of pas- teering some of your time to this cause, as a to get trail maps and detailed road maps to historical details, good precautionary tips, sage that backpackers suffer and eat like payback for all you derive from the com- follow up on many of his hiking sugges- and seasonal guidance. They also give an college kids. However, armed with the bined efforts of so many others. Call tions. Back pages include useful lists of indication of solitariness versus popularity straight forward recipes from Lipsmackin’ Volunteer Projects Director Josh Erdsneker festivals, relevant organizations (no men- of a given area, as well as relative difficulty Backpackin’ Lightweight Trail-tested at the Trail Conference office, 201-512- tion of NY-NJ TC, however), public and and whether an outing is good for children. Vegetarian Recipes for Backcountry Trips, by 9348 and sign on as a trail maintainer or private campgrounds, outdoor activities in The descriptions include directions for get- Christine and Tim Conners, you can now trail crew member.We will train you. the various regions, and three pages of out- ting to each area by car (those reliant on call me Emeril of the Woods! —Pete Heckler

10 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 TRAILWALKER TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 11

HIKERS’ALMANAC A Sampling of Upcoming Hikes Sponsored by Member Clubs

TUESDAY, NOV. 16 NYHC. Richmond Town Circular, NY. Leader: Steve & Bettye The activities listed are sponsored by member clubs of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. All hikers are welcome subject to club regulations UCHC. High Point to Sunrise Mt. on the AT, NJ. Leader: Arnie Soffer, 718-720-1593; call 7-9 pm. Meet: Take 10:30 am Staten and rules of the trail. You are responsible for your own safety. Wear hiking boots or strong, low-heeled shoes. Bring food, water, rain Seymour-Jones, 201-768-3864. Meet: 9:30 am at Sunrise Mt. for Island Ferry and meet leaders at SIRT station in rear of ferry terminal. gear, first aid kit, and a flashlight in a backpack. Leaders have the right and responsibility to refuse anyone whom they believe cannot shuttle; call for directions. Moderately strenuous 10 miles. Up to Moderate 8 miles with ups and downs. Tour around the Greenbelt, complete the hike or is not adequately equipped. Easy, moderate, or strenuous hikes are relative terms; call leader if in doubt. 5 hours; for experienced hikers. with a stop at new nature center. Heavy snow or rain cancels. More than 85 clubs belong to the Trail Conference, and many of our affiliate groups sponsor hikes not listed in the Hikers’ Almanac. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 17 UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: For a descriptive list of Conference clubs, consult our website or send a SASE with your request to NY-NJ Trail Conference. PMNHA. Pyramid Mountain, NJ. Leader: call 973-334-3130 to Carol McNichol, 201-795-2094. Meet: 10 am at Coles Ave., Club Codes register. Meet: 10 am; must pre-register. Moderate hike for adults only. intersection with New Providence Rd.; call for directions. Brisk 4-5 miles with many rough trails. Steady rain cancels. Only those clubs with hikes offered in this issue are listed below. Please call numbers listed to confirm. THURSDAY, NOV. 18 TUESDAY, NOV. 30 UCHC. Ramapo Circular, NJ. Leader: Jim & Theresa McKay, ADK-MH ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter NYR New York Ramblers UCHC. Sterling Forest, NY. Leader: Jim & Theresa McKay, ADK-R ADK Ramapo Chapter PMNHA Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area 973-538-0756. Meet: 10 am at Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Darlington; call for directions. Moderately strenuous 8-9 miles on 973-538-0756. Meet: 10 am at Sterling Lake Visitor Center; call for GAC German-American SCS Sierra Club NJ Singles variety of trails, including some new ones in Camp Glen Gray area. directions. 6-7 miles from Sterling Lake to Blue Lake; short road Hiking Club UCHC Union County Hiking Club Up to 5 hours; for experienced hikers. Steady rain cancels. walk. For experienced hikers. IHC Interstate Hiking Club UOC University Outing Club SATURDAY, NOV. 20 DECEMBER NYHC New York Hiking Club WTW Woodland Trail Walkers WTW. Patriots’ Path, Mendham, NJ. Leader: Ernest Wagner, THURSDAY, DEC. 2 Clubs wishing to have hikes listed in Hikers’ Almanac should send their schedules to [email protected] or to the Trail Conference Office. 973-694-3194; call leader to confirm and for directions. Meet: UCHC. Harriman State Park, Arden. Leader: Arnie The deadline for the January/February issue is November 15, 2004. 10 am. Easy 4-mile hike. Seymour-Jones, 201-768-3864. Meet: 10 am at Elk Pen parking lot; ADK-R. Green Pond and Surebridge Mountain Circular, NJ. call for directions. Moderately strenuous hike, with mines, the Lemon NOVEMBER SCS. Singles Hike at Pyramid Mountain, NJ. Leader: David Leader: call 201-816-9465 to register. Moderately strenuous 9.5 miles. Squeezer, Times Square. Up to 5 hours; for experienced hikers. Ogens, [email protected]. Meet: 9:45 am at Pyramid Mt. Visitor UCHC. Jockey Hollow, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Betty Mills, Steady rain cancels. MONDAY, NOV. 1 Center. 5-6 miles at moderate pace to see beautiful views, streams, 973-538-4922. Meet: 10 am at visitors center; call for directions. SATURDAY, DEC. 4 UCHC. Tourne Park, Boonton, NJ. Leader: Cherryll Short, a waterfall, and Tripod Rock. All are welcome; must sign liability Enjoy a casual 4-mile hike. $4 fee for those without park passes. 973-299-0212. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. Easy, pretty 3-mile waiver. Non-members $3. Rain cancels. ADK-R. Schuber Trail, NJ. Leader: call 201-816-9465 to hike to Birchwood and Crystal Lakes. Steady rain cancels. register. Moderate 6.7 miles. UCHC. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, NJ. Leader: Phyllis ADK-MH. Storm King Mountain, NY. Leader: Bob Ellsworth, TUESDAY, NOV. 2 Brown, 908-753-8812. Meet: 10 am at Saffin Pond. Full day, moder- IHC. Reeves Meadow, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Joel 845-435-5072 or [email protected]. Register by Nov. 18. NYHC. Great Kills Park, Staten Island, NY. Leader: Ray Krant, ately paced hike to the highest point in Morris County (1,395’). Some McKenzie, 973-694-3056. Meet: 9 am at Reeves Meadow visitor Meet: 8 am, McDonalds parking lot in Wappingers Falls on Route 9. 718-435-4994. Meet: 10:45 am at Staten Island Ferry waiting room, trails shared with bikes/horses. Expect to finish by 3 pm. Rain cancels. center, Seven Lakes Dr., Sloatsburg, NY. Strenuous 10+ miles Moderately strenuous hike from near Cornwall Landing. We will also Battery Park. Easy 5 miles on this part of the Gateway National through several valleys and along a few ridges; to Pine Meadow Lake TUESDAY, NOV. 9 hike over Butter Hill on our way to the top. You will need good boots, Recreation Area, including Great Kills Harbor and the Crooke’s or Ramapo Torne or both. UCHC. Delaware Water Gap. Leader: Dave Hogenauer, plenty of water, snack, and a lunch. Point beach area. NYHC. Blue Trail on Staten Island, NY. Leader: Ray Krant, 718- 973-762-1475. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. Up a very steep trail SUNDAY, NOV. 21 435-4994. Meet: 9:15 am at Staten Island Ferry waiting room, Battery UCHC. Wyanokie Circular, NJ. Leader: MaryDell Morrison, for a spectacular view, then across the bridge for a gradual descent. GAC. Tuxedo Circular, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Park. Moderate 8 miles, mostly flat. Hike through Staten Island 908-684-5175. Meet: 10 am at Weis Ecology Center. Variety of trails, 7 miles; slow going up but fast on the level. Up to 5 hours; for Mathias Wuethrich, 908-253-9042. Meet: 10 am at RR station in Greenbelt, starting at Clove Lakes Park; good and varied scenery. up to 5 hours; for experienced hikers. experienced hikers. Tuxedo. Moderate and easy hikes. WTW. Dingman’s Falls, Poconos, PA. Leader: Leslie McGlynn, THURSDAY, NOV. 4 THURSDAY, NOV. 11 IHC. Ringwood Ramble, NY. Leader: Susan Clark, 973-962-0926. 973-252-8122; call leader to confirm and for directions. Meet: UCHC. Schunemunk Mountain, NY. Leaders: Carolyn & NYHC. Tappan to Nyack, NY. Leader: Ray Krant, 718-435-4994. Meet: 9 am at Skylands Manor parking lot A, Ringwood. Moderate hike 9:30 am. Moderately easy 5-mile hike. Jim Canfield, 973-728-9774. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. Meet: 11 am at commuter statue, Port Authority Bus Terminal. 6 easy on variety of trails and woods roads to Bear Swamp Lake. Moderately strenuous hike up to the Megaliths and along the ridge. miles along a rail trail (abandoned railway with tracks removed). ADK-MH. Fahnestock State Park, NY. Leader: Bob Ellsworth, Up to 5 hours; for experienced hikers. Steady rain cancels. NYR. Jaynes Hill, Long Island’s Highest Point (401'). 845-435-5072 or [email protected]. Register by Dec. 2. Meet: 8 UCHC. Paradise Rock, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Leader: Kurt Ramig, 212-924-8020. Meet: 7:20 am at Penn. Station am at McDonald’s parking lot in Wappingers Falls on Route 9. Moder- SATURDAY, NOV. 6 Dave & Naomi Sutter, [email protected]. Meet: 10 am at Tiorati Circle, LIRR information booth for 7:39 train to Huntington, NY; will return ate hike along railroad bed built in 1862 to carry ore from the mines in Harriman. Strenuous hike; up to five hours – no beginners. Steady UCHC. Watchung Trail Maintenance, NJ. Call Trailside Nature from Massapequa. Follow Walt Whitman Trail from his birthplace, the area. You will need good boots, plenty of water, snack, and a lunch. & Science Center at 908-789-3670 to pre-register. Meet: 9:30 am. rain cancels. then Nassau Greenbelt Trail to its end, passing through Bethpage SUNDAY, DEC. 5 No experience necessary. Pruning, removing blow-downs, removing SATURDAY, NOV. 13 State Park. invasives – have fun while giving back a little something to the trails. ADK-R. Doodletown Circular, NY. Leader: call 845-359-2465 IHC. Highlands Trail, NJ. Leader: Jim McKay, 973-583-0756. PMNHA. Limestone Quarry Hike, NJ. Leader: call 973-334-3130 to register. Easy 5 miles. UCHC. Cheesequake Park, Matawan, NJ. Leader: Mae Deas, Meet: 9:30 am at Byram Plaza shopping center, Rt. 206 and for more information. Meet: 1 pm at Pyramid Mt. Natural Historic Area IHC. South Mountain Reservation, NJ. Leader: Eck Khoon 908-233-6641. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. Moderate hike with Lackawana Ave, Byram, NJ. Moderate 8.5 mile hike from Rt. 206 visitor center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville Township, NJ. Easy hike to Goh, 908-790-0939. Meet: 9 am at Locust Grove parking lot, South some hills and wet spots; pine barrens, freshwater swamp, and sandy to Waterloo Rd. the old quarry on Turkey Mt., where dolomitic marble was mined. soils. Steady rain cancels. Mt. Reservation, Millburn. Easy but brisk 5-mile hike on wooded ADK-R. Diamond Mountain Educational Adventure. Leader: ADK-MH. Appalachian Trail, MA. Leader: Russ Faller, trails, with views of falls and millponds. NYHC. Long Path to Closter Dock Road, Palisades. call 845-354-0738 to register. Easy 2 miles. 845-297-5126 before 9:30 pm. Please call to confirm. Meet: 8 am at Leader: Judy Levine, 718-482-9659; call 8:30 - 10:30 pm. Meet: SCS. Singles Hike at Eagle Rock Reservation, NJ. Leader: ADK-R. From Lake to Pond. Leader: call 845-354-9165 to Arlington High School parking lot, Rt. 55 Freedom Plains, NY. George Washington Bridge bus station; call leader for time. David Ogens, [email protected]. Meet: 9:45 am at Highlawn Pavilion register. Moderate 8.5 miles. Strenuous 12.9-mile hike with 800' ascent on Appalachian Trail parking off Eagle Rock Ave. in W. Orange. 4-5 moderate miles. All are Moderate 8 miles on the upper trail along the Palisades, some ups south of Great Barrington in Massachusetts. The hike offers a scenic PMNHA. Singles Hike, NJ. Leader: call 973-334-3130 for more welcome; must sign liability waiver. Non-members $3. Rain cancels. and downs. Return by bus. Rain cancels. ridge walk through Ice Gulch. The last third is mostly flat and easy. information. Meet: 1 pm at Pyramid Mt. Natural Historic Area visitor WTW. Farny Highlands, NJ. Leader: Leslie McGlynn, Bring food and water. Rain cancels. GAC. Downtown Discovery, New York City. Leader: Wolfgang center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville Township, NJ. Moderate hike 973-252-8122; call leader to confirm and for directions. Meet: Hahn, 212-423-9295. Meet: 10 am at 195 Broadway, corner of designed for those who are unattached, but all are welcome. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 24 9:30 am. Moderately strenuous 6 miles on the Beaver Brook Trail. Fulton St. Easy hike. WTW. Hacklebarney State Park, Chester, NJ. Leader: UCHC. Hacklebarney State Park, Long Valley, NJ. Leader: Rain date: Nov. 7. PMNHA. Life is Green Hike, NJ. Leader: call 973-334-3130 for Hermann & Marlene Memmer, 973-267-0539; call leader to confirm Mickey Siegel, 201-797-7054. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. ADK-MH. Bear Mountain, NY. Leader: Sue Mackson, more information. Meet: 1 pm at Pyramid Mt. Natural Historic Area and for directions. Meet: 10 am. Moderate hike of 6 miles. About 5 miles; 2 hours. A gorgeous gorge along the Black River. 845-471-9892 or [email protected]. Meet: Home Depot Plaza, visitor center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville Township. Moderate FRIDAY, NOV. 26 Wappingers Falls, 9:30 am. Moderately strenuous 5-mile hike with UCHC. South Mountain Reservation, Millburn, NJ. Leader: hike on Turkey Mt. to look for signs of green life. Naomi Shapiro, 973-762-1832; call before 9 pm. Meet: 10 am at UCHC. Jockey Hollow, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Bob Hagon, 1,100' elevation gain. From Route 9D we will cross Bear Mountain TUESDAY, DEC. 7 Bridge and go up the Appalachian Trail to Perkins Memorial Tower Locust Grove Parking, corner Glen Ave. and Lackawanna Pl., across 908-788-8360. Meet: 10 am at visitors center; call for directions. UCHC. Culvers Lake to Blue Mt. Lake Rd. on the AT, NJ. with great views of the Hudson. This is the oldest section of the from Millburn RR station. Brisk 5-mile hike with steep up at begin- Brisk, scenic hike of 4-5 miles. $4 fee for those without park passes. Leader: Arnie Seymour-Jones, 201-768-3864. Meet: 9:30 am at Blue Appalachian Trail. Return and possible climb up to viewpoint at Antho- ning; no beginners. Rocky ups and downs. Steady rain cancels. Rain cancels. Mt. Lake for shuttle; call for directions. Moderately strenuous ny’s Nose and beyond; approximately 600’ elevation gain in 2.5 miles. SUNDAY, NOV. 14 SATURDAY, NOV. 27 11 miles. Up to 5 hours; for experienced hikers. UCHC. South Mountain Reservation, NJ. Leader: UOC. Cattus Island County Park, NJ. Leader: Coralyn Gorlicki, PMNHA. Home for the Holidays, NJ. Leader: call 973-334-3130 THURSDAY, DEC. 9 Dave Hogenauer, 973-762-1475. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. 732-548-2315. Meet: call leader. Easy 3-4 miles just north of Toms for more information. Meet: 1 pm at Pyramid Mt. Natural Historic Area UCHC. Ramapo Mountain State Forest, NJ. Leader: Al Leigh, About 3 miles at a moderate pace. Unusual Hemlock Falls circular; River, with views of salt marshes and forest trails on Barnegat Bay. visitor center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville Township, NJ. Moderate some steep trails. hike to burn off those extra calories from all the homemade delicacies. 973-471-7528. Meet: 10 am at Ramapo Mt. upper parking lot; call for SCS. Singles Hike at South Mountain Reservation, NJ. directions. Moderately strenuous 8 miles, with lunch at Cannonball SUNDAY, NOV. 7 Leader: Ron Pate, 973-364-7573 (option #2). Meet: 9:45 am at WTW. Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, NJ. Leader: Ernest Lake in Yaw Paw. Up to 5 hours; for experienced hikers. Bad IHC. Popolopen Torne, Harriman State Park, NY. Leaders: Turtleback Rock entrance off Walker Rd. in W. Orange. 4-5 leisurely Wagner, 973-694-3194; call leader to confirm and for directions. Meet: weather cancels. Carolyn & Jim Canfield, 973-728-9774. Meet: 9 am at parking area miles; beautiful waterfall and some very inviting woods in the heart of 10:15 am. Moderately easy hike of 6+ miles in attractive surroundings. SATURDAY, DEC. 11 on Rt. 9W north, Fort Montgomery, NY. Strenuous 8-mile hike. The suburbia. All are welcome; must sign liability waiver. Non-members SUNDAY, NOV. 28 bridge has been replaced, thanks to Trail Conference volunteers, so $3. Rain cancels. ADK-R. North Hill Education Adventure. Leader: call ADK-R. Nice and Easy. Leader: call 845-729-4046 to register. 845-354-0738 to register. Easy 2 miles. we can again enjoy the steep, rocky climb to summit of Popolopen ADK-R. Ramapo Reservation Circular, NJ. Leader: call Moderate 6-7 miles. Torne with its 360-degree view. End with a walk through historic 845-362-8470 to register. Moderate 7 miles. PMNHA. Fire and Ice Hike, NJ. Leader: call 973-334-3130 for Fort Montgomery. IHC. AT Connection, NJ. Leader: Steve Rikon, 973-962-4149. more information. Meet: 1 pm at Pyramid Mt. Natural Historic Area UCHC. South Mountain Reservation, Millburn, NJ. Leader: Meet: 9 am at A&P/Hewitt Post Office shopping center, Warwick Tpk., visitor center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville Township. Strenuous NYHC. Lost Brook Preserve, NJ. Leader: George Glatz, Eck Khoon Goh, 908-790-0939. Meet: 10 am at Coles Ave., Hewitt. Strenuous 8 miles. Work off that turkey as we connect 4-6 miles, kicking up our internal fires as we hike through the icy 212-533-9457; call 7-8 am. Meet: 10:15 am at upper level ticket intersection with New Providence Rd. Brisk 4-5 miles with some Wawayanda State Park to Bearfort Ridge on the AT; great views over cold forests. booths, George Washington Bridge bus station. Easy 6-mile hike in rocky trails. Rain cancels. Greenwood Lake to Sterling Ridge. Shuttle to start. this lovely preserve close to the city. Continued on back

TRAILWALKER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 11 TW-NovDec04_10-14 10/14/04 6:28 PM Page 12

continued from page 11 UCHC. Jockey Hollow, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Betty Mills, 973-538-4922. Meet: 10 am at visitors center. $4 fee for those with- WTW. South Mountain Reservation, W. Orange, NJ. Leader: out park passes. Casual 4-mile hike. Steady rain, ice, or snow cancels. Hermann & Marlene Memmer, 973-267-5939; call leader to confirm HIKERS’ MARKETPLACE and for directions. Meet: 10 am. Moderate 5-6 mile hike. ADK-MH. North and South Lakes, NY. Leader: Mary “Trish” Cina, 845-339-7170 or [email protected]. Meet: call leader for YOU CAN ALSO ORDER AT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.NYNJTC.ORG UCHC. Tourne Park, Boonton, NJ. Leader: Susan Jacobs, info. An easy snowshoe/hike along the footpath around North/South 973-402-2555. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. Moderate 2-hour Lakes in Haines Falls. A great snowshoe for beginners and suitable NY-NJ TC member? YES NO JOINING NOW hike through beautiful park with a stream, lake, and other natural for children. Please bring a snack and plenty of water. Heavy rain beauties. Steady rain cancels. and/or bad road conditions cancels. Please order by circling price Retail Member P/H Total ADK-MH. Dry Brook Ridge Trail, NY. Leader: Dawn Hamilton, SUNDAY, DEC. 19 845-926-6208 before 10 pm or [email protected]. Meet: call IHC. Farny Highlands, NJ. Leader: Peter Beck, 201-274-4471. Official Conference Maps leader for info. Moderately strenuous 8-mile hike in the Catskills with Meet: 10 am at Fisherman’s parking lot, Split Rock Rd., Rockaway, 1,700’ of ascent on the Dry Brook Ridge Trail to Penguin Rocks. On Sterling Forest Trails (2003) $7.95 $5.95 +.80 ______NJ. Moderately strenuous 6 miles with moderate ups and downs; the way back we will take the Huckleberry Loop Trail to provide some North Jersey Trails (2002) $7.95 $5.95 +.95 ______conditions may require crampons or snowshoes. different scenery. This will require spotting cars. There are alternatives Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails (2003) $8.95 $6.75 +.95 ______if participants do not wish to spot cars. Heavy precipitation cancels. PMNHA. Winter Solstice Hike, NJ. Leader: call 973-334-3130 to register. Meet: 3 pm; must pre-register. Take a break from the hol- East Hudson Trails (2003) $9.95 $7.50 +.95 ______SUNDAY, DEC. 12 iday hustle and join us for a moderate hike up to Tripod Rock. $3 fee. West Hudson Trails (2000) $7.95 $5.95 +.95 ______ADK-R. East Hudson Ramble, NY. Leader: call 914-337-6612 to register. Moderate 8 miles. UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Catskill Trails (2003) & see combo $13.95 $10.45 +$1.10 ______Bob Hagon, 908-788-8360. Meet: 10 am at Coles Ave., intersection Kittatinny Trails (2000) $12.95 $9.75 +$1.10 ______UCHC. Echo Lake Park, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Mae Deas, with New Providence Rd. Brisk 4-5 miles; hiking boots mandatory. 908-233-6641. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. Partly hilly and Rain or falling snow cancels. Shawangunk Trails (2000) & see combo $9.95 $7.50 +.95 ______woodsy walk and partly level paths, returning by lunch time. Steady South Taconic Trails (1988, rev. 1998) $4.95 $3.75 +.65 ______rain cancels. TUESDAY, DEC. 21 UCHC. Tourne Park, Boonton, NJ. Leader: Joe McLaughlin, Hudson Palisades Trails (available 2005) $7.95 $5.95 +.80 ______ADK-MH. South Taconic Mountains, NY. Leader: Russ Faller, 973-263-2799. Meet: 10 am; call for directions. Pleasant walk up, 845-297-5126 before 9:30 pm. Meet: call leader for info. Strenuous down, and over trails; possibility of one steep uphill. Books 8-mile hike with 1,500’ ascent in the South Taconic Mountains. We A.T. Guide for NY & NJ (2002) w/6 maps $19.95 $15.95 +$2.00 ______will start on the Robert Brook Trail and climb to the South Taconic THURSDAY, DEC. 23 Trail, which we will follow over Brace and South Brace Mountains to UCHC. Farny Highlands, NJ. Leader: Jim & Theresa McKay, NEW!! Long Path Guide to NY/NJ (available Jan. 2005)$16.95 $13.55 +$2.00 ______wild Riga Lake. Crampons and/or snowshoes may be required. 973-538-0756. Meet: 9:30 am at Split Rock Rd. parking; call for Day Walker (2002) $16.95 $13.55 +$2.50 ______Heavy rain or bad driving conditions cancel. directions. Moderately strenuous 9 miles from Timberbrook Rd., NEW!! Hiking Long Island (available Jan. 2005) $19.95 $15.95 +$2.50 ______TUESDAY, DEC. 14 around north end of Split Rock Reservoir, then back. Shuttle required. Circuit Hikes in Northern New Jersey (2003) $11.95 $9.55 +$2.00 ______Bad weather cancels. PMNHA. Silas Condict Park, NJ. Leader: call 973-334-3130 to NEW!! Kittatinny Trails $18.95 $15.16 +$2.00 ______register. Meet: 10 am; must pre-register. Moderate hike for adults only. SATURDAY, DEC. 25 New York Walk Book (2001) & see combo $19.95 $15.95 +$2.50 ______THURSDAY, DEC. 16 IHC. Christmas at Skannatati, NY. Leader: Larry Spinner, 845-356-5219; call 8-10 pm only. Meet: 9:30 am at Lake Skannatati NEW!! New Jersey Walk Book (2004) $19.95 $15.96 +$2.50 ______UCHC. Kittatinny Valley State Park, NJ. Leader: Pat Gaburo, parking area, Seven Lakes Dr., Harriman State Park. Join us as we 973-367-4074. Meet: 10 am; call for directions and to register. This Harriman Trails Guide (1999)& see combo $16.95 $13.55 +$2.50 ______celebrate the season; will it be white? Moderately strenuous hike; newest NJ State Park is headquarters for recently acquired rails-to- Iron Mine Trails: NY-NJ Highlands (1996, rev. 1999) $8.95 $7.15 +$2.00 ______conditions may require crampons or snowshoes (those without trails of the Paulinskill and Sussex railroads. Park has 4 miles of dirt proper gear may be turned away). If in doubt due to inclement Health Hints for Hikers (1994) $5.95 $4.75 +$2.00 ______roads and abandoned RR beds, many fishing lakes, a mansion, and weather, call after 7 am morning of hike. Doodletown: Hiking Through History in a an operating airport. TUESDAY, DEC. 28 Vanishing Hamlet on the Hudson (1996) $12.95 $10.35 +$2.00 ______SATURDAY, DEC. 18 UCHC. Hasenclever Iron Trail, NJ. Leaders: Carolyn & Jim Catskill Trails: A Ranger’s Guide to the High Peaks ADK-R. Allis and the AT. Leader: call 201-871-3531 to register. Canfield. Meet: 9:30 am at Ringwood Manor, first parking lot; call for Moderate 6 miles. Book One: The Northern Catskills (2000) $14.95 $11.95 +$2.00 ______directions. About 6 miles through Sterling Forest; new trail connect- PMNHA. Get Ready Resolution Hike, NJ. Leader: call ing Ringwood with Long Pond Iron Works passes various historic Book Two: The Central Catskills (2000) $14.95 $11.95 +$2.00 ______973-334-3130 for more information. Meet: 1 pm at Pyramid Mt. sites and ruins. Up to five hours; for experienced hikers. Scenes & Walks in the Northern Shawangunks Natural Historic Area visitor center, 472A Boonton Ave., Montville THURSDAY, DEC. 30 (1999) (hardcover) & see combo $10.95 $8.75 +$2.00 ______Township. Moderate. I’ll get in shape, eat healthy, and hike at Pyramid Mountain – at least today! UCHC. Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Arnie Seymour-Jones, Shawangunks Trail Companion (2003) $18.95 $15.15 +$2.50 ______201-768-3864. Meet: 10 am at Anthony Wayne parking; call for direc- Nature Walks in New Jersey (1998) $12.95 $10.35 +$2.50 ______WTW. Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Ernest Wagner, tions. Moderately strenuous hike with a choice of many interesting 50 Hikes in the Lower Hudson Valley (2002) $16.95 $13.55 +$2.50 ______973-694-3194; call leader to confirm and for directions. Meet: trails. Up to five hours; for experienced hikers. Bad weather cancels. 9:30 am at Sloatsburg RR station. Moderately easy hike. 50 Hikes in New Jersey (1997, rev. 1999) $15.95 $12.95 +$2.00 ______Best Hikes w/ Children in the Catskills & Hudson River Valley (2002) $14.95 $11.95 +$2.00 ______AMC Catskill Mountain Guide (2002) $19.95 $15.95 +$2.00 ______Join the volunteers ADK Catskill Day Hikes for All Seasons (2002) $12.95 $10.35 +$2.00 ______ADK Guide to Catskill Trails (1994, repr. 1998) $17.95 $14.40 +$2.00 ______who bring you the great outdoors! Palisades: 100,000 Acres in 100 Years (2001) $27.50 $22.00 +$3.00 ______Combo-Packs Catskill (5-map set & ADK book) $27.80 $21.60 +$2.00 ______1,600 miles of trails and counting; your membership helps us expand Harriman (2-map set & book) $22.40 $17.55 +$2.50 ______our horizons. NY & NJ Walk Books $35.91 $28.73 +$3.50 ______Shawangunk Combo (4-map set & book) $17.90 $13.95 +$2.00 ______Included with membership, Trail Walker, 10% discount on purchases at most outdoor stores, and 20-25% discount on all Trail Conference The Personal Touch maps and books. Note Cards: TC Collection $12.00 $9.60 +$2.00 _____ Support the work of the NY/NJ Trail Conference with your membership. Long-sleeve Denim Shirt Circle: S M L XL $29.90 $22.90 +$4.00 ______Membership Level Individual Joint/Family Polo Shirt (Forest Green) Circle: S M L XL $19.90 $15.50 +$4.00 ______Individual $25 $31 Harriman Map Bandanna $6.95 $5.95 +$1.50 ______Sponsor $50 $60 Conference Logo Patch $2.50 $2.50 postpaid ______Benefactor $100 $120 Long Path Logo Patch $2.75 $2.75 postpaid ______Senior/Student $18 $24 Conference Logo Decal $ .85 $ .85 postpaid ______Life $500 $750 Subtotal ______Postage/handling from above, or $6.00, whichever is LESS ______Name ______For non-clothing items, New Jersey residents add 6% tax* ______Address ______TOTAL ENCLOSED $ ______City ______State______Zip ______Method of Payment: Day Phone ______Evening Phone ______NAME E-MAIL ______Check or money order enclosed ADDRESS Visa Mastercard Amex Check or money order enclosed Visa Mastercard Amex Card #______Card # ______Exp. Date: ___/ ____ CITY STATE ZIP Exp. Date: ___ /___ Signature: ______Make check or money order payable to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, EMAIL TELEPHONE and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Make check or money order payable to NY-NJ Trail Conference, and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley Tax-deductible. Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. For a full descriptive catalog, please write or call 201-512-9348. *Tax must be paid by NJ residents on books, maps, misc., but not on clothing. Thank you!

12 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2004 TRAILWALKER printed on recycled paper