Closed Trails and Bridges New Trail at Teatown Numerous trails and trail bridges Enjoy an easy-moderate hike washed out by storms will likely on a new trail at Teatown be closed for some time. Lake Reservation. READ MORE ON PAGE 5 READ MORE ON PAGE 8

November/December 2011 -New Jersey Trail Conference — Connecting People with Nature since 1920 www.nynjtc.org

nator, worked directly with New York State Trail Conference Dept. of Environmental Conservation In the Wake (DEC) staff and other organizations to to Help Girl Scouts provide real time updates about road and trail conditions on our website, main Face - Celebrate 100 Years book account, and on our Catskill Region’s Facebook page and Twitter accounts. Our Hikes a Focus; of the Storms Volunteers Needed information was shared throughout the region and around the world as people The year 2012 will mark the 100th rail Conference volunteers were As the extent of the damage to Catskill tried to find out about their loved ones, anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA, quick to respond to storm damage communities became evident, Trail Con - roads, and trails throughout the region, as and they are holding a variety of events and Tboth on and off trail in the after - ference volunteer and Catskill Lean-to well as by DEC as they tried to assess and activities to celebrate the occasion. One math of late summer’s tropical storms Supervisor Doug Senterman, along with communicate trail conditions. such program will involve Girl Scout Irene and Lee. Even as flood waters from other employees at Hunter Mountain, When the remnants of tropical storm troops from the entire eastern seaboard of Irene abated, volunteers were sending in organized a network to collect and distrib - Lee came into the Catskills a week and a the US (and elsewhere) participating in reports and photos of washed out trail ute relief supplies. Trail Conference staff half later, the new rains caused the rivers to hikes on the Appalachian Trail (AT). bridges, heavy blow-downs, and flooded and volunteers donated more than two go back into flood stage, though thankful - The project was conceived by the Vir - trails. They were also heading out and fix - ginia Skyline Council of the Girl Scouts, ing problems. based in Roanoke, VA; the plan is for Girl On August 30 Richard Sumner sent a Scouts of every age to participate in hikes full report on access to Harriman State or backpacks along the AT sometime dur - Park: “The east end of Route 106 is closed ing the period from March 12, 2012 (the and badly damaged. The road has obvious - 100th anniversary of the very first Girl ly been used as a riverbed recently!” he Scout meeting) to October 31, 2012 (the began his documentation of trailheads 152nd birthday of the founder of the Girl closed and open. Scouts of the USA, Juliette Low). Activities On August 31, Roland Breault sent in a might range from Daisy Girl Scouts report on the bridges in the Pine Meadow (kindergarten and first grade girls) taking a area of Harriman , an area of the half-hour walk on the trail to high-school park that was especially hard hit: “K akiat age girls taking overnight backpacks. Trail over Stony Brook – completely gone. Also planned are camporees at Girl Scout Stony Brook and Kakiat over Pine Meadow campgrounds near the AT that will include

Brook – Damaged – not safe to use. HTS T hikes from the camp onto the AT. There will T E

Trail over Pine Meadow Brook – complete - G even be an organized group, primarily Girl G A H ly gone. Pine Meadow, 7 Hills and Kakiat Scout alumni, doing a full thru-hike of the S E M

Trails over Pine Meadow Brook – com - A AT; local groups are invited to hike along J pletely gone.” Frank Dogil, Bob Haas and Steve Klauck (not shown) reset the Swamp River AT bridge in Pawling, NY. with them as the come through the area. On September 2, volunteers with the The organizers of “The Great Girl Scout Dutchess-Putnam AT Committee went Hike,” as it has been dubbed, are coordi - chest-deep in water to float the dislodged “It could be worse.” That was the general assessment nating with the Girl Scout councils along Swamp River bridge back into place. By the trail and the hiking community, espe - September 3, Andrew Seirup and his crew of storm related trail damage throughout our region. cially AT maintaining clubs, to help with at in Putnam Many foot bridges are out, and it may be years training and assisting Girl Scout leaders so County had cleared major blow-downs. that they will be comfortable leading hikes Trail crews in all regions changed work before some are replaced. Damage to roads may on the Appalachian Trail. Since the Trail plans to take on post-storm projects. be bigger obstacles to trail access in some areas. Conference is the AT maintaining club for These and other reports relating to trails the states of New York and New Jersey, we were immediately added to a Post-Irene have taken the lead in fostering this coop - Trails Updates page created by the Trail full-size van loads worth of relief goods that ly below the flood levels of Irene. However eration among the Girl Scout councils, the Conference on its website to catalog dam - were distributed to shelters and resource this caused many of the weakened roads, NY and NJ AT management committees, age. News from the beloved Catskill region centers throughout the region. bridges and homes to fail even more. Fol - the Trail Conference’s professional staff, the quickly dominated the page and public The Trail Conference also put its com - lowing this round of damage, DEC closed AT Conservancy (ATC), and the hiking attention: homes, businesses, entire com - munications tools behind relief efforts. Jeff all trails in the Catskills throughout Greene clubs and hikers in the region. munities washed away or severely damaged. Senterman, our Catskill Program Coordi - continued on page 2 continued on page 7

Protection of Land The Trail Conference worked with other groups to add more than 400 acres to the Around Arrow Lake park. The hike was part of a commemora - tive event organized by Paul and JoAnn in Orange County Dolan, long-time Trail Conference mem - Celebrated bers (JoAnn served as executive director), who brought together many of the organi - More than 30 Trail Conference members zations that helped protect the land. The and friends met at the privately owned event also celebrated the site as a healing Arrow Park in Monroe, NY, on September place where relatives and friends of those 30 to explore the lay of the recently protect - who died in 9-11 have gone annually for ed land that has been added to Sterling Forest memorial retreats and ceremonies at a heal - State Park. Rain swollen streams kept our ing totem created and donated by Lummi hike short, but the scenery was inspiring. continued on page 3

VOLUME XXXVIII, N UMBER 6 ISSN 0749-1352

The area in blue indicates two parcels around Arrow Lake in Orange County, NY, that have been added to Sterling Forest State Park. Page 2 November/December 2011

Our Books they became popular in society at large. The disappearance of some of these ideas in Next Generation at a Crossroads our later books may also be a kind of cul - Publishing VOLUME XXXVIII, NO.6NOVEMBER /D ECEMBER 2011 tural commentary. By George Petty Do you have expertise in GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR The first edition of the NYWB was LOUIS LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER The publication of hiking guides and trails aimed at a specific audience, the urban producing books for TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970-100) manuals has been essential to the growth of worker in and around . It (ISSN 0749-1352) is published bi-monthly by electronic publication? the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as a the Trail Conference since 1923, when the was intended to help “the city dweller... The Publications benefit of membership. Subscriptions are first edition of the New York Walk Book make the best use of the precious hours–all available to libraries only at $15.00 a year. (NYWB ) appeared. too few–when he escapes the thralldom of Committee, responsible for Periodical postage paid at Mahwah, N.J., and publishing Trail Conference additional offices. Postmaster: Send address Most everyone has heard that the printed office, shop, or factory.” The authors changes to the address below. Opinions expressed book industry is in trouble. Across the described trails and scenery accessible by books and maps, seeks by authors do not necessarily represent the policy country paper book sales are down at least public transportation, almost always either volunteers with expertise or position of the Conference. Contributions of 15%, and probably more. Your local book - subway or train, and they included the cost typed manuscripts, photos, and drawings are in the area of e-publication welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style store is struggling or has closed already. of the fare. Country dirt roads often and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. Borders is going out of business. formed part of a “tramp,” and “motor to help migrate our catalog Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER In this economic environment, the Trail roads,” better graded and sometimes paved, to the most popular are January 15 (Mar./Apr. issue), March 15 Conference publication program has come were thought of as threats to the wilderness. (May/June issue), May 15 (July/Aug. issue), e-formats. To learn more July 15 (Sept./Oct. issue), September 15 to a crossroads. Shall we continue to pub - In another interesting cultural stance for (Nov./Dec. issue), November 15 (Jan./Feb. lish a broad range of printed books in a the time, the illustrations by Dr. Robert L. and to indicate your interest issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot be declining market? Can we find advantage Dickinson sometimes showed female hikers and experience, please visit acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. For information on advertising rates, please write for our publications in new digital technol - comfortably negotiating woodland obsta - nynjtc.org/volunteer or call. ogy? We are necessarily considering making cles, or standing on the edge of a cliff. Copyright 2011 by: our publications available as downloadable The third edition of the New York Walk New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. e-books, audio books, and in any digital Book , published in 1951, was revised to organization and to the progress of our 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Rt. 202) format technology provides. take account of improved auto roads and society. And we should be eager to contin - Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-512-9348 The continuous publication of our hik - the beginnings of sub-urbanization. While ue publishing them, in any form e-mail: [email protected] ing guides from our earliest years records our publications adapted to the new technology offers, even at some organiza - editorial e-mail: [email protected] our growth as an organization, and the motorized middle class clientele, they tional cost. More than the publications of World Wide Web: www.nynjtc.org expansion of marked and maintained trails regretted the need to omit trails compro - other similar organizations, our books in our area. Perhaps even more important, mised by development. Such comments demonstrate the importance of the Trail it contains commentary on the changing preceded the development of a nationwide Conference in the social history of the cultural sources of our strength: scouting, conservation movement. largest American metropolis, and our long Native American history, pioneering, early Over the years, our publications have leadership in the fields of outdoor recre - origins of the environmental movement, sometimes led, and always participated in, ation and conservation. emergence and welcoming of strong active the changes in metropolitan society, help - women into hiking, and ethnic diversity on ing the Trail Conference grow in size and George Petty is a member of the Trail Confer - the trails. All these ideas appeared in the influence. We can be very proud of the con - ence Publications Committee and author of texts and graphics of our books long before tribution of our books to the growth of our Hiking the Jersey Highlands. Mission Statement The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a federation of member clubs and individuals Mourning Wawayanda State Park New Trail at Silas Condict dedicated to providing recreational hiking opportunities in the region, and representing the As a frequent hiker in the New Jersey Gets Another Thumbs Up interests and concerns of the hiking community. Highlands, I was heartbroken to see the We tried out the new trail at the Silas Con - The Conference is a volunteer-directed public service organization committed to: photo of the pipeline corridor work in dict County Park, based on the Trail Walker • Developing, building, and maintaining Wawayanda State Park, cutting through write-up (Sept./Oct. 2011 issue, page 12), hiking trails. Thanks for the Memories one of the most unspoiled regions of the and, while we did part of the hike in the • Protecting hiking trail lands through That is a great spot Arnab Banerjee caught Highlands ( Trail Walker , September/ rain, we really liked the trail. It had a lot of support and advocacy. • Educating the public in the responsible with his photo (Storm King panorama, October 2011, page 7). Until recently variety in a short space: rock formations, use of trails and the natural environment. Trail Walker , September/October 2011, Wawayanda was one of the most pristine overlooks, picturesque glens, and a few lit - page 1). We know it well. In fact, those are parks in New Jersey with some of the few tle streams to cross. While, as the article Board of Directors Chris Connolly Chair the very rocks we sat upon more than a remaining healthy hemlock communities noted, it is over-blazed in part, we noticed Gaylord Holmes Vice Chair dozen years ago when I proposed to my and old-growth trees. that there were a few sudden turns where James Gregoire Treasurer Daniel Chazin Secretary wife on a hot October afternoon. The pipeline corridor is to be widened there were, surprisingly, no blazes. It is much steeper then it appears in the by 75 feet to more than double its current Though we did not see the “very large Directors Robert Boysen Richard Katsive photo. I recall taking out the ring. It had width. But the ecological damage will bear” that was mentioned in the article, he Jane Daniels Hans Khimm fallen loose from its slot in the box and extend far beyond the additional footage as (or she) did cross our minds as we walked Charlotte Fahn George O’Lear Bill Gannett Edward Saiff rolled out of the box when I opened it. I the increased amount of sunlight encour - through the rock tunnel. We thought this Daniel Hoberman Daniel Van Engel caught it with the other hand. Shaky there ages the growth of invasive plants and part of the trail could be interesting in the Staff for a moment, as you can imagine, but, makes the surrounding forest more vulner - winter, as it looked liked quite a nice den Edward Goodell Executive Director feeling good about it once the ring was able to disease and decay. As any observant for a hibernating bear. Joshua Howard Deputy Executive Director firmly in my grasp. hiker knows, the quality of the forest dete - Keep up the good work. Don Weise Development It had been a hot day and we had limit - riorates for many hundreds of meters Manager ed water. I had somewhat dragged Jennifer before and after crossing a pipeline or pow - — Peter O’Malley & Carol Ciancia Joanne Reinhardt Membership up there. Let’s just say she was a lot happier er line. This is a tragedy for the state of Oakland, NJ Program Manager Jeremy Apgar Cartographer coming down the mountain than going up. New Jersey and for the hiking community. Leigh Draper East Hudson Things have turned out great. Our sec - I live in northeast Pennsylvania where Send Us a Letter Program ond son’s middle name is Hudson, named energy development is rampant and poorly Email it to [email protected]; in the subject Coordinator for the great river we got to know as we got regulated, and the effects are evident at every Chris Ingui New Jersey line, put “letter to TW editor”; or send it to know each other. turn. I hope the people of New Jersey wake Program to Trail Walker Letters, NY-NJ Trail Coordinator Thanks. up to this threat before it is too late. Conference, 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Larry Wheelock West Hudson — Matthew & Jennifer Coulter — Sondra Wolferman Program Mahwah, NJ 07430. Coordinator Pound Ridge, NY Albrightsville, PA Jeff Senterman Catskill Program Coordinator Gary Willick Fulfillment Coordinator Georgette Weir Communications WAKE OF THE STORMS... winds did cause some blow-downs, but the Restoration Fund. Manager continued from page 1 extent of these varied widely among loca - Thank you to everyone who has donated Melissa Bean Program Assistant tions. A number of bridges were lost and and helped with this effort to date. There is The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a and Ulster Counties, and asked us to get some trailheads and their access roads were lots of work ahead. If you want to be part volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is the word out. This temporary closure also damaged. of the volunteer effort, please go to the Vol - a federation of 103 hiking and outdoor groups, and 10,000 individuals. reduced non-essential traffic so emergency Similar findings are being reported from unteer section of our website and complete crews could better operate and target our West Hudson, East Hudson, and New a Volunteer Interest form. resources on the recovery work. Jersey trail regions. Many trail bridges are DEC enlisted the volunteers of the Trail gone or damaged—all foot bridges at Min - Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation Conference and other trail partner organi - newaska were washed away and about half of Trail Walker is a bi-monthly paper published by the New York- zations (including much help from the those in Harriman were destroyed or serious - New Jersey Trail Conference, 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430. The editor and managing editor is Georgette Catskill 3500 Club) to quickly assess almost ly damaged. But for the most part trails seem Weir, at the same address. The annual subscription price is $15; every trail in the Catskills with the aim of to have endured the record-breaking rain and contact person is Georgette Weir; telephone number is 201-512- 9348. The tax status of the organization has not changed getting the region back into business. This floodwaters in surprisingly good shape. during the preceding 12 months. work led directly to the reopening of 95% Thank you volunteers! As of the filing date of September 19, 2011, the average number of the trailheads and trails in the Catskills DEC and other park agencies in New of copies of each issue during the preceding 12 months was within a week of the closure, an economic York and New Jersey are working to devel - 7,205; the actual number of copies of the single issue published N nearest to the filing date was 7,044. The paper has a total paid boost during the peak tourist season for this op plans and funding for the major repairs. A M and/or requested circulation of 7,205 (average) and 7,044 (actu - R hard-hit area. The rest of the trails and trail - In the meantime, the Trail Conference is E T

al, most recent issue). The average free distribution for the 12 N E

heads reopened as access was restored and working closely with our partners to organ - S months preceding the filing date was 3,795 (average) and 3,956 F F

(actual, most recent issue). The total average distribution was serious damage was repaired. ize crews to clear trails and raise funds to E 11,000; the actual distribution of the single issue published near - J est to the filing date was 11,000. The Catskill trails assessment revealed help with reconstruction efforts. Individu - Washed out roads and bridges, such as this This information is reported on U. S. Postal Service Form 3526 that many of the trails in the region came als and member clubs have responded road in Tannersville, NY, are the biggest and here as required by 39 USC 3685. through Irene with minor damage. The generously to our Goodbye lrene Trail obstacles to full trail access in some areas. November/December 2011 Page 3

From the Executive Director Sometimes, I admit, I too am mystified, That we were scheduled to sign an not by our structure but by our extraordi - expanded agreement for trail maintenance The Mystery nary success. How does it happen? Then in the Catskills with DEC on October 6, as events take a turn that dramatically part of the annual Catskill Lark in the Park of the Trail reminds me of the answer: it all works celebration, emerged as a fitting if poignant because of the passion Trail Conference coincidence. DEC’s confidence in the Trail Conference, volunteers bring to their work, the enthusi - Conference’s ability to help manage trails N A

asm with which our members support M in the Forest Preserve was based on 20 years R E

Explained T

them, and because we target our limited N of experience of their staff people working E S

financial resources into supporting volun - F with our volunteers and confirmed by F E teer efforts, not replacing them. J storm related follow-up activities. Volunteers Doug Senterman (left) and Moe Sometimes, I find myself needing to Two events of late summer-early fall each Lemire help deliver relief supplies in the Catskills. The unique partnership that is the Trail explain the Trail Conference to people who brought this reminder forcefully home: the Conference—between passionate volun - are mystified by our organization. immediate response of volunteers to dam - organized the information to begin plan - teers, dedicated staff, and the agencies • The Trail Conference does not own age caused by two tropical storms in quick ning remedial actions. Those remedies charged with managing public open land (except temporarily when we succession—as the story and photo on included getting trail assessments done space—usually works so well that it is bare - buy land during a preservation effort), page 1 show, volunteers didn’t wait for the quickly so as many trails and trailheads ly noticeable. Seasons come and seasons yet we act with the zeal of a landown - water to fully abate before they began fix - could be declared open as soon as possible go, maintainers and crews go out and do er in protecting public open spaces ing problems; and the signing of an and give a boost to the economically impor - their work as volunteers, and millions use and the trails that cross them. agreement with New York State Dept. of tant tourist industry during a peak season. the trails and enjoy the open space unaware • We do not have professional trail Environmental Conservation (DEC) that This quick response proved to be especial - of the careful planning, the logistical feats, builders as staff, yet we build and gives us expanded trail responsibilities in ly important in the Catskills, where and the generous contributions of time and maintain a trail network that now the Catskills—see Jeff Senterman’s regional communities were so hard hit and, for a money that made their experience better. exceeds 1800 miles. report on page 4 for details. time, all trails were declared off-limits by On rare occasions, such as post-Irene • Our trail maps and books are the As our storm story indicates, trail chairs, DEC. Volunteers were able to quickly report and Lee, the spotlight shines on the contri - gold standard in the regions they supervisors, crew members, and other vol - to the agency that trails were in better shape butions of our volunteers and reminds us cover, yet they are produced by a unteers such as Trudy Pojman, Richard than many had feared, and DEC reopened all that if there is mystery in the work of the committee of volunteers. Sumner, Roland Breault, Andrew Seirup, most of them before the important Colum - Trail Conference, it is that so many are so • We do not pay for a webmaster or Susan Sterngold, Frank Dogil, Bob Haas, bus Day weekend, providing a much-needed energetically dedicated. social media consultants, yet we have Steve Klauck, Doug Senterman, and so tourist boost to the battered Catskills. a content-rich website that gets many more—needed no prodding to get Throughout our regions, the collabora - 2.5 million pageviews a year and out on trails to assess damage. Information tive work between our volunteers, staff, and half-a-million unique visitors. started streaming into the office before the agency partners in the wake of the storms • We are not a hiking club, yet we rain and wind stopped. Our teams of vol - was, quite frankly, inspiring. More than are a primary resource for hikers. unteers and staff immediately posted their trails were at stake and Trail Conference — Edward Goodell reports on our website for public awareness, volunteers and staff stepped up to the chal - Executive Director shared them with our agency partners, and lenges energetically. [email protected]

ARROW LAKE continued from page 1 Future of Trail Walker: Tribe of Washington State. The Trail Conference, with support pro - Send Us Your Thoughts vided by a $5,000 grant from the New York-North Jersey Chapter of the Beginning in 2012, we plan to publish Trail Walker every three Appalachian Mountain Club, led the effort months. (It is now published every two months.) This change is a to preserve a 61-acre parcel owned by result of the increasing reliance many of our members and other Mehran Shirazi that helps buffer Arrow trail lovers put on our electronic communications, in particular, our Lake and the Appalachian Trail in Monroe (Orange County). The Shirazi parcel fea - website and e-Walker newsletter. These are particularly useful in R A

tures a 1,000-foot high ridgeline, extensive G

P sharing time-sensitive information—such as unexpected trail A

wetlands, a stream that feeds Arrow Lake, Y M

E closures, workshop schedules, crew outings, and advocacy alerts. R

woods, and rock outcrops, and is now part E of Sterling Forest State Park. Together with The water was at full flow into Arrow Lake J Our expectation is that we will use Trail Walker less for these an adjacent parcel previously purchased on property that the Trail Conference categories of information and more for feature articles about trails, from the privately owned Arrow Park by helped protect. parks, and, especially, volunteers. What would you like to see in our Orange County Land Trust (OCLT), this makes 462 acres that have been added to landscape and state park that is an impor - print newsletter? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. Sterling Forest State Park. tant part of the Hudson Valley’s $4.7 These strategic preservation projects sig - billion tourism industry,” said Ethan Win - nificantly enhance the Appalachian Trail ter, New York Conservation Manager for corridor and viewshed by creating a pro - the Land Trust Alliance. “This project tected land buffer along the northern edge demonstrates how New York’s Environ - of Sterling Forest. The Trail Conference mental Protection Fund can enable local will work with park managers to develop communities, New York State, and part - appropriate trails in the area. ners like the New York-New Jersey Trail Arrow Park has operated as a private Conference to strengthen and invest in the non-commercial retreat since 1948. Since region’s natural assets.” 9-11, it has been used extensively by fami - lies of the New York Fire Department. Financial support for Trail Conference work “The Shirazi preservation project repre - on this project came from the Environmental sents a great accomplishment and an Protection Fund and the New York State outstanding partnership. We applaud the Conservation Partnership Program in New York-New Jersey Trail Conference for Collaboration with the Land Trust Alliance expanding recreational opportunities for and the state Department of Environmental New Yorkers while adding to the preserva - Conservation. tion of Sterling Forest, a cherished R A G P A

Y M E R E J Hikers pass Arrow Lake toward land recently added to Sterling Forest State Park. Page 4 November/December 2011

with this strengthened partnership. Regional Field Notes I continued making visits to local busi - nesses and taking part in discussions and meet-and-greets throughout the Catskills. Catskills Our volunteers and staff helped collect This included giving a talk on the history relief goods and assess and clear trails, of the Catskill trails at the Hunter Village S I

Jeff Senterman, enabling the reopening of many of them. Square Bookstore and a meet-and-greet at G A D

Catskills Program Coordinator On October 6, we finalized our Adopt- Morgan Outdoors in Livingston Manor. E G R

[email protected] A-Natural-Resource (AANR) agreement Morgan Outdoors is also the Catskill O E with New York Dept. of Environmental Region’s newest Retail Partner with the G Ed Goodell accepts Adopt-A-Natural- Storm damage and Conservation (DEC). This replaces our Trail Conference. Members receive 10% Resource agreement from NYS-DEC cleanup was the big news original Memorandum of Understanding off non-sale items when they show their Nautral Resource Supervisor Bill Rudge. in the Catskills these past that was signed in 1990 when the Trail membership card at checkout. few months and is bound Conference was asked by DEC to begin Our work with the Kaaterskill Rail closely with DEC staff on a number of relo - to be a continuing story maintaining trails in the Catskills. This Trail continues (see last issue, page 1). We cations and new trails, including the (see page 1). Our trails new agreement allows the Trail Confer - hope to start clearing the trail this fall and relocation of the Long Path near Woodland suffered some damage, ence to take on additional trail work, get in place the last of the easements and Valley, a new trail to Silver Hollow Notch, but the most significant harm, other than creates a quicker process for adopting new agreements, including an amended DEC and several smaller relocations throughout to homes and businesses, was to roadways trails, and calls for more recognition of Unit Management Plan, which will allow the region. Next summer our trail crews are and bridges—affecting access to some Trail Conference contributions at trail - for the opening of the trail this spring. going to be very busy in the Catskills help - trailheads—and to bridges on our trails. heads and in DEC reports. We’re pleased Our volunteers and staff are working ing to build miles of new trails!

New Jersey Counties from March through Decem - placed in a virtual library, allowing Trail of the proposed 25-year lease agreement, Chris Ingui, ber. We aimed to recruit additional Conference volunteers to better assess which, according to our calculations, is a New Jersey Program Coordinator volunteers for this crew through work - trails and communicate needs to partner rate far below fair market land rates in the [email protected] shops in basic trail construction and agencies. Trail Conference intern Patrick region. We urge the State of New Jersey to design scheduled for October at the Czernizer of Pascack Valley High School, seek more just compensation. New North Jersey Ramapo Valley County Reservation, is pioneering the field work portion of the At public hearings, TGPC spokesmen Trail Crew Launches where field work was to focus on several inventory. We expect to recruit addition - said the company: will build bridges over After a series of introduc - trails that were severely damaged by ero - al volunteers when the work plan is ditches to allow for trail crossings at all tory workshops held in sion after Hurricane Irene. If you are finalized. It is hoped that with this project, pipeline intersections during construc - the Ramapo Valley Coun - interested in joining this new crew for one a Trail Conference standard can be created tion; monitor and eliminate invasive ty Reservation in mid of their work dates, please check our crew for cataloging the conditions of trails and species at the 125-foot-wide worksites for October, a new North Jer - schedules online or email bearclawtrail - trail structures that eventually can be used a period of three years after construction; sey Trail crew has been launched. The [email protected]. in all our regions. install ATV deterrents such a gates and crew, which has been given the name Bear rock “moonscaping” along the pipeline Claw Crew, will be led by Trail Confer - Trail Inventory Begins Pipeline Update route; and for three years monitor and ence volunteer Rich Raschdorff. Rich Thanks to a 2010 New Jersey Recreation - Impacts to be caused to parks and trails replace as needed all trees planted in the brings with him years of outdoor leader - al Trails Grant, the Trail Conference has by construction of the Tennessee Gas work spaces outside the 75-foot right of ship experience including being president launched an in depth inventory of trail Pipeline through northern New Jersey way; purchase for protection open space of the New York Adventure Racing Asso - conditions in Wawayanda and High Point continue to be of concern to the Trail at a rate of 4:1 for what they use. The Trail ciation (NYARA) for five years. Rich has State Parks, and Worthington and Stokes Conference. Staff and volunteers attended Conference urges that the land purchased already recruited three volunteer Crew State Forests. The inventory will be con - hearings on the project in August and adjoin the existing parkland that they are Leaders including, Frank Schoof, David ducted by volunteers using Trimble GPS September, and the Trail Conference has impacting. Chase, and Brian Beckenbaugh, all regu - units to catalog trail structures including submitted comments to New Jersey Visit nynjtc.org/issue/tennesee-gas- lar Trail Conference volunteers. The bridges, staircases, and crib walls, points of Dept. of Environmental Protection. pipeline-northern-new-jersey for details crew’s goal will be to hold four work trips interest, and areas in need of repair work. Our biggest objection, given the and links, including to our full comments. a month in Bergen, Passaic, and Essex Photos will be linked to every point and inevitability of the project, is to the terms

East Hudson and NYC Parks & Recreation, with busi - ness and donor support, purchased two Leigh Draper, new beach wheelchairs for Orchard Beach. East Hudson Program Coordinator The beach has a mobility mat that enables [email protected] wheelchair-bound users to access the sand; however, a wheelchair cannot go beyond East Hudson the mat’s end. A beach wheelchair is made S K

Community Trails R with larger, lightweight wheels, similar to a A P

Y

A joint program with T dune buggy that allows it to travel across I C

Teatown Lake Reservation. K the sand to the water. Orchard Beach is the R O Y The Fishkill Greenway only public beach in the Bronx and is vis - W E N

Trail Committee has re- ited by over 1 million people a season. This Y S E

formed and is eager to get T fall the Friends will continue to restore the R U

local support. The proposed trail will run O Orchard Beach Meadow. Contact C parallel to the Hudson River extending Visitors get a sneak peak at Fresh Kills, Staten Island, as it transitions from landfill to city park. [email protected] for information. from the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge at I- NYC Parks held the second annual 84 to the Wappinger Greenway Trail at of every month and seeks volunteers to after Tropical Storm Irene. A bridge on Sneak Peek of the 2,200-acre Fresh Kills the Fishkill-Wappinger boundary. Total serve on key sub-committees to promote the AT over the Swamp River was dis - Landfill, located on Staten Island’s west length: approximately 2 miles. The and implement the project. For info: lodged and floated back into place just shore, as it begins to transform into NYC’s Fishkill Greenway Trail is expected to www.facebook.com/fishkillgreenway days after the storm. Some erosion repair biggest park. Trail Conference volunteers become part of the much larger Hudson Crews in Fahnestock and Hudson will be ongoing. Contact the East Hud - assisted with hosting visitors to the site. River Greenway Trail that will eventually Highlands State Parks and the son Program Coordinator to find out Learn more at www.nycgovparks.org. run from Manhattan to Albany. The Dutchess/Putnam County section of the about joining a work date or trail crew. committee will meet the second Tuesday Appalachian Trail provided trail clean-up Metro: The Friends of Pelham Bay Park

West Hudson over Fly Brook completely destroyed. fine. A significant number of blow-downs Larry Wheelock, In Harriman and Bear Mountain State have been reported. At Schunemunk West Hudson Program Coordinator Parks, of 36 trail bridges, 16 maintained Mountain S. P. there have been a couple [email protected] by the Trail Conference are in good order, reports of wash-outs and some blow- 11 need to be replaced completely or get downs. Black Rock Forest trails are being Hurricane Irene left lots of major repairs, two are useable but will repaired by the maintenance staff there work for our illustrious need some repair. Of the remaining and were all open at this time (though the chain saw crew, but the bridges maintained by the park, five are in preserve closes to hikers during hunting big post-storm issue in the good shape; one, the Stahahe Brook Trail season). We have not received any reports West Hudson region is over Stahahe Brook, was completely of significant damage from Sterling Forest trail bridges. washed away, stone structures and all; S. P. – just some blow-downs.

In Minnewaska State while the Nurian Iron bridge over the How long will all this take to repair? I’d E R E U

Park all four foot bridges over the Peters Ramapo River in Southfields appeared to guess a couple years to get every bridge O F

E

Kill, (Mossy Glen Trail, Blueberry Run be structurally sound but was blocked back in place and up to standards. Of D U A

Trail, and two on the High Peters Kill with debris and missing steps on the west course, critical issues will be looked to L C - N

Trail) were washed away. We’re helping end as of late September. The park first. With the help of hikers and hiking A E J the park assess replacement priorities planned to clear this quickly. clubs, we will assist the parks with fund - Volunteers turned out for a work trip to based on use and safety issues. In addi - In Storm King S. P. the one bridge over ing and volunteers to start work on repair storm damage at Minnewaska tion, carriage ways suffered severe erosion, the ledges on the Stillman/Highlands replacing them. State Park Preserve. with the Lower Awosting Carriage Way Trail on the east face of the mountain is November/December 2011 Page 5

WEST JERSEY CREW SPECIAL PROJECTS Invasives Strike Leaders: Monica and David Day Trail Crew Phone: 732-937-9098 Cell: 908-307-5049 The Trail Conference frequently collabo - Email: [email protected] rates with Friends groups, park and Force Expands Website: www.trailstobuild.com preserve land managers, and our member Schedules clubs and organizations on special trail Operations Note: Check our webpage or at projects. Often, these welcome new vol - www.nynjtc.org/content/trail-crew-schedules for unteers and provide training. The Invasives Strike Force is closing in on a Late Fall 2011 expanded schedule and details. very successful first season of monitoring BEAR MOUNTAIN TRAILS PROJECT Individual Trail Conference All events begin at 9am. Please phone/email the Trail Conference partners include the Appalachian and managing invasive plants along the hik - volunteers and those with our leaders for meeting location and driving directions. Trail Conservancy, National Park Service ing trails we maintain. This year we trained member clubs keep 1800+ miles There is usually a walk to the work site, so please be Appalachian Trail Park Office, NYS Office of Parks, over 100 volunteers to identify a set of 14 of trails open for the public. In there on time (call the leaders’ cell phone if you are Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the common, wide-spread invasive plants. We coming to an event and are running late). Rain can - addition, we field regional crews Palisades Interstate Park Commission. had volunteers come from all over the cels—if in doubt, call the leaders between 6 and region. Most of our volunteers were Trail of volunteers who take on the 6:30 that morning. Through November 20 heavy lifting of building new Conference members, but we also had sever - Thursday-Monday, 8:30am-4:30pm al master gardeners who were participating trails, rehabilitating damaged Carpooling: if anyone is interested in carpooling Work trips involve a variety of tasks, such as: trails, and constructing bridges. (offering a ride or riding), please let the leaders corridor clearing, prepping work sites, quarrying in their first Trail Conference activity. We know and we will try to arrange a shared ride. stone, using an overhead highline to transport also trained several people from outside the Check our website for possible (Passengers please be prepared to contribute stone, creating crushed stone (with mash and region who were interested in setting up additions or changes to schedules. for gas.) sledge hammers), building crib walls, setting similar programs in their own areas. Go to www.nynjtc.org and click on rock steps, and splitting stone. Thanks go to the organizations that Trail Crews in the Get Involved tab. Saturday, November 5 hosted training sessions at their facilities: Post-Irene trail work at a location TBD. While training is provided every day, individuals Flat Rock Brook Nature Center in Bergen TBD = To Be Determined who have no trail building experience are County, NJ; NJ DEP Div. of Fish & Saturday, November 12 REQUIRED to either attend one Trail U course on For all trips bring work gloves, water, Post-Irene trail work at a location TBD. Bear Mountain or a Trail Building 101 course at Wildlife’s Pequest Trout Hatchery; Teatown lunch, insect repellent. In some cases, another location. If you cannot meet these Lake Reservation in Westchester, NY;, and tools are provided. Contact leaders in WEST HUDSON SOUTH CREW requirements but still wish to volunteer, please Highlands Environmental Research Insti - Leaders: Chris Ezzo (crew chief): 516-431-1148, advance for meeting times and places. contact [email protected]. tute (HEnRI) in Sterling Forest, NY. [email protected] Collectively, our Invasives Strike Force REGIONAL TRAIL CREWS Bob Marshall: 914-737-4792, [email protected] volunteers have given us a solid start on our monitoring program. They have surveyed FRIENDS OF PELHAM BAY PARK Thursday, November 10 Leader: Clinton Robinson Will work in Gorge more than 132 miles of trails so far – 83 Phone: 347-512-5048 Leader: Bob Marshall miles in New Jersey and 49 miles in New Email: [email protected] York. Several volunteers have surveyed Saturday, November 12 more than 5 miles of trails each. Saturday, November 5 Work and location TBD A team of interns from the NJ Invasives Location TBD Leader: Chris Ezzo Strike Team (NJISST) completed almost Clear invasives in Huntington Woods. NEW NORTH JERSEY BEAR CLAW TRAIL CREW 15 miles on New Jersey trails as they sur - Contact: [email protected] veyed for 79 plants that are emerging as invasive in the area but are not yet wide- As of the deadline for this issue, this new crew was spread. Our set of 11 invasives that we are planning its November/December schedule. targeting for our Phase 2 surveys is drawn from this comprehensive NJISST list. Fif - teen of our Invasives Strike Force cantly damaged or totally destroyed by hur - inventory that guided this assessment. volunteers were trained to identify these ricane Irene. Locations that are impractical Many other volunteers contributed to post- Phase 2 species, and they surveyed 44 miles to cross or pose significant difficulty are as storm examinations and reporting. of trails for emerging invasives. follows. — John Mack, Trails Chair for Trail News • Hillburn-Torne-Sebago Trail over Harriman- “It was slow going at first Pine Meadow Brook: The bridge (just above Cascade of Slid) is gone. Attempting but then it picked up. Now to cross is inadvisable due to swift current See West Hudson Field Notes, page 4. I find myself [identifying] and proximity to the cascade. Pipe Work to Close Trails in • Kakiat Trail bridge over Stony Brook these invasives just in Popolopen Gorge into Spring 2012 is gone; crossing is impractical. Bridges are out on School Mountain Road passing (driving/hiking). Work to replace a water line that runs • Long Path bridge over Horsechock (multiuse trail) at junction with Fahne - through the Popolopen Gorge has closed Creek , just north of Call Hollow Road is stock Trail (0.4 mile from Hubbard Lodge) Never thought that would the Popolopen Gorge Trail and portions of gone. Passage can be achieved by use of and at junction with Perkins Trail (one the 1779, 1777W and Timp Torne Trails. nearby “Old Turnpike” and crossing at the washed out, one severely damaged). have been possible! The closure was announced by the Pal - first reservoir. Gathering the data was isades Interstate Park Commission in • Nurian Trail Bridge over the Ramapo September and will affect trails for a dis - River between NYS Route 17 and the • Black Creek Bridge on AT near Canal interesting and I did enjoy tance of 2.2 miles through the Gorge. Thruway is impassable as of this writing; Road is closed. learning about plant The Queensboro Water Transmission the structure is secure. The Park expects to • Long House Creek Bridge on AT near Main Replacement work will involve direc - have it open within a short period. Bearfort Mountain/Greenwood Lake is identification in general.” tional drilling and trenching, likely • Pine Meadow, Kakiat, & 7-Hills washed out. — ISF volunteer including some blasting, to replace the old Trails bridge over Pine Meadow Brook is • Green Brook Bridge is washed out near aqueduct that provides water to Bear gone. Some users are wading through two- Warwick Tpke. on Terrace Pond North trail. Mountain facilities. The project is expect - foot deep water over the very rocky stream • Long Pond Bridge over the Wanaque Riv - As of the deadline for this issue, we had ed to last into the spring of 2012. The work bottom at the former bridge location to er at Hasenclever/Sterling Ridge/Highlands work trips scheduled to remove invasive will destroy the trail surface; reconditioning reach Pine Meadow Lake. Trails is washed out. populations along a northern section of the of the surface is included in the work plan. • Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail bridge • In Stokes State Forest, Tillman Ravine and Otter Hole Trail in Norvin Green State The map below indicates (yellow out - just south of the departure of R-D Trail Stony Lake Trails are closed. Crigger, Grau, Forest in New Jersey. The ISF Trail Crew line) the area of the trails to be closed. Also from the Appalachian Trail (south of and Sunrise Mtn. Rds. are also closed. will be implementing our management indicated on the map is the location of the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area) is gone. portion of the Invasives Strike Force pro - former Popolopen Creek bridge that was Bypass is possible by utilizing a short sec - gram using the data collected in our washed aside by Hurricane Irene. Replace - tion of the ski/biking trail. DEC has stated these trails and trailheads monitoring efforts. ment or repair of this long fiberglass bridge • Stahahe Brook Trail: This major will remain closed due to trail damage I’d like to thank all of our volunteers who will be an extended process, and a bridge, on the old Harriman Arden Road and/or damage to roads that access the helped us achieve our goals this year and timetable is not yet in place. over Stahahe Brook south of the Elk Pen, is trails. We will post updates at start our first season off so well. totally washed out; crossing is not possible. nynjtc.org/content/catskill-trails-updates. — Linda Rohleder, ISF project manager • Timp-Torne, 1777E & 1779 Trails • Biscuit Brook Trailhead over Popolopen Creek: Crossing the • Giant Ledge Trailhead Trail Conference member and volunteer Lin - Creek is not possible (see first item regard - • Lost Clove Trailhead da Rohleder is a PhD candidate at Rutgers ing Popolopen Gorge Trail closings.) • Kenape Brook () University in the Dept. Ecology, Evolution, • Stony Brook/Kakiat Trails bridge • McKinely Hollow Trailhead and Natural Resources over Pine Meadow Brook has been • Rider Hollow Trailhead repaired thanks to ever ambitious volun - • Seager Trailhead teer Roland Breault. • Slide Mountain Trailhead (Oliverea, Hunting Season Crossing with due care is possible at sev - Town of Shandaken, Ulster County) Late Fall is Hunting Season in both eral additional sites where less significant • Spruceton Trailheads (including the New York and New Jersey. Find bridges are missing or damaged. A sched - Spruceton Trail Trailhead and the Dia - details and links on our website: Post-Storm Status Report: ule for rebuilding bridges is undetermined mond Notch Trailhead). nynjtc.org/news/deer-hunting-dates- Trails and Trail Bridges That Are at this time and will be done in cooperation new-york-and-new-jersey-2011 Expected to Be Closed for Some Time with park staff. Use of our trail maps is rec - Also find great No Hunting Zones ommended for planning hikes to avoid for hiking: http://www.nynjtc.org/ these known obstacles. content/top-10-nohunting-hike- All known trail bridge locations (36) have Thanks go to Arnie Seymour-Jones for areas-new-york-and-new-jersey been examined: 11 bridges were signifi - his exceptional effort in creating the bridge Page 6 November/December 2011 HHII KERSKERS’’ ALMANACALMANAC A Sampling of Upcoming Hikes Sponsored by Member Clubs

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

November Saturday, November 19 Sunday, November 27 Sunday, December 4 ADK-MH. Bear Mountain Area, Harriman State Park, NY. ADK-MH. Northern Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Russ AFW. Lake Wanoksink, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: call Saturday, November 5 Leaders: Jean-Claude Fouere and Georgette Weir, Faller, [email protected], 845-297-5126; call before 973-644-3592 or visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and VSHC. Blydenburgh County Park, Smithtown, NY. Leader: Joel [email protected], 845-462-1909. Meet: Contact leaders for 9:30pm. Meet: 9am at Rt. 9W parking about four miles south of to register. Meet: 9:30am; register for location. Moderate hike at Berman, 516-608-9880. Meet: Contact leader for meeting time meeting time and place, and car pooling arrangements. 8 strenu - Bear Mtn. Bridge. Strenuous hike of 11 miles (early out option is 7.5 a moderate pace; out by 2:30pm. and place. 5 miles around Blydenburgh Lake. ous miles. Our second “Walk the Past” hike will take us near miles). From just south of Jones Pt., we’ll head over the Timp, UCHC. Coppermines Trail, Delaware Water Gap, NJ. Leader: WTA. Parker Cabin Mountain, Harriman State Park, NY. several old mines. Lake Askoti to Times Square (of Harriman, not West, Bald and Dunderburg Mountains. The route maximizes Pat Horsch, 908-693-8331. Meet: 10am at Coppermines parking Leader: Marvin Malater, 718-376-3608. Meet: 10:17am at Tuxedo, NYC!), then Surebridge road to Long Path. We will discuss mining viewpoints, with fantastic panoramas of the Hudson River and lot, Old Mine Rd. Moderately strenuous 5 miles; not for beginners. NY, parking; contact leader for details and public transportation. history in the Hudson Valley and its past importance. NYC skyline. Visit to Cornell Mine. Rain cancels. Climb at a moderate pace up to AT and Catfish Pond. Traction 7-8 moderate miles with hills. Lunch at gem-like Lake Skenonto, NYR. Bloomfield Avenue, End to End, NJ. Leader: Camille Coop - WTA. After Thanksgiving Hike, Turkey Mountain Preserve, NY. aids may be needed. stop at Claudius Smith’s Den on the return. er, 212-838-0714, [email protected]. Meet: Take Leader: Carolyn Hoffman, [email protected], 914-948- Saturday, December 10 SW. Bridges and Waterways of Central Park, NY. Leader: 8:30am Lakeland bus (#46) from Port Authority Bus Terminal to 0608. Meet: 9:30am at North White Plains train station for AMC-NYNJ. Stahahe Views, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Matthew Brozyna, 917-912-9533. Meet: 9am at atrium entrance, Arlington Plaza park & ride (one-way). Follow old Bloomfield shuttle; trans. contribution $3. Easy 3 miles at Turkey Mountain, Christine Benton, [email protected], 347-464-6367; call 59th St. at Columbus Circle, Manhattan. Moderately paced 8-mile Avenue in Parsippany through Montville, to W. Caldwell, then with great views from the top, then optional easy 2 mile walk on before 8:30pm. Meet: contact leader for meeting place and time. walk admiring many of the architectural wonders of Central Park. through five more towns including Montclair, ending in Newark. the North County Trailway. Hilly 9 miles but at a moderate pace with stops to admire scenery; We’ll walk up to the Harlem Meer at 100th St., finish at Sheep’s Possible detours into parks en route. UCHC. Palisades Interstate Park, Alpine, NY/NJ. Leader: Jay expect to be out about 4pm. Valley of Boulders, Stahahe High Pt., Meadow. Expect the walk to take about 5 hours. Rain or shine! VSHC. Connetquot River State Park, Oakdale, NY. Leader: Joel Dibble, 908-289-8813. Meet: 10am at Stateline Lookout. 6 miles, Black Rock, and visits to Boston Mine and Green Pond. Non-members $3. Berman, 516-608-9880. Meet: contact leader for meeting time mostly flat with one 400-foot climb, at moderate pace. Beautiful ADK-MH. Lake to Lake Hike in Southern Harriman State Park, IHC. Wildcat Ridge Wildlife Management Area, NJ. Leader: Jim and place. 5 miles. views of the Hudson River from both the shore and cliff top; out NY. Leader: Russ Faller, [email protected], 845-297-5126; McKay, 973-538-0756 or [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am by 2pm. SW. Hudson River Saunter on the Jersey Side, NJ. Leader: call before 9:30pm. Meet: 9am at Lake Skannatati parking, Seven at Wildcat Ridge (Hibernia Rd.) parking lot, Rt. 513 (Green Pond Matthew Brozyna, 917-912-9533. Meet: 9:15am at Info Booth in IHC. , NY. Leader: Dave Sutter, 973-778- Lakes Dr.; shuttle required. Strenuous 7.5 miles. One of the most Rd.), Rockaway, NJ. We will hike 6 to 7 miles at a moderate pace George Washington Bridge bus terminal, 178th St. and Broadway. 0992 or [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am at Butter Hill–Storm King beautiful hikes in Harriman. We’ll climb Black Rock, Tom Jones to the hawk watch and then to the Beach Glen area on some old 14+ mile moderately paced walk. We’ll walk across the bridge, Rt. 9W parking area. Moderately strenuous. Eagle's aerie hike and Parker Cabin Mountains, ending at Lake Sebago. Traction and new trails. Rain or foul weather cancels. then south along the Palisades and New Jersey shore, ending at with 11 stars on our map. Count them. Return thru ancient clove. aids (or snowshoes) may be required. Rain cancels. Sunday, November 6 the new pier near Jersey City. Visually stunning, 7+ hour saunter. Rain or foul weather cancels. Joint with AMC. SW. Great South Bay and Bayard Arboretum, NY. Leader: Return to Manhattan via PATH train. Rain or snow cancels. Non- NYR. Wildcat Mountain Trail, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Quinn Pham, 631-234-5486; call 8-10pm and morning of hike. members $3. Shizuko Okumura, 718-997-6186. Meet: Take 8:30am Shortline Meet: 10:33am at Great River, NY, LIRR train station (take 9:16 bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Harriman, NY (one-way). EHTPS. Long Island Cranberry and Dune Hike, NY. Leader: Lee Editors’ Photo Pick LIRR from Penn Station to Great River). 6 or 11 miles at a moder - Strenuous hike. We’ll take Sapphire Trail to Indian Hill and Furnace Dion 631-375-2339. Meet: 10am at the end of Napeague Harbor ately brisk pace. Hike to fantastic view of the bay in Heckscher loops, then Wildcat Mountain Trail to Rt. 17A where we’ll cross the Road, off Rte. 27 in Napeague. There is something romantic about Selected from submissions State Park, then explore the beautiful arboretum. Bad weather Thruway and take Parker Cabin Hollow Trail to the White Bar. picking wild cranberries just in time for your Thanksgiving table. cancels. Non-members $3. Then out to Tuxedo via the WB and RD Trails. Join Lee for the 12th anniversary of this 1.5-mile hike. We will learn on our Flickr site by web AFW. Timp Torne, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: call 973- about the walking dunes and spend some time picking cranberries. NYHC. Bear Mountain State Park, NY. Leader: Bob Ward, 718- 644-3592 or visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to Bring a plastic bag and wear low boots for the bog. He will also give photo editor Arnab Banerjee 471-7036; call after 8pm for meeting time. Meet: Port Authority register. Meet: 10am; register for location. Moderate to strenuous away his secret cranberry recipe. Recommended for families. Bus Terminal info booth in north building; call for time. Easy and Trail Walker editor hike at a moderate pace; out by 3pm. 3 miles. Walk the lowest point on the Appalachian Trail and visit Sunday, November 20 VSHC. Paumanok Trail, Suffolk County, NY. Leader: David animals native to our area. Then take a long leg-stretcher before AMC-NYNJ. Island Pond, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Joe Georgette Weir taking the 5:19pm bus back to the city. Spiwak, 516-764-0607. Meet: Contact leader for meeting time and Bonner, [email protected]. Meet: contact leader for place. 5 mile section of this 46-mile trail. AFW. Doodletown, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: call 973- meeting place and time. Moderately paced 9 miles with some 644-3592 or visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to hills. Hike from Lake Skannatati to Island Pond and back; several Sunday, December 11 register. Meet: 9:30am; register for location. Moderate hike at a views and only moderate hills. Heavy rain cancels. Limited to 12. NYHC. Staten Island, Towns and Woods, NY. Leader: Bettye Soffer, 718-720-1593; call 7-9pm. Meet: Take 10:30am Staten Island leisurely pace; out by 2:30pm. WTA. Teatown Lake Reservation, NY. Leader: Herb Hochberg, Ferry from Manhattan, then S74 bus to meet leader at Spring St. Saturday, November 12 [email protected], 914-723-6566. Meet: 9am at North in Staten Island. Call to register. Moderate 4-5 miles. Hike to top of White Plains train station for shuttle; trans. contribution $3. Mod - AFW. South Mountain Reservation, NJ. Leader: call 973-644- , then wander through residential streets with interesting erate 7 miles. Enjoy the less frequented trails at Teatown. Return 3592 or visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to homes and holiday decorations. Possible visit to High Rock Park. register. Meet: 10am; register for location. Moderate hike at a to NWP by 4pm. UCHC. Jockey Hollow National Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: moderate pace; out by 2pm. NYHC. Staten Island Beach Hike, NY. Leader: Ray Krant, 718- Mae Deas, 908-233-6641. Meet: 10am at visitor center parking lot 435-4994; call before 10pm. Meet: 10:15am at Staten Island Ferry UCHC. Pyramid Mountain Reservation, NJ. Leader: Gail A. 4-5 miles in this historical park. Rain cancels. Waimon, 973-467-4661. Meet: 10am at Pyramid Mountain parking waiting room (Manhattan side). Easy terrain, 6 miles. Beach hike lot. Brisk 5 miles. Rain cancels. from Tottenville to Pleasant Plains. Variety of scenery and views IHC. Bare Rock and Sterling Ridge, Sterling Forest State Park, of marine life and coastal regions. NY. Leaders: Guy & Jennifer Percival, 973-590-7437 or Sunday, November 13 [email protected]. Meet: 9am Sterling Forest Visitor Center. AFW. Merrill Creek Reservoir Environmental Preserve, NJ. AMC-NYNJ. Breakneck Up, Over and Out Early, Hudson High - We will explore the new Bare Rock Trail then return to the visitors Leader: call 973-644-3592 or visit www.adventuresforwomen.org lands State Park, NY. Leader: Nathan Baker, 862-591-6844, center. Bare Rock offers very pretty views both north and south. for info and to register. Meet: 10am; register for location. [email protected]. Meet: Contact leader for meeting place Strenuous 9 miles total in loop. Rain or foul weather cancels. Moderate hike at a moderate pace; out by 2pm. and time. 6 miles. Slow climb up this steep, exposed ridge, then Saturday, December 17 steady but moderate pace with few breaks so we can be out early. IHC. Wawayanda to Pinwheel Vista, NJ. Leader: Steve Rikon, 973-962-4149 or [email protected]. Meet: 9am Wawayanda AMC-NYNJ. Cornell Climb, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: WTA. Two Lakes in Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Carol Ann State Park Ranger Station, Hewitt, NJ, then drive to Rt. 94/AT Christine Benton, [email protected], 347-464-6367; call Benton, [email protected]. Meet: 9:45am at Lake crossing site and climb up the “Stairway to Heaven” to viewpoint; before 8:30pm. Meet: contact leader for meeting place and time. Sebago boat launch parking. 7 moderate miles. Beautiful hike then hike eastward back through the park a distance of about Hilly 8 miles. Strenuous terrain at a moderate pace with stops to combining Seven Hills Trail (climb up Diamond Mountain), woods 7 miles. Moderately strenuous. Shuttle required. Rain or foul admire scenery; expect to be out at about 4pm. Up Cornell Trail roads and several other trails past Pine Meadow Lake and Lake weather cancels. to Bald Mtn., then on to the Timp, where we’ll look down on the Wanosink. Bad weather cancels. turkey vultures. Saturday, November 26 O

NYHC. Riverside Park, NY. Leader: Bob Ward, 718-471-7036; call K

N ADK-MH. Sugarloaf, Woodstock, NY. Leader: David Koehler, to register after 8pm. Meet: 11am at NW corner of W. 72nd St. and AMC-NYNJ. Skannatati Skedaddle, Harriman State Park, NY. E H [email protected], 917-613-2043. Meet: contact leader for C

Broadway. Easy 3 miles. Walk this lovely park along the Hudson Leader: Art Almeida, 914-271-8659, [email protected]. B U meeting place and time. 7 strenuous miles, 1800 ft. elevation L Meet: contact leader for meeting place and time. Hilly 9 miles but and view statues plus three gravesites. E

K gain. To the summit of Sugarloaf and back, passing small water - at a moderate pace. Steep initial climb, then wander around as I M falls, a massive beaver dam, and mysterious Dibbles Quarry. SW. Astoria, Queens, Shoreline Walk, NY. Leader: Ellen, 212-861- many interesting trails as we can find. Crampons/stabilicers or 4261. Meet: 11am at Ditmars Blvd. subway station (take N or Q Dragonfly along trail at Snowshoes or traction aids may be required. snowshoes may be required, if appropriate. in Westchester County. train); call to confirm walk is still on. Walk 5 miles along Astoria’s AFW. Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: call 973-644-3592 or SW. Walk Off the Turkey – Battery to Little Red Lighthouse, shoreline to Socrates Sculpture Park. Non-members $3. visit www.adventuresforwomen.org for info and to register. Meet: NY. Leader: Cy Adler and friends, call 212-330-7686 for info. December 9am; register for location. Moderate hike at a moderate pace; IHC. Palisades to Riverdale, NY. Leader: Chris Davis, 973-590-7437 Meet: 10am at Staten Island Ferry Terminal. 12 miles (5 hours); out by 2pm. or [email protected]. Meet: 9am Ross’s Dock, Henry ending at the George Washington Bridge. Bring your friends, Saturday, December 3 Hudson Dr, Fort Lee, NJ. Starting at Ross’s Dock at river level, just N. socialize, and enjoy the Hudson River shoreline at this annual AMC-NYNJ. State Park, NY. Leader: Sunday December 25 GW Bridge, we hike up the cliff and across the GWB to Manhattan. event. Non-members $3. Richard Seibel, [email protected], 973-839-7795; call IHC. Christmas & Hanukkah Hike, NY. Leaders: Dave & Naomi Then we continue north through Ft. Tryon, Inwood Hill, and Riverdale 11am-10pm. Meet: contact leader for meeting place and time. Hilly Sutter, 973-778-0992 or [email protected]. Meet: 10am at Sloats - Parks. En route we pass the Cloisters and, perhaps, Wave Hill. Return 7 miles but at a moderate pace. Steep initial climb rewarded by burg Municipal Plaza parking lot, Sloatsburg, NY. Sutter & Sutter by subway (B-way line) to 181 St. Then walk the GWB and down the magnificent views. Expect to do both ridges. Beginner friendly. combine to lead this joint, moderately strenuous venture hike to cliff to Ross’s Dock. About 9 miles. Rain or foul weather cancels. Cold rain cancels. who knows where. Shuttle required. Foul weather or poor driving The activities listed are sponsored by member clubs of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. All hikers are welcome subject to club regula - SW. Rockland Lake to Nyack, NY. Leader: Marvin Malater, 718- conditions cancels this hike. tions and rules of the trail. You are responsible for your own safety. Wear hiking boots or strong, low-heeled shoes. Bring food, water, 376-3608. Meet: 8:50am at white commuter statues in south rain gear, first aid kit, and a flashlight in a backpack. Leaders have the right and responsibility to refuse anyone whom they believe wing of Port Authority bus terminal (9:15 bus to Rockland Lake, We Welcome Two cannot complete the hike or is not adequately equipped. Easy, moderate, or strenuous hikes are relative terms; call leader if in doubt. NY; one-way). 7 miles on the Long Path with several climbs. Many panoramic vistas overlooking the Hudson River along the Hook More than 100 clubs belong to the Trail Conference, and many of our affiliate groups sponsor hikes not listed in the Hikers’ Almanac. Mountain ridgeline and summit. Optional dinner in Nyack or visit New Retail Partners For a descriptive list of Conference clubs, consult our website or send a SASE with your request to NY-NJ Trail Conference. to Edward Hopper art gallery. Non-members $3. Club Codes IHC. Trenton to NYC, Part 1, NJ. Leaders: Craig Nunn, 551-206- Only those clubs with hikes offered in this issue are listed below. Please call numbers listed to confirm. 6823 or [email protected]; Al MacLennan, 973-451-1435 or ADK-MH Adirondack Mountain Club, NYHC New York Hiking Club [email protected]. Meet: contact leaders a week prior Mid-Hudson Chapter NYR New York Ramblers to register and learn meeting location and time. Trenton to Hamil - ton Township. First in a series of about a dozen hikes crossing the AFW Adventures for Women SW Shorewalkers Garden State. Start by walking from Trenton RR Station to Penn - AMC-NYNJ Appalachian Mountain Club, UCHC Union County Hiking Club sylvania then back across the Delaware River to NJ on the New York-North Jersey Chapter VSHC Valley Stream Hiking Club Calhoun Street Bridge. Walk past historic sites in Trenton includ - EHTPS East Hampton Trails Preservation Society WTA Westchester Trails Association ing the state capitol, then on to Hamilton Township via the IHC Interstate Hiking Club Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park. 8-12 essentially flat miles on Find details about member benefits city streets and park paths. Bring lunch, snacks and water. Stren - offered by our business partners at Clubs wishing to have hikes listed in Hikers’ Almanac should send their schedules to [email protected] or to the Trail Conference Office. uous. Shuttle may be required. Foul weather or poor driving nynjtc.org/content/retail-partners The deadline for the January/February issue is November 15. conditions cancels this hike. Joint with Shorewalkers. November/December 2011 Page 7

Science & Ecology GIRL SCOUTS... TRAIL CONFERENCE American Beech continued from page 1 VOLUNTEERS The Trail Conference’s AT Coordinating Can science bring Committee, headed by Ron Rosen, has this silver pillar of already held a planning meeting attended by July 25 – September 23, 2011 representatives of four Girl Scout councils eastern forests (Heart of the Hudson [NY], Northern New The Volunteer Committee back to its earlier Jersey, Heart of NJ, and Central and South - acknowledges these new volunteers ern NJ), chairs of the AT Management who took on or completed an grandeur? Committees, the three Trail Conference pro - assignment during the time period gram coordinators whose area includes the noted above, as well as existing By Edna Greig AT, and Girl Scout volunteer leaders. volunteers who have accepted This coordinating group is looking for additional assignments. We extend American beech ( Fagus grandifolia ) is an volunteers willing to assist the Girl Scout our thanks to them, and to all our eastern North American forest tree that has leaders in preparation for the actual events volunteers. a characteristic smooth, silvery gray bark next year. Any hikers already involved with G

I Conservation Coordinator:

that’s easy to spot, even from a distance. E the Girl Scouts (including Girl Scout R

G Joe Altavilla

Beech is especially conspicuous after A alumni) are especially encouraged to come N D autumn leaf fall because its leaves persist on E forward. Assistance can include: Publications Book Field Checker A double-trunked giant American Beech the tree through winter. Beech leaves first 1. attending leaders’ meetings to talk Kenneth Bitz, Zachary Gold, Carol turn a rusty orange in autumn and fade to about hike leadership and the history Jensen, Eric Jensen, John Jurasek, a light tan by winter’s end. The leaves make ture parts. Beech makes excellent firewood and maintenance of the AT, Michael Katz, Barry Mark, Naomi a pleasant rustling sound when stirred by a because it burns long and clean. 2. taking Girl Scout leaders on a hike to Mark, Paul Meck, James O’Connell, winter breeze. Unfortunately, in many parts of its give them experience with the issues Catharine Raffaele, Will Raffaele Beech usually is found on moist, well- range, American beech is declining due to of hike leadership, drained uplands and lowlands, often with beech bark disease, an introduced blight. 3. attending actual Girl Scout meetings Publications Guidebook Author: Jane Daniels, Walt Daniels (new sugar maple and yellow birch. It can grow The disease starts when tiny beech scale to talk to the girls, or edition of ) 70 to 80 feet high with a stout 2- to 3-foot insects ( Cryptococcus fagisuga ) pierce the 4. joining Girl Scout troops on a hike Walkable Westchester diameter trunk. Beech leaves are oblong bark to feed on sap, creating small wounds. on the AT. Trail Crew Chief: with prominent parallel veins that end in The scale insects carry a Neonectria fungus Richard Raschdorf small, incurved teeth on the margins. The which then penetrates the wounds and (North Jersey Bear Claw Crew) smooth, thin bark of beech is susceptible to destroys inner bark tissue. Beech bark dis - injury from fire, sunscald, freeze cracks, ease is believed to have entered Nova Scotia Trail Maintainer: Melissa Bean, Michael Bellew, John Bradley, Riley insects, and physical damage caused by ani - around 1890 on imported European beech Hennessy, Hi-Camp Outdoor Activity mals or humans. The bark’s light color (Fagus sylvatica ) logs or ornamental trees. Club, Hal Hill, Georgia Koval, reflects the winter sun’s rays and helps to The disease then spread southward and Tom McCutcheon, Hiroyuki Nishide, minimize the temperature fluctuations that westward, reaching Maine around 1935. Joanne Reinhardt, Wendy Rettig, can cause freeze cracks. It may also have entered New York City Fred Schneider, John Pappas, Joe separately, spreading northward through Passetti, Nancy Seus, Richard Vacek, Westchester County and into the Catskills We aim to get more girls out to enjoy hiking. Robert Vann, Suzanne Wilcox An introduced blight has by the 1940s. In infected areas, up to 50% of trees have been killed and another 30% to The coordinating committee can provide Trail Shelter Caretaker: Brad Lamel weakened this familiar 40% have been weakened. Many larger trees volunteers with additional information or Trail Supervisor: Hal Hill native tree. have died, but smaller root sprouts have sur - handouts to help with the training events. vived, though weakened and deformed. Also, experienced hike leaders are especially Did we miss you or someone you So, the forests still have beech trees, but encouraged to volunteer! know? Please tell us so we can they are not of the size and vigor as in the More information on the program as a correct our records and give you the Beech reproduces vegetatively by sending past. On a small positive note, scientists whole can be obtained by visiting the web - thanks you deserve. Contact the up sprouts along its wide-spreading surface have found that 5 to 20% of trees in a giv - site www.gshike.org, or on Facebook at Volunteer Administrator via email: root system, sometimes forming groves. en area are resistant to beech bark disease. “Great Girl Scout Hike.” Those wishing [email protected] Beech also reproduces by seed. The fruit is a They are working to improve beech health more information on the activities in soft-bristled, four-part husk that matures in by culling the diseased trees and propagat - New York or New Jersey, or wishing to late summer and usually contains two trian - ing and planting resistant trees. volunteer to help with the training or gular nuts. Beeches produce an abundant Let’s hope the scientists succeed so that leadership, can contact Ron Rosen at nut crop every five years or so, making a American beech can return to its grandeur [email protected] or 845-454-4936. thick blanket of husks on the ground of earlier times. beneath the trees. Many mammals and birds relish the nuts. Before their extinction, passenger pigeons flocked in large numbers to beech groves to devour the nuts. People and their livestock also have enjoyed beech nuts. Early farmers released their hogs into beech groves to fatten up on the nuts. Meat from these hogs had a unique flavor that was prized in local mar - DONORS TO THE ANNUAL FUND kets. The Beech Nut Company of upstate New York (now best known for its baby July 21 – September 28, 2011 food) got its name from its 19th-century GIFTS origins as a maker of beech nut-fattened Bristly husks contain nutritious nuts. Estelle Anderson, Christopher K. Bastedo, Jonathan D. Beard & Rachel Theilheimer, Robert L. & Rose Marie Boysen, smoked ham products. Valerie A. Brackett, Roland Breault, Timorthy F. Brewer, Han & Afina Broekman, James R. & Gail Brown, Lisa C. Caplan, Allan W. & Jessica Clark, Roger Cocchi, Chris Cox, Peter Coy, Jane & Walt Daniels, Kathleen Davies, Jerome The wood of beech is hard and tough Dean, Wilfredo L. Diaz, Edward DiSalvo, Douglas K. Eads, Charlotte Fahn & Stanley Fahn MD, Jean R. Fletcher, Jakob although it does warp and split. Its toughness Member Edna Greig writes regularly for & Gely M. Franke, Henry & Samira Galler, Richard & Margaret Golden, Lalla R. Grimes, Ann M. Gruhn & Peter made it a popular factory flooring material Trail Walker on natural history topics. Franaszek, Elizabeth Heald, Mike Higgins, Martin L. Hirsch, Carleen Implicito, Tae Jeong, Robert J. Jonas, Albert Kent for years. The wood also is easily bent after Jr., Hans Khimm, Susan Kornacki & Charles M. Gordanier, Richard D. & Faith A. Larson, Douglas & Karen Laws, Sarah Lenington, Maribeth A. Ligus, Iris Lipner & Tim Platt, William H. List, Ann G. Loeb, Bernd Lohner, Leon S. steaming and is used to make curved furni - Maleson, Bonnie H. Marsh, Tim McGee, Robert W. Messerschmidt, Elizabeth & Joseph Morley, David S. & Carol S. Morse, Erika Mosier & Larry Giacoletti, John B. & Patricia N. Pegram, Ralph Pena, G. W. Phillips, Howard Rakov, Jeffrey S. Raskin, Ruth B. M. Robinson, Linda Rohleder, Donald & Susan Rudbart, Sue I. Salant, Trudy Schneider, IN MEMORIAM Stephen J. & Amy Shapiro, Manuel J. Silberberg, Samuel Tatnall, Howard Tokosh, Jerome & Maria Varriale, Nicholas J. Viggiano, Larry A. Wehr, Mr. Wolfgang Weisbrod-Webe & Jutta Weber, Donald L. Weise, Bob Yanosey, Ellen Yoffa, James Zeller, Martin F. Zumsteg TRIBUTES CORPORATE, FOUNDATION In honor of Ellen Blumenkrantz & OTHER DONORS “Friends of Ellen” Earth Share of New Jersey, EarthShare, Fidelity Charitable In memory of Franz Alt Gift Fund, Imperial PFS, Johnson & Johnson Matching Gifts Ann M. Gruhn Annice M. Alt Program, JPMorgan Chase Foundation Matching Gift & Ann M. Gruhn of Mount Kisco, NY, died on Sept. 18, 2011 Volunteer Grant Programs, NECA, Network For Good, Pfizer In memory of Tom Dunn Foundation Matching Gifts Program, REI, Susquehanna after a long illness. She was a graduate of Middlebury College, James R. & Gail Brown Int. Group, Tahawus Trails LLC, The Family Mayer Vermont and received a master’s degree from New York Univer - In memory of Dr. Joan Ehrenfeld Foundation Inc., The Speyer Family Foundation, Truist sity. She spent most of her career at the IBM Corporation, Edward A. & Aliva Hackney, Polly Hicks, Robert & Helen Knee, Dr. Barbara Straus Reed, Michael Jane Veronique GOODBYE IRENE where she held a variety of technical and management positions. Rieckelman, Sally Klinger-Rogers, Donald Schaffner, TRAILS RESTORATION FUND Ann shared an enthusiasm for hiking with her husband, Peter Erin Straight ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter, Darcy Binder, Laurence & Franaszek, and together they explored trails in our region and In memory of Seth Lyon Marja Chasin, Herbert J. Coles & June Fait, Barbara L. David Dvorsky Davidson, William Denehy, Monique & Thomas abroad. Ann brought these two strains of her life together for the DeRuggiero, Mark & Judi Edgerly, Ann Guarino, benefit of the Trail Conference. In 2008 she assumed a project In memory of Thea Seibel Ellen Holt, Mary E. Jockel, Ira Kocivar, Jack & Judy management role on the Trail Conference’s website committee Trudy Pojman Kossover, Kenneth H. & Linda Z. Malkin, Christopher and assisted with development and launch of the current website. Ann was elected to the In memory of Frank Turner Murphy, Mark Robinson, Allen Rochkind, Heather Pat Cotter & Francis Turner Board of Directors of the Trail Conference in June 2008 and co-chaired the Technology Schneider, Deborah Shields & Robert Feldman, Alexandra In memory of William C. Kay Soltow, John Stockman, Daniela Wagstaff, William H. & Committee, where she gently but effectively exercised her management skills. Memorial Jill & Peter Coletti, Beau & Heather Mika, Laurel A. Wolf, Barney Wolff contributions can be made to the Women’s Cancer Center Foundation for Research, Charlee Minervini Tributes are only printed for donations of $25 or more. 3131 La Canada Street, Suite 241, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169. Page 8 November/December 2011 Support Trails, Parks and Open Featured Hike Space in the New York-New Jersey By Daniel Chazin region by joining the New York- Croft Trail to Vernay Lake at Teatown New Jersey Trail Conference.

The Trail Conference maintains more then 1800 miles of e trails, advocates for parks, protects open space, and c

S provides volunteer service opportunities in the great n outdoors. e

r Your membership supports the trails you love and gives T

e you these additional benefits: f I

n 25% Discount on Trail Conference maps, books, and

o other products F

C Great Discounts at supporting outdoor retailers and

l other businesses i E

a Tuition-Free Enrollment in our Trails University N r I Z

A Workshops and Seminars on trail maintenance H T C

L

and construction, leadership training, wilderness first E I N N

A aid, chainsaw operation, environmental monitoring and D J GPS operation.

Over the spring and summer, volunteers road and is blazed orange. The trail leaves N

E Access to a wide range of volunteer opportunities established a new hiking trail at Teatown the road as it descends to Vernay Lake. - Lake Reservation. This is the most recent Continue to follow the orange blazes to the on-trail and off-trail. trail addition by East Hudson Community left on a narrow footpath (the red-blazed Y Find links to all these and more at nynjtc.org N

Trails, a partnership between Teatown and Back 40 Trail goes right) and along the lake. B the Trail Conference that expands the At the end of the lake, the trail turns left capacity to provide service to local parks and begins to climb a small hill and passes Some of Our Discount Partners and open space. through a break in a stone fence. After cross - The Croft Trail is short, easy, and con - ing a grassy field, the Croft Trail ends at a gate nects the 59-acre parcel known as The in a stone wall along Spring Valley Road. Croft with the well established Teatown Turn right and follow the road for 50 trail network. The property was acquired feet, then turn left onto a black-blazed con - by Teatown in November 2010. nector trail, which climbs to a stone wall at The Croft is situated directly opposite the crest of the rise and then descends. Teatown’s headquarters on Spring Valley Near the base of the descent, you’ll reach a Road in Ossining, NY (Westchester Coun - T-intersection. The black-blazed trail ends *select locations ty), features pristine, 9-acre Vernay Lake, here, and you should turn right (uphill) and provides a crucial link in the biotic cor - onto the red-blazed Hidden Valley Trail. ridor that stretches from the Ossining area This trail will pass rock outcrops, laurel to the of western Put - thickets, and a stream and pass over a wet - nam County. It also provides the land on a boardwalk. Continue on it past opportunity for this integral trail link in an the yellow-blazed Overlook Trail, and up expanding trail network in the area. The and out of Hidden Valley. Croft Trail can be used to create several Continue to follow the red-blazed trail interesting hikes in the Teatown area. through several trail intersections, follow - An easy-to-moderate 2.2-mile circuit ing signs to return to the Nature Center. hike that incorporates the Croft Trail is described by Trail Conference hike writer Directions: Daniel Chazin on our website. (Find his Teatown is located at 1600 Spring Valley complete description of this hike at Road Ossining, NY 10562, just minutes nynjtc.org/view/hike). from the Taconic State Parkway, Exit 134. The Croft Trail begins across the street Find directions at teatown.org. from the Nature Center on a grassy woods Hikers’ Join/Renew NY-NJ Trail Conference Membership Marketplace 1,800 miles of trails; your membership helps us expand our horizons. Included with membership, Trail Walker , 10% discount on purchases at many outdoor stores, and 25% discount on all Trail Conference maps and books Go Places with Trail Maps and purchased directly from the Trail Conference. Save time and a tree by joining or Books from the Trail Conference. renewing online at www.nynjtc.org. Just click on the Join/Renew Now button. MEMBERSHIP TYPE Select one: Join Renew Membership # if available______Regular $30 Individual $40 Joint Sponsor $75 Benefactor $150 Trailblazer $250 Director’s Circle $600 Life $1,000 Individual $1,500 Joint Senior (65+) $25 Membership levels are joint, except where noted. A joint membership is for two adults residing at the same address. For my membership of $50 or more, send me a: Trail Conference Cap OR Harriman-Bear Mountain Map Set To purchase a gift membership, call 201-512-9348, extension 26.

Name ______We cover your favorite hiking areas in the New York- Address ______New Jersey region, including Harriman-Bear Mountain, City ______State ______Zip ______the Catskills, North Jersey and Jersey Highlands, Day Phone ______Evening Phone ______East and West Hudson Highlands, and more. E-MAIL ______Find them all on our website, and get your Check or money order enclosed Visa Mastercard Amex 25% member discount ! Card # ______Exp. Date: ____/ ____ Make check or money order payable to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, Visit www.nynjtc.org/panel/goshopping! and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Or call 201-512-9348 Tax-deductible. Dues are not refundable.