New! Improved! Return of the Fisher Trail Conference volunteers Reintroduced in NY in 1970, build a new trail loop and fishers have traveled the improve another in Norvin Shawangunk Ridge to NJ. Green. READ MORE ON PAGE 5 READ MORE ON PAGE 7

November/December 2009 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference — Maintaining 1,716 Miles of Trails www.nynjtc.org Teamwork Saves Gunks Trail Parcel diligent Trail Conference volun - on the ridge and stretches down to the Nev - $15,000 to pay the back taxes, and work - teer kicked off a series of ersink River, where it meets the Neversink ing with Orange County officials to find a Anegotiations that resulted in pro - Preserve, owned by the Nature Conservan - way to protect the land.” tection of land adjacent to the cy, and an adjacent county park. The effort revealed an obstacle to the Shawangunk Ridge Trail. Trail Conference Executive Director Ed county’s ability to quickly protect conserva - At a tax auction in Orange County on Goodell noted that many people and tion land that ends up on its auction block: July 31, County Executive Eddie Diana organizations worked together to protect an advance review process to identify key removed a scenic, 129-acre undeveloped this land parcel. “Andy Garrison played a parcels. Legislator Decker began work on parcel in the Town of Deerpark on the crucial role in alerting us that the property legislation to enable saving conservation Shawangunk Ridge from the sale, indicat - was in tax arrears and was set to be includ - properties in the future. ing that it would be preserved as open ed in the tax auction,” Goodell explains. “This is a wonderful outcome that was space and opened for trails. made possible by the continuing collabora - The Trail Conference applauds Diana’s “This is a tion of numerous organizations and decisive action, which culminated several officials,” Goodell says. weeks of work by the Trail Conference, wonderful outcome...” Andy Garrison adds, “That parcel would Orange County Land Trust, Open Space have never been pulled from the auction Institute, the Nature Conservancy, and had others not produced the land acquisi - Orange County officials to remove the land Goodell then began to spread the word tion plan in 2004 and other acquisitions in from the auction and preserve it in its about the preservation opportunity to oth - the area not happened. So a special thanks natural state. ers. He contacted two frequent Trail goes out to all those who laid the ground - R A

The effort began in July when Trail Con - Conference partners in land preservation work for me to follow and to everyone for G P A

ference volunteer Andy Garrison, projects, Jim Delaune at the Orange Coun - their support of the Shawangunk Ridge Y M E

supervisor for the Shawangunk Ridge Trail, ty Land Trust and Bob Anderberg at the Trail project.” R E spotted the parcel on the list of properties to Open Space Institute, as well as longtime J be auctioned by Orange County. The land Trail Conference member and Orange The Trail Conference’s work to advance land Newly preserved land (in blue) protects a was identified by the Trail Conference as a County legislator Wayne Decker. “From protection along the Shawangunk Ridge is section of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail and preservation target in its 2004 Land Acqui - that point,” says Goodell, “Jim Delaune supported by a grant from the Land Trust creates a corridor to the Nature sition and Stewardship Plan. The property took the lead, including contacting the Alliance and NY State Dept. of Environmen - Conservancy's Neversink Preserve. borders other Trail Conference-owned land Nature Conservancy, which provided tal Conservation.

Volunteer Profile tember 18. “This is a milestone for me, and Not Your Usual Walk in a Park Phil McLewin I thought the right moment to take stock.” Phil started researching and writing in Looking at Palm Trees, Writing early May 2008. He uploaded his first about New York-New Jersey Trails park write-up—Ramapo Valley Reserva - When, more than a year and a half ago, tion—on May 19, 2008. The finish that Phil McLewin, Mahwah resident and pro - he announced came on September 12, fessor emeritus of economics at Ramapo 2009, when he uploaded information College, volunteered to help develop con - about Turkey Swamp Park in the Jersey tent about parks and trail regions for the Shore region. new Trail Conference website, he quickly During that year-and-a-half, he also con - proved to be the very model of a new kind tributed extensively to getting up of volunteer—one who can make enor - information about New York parks. When R I

E mous contributions to a project or the website’s March go-live deadline W E

T organization without necessarily being on approached with relatively little park con - T E G

R the scene in person. tent developed for New York State, Phil O E

G Phil volunteered not only via his com - worked with Gayle Edgerton and Ken On the first weekend of October, an estimated 40,000 trail users walked, ran, biked, puter at home, but, for most of last winter, Malkin to divide up responsibility for New skate-boarded, kick-scootered, roller-bladed, or wheelchaired across the Hudson Valley’s from the sun-stoked warmth of a seaside York Walk Book regions. Ultimately he com - newest state park: Walkway Over the Hudson. A not-for-profit group spearheaded the apartment in Southern California. “It was a pleted four of them on the west side of the conversion of the former railroad bridge, bit jarring writing about mountain peaks Hudson River, including Harriman-Bear which connects Poughkeepsie, in Dutchess and pine trees while looking at the Pacific Mountain, the site’s most visited web page. County, and Highland, in Ulster County, Ocean and palm trees,” he confesses. Lucky continued on page 10 into a paved corridor for pedestrians, bik - the one who can do it. ers, and other non-motorized users. When the Trail Conference began plan - Opened in 1888, the bridge carried train ning a new, expanded website more than traffic until a fire in 1974 put an end to its three years ago, among its objectives was to service. Rail-trails on both sides of the riv - make its vast storehouse of information er come close to the 1.25-mile bridge, but about trails, hikes, and parks more easily do not yet connect to it, though such con - available to the public. Starting points for nections are being pursued. A loop walk this effort included the Walk Books for New that includes the Walkway, a sidewalk on York and New Jersey. Together these two The Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad bridge the neighboring Mid-Hudson Bridge, and books are a trails encyclopedia for our in 1978 and, top, on October 4, 2009 when Poughkeepsie city streets is possible. Learn region. The goal was not simply to tran - it opened as a Mid-Hudson trail link for more about the Walkway on our website scribe their contents onto web pages, but to walkers and bikers. (type Walkway into the Search box). use them as points of departure for struc - turing and creating an entirely new VOLUME XXXVI, N UMBER 6 ISSN 0749-1352 Non-Profit resource for trail users. US Postage Paid The project is huge and ongo - Permit No. 1239 Bellmawr, N.J. ing, but in mid-September, Phil announced reaching a major marker. “I recently finished uploading content for the last park in the New Jersey Walk Book ,” he wrote on Sep - Page 2 November/December 2009

put out two editions of the New York Walk The name “Beach” did appear on a park Book , the first in 1923 and the second in map shortly after the trail was made, but VOLUME XXXVI, NO.6 NOVEMBER /D ECEMBER 2009 1934. And it was done in an age that most the park had a policy of not naming trails GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR regions could be reached by train and trol - for living persons, and Art, being a mod - LOUIS LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER ley, with a motor car now and then, with est man, agreed with the policy, so the The TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #1239) Remember Our History rough roads, and an average speed of 25- name of the trail took on the spelling of (ISSN 0749-1352) is published bi-monthly by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as a The Trail Conference is accomplishing 30 miles per hour. Still, their books the tree. benefit of membership. Subscriptions are great things these days, and the Trail inspired many city folks to seek out and Perhaps the time has come to set the available to libraries only at $15.00 a year. Walker has been—and is—a great part tread “the long brown path.” matter aright by changing the spelling Periodical postage paid at Mahwah, N.J., and of it. I eagerly look forward to reading Then there is the case of the “Beech” back to what it was intended to be, per - additional offices. Postmaster: Send address every issue. Trail. This trail was scouted and haps with a little ceremony held at one of changes to the address below. Opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily represent the policy However the Trail Confer - marked well over 30 years ago the trailheads to emphasize the point. or position of the Conference. Contributions of ence seems to be afflicted to honor Art Beach for his typed manuscripts, photos, and drawings are with a case of “social amnesia.” many years of dedicated Robert Schulz welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style A case in point is the elimina - work for the Trail Confer - Richmond Hill, NY and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. tion of the sketch of “The ence, both as a tireless trail Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER Send Us a Letter Three” (Dr. Dickinson, worker and as a holder of are January 15 (Mar./Apr. issue), March 15 Email it to [email protected]; in the subject (May/June issue), May 15 (July/Aug. issue), Frank Place, and Raymond several official positions, not July 15 (Sept./Oct. issue), September 15 Torrey) from the heading of the least of which was that of line, put “letter to TW editor”; or send it (Nov./Dec. issue), November 15 (Jan./Feb. the hike listings. Yet they liaison to the Palisades Inter - to Trail Walker Letters, NY-NJ Trail issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot be were the pioneers who, with state Park Commission. Conference, 156 Ramapo Valley Rd., acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. Mahwah, NJ 07430. For information on advertising rates, please write very little help from others, or call. Copyright 2009 by: New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Rt. 202) Mahwah, NJ 07430 201-512-9348 e-mail: [email protected] 50 editorial e-mail: [email protected] % World Wide Web: www.nynjtc.org OFF * Give the gift that makes a difference! Mission Statement The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a federation of member clubs and individuals Special gift membership deal during the dedicated to providing recreational hiking opportunities in the region, and representing the months of November and December. interests and concerns of the hiking community. The Conference is a volunteer-directed public service organization committed to: Purchase a Gift Membership for someone special • Developing, building, and maintaining hiking trails. at 50% off our regular price!* • Protecting hiking trail lands through support and advocacy. • Educating the public in the responsible Individual “Supporter” Membership use of trails and the natural environment. Regular Price $30 Now $15!! Board of Directors Robert Boysen Chair Chris Connolly Vice Chair Mac Highet Treasurer Family “Supporter” Membership Daniel Chazin Secretary Regular Price $40 Now $20!! Directors Jane Daniels Hans Khimm Bill Gannet Seth McKee Josie Gray Edward Saiff Ann Gruhn Mary Smart Giftee #1: Individual Family Gaylord Holmes Daniel Van Engel Peter Kennard Name ______Staff Edward Goodell Executive Director Address ______Joshua Howard Deputy Executive Director City ______State ______Zip ______Larry Wheelock Special Projects Manager Chris Ingui Bear Mountain Giftee #2: Individual Family Regional Representative Name ______Jeremy Apgar Cartographer Gary Willick Fulfillment Address ______Coordinator Catherine Gemmell Volunteer City ______State ______Zip ______& Information Manager Jennifer Hezel Development Gift-giver: Associate Hedy Abad Membership Name ______Program Manager Membership # if available ______The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. It is Address ______a federation of 103 hiking and outdoor groups, and 10,000 individuals. City ______State ______Zip ______Day Phone ______Evening Phone ______printed on recycled content paper E-mail ______PLEASE RECYCLE TRAIL WALKER Check or money order enclosed Visit our new site today! Please bill my credit card Visa Mastercard Amex www.NYNJTC.org Card # ______Exp. Date ______/______Make check or money order payable to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, and mail to: NY-NJ Trail Conference, 50% OFF Gift Membership, 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430.

*Applies to purchase of gift membership for new members only. Tax-deductible. Dues are not refundable. November/December 2009 Page 3

From the Executive Director “One problem may be,” he wrote, “that National Park system soon followed. • We maintain more miles of trail— the American environmental movement Benton MacKaye took this idea of indi - on average we add 50 miles of trails has focused so much on preserving nature vidual renewal in nature and made the to our network each year . Some we that it has neglected to do enough to pre - societal case for its importance. In 1922, he build, some are added at the request serve a constituency for nature. It’s proposed a trail along the length of the of local communities and park man - important not only to save forests, but also Appalachian Mountains as a refuge for the agers, themselves strapped for funds A Pundit to promote camping, hiking, bouldering laboring population of the East Coast’s with which to properly maintain pub - and white-water rafting so that people care cities that would help save the mountain lic open space and trails. The Trail Gets It about saving those forests. So let’s protect ecology, link communities, and provide Conference’s expertise in managing New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof nature, yes, but let’s also maintain trails...” individuals with the opportunities to pre - trail projects and recruiting, training, typically addresses topics in the internation - Hear, hear! serve their connections to nature. and organizing trail volunteers is high - al and human rights spheres. But in August, It’s great to see such a ringing endorse - The Appalachian Trail still performs that ly regarded and sought after by park Kristof wrote a couple of columns that took ment of the kind of work the Trail function today, as do all trails and all parks. agencies and local governments with as their theme the need for people to keep Conference is all about and such a keen As this issue goes to press, the Trail Con - trails in their care. in touch with nature. He and his 11-year- understanding of its importance from a ference is wrapping up a year marked by old daughter, he reported, had backpacked prominent writer. unusual challenges, both to our own opera - • We have pushed the vacancy rate into wilderness “to recover from a surfeit of Trail Conference people know first-hand tions and those of many of our partners. But in our volunteer posts to its lowest civilization.” Kristof said that he and his that a direct connection to nature benefits even in the midst of cutbacks and hard level on record (less than 10%), even family are frequent trail users, often back - our mind, body and spirit. For most of us, choices, the Trail Conference has continued as we continue to add new opportuni - packing on long-distance trails. But, he indeed for most people, the usual route to to make a difference. The work we do to ties for outdoor public service. observed, trails in the U.S. are too often nature is via a trail. Further, as Kristof keep trails open and enjoyable is a kind of a poorly maintained, especially compared to writes, a direct connection to nature helps public health program intended to forestall So there is good news for the Trail Con - trail networks in Europe and Canada. create a body politic attuned to environ - an epidemic of “nature-deficit disorder.” ference and trails in our region. We may mental self-preservation. We need only Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and not yet be out of the woods, but with your look back to two acclaimed walkers with a staff, we have helped keep many of our most continued support—through your mem - Our work is a kind of literary bent—John Muir and John Bur - beloved parks and open spaces accessible to bership, donations, and purchase of Trail roughs—who opened the eyes of an the public via the trails we maintain and Conference maps and books—we are on public health program unsuspecting public to the pleasures and build. And interest in our work has grown. the Recovery Trail! spiritual rejuvenation that could be intended to forestall achieved by a walk in nature. Readers • We support more volunteers—1,636 became hikers and campers and, seeing individuals actively volunteering— an epidemic of increasing urbanization, industrialization, than ever before— a more than 25% and population around them, realized that increase in the number of volun - “nature-deficit disorder.” nature could not be taken for granted. The teers over two years! — Edward Goodell Adirondack and Catskill Preserves, the Pal - Executive Director isades and state park systems, and the THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Sixty stalwart trail supporters turned out on a gray, rain-threatening Saturday to support trails in our 2nd Annual Hike-a-thon. This was a 50% increase in the number of participants over last year. Thanks to the hikers, donors, and sponsors for helping us raise $15,000 for trail stewardship and education!

Presented by: S I D R A N D O L E L A W U R O E L U E

Stella Leonardis and her mom, Christine T S A very special thank you to our sponsors: E N A North Face Upper West Side and SoHo J Store Team participants Amanda Blakely (right) and Apple Hernandez (left). D L A W R E Palisades Parks U E

T Conservancy S E S I N D A R J A

Scout Troop 97 N O E L U O Hiker Paul Freshnock L

MICHAEL MALANDRA PHOTOGRAPHY D L A W R E S U I E D T R S A E N N O A E J L U

Top fundraiser Bob Fuller O Volunteer Wendy Parker displays a gift L card from Nike, one of many event sponsors that donated gifts and prizes.

HIKERS RAISE $15,000 FOR TRAILS AT HIKE-A-THON 2009 Page 4 November/December 2009 Boy Scouts + Girl Scouts + Trail Conference = New Trail Loop

The Highlands Trail Creates an for a staircase, and spent hours terracing Opportunity for a New Loop Hike and side-hilling this new trail section. Trail News Joining our group was Rachel Maynard, in Norvin Green State Forest a Girl Scout from West Milford Girl Scout Long-distance trails such as the Appalachi - Troop 499, who was working towards an Trail, Long Path, and Highlands Trail are obtaining her Gold Award, which is the more than linear corridors for one-way thru equivalent to the BSA’s Eagle rank. Rachel, IN HARRIMAN STATE PARK hikes or in-and-out excursions. They are the and her mom, Debbie, although new to Victory Trail backbone along which more modest loop trail building, enthusiastically charged into That a section of the Victory Trail is a utili - hikes, popular with hikers and casual trail the work of building new trail. ty road was barely noticeable until recent users, can be attached and enjoyed. After the West Jersey Crew completed work that has been reported and questioned Such is the case with a new loop route in two weeks of hard work, Rachel and her by several hikers. Construction of a road Norvin Green State Forest, west of the crew of fellow Girl Scouts and school friends accessible to large utility trucks was begun S

Wanaque Reservoir in New Jersey. Comple - A returned to finish clearing the trail, painting by the park after the utilities advised that N O tion of a link in the Highlands Trail (HT) J blazes, and joining it with the Highlands without the road development, the lines to T R E

connecting Windbeam Mountain to the B Trail. Rachel is now proud to point out “her park facilities would not be serviced. As of O R Blue Mine area sparked the idea to build a Left to right: Estelle Anderson, Antonio step” (see photo) to all visitors. the September deadline for this newsletter, new loop by making a trail connection to Lombardo, Debbie Maynard, Jessica Levine. Hikers will now have the pleasure of tra - clearing and construction of a widened dirt the HT from the Roomy Mine Trail a short Kneeling is Rachel Maynard, the Girl Scout versing this new loop. (Turn to page 12 for road over the trail, extending from a short distance away. The project became the who earned her Gold Award for her trail a description of one hike that uses the new distance north of Lake Skenonto, south to focus for a productive collaboration work and points to “her” rock step. and improved trails or visit the Hikes data - the terminus of the trail, was nearly com - between Trail Conference volunteers, Boy base on the Trail Conference website, plete. Culverts have been installed for Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Not only was the Anthony and members of his Scout Troop www.nynjtc.org/view/hike. Scroll to drainage at some low spots. Roomy Mine Trail extended to the HT, the then went on to build a series of 15 water - Norvin Green State Forest in the Parks col - The Trail Conference has requested that Mine Trail was improved and a section relo - bars on the northern section of the Mine umn and look for “Highlands/Roomy low spots be filled in and the road and cated to avoid a difficult climb up a talus Trail up Ball Mountain. Mine Trails Loop from West Brook adjoining surfaces be made as neat as rea - slope. (See map on page 12.) We then had to consider the actual con - Road.”) It offers the hiker a little bit of sonable. During an early September field The Mine Trail improvements became nector trail from above the Roomy Mine everything as its makes its 3.1-mile circuit trip to the site, the Victory Trail remained an Eagle Scout project for Anthony Out - down to the Highlands Trail and the low - up and down a series of hills, passing two blazed adequately to follow. Maintainers eiral, a Life Scout of BSA Troop 350 in lands via a rather steep hill. To perform the old mines, a few scenic viewpoints, a love - Seth Schwartz, Janet Waegel, and Wayne Westwood. Anthony worked with Norvin required work of building stone steps, we ly forest, and gorgeous rock outcrops. Miller planned to attend to the trail by the Green Trails Co-Supervisor Paul Makus enlisted Monica and David Day of the A huge thank-you to all who participat - end of September. and us (Central Jersey Trails Co-Chairs West Jersey Trail Crew to make this a com - ed in this project, as it is an important and We thank the several hikers who report - Estelle Anderson and Robert Jonas) to bined work trip and a Trail Construction scenic trail connection. ed and questioned this major trail design a new route off the talus slope up Workshop, aka Trail Maintenance 102. So disruption. Trail users are often the first to the hill alongside the Roomy Mine that this crew of hardened veterans of rock work — Bob Jonas & Estelle Anderson, be aware of trail issues and we encourage would afford a nice viewpoint over the were joined by an eager group of volun - Central Jersey Co-Chairs, your eyewitness reports. To report a trail Wanaque Reservoir. This portion of the teers, who high-lined, pried, dug, wedged, Paul Makus & Chris Synol, issue or problem go to our website, click on project was completed in the fall of 2008. and cajoled large slabs of rock into position Co-Supervisors the Community tab and choose Report a Trail Problem; or call 201-512-9348. Norvin Green Volunteers Blue Disc Trail Norvin Green Trails Co-Supervisor Paul Makus and Central Jersey A large number of the blue-on-white disc Co-Chairs Estelle Anderson and Bob Jonas thank the following trail blazes were removed this past summer volunteers for their work on trails in Norvin Green State Forest. by persons unknown, who not only dam - Eagle Scout candidate Anthony Outeiral and his fellow scouts, aged and removed blaze tags, but hacked friends, and family, including: Anthony Catalano, Mike Diaz- off painted blazes from the trees. Re-blaz - Piedra, Christopher, James, and Marie Geocos, Robert Jonas, Kyle ing has been accomplished for the eastern Katorincek, Abie Khalil, Emily Kratzer, Matt and Tim Krogdahl, two-thirds of the trail and, as of September, Sal, Celeste, Marie-Elena, and John Manteria, Henry, Pat, Matthew, is adequate to follow the entire trail length. Tristan, and Rosalia Outeiral, Mike Penn, Todd Porter, Matthew

S Nurian Trail

Rogers, Jeffrey Telep, Ashley Noelle Volpe and Alex Voss. A N O

Girl Scout Gold Award candidate Rachel Maynard and her fellow J As of late September, the bridge over the T R scouts, friends and family, including: Jessica Levine, Antonio E Ramapo River, between Route 17 and the B O Lombardo, and Debbie Maynard. R Southfields Pedestrian Bridge over the NY West Jersey Trail Crew, helpers, students, and potential Central Jersey Crew members: Monica and David Day (West Jersey Crew State Thruway, was impassable. Watch our Chiefs), the Barnhard family, Jack Baccaglini, Ian Blundell, Brian Dostal, Christie Ferguson, Lee Higgs, Larry May, Gay Mayer, Leslie website for news of the bridge reopening. McGlynn, Lee Mott, Steve Reiss, Jeff Roggenburg, Karen Schoof, Shawn Smith, and Bill and Linda Taggart. Also on the Nurian Trail, of the two low bridges across Stahahe Brook, the more east - ern one had collapsed and Trail Conference Conservation & Advocacy News Notes volunteers have removed it; at this time the park is unable to provide materials to replace Make sure you get Action Alerts NEW JERSEY NEW YORK it. The almost adjacent western bridge has from the Trail Conference so that you sagged but is currently crossable though slip - can help support our region’s trails, ATV Legislation Trail Conference Awarded pery. Both stream crossings are quite easily parks, and open spaces. Set your Up for November Votes Two Conservation Grants achieved without use of the bridges. email program to accept mail from By advocacy volunteer Brenda Holzinger The Land Trust Alliance New York State Parking Note: Parking is not allowed at the New York-New Jersey Trail Con - Conservation Partnership Program the defunct Red Apple Rest or on sur - ference! Bills that would create new regulations for awarded the Trail Conference two grants rounding private property. Parking is All Terrain Vehicles (ATVS) in New Jersey on October 1, 2009. available about 0.8-mile northwest of NATIONAL are expected to be up for full votes in both A grant of $40,000 over two years will Route 17 on Hall Drive off of Orange the Assembly and Senate after the support the Trail Conference’s West Hud - Turnpike, but would entail a road walk. Members Help Save Funds November 3 elections. S2055 and A823, son Community Trail Program, which Parking should also be allowable at the for Non-motorized Trails would establish requirements for the reg - aims to enhance public access and pro - Southfields Post Office during hours that it In September, Trail Conference members istration and identification of ATVs and mote community support for open space is not open—but never in the adjacent pri - and supporters were among those who enforcement of laws regarding their use. protection by expanding trail networks vately owned lot. The difficulty of parking helped defeat two amendments to annual Legislation requiring the NJ Depart - and improving links between public parks in this location may also affect hikers who federal Transportation funding legislation ment of Environmental Protection to and preserves in Rockland, Orange, Sulli - would otherwise plan to connect with oth - that would have prohibited the use of fed - “try” to locate three ATV parks in the state van, Ulster, and Greene counties. er trails, such as the Stahahe Brook, White eral funds for pedestrian or bicycle is currently linked to S2055 and A823, Funding will enable the Trail Conference Bar, and Dunning Trails. facilities, efforts to reduce vehicle colli - which means that both bills must move to provide assistance, largely through a sions with wildlife, and other specified forward through the legislative process Regional Representative, to local munici - Kanawauke Lakes and Route 106 Transportation Enhancement projects. together. If no action is taken before the palities and private landowners in DEC Route 106 remains closed between Lake The amendment was withdrawn before a end of the year, when the current legisla - Regions 3 & 4, bringing thousands of Kanawauke and Little Long Pond, due to vote on it was taken. A second amend - tive session ends, the entire process will New Yorkers closer to trailheads and local deterioration of two bridges. Repair has ment would have eliminated the current need to begin anew in 2010, when a new protected areas. begun on one of them and is expected to be set-aside that ensures funding for non- legislative session, with a fully reelected A second grant, of $3,000, will help the completed and the road opened by winter. motorized trail enhancements in all states. Assembly and a slightly reconfigured Sen - Trail Conference, in partnership with the The lakes are being drained to allow the All four senators from New York and New ate, convenes. Because this time frame is Palisades Interstate Park Commission and repair work to be accomplished and for Jersey voted against this amendment. The so short, your help is needed more than Orange County, to complete the bargain- some weed control. Parking on 106 Trail Conference had sent an email alert ever to pass this important legislation! sale purchase of a key parcel adjacent to the from 7-Lakes Drive is available at Lake about the funding issue to its members For current updates about this legisla - Sterling Forest State Park, expanding an Kanawauke. From Route 17 the road is and friends. tion and ways you can support this effort, important natural area in close proximity also passable to the closed bridge, provid - please visit the Trail Conference website at to the New York City metropolitan area. ing access to parking for the Parker Cabin www.nynjtc.org/content/atv-legislation- Hollow and White Bar Trails, Island Pond summary. continued on page 10 November/December 2009 Page 5

HIGHLANDS TRAIL CREW Leaders: Glenn Oleksak, HT Supervisor: Volunteers Build New Staircase to Wyanokie High Point Trail Crew [email protected] or 973-283-0306 Adam Rosenberg, HT Co-Supervisor: On two consecutive weekends this September, members of the West Schedules [email protected] or 973-570-0853 Jersey Trail Crew and the Central Jersey Trails Committee constructed Monthly on a Sunday a total of 34 rock steps on the co-aligned portion of the Mine and We generally get together the first Sunday of every Hewitt-Butler Trails as they begin their climb of Wyanokie High Point in October — December 2009 month to tackle various jobs building new sections or reworking existing sections of the Highlands Norvin Green State Forest. The goal was to create a safer, more Check our website for possible Trail throughout New Jersey as well as in New York enjoyable hiking experience and to forestall erosion on a steep and additions or changes to schedules. west of the Hudson River. We also schedule other Go to www.nynjtc.org and click on work dates. All are welcome, experience is not nec - rocky trail section to Wyanokie High Point. This popular route connects essary. Contact leader for details of the current trip Trail Crews in the Get Involved tab. and what tools to bring. with the Otter Hole Trail from the Weis Ecology Center.

Sunday, November 15 Combo Hike & Work Trip Location TBD

Sunday, December 13 Combo Hike & Work Trip Location TBD

METRO TRAIL CREW Leaders: Joe Gindoff, 718-614-2219, [email protected]; Linda Sullivan, crew chief, 347-721-6123, [email protected]; Liz Gonzalez, [email protected] TBD = To Be Determined For all trips bring work gloves, water, Sturdy work boots or other hiking footwear is lunch, insect repellent. In some cases, mandatory. All participants must sign in to perform tools are provided. Contact leaders in trail work. RSVP is a must. advance for meeting times and places. Please contact Linda Sullivan, Metro Trail Crew Chief, in order to receive email notices of work out - CENTRAL JERSEY TRAILS COMMITTEE ings, or check the Metro Trail Crew page on the Leaders: Estelle Anderson and Bob Jonas, Trail Conference website. [email protected], 908-803-3883 (cell) EAST HUDSON CREWS Winter Break Ward Pound Ridge NORTH JERSEY WEEKEND CREW Weekly Trail Maintenance Trips Leader: Sandy Parr, 732-469-5109 Leader: WPRR Trail Maintainer [email protected] Second Sunday of each month Meet: 9:30am at the Trailside Nature Museum Trips start at 9:30 am; call for location and Ward Pound Ridge. details during the week before the scheduled trip day. Tackle a variety of projects ranging from trail Ward Pound Ridge volunteer trail maintainers repair to bridge building in northern New Jersey. meet weekly year round. If you would like to be put on their email list for notifications, contact NORTH JERSEY WEEKDAY CREW [email protected] or view the East Leader: John Moran, [email protected] Hudson Trail Crew webpage at www.nynjtc.org for more information and the schedule. Work outings as needed This crew covers the NJ Ramapos, Ringwood S. P., Dutchess-Putnam AT in Fahnestock State Park Norvin Green S. F., and NJ Palisades area. Its

Every Saturday S A

purpose is to respond quickly to immediate N

Leader: Tim Messerich, O J

needs, rather than to schedule definite events far [email protected] 845-297-9573 T R E in advance. If you’re interested in being on call Meet: 9am at the west side of Canopus Lake B O R for this work, contact John Moran by email. (Rt. 301), at the AT Crossing. Left to right: Monica and David Day, Joan Lyons, Estelle Anderson, Steve Reiss, and Lee Mott. Not pictured: Paul Makus, Gay Mayer, and Bob Jonas. WEST JERSEY CREW Trail work involves hauling stones, drilling stones, Leaders: Monica and David Day, placing stone steps, and building waterbars. Call [email protected] leader to confirm! 732-937-9098 or 908-307-5049 (cell) WEST HUDSON SOUTH CREW WEST HUDSON NORTH CREW Website: www.trailstobuild.com Angle Fly Preserve in Westchester County Saturday, November 8 Leaders: Chris Ezzo (crew chief): 516-431-1148, Leaders: Denise Vitale (crew chief): Bring your lunch, plenty of water, gloves and sturdy Contact: Friends of Angle Fly, [email protected] [email protected], 845-738-2126 work shoes, and be prepared to get dirty. All tools, [email protected] Brian Buchbinder: 718-218-7563, (days or early evenings) materials and training will be provided. Beginners Meet: 10am at the entrance to Angle Fly, off Prim - [email protected] Dave Webber (crew leader): are welcomed on all work trips. rose Street, 0.5 miles south of Reis Park (in the Claudia Ganz: 212-633-1324, [email protected] [email protected], 845-452-7238 Town of Somers). Bob Marshall: 914-737-4792, [email protected] All events begin at 9:00am. Please phone/email the Monica Day: 732-937-9098, Cell: 908-307-5049, Peters Kill Loop Red Trail, leaders for meeting location and driving directions. The Friends of Angle Fly are working on some new [email protected] Minnewaska State Park Preserve There is usually a walk to the work site, so please trails at Angle Fly with the support of the Trail Con - Relocation of this trail continues. Each work trip be there on time (call the leaders’ cell phone if you ference. Work includes trail clearing, putting in a Saturday, October 31 will include education for the novice and plenty of are coming to an event and are running late). Rain bridge, and sidehilling. Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail on challenges for the more experienced. This is a cancels – if in doubt, call the leaders between 6:00 Black Mountain, Bear Mountain great opportunity to learn all the basics of trail and 6:30 that morning. Teatown to Kitchawan Trail in Westchester State Park building like side-hilling, rock moving with rock Saturday, November 21 Leader: Claudia Ganz bars and a high-line system, plus rock split - Carpooling: if anyone is interested in carpooling Contact: Catherine Gemmell, [email protected] ting/shaping and building crib walls and stairs. (offering a ride or riding), please let the leaders Meet: 9:30am at location TBA (See Trail Crew Page) Saturday, November 7 know and we will try to arrange a shared ride. (Pas - AT on West Mountain, Saturday, November 14 sengers please be prepared to contribute for gas.) Be a part of connecting Kitchawan County Park to Bear Mountain S.P. Leader: Dave Webber Teatown Lake Reservation with a carefully planned Leader: Monica Day Saturday, October 31 trail on designated DEP recreational lands. New Sunday, November 22 Terrace Pond North Trail, Wawayanda State trail construction begins in October, and will Thursday, November 12 Leader: Denise Vitale Park continue through the end of the year. TBD We will install stepping stones in a wet area of Leader: Bob Marshall the Terrace Pond North Trail. BEAR MOUNTAIN TRAILS PROJECT Project Manager: Eddie Walsh, Saturday, November 14 Saturday, November 14 [email protected], 845-591-1537 TBD Garvey Springs Trail, Worthington State Forest Volunteer Coordinator: Christopher Ingui, bear - Leader: Brian Buchbinder We will install water bars and mitigate an eroded [email protected], 201-783-3599 area of the Garvey Springs Trail. Thursday-Monday, Weekly to November NEW JERSEY APPALACHIAN TRAIL CREW General work days, suitable for beginners to Leader: Gene Giordano, experienced trail workers [email protected] Training will be provided according to participant’s skill level, interest, and project needs. Meeting time Second Saturday of Each Month, is 8:30am at Bear Mountain. Please sign up via April through November email and wait for either an email or phone confir - Work begins at 9am and is finished before 4pm. mation from us prior to attending to confirm the trip Covers the entire NJ section of the AT, blue-blazed and so we know whether to expect you. side trails, and shelters. Supplements work by our individual maintainers as requested and for special Work trips involve a variety of tasks and experience, work projects. Workers bring gloves, lunch, and such as: corridor clearing, prepping work sites, water; all tools, equipment and training provided. quarrying stone, using an overhead highline to Email leader to be placed on email notification list. transport stone, creating crushed stone (with mash and sledge hammers), building crib walls, setting rock steps, and splitting stone. Page 6 November/December 2009 Trail Conference members can take Volunteer Classifieds: Get Involved! advantage of exclusive discounts and benefits with participating To indicate your interest, or for more informa - ON-TRAIL OPPORTUNITIES tion about these or other volunteer retailers and businesses! opportunities, go to www.nynjtc.org/volunteer Trail Maintainer on our website; or contact us at volun - Adopt a segment of a trail to keep clear and [email protected] or 201-512-9348 ext. 22 adequately blazed two or more times a year, You can recoup the cost of your and help to keep our region’s footpaths membership in one visit! OFF-TRAIL OPPORTUNITIES accessible, pristine, and protected. Vacancies exist in the following areas: Help Support our Virtual Trail Conference NEW YORK Join an enthusiastic team of volunteers Appalachian Trail (Putnam County), Black who ensure our website is the best place Rock Forest, Black Dome Range to go for trails information in the New (Catskills), Catskills Long Path (Devil’s York-New Jersey metropolitan region! Path, North Escarpment, Phoenicia-East Branch, or Mount Tremper), Harri - The New York –New Jersey Trail Confer - man/Bear Mountain, Hudson Highlands, ence is putting in place a team of Shawangunk Ridge Trail, South Taconics, volunteers to support and enhance our Staten Island, Van Cortlandt Park website's capabilities. If you have a few hours each month or more to volunteer NEW JERSEY and would like to be a champion of our Farny Highlands, High Mountain, High virtual presence on the Web, sign up now! Point State Park, Highlands Trail, North - The Trail Conference is proud to offer a Membership We need a wide range of skills and abili - ern Wyanokies, Palisades (Edgewater),

e Benefit Program, which was created to provide our ties to keep our site running, ensure its Pequannock Watershed, Ringwood members with money-saving discounts at area retailers

c content is current and accurate, and to State Park, Southwest Highlands, Stokes and service providers — benefits only available to S maintain our presence in the expanding State Forest, Swartswood State Park, n Trail Conference members. Web-enabled social network. Much of the Wawayanda State Park.

e work can be accomplished from your As part of your Trail Conference membership, you are Corridor Monitors Needed in r home computer on your own schedule. T issued a card identifying you as a Trail Conference Openings exist in the following areas: Northern NJ/NY Border and e member, making you eligible for all program discounts. Assistant Webmaster, Web Developer, Putnam County, NY f I To receive your member discounts, you must present Analytics Maven, CRM database lead, Corridor Monitors walk the boundaries

n your valid membership card at the time of purchase. Long Island Parks Section Writer. See our of the Appalachian Trail lands, reporting Some stores offer the discount only on select items,

o volunteer openings postings on our web - incursions and misuse, documenting so be sure to ask.

F site for additional details. monuments and markers, and interact C We encourage our members to take advantage of this with neighboring landowners. If you Volunteer Office Assistants Needed! enjoy the off-trail experience, and would l incredible opportunity that comes with a Trail Conference i membership. New discounts and offers are continually We need your help! Come to our Mah - like to help protect these trail lands, then E wah office and assist us whenever you can. this is the opportunity for you! a being added so be sure to visit our website’s membership The Trail Conference has a wide variety of r benefits area at www.nynjtc.org/content/retail-partners Trail Supervisor for Harriman for current offers. tasks that could use your expertise, from T assisting customers and answering phone State Park

N calls, order processing and mailings, to If you have a trail maintenance back - 25% Discount on Trail Conference publications and

J working on special projects. Make new ground and would now like to apply your clothing when purchased directly from the Trail Conference. friends or join current ones at the TC experience to the stewardship of 25% of

N FREE Subscription to the Trail Walker , the Trail office for a few hours the footpaths in Harriman, then this may E - Conference’s bi-monthly newsletter filled with timely articles be just the job for you! Working with the Volunteer Job Description Writer and columns that will enhance your hiking experiences. West Hudson Trails Chair, you would be Y We need a volunteer to write clear and responsible for assigning, training and Money-Saving Discounts at participating retailers comprehensive job descriptions for our dif - supervising maintainers covering an area N B and businesses. ferent volunteer positions. This would suit of about 45 miles of trail. someone with a background in HR, or an Workshops and Seminars on trail maintenance individual with good listening and writing Trail Crew Leader for East Hudson and construction, leadership training, wilderness first aid, skills. If you are able to listen and help vol - Exercise your leadership skills! Supervise chainsaw operation, environmental monitoring and unteers think through particular job and work with regional Trail Chairs and GPS operation. positions to develop a set of written volun - Trail Supervisors to lead Trail Crew trips Volunteer Opportunities to “learn by doing” in teer job descriptions, then let us know! throughout the East Hudson area. Trail areas as varied as trail maintenance, construction, Crews provide the construction and trail publications, environmental monitoring, and cartography. Long Island Parks Web Writer restoration needs in order to ensure that Our web site includes descriptions of parks trails are built or repaired to Trail Confer - Access to the Hoeferlin Library at the Trail throughout our region, but the Long ence standards. Determine the work Conference office that includes more than 1,000 books Island region is yet to be done. Check out schedule, help identify and plan projects, on hiking round the world, along with maps, guides and other park pages at www.nynjtc.org/ build your team of volunteers, and men - a historical archive. view/parks and let us know if you’re inter - tor new leaders. ested in researching and writing the Long Some of Our Discount Partners Island region. D L A W R E U E T S E N A J There are many ways to give back to trails. In addition to volunteering to serve as a new member of the Trail Conference Board of Directors, Hans Khimm (center) recruited friends to participate in Hike-a-thon. Check the volunteer opportunities listed above or visit our website, www.nynjtc.org and click on “Volunteer” to give back in the way that best suits you.

Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation Trail Walker is a bi-monthly paper published by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430. The editor and managing editor is Georgette Weir, at the same address. The annual subscription price is $15; contact person is Josh Howard; telephone number is 201-512-9348. The tax status of the organization has not changed during the preceding 12 months. As of the filing date of October 1, 2009, the average number of copies of each issue during the preceding 12 months was 11,000; the actual number of copies of the single issue published nearest to the filing date was 11,000. The paper has a total paid and/or request - ed circulation of 7,427 (average) and 7,639 (actual, most recent issue). The average free distribution for the 12 months preceding the VISIT WWW.NYNJTC.ORG/CONTENT/RETAIL-PARTNERS filing date was 4,000 (average) and 4,000 (actual, most recent issue). The total average distribution was 11,000; the actual distribution FOR COMPLETE LIST OF MONEY-SAVING DISCOUNTS! of the single issue published nearest to the filing date was 11,000. This information is reported on U. S. Postal Service Form 3526 and here as required by 39 USC 3685. November/December 2009 Page 7 E F I Science & Ecology L

mammals and birds) makes Sussex County ly to become even more so. D L I

an ideal area for fisher populations to estab - Fishers are mysterious animals, in part W D N

lish and persist naturally. because they are solitary and secretive A H S I

Fishers Historically, fishers and other native (although they are apparently becoming F F O

North American wildlife species were able increasingly habituated to humans), fast T N E

to disperse across vast areas of forested moving, and mostly nocturnal. They are M T

Return to R landscape. With agriculture, industrializa - dark brown to nearly black, with white A P E tion, and modern development in the tipped hairs that give them something of a D N O T

northeastern United States, such habitat frosted appearance, about the size of a red G

New Jersey N I H

became increasingly fragmented, resulting fox or a little smaller, with a long, bushy S By Robynn K. Shannon A W in a patchwork of forest and human- tail. They have a reputation of being fierce The elusive fisher is making a comeback Fishers ( Martes pennanti ), sometimes impacted habitats. Now, in this fragmented predators, and are the only known natural in our region. known as “fisher cats,” have returned natu - landscape, fishers and other wildlife, and predator of porcupines. Around human rally to New Jersey, after an absence of at even plants, depend on corridors of suitable habitations, where natural prey may be after dark one late summer evening, sur - least 100 years. Data collected by C. C. habitat connecting forest fragments of var - scarce, they are a threat to small domestic rounded by a small patch of woods. All of Kontos and P. A. X. Bologna in 2006 and ious sizes. As Kontos and Bologna point animals (cats, dogs, chickens), though a sudden came a sound that is generally 2007 from camera trapping, tracking, and out, the Shawangunk - Kittatinny Ridge is probably less so than coyotes. They are described as a screech or a scream, eerily scat analysis confirmed the occurrence of such a corridor. The Trail Conference’s adept tree climbers, and often nest in holes human sounding, like something straight this relative of martens and weasels in work in protecting trail corridors that can in trees. out of a horror movie. Hearts pounding Stokes State Forest (Sussex County). (See also serve as biodiversity corridors is I was first introduced to fishers by way and eyes wide, we all looked at each other, Charles Kontos’s article on tracking fishers extremely important to conservation of their strangest trait. Three of us were sit - wanting confirmation that the others had and bobcats this page.) efforts of both animals and plants, and like - ting out on a deck near Hartford (CT) heard it as well. There was some (brief) Fishers were once widespread and abun - discussion about taking a flashlight and dant throughout the northeastern U.S., going to look for whatever had made the but habitat destruction and trapping dur - noise. The next day a neighbor asked us if ing the 19th century led to dramatic we had heard something in the woods. declines and local extinctions. Over the When I told a local zoologist about it, she past 30 years, successful fisher reintroduc - said without pause, “Oh, that was a fish - tion programs have been carried out in er.” About a year later, the photo at left was Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut, taken from the same deck. providing potential source populations for the natural return of fishers to New Jersey. Robynn K. Shannon is a botanist and N

The most likely source of the New Jersey O Trail Conference volunteer who divides N N

fishers is the introduced population in the A her time between northern New Jersey H S .

Catskills, via the Shawangunk Ridge. The P and Connecticut. . D combination of large areas of suitable habi - This fisher was photographed in a suburban yard in Connecticut. tat (forest) and abundant prey (small

Snow Tracking snow conditions, the grouping pattern of tracks may assist in species identification. Fishers and Fishers often move in a lope pattern with Bobcats the four feet landing at different times, but usually one track overlaps another. In deep - By Charles Kontos er snow, fishers will travel by bounding With the winter season fast approaching, with both front feet landing simultaneous - many animals such as wood-warblers, sala - ly at an angle to one another and then the manders, and black bears have started to hind feet landing in the same spots. Rac - either migrate or hibernate and will not be coons will sometimes use this pattern as seen again until spring. This doesn't mean well but will switch up the track angle more

that naturalists can't continue to explore frequently than fishers. Without a clear M O C . A

the amazing landscape within the New print, other diagnostic characteristics are D N U

York-New Jersey Trail Conference trail net - the fisher's solitary behavior and general F A D work. In fact, winter is the perfect time to avoidance of trails and open areas. So, you N U H search for rare forest carnivores such as may not see tracks running along a trail, T bobcats and fishers, which are mostly active but watch for tracks crossing trails, or in sey tracking fishers, bobcats, and coyotes as So, keep your eyes peeled this winter at night, and usually avoid humans. the nearby woods. crisp, cold winds howled through majestic if you’re out in the snow! Please report Over a century ago, fishers were extir - Bobcat tracks have the classic shape of white pines. I have discovered sites in which any tracks of fishers or bobcats to me pated from the New York-New Jersey animals in the cat family, with four asym - fishers and bobcats have left the remains of at [email protected]. The infor - region because of a combination of loss of metrically aligned toes on both front and their prey—raccoon, opossum, and red mation will be used in making their forest habitat to farmland and unreg - hind feet, and tracks measuring about 1 squirrel—allowing me to learn about their recommendations to the wildlife manage - ulated trapping. Thankfully, they were 3/4" in length by 2" in width with no claws feeding behavior. By following tracks, I have ment agencies to protect and enhance these reintroduced in New York in the late showing. The front feet are slightly larger also directly seen the fisher's preference for wonderful predator’s lives in our midst. 1970s and have just recently made their than the hind feet. Bobcats usually move mixed coniferous forests with old trees, way back to the Kittatinny Ridge of New using a direct register pattern in which the downed logs, and standing snags. Charles Kontos is a conservation biologist Jersey. Similarly, bobcats were eliminated front foot is lifted and then the hind foot of On several occasions, I was able to track focusing on wildlife in New Jersey. He is a from New Jersey and were reintroduced to the same side is placed almost exactly on a fisher long enough to recover a precious graduate student in ecology and evolution at the Garden State around the same time. top of the previous track. Small bobcat scat sample. Through genetic analysis of Rutgers University. Now we have the opportunity to find evi - tracks can overlap with those of a large the scat, we can determine not only what dence of these elusive mammals— housecat but are typically about twice the species made the scat and what population normally associated with remote wilder - size and have a wider trail width. it came from, but even distinguish individ - ness regions in Ontario or Maine—right Surprisingly, much more can be learned ual animals. Following tracks is also used to here using snow tracking techniques. from following the trail of an animal than figure out where animals are crossing road - Fishers leave tracks similar to mink and from an actual sighting. Habitat use, food ways, and this information is then used to otter, but of intermediate size. Clear tracks preferences, and even human impacts can help establish wildlife corridors, underpass - of the fisher measure about 2 3/4" in length all be gleaned from snow tracking. My best es beneath highways, and other linkages by 3" in width and have five toes on each outdoor memories are of below-freezing that allow animals to move safely from one S O

foot with claws showing. Depending on days near the Appalachian Trail in New Jer - patch of habitat to another. T N O K E I L R A H C Fisher tracks (Stokes State Forest)

A 2 by 2 bounding lope pattern of a fisher. A 3 by 4 lope pattern. Bobcat tracks in a direct register pattern. Bobcat tracks (High Point State Park) Page 8 November/December 2009 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 ADK-MH. Easy Poetry Walk, Red Hook, NY. Leader: Nancy Saturday, November 14 Thursday, November 19 Keenan-Rich, 845-452-1727. Meet: 10am at Poet’s Walk; call for ADK-MH. Locust Grove Walk, Poughkeepsie, NY. Leaders: Bill UCHC. Pochuck Mtn. to the Boardwalks, Vernon Township, NJ. Sunday, November 1 directions. 2 miles on level trail with views of the Hudson; poetry Beehler and Ellen Zelig, 845-473-5557. Meet: 10am at parking lot Leader: Carol O’Keefe, 973-328-7395 or [email protected]; [Don’t Forget to Turn Your Clocks Back] reading in the gazebo. Bring snack and poem that fits the season, on Rt. 9 opposite Beechwood Dr. Join the strollers for an autumn must register the day before with leader. Meet: 9:30am. Easy to NYR. Dozer Junction North, East Hudson Highlands, NY. if you like. Rain cancels. tour of the Locust Grove grounds. Bring snack; rain cancels. moderate 6 miles down Pochuck Mtn. and across the boardwalks Leader: Jim Korn, 212-697-4811. Meet: 7:30am at Grand Central UCHC. South Mtn. Reservation, Millburn, NJ. Leader: Ellen AFW. Jockey Hollow National Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: on the AT – if you have never seen the boardwalks and bridge Terminal for 7:47 Hudson Line train (RT Beacon; check train Jeydel, 908-232-2413. Meet: 10am at Locust Grove parking, Register at 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. built by volunteers, it is something you should not miss. times). Shoreline Trail and local roads to Overlook Trail and corner of Glen Ave. and Lackawanna Pl., across from RR station. Meet: 10am; register for location. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. Saturday, November 21 Fishkill Ridge, over Lambs Hill to Dozer Junction. After loop Moderate hike. Rain cancels. around Bald Hill, return to Beacon; possible side trips. ADK-MH. Appalachian Trail, From NY to NJ. Leader: David AMC-NY/NoJ. Blue Disc & Victory Trails, Harriman State Park, AFW. Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. Leader: Register at Koehler, 917-613-2043 or [email protected]; must register by NY. Leader: Susan Pollak, 914-698-1838. Meet: contact leader. ADK-MH. Black Creek Preserve, Esopus, NY. Leader: Beth Willis, 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: Noon; Nov. 13. Meet: Contact leader for details. 8 miles from Rt. 17A Hilly 6 miles. Relaxed pace with climbing in morning and easy 845-373-8202. Meet: 1pm; call for meeting place. 2-3 miles on register for location. Easy hike; out by 4pm. outside Sterling Forest to Longhouse Rd. Crosses Cascade and terrain in afternoon. We’ll do both trails end to end. Bad weather west shore of the Hudson in a Scenic Hudson Park, with 150-foot Furnace Brooks and Longhouse Creek. may cancel. uphill and then gently sloping forest path ending at the river. Bad Sunday, November 8 weather cancels. AFW. Buttermilk Falls, Stokes State Forest, NJ. Leader: AMC-NY/NoJ. Osborn Loop, East Hudson Highlands, Garrison, AFW. Anthony’s Nose, East Hudson Highlands, NY. Leader: Register at 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. NY. Leader: Janice Bortree, 845-831-4430. Meet: Contact leader. Register at 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. WTA. Sterling Forest State Park, NY. Leader: Catharine Raf - Meet: 10am; register for location. Moderate hike at a fast pace; Moderate 6 miles. From Manitoga, up to Russel Wright’s inspired Meet: 10am; register for location. Strenuous hike at a moderate faele; for more hike info contact Eileen West at out by 4pm. nature preserve with a glimpse of “Dragon Rock,” his famous pace; out by 3pm. [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am at North White Plains house. Then on to Osborn Loop and views from Sugarloaf. train station ($7 fee if carpooling), or send email inquiring about IHC. West Mtn. and the Timp, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: UCHC. DeKorte Park, Meadowlands, NJ. Leader: Lynn Gale, Rain cancels. alternate meeting place. Moderate 6 miles. Climb to fire tower Roy Williams, 570-828-6207. Meet: 9am at Anthony Wayne park - 973-763-7230. Meet: 10am at visitor center parking in Lyndhurst, and along the ridge, then return along the lake. ing lot, off exit 17 on Palisades Parkway. Strenuous hike over West WTA. Long Path North from Nyack State Park, NY. Leader: NJ. 4 miles of salt marsh and upland trails with beautiful and Mountain and continuing over to the Timp. Return on the Ramapo- Ellie Carren; for more hike info contact Eileen West at wild views and lots of birds; some floating boardwalk. Heavy AFW. Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Mahwah, NJ. Dunderberg and other trails. Bad weather cancels. [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am at North White Plains rain cancels. Leader: Must register at www.adventuresforwomen.org or 973- train station ($4 fee if carpooling), or send email inquiring about 644-3592. Meet: 10am; register for location. Moderate hike at an AMC-NY/NoJ. East Hudson Highlands, Garrison, NY. Leader: WTA. Storm King Mountain, West Hudson Highlands, NY. alternate meeting place. Moderate 5 miles with lots of hills but at easy pace; out by 2pm. Hal Kaplan, 914-376-3156. Meet: Contact leader; message on Leader: Minu Chaudhuri, 914-941-6408. Meet: 9:30am at machine Friday evening. Moderate 7 miles. Climb to AT viewpoint a leisurely pace. Scenic hike starts and ends on Ice House Road, North White Plains train station ($8 fee if carpooling), or contact UCHC. Somerset Environmental Center, Basking Ridge, NJ. at White Rock, then down 600 feet and back to Arden Point, with lovely views of the Hudson. leader about alternate meeting place. Strenuous 4 miles. Steep Leader: Mary Doyle, 908-580-1778. Meet: 10am at Somerset. finishing at Garrison Landing. Bad weather cancels. scramble up Storm King to enjoy the beautiful views. Return on Moderate hike on trails and boardwalks. Bring lunch to enjoy out - Bluebird Trail. doors after the hike. Rain cancels. WTA. Bronx River Pathway, NY. Leader: Audrey Sutton; for more IHC. Blue Mountain, Blairstown, NJ. Leader: Bob Warren, 908- hike info contact Eileen West at [email protected]. Meet: 626-0130. Meet: 9am at lot on Rt. 521, just north of exit 12 on 10am at south end of Garth Rd. ($2 fee if carpooling from North I-80. Moderately strenuous 8 miles. We’ll drive to parking just White Plains). Easy 6 miles. Flat walk to Bronxville and back along past Millbrook Village, then hike along Blue Mtn. Lake to Hem - a very pretty section of trail. lock Pond, then Woods Trail to Buttermilk Falls. Return on the AT to Crater Lake. RVW. Five Rivers Environmental Center, Delmar, NY. Leader: Call 845-246-4590. Easy hike: 3 miles, 3 hours. Meet: 9am. Monday, November 2 Sunday, November 22 UCHC. Lewis Morris Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Susan Jacobs, 973-402-2555. Meet: 10am at Sunrise Lake lower parking IHC. Reeves Brook Trail, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Roy area. Easy 3 miles, meandering trails past Sunrise Lake. Williams, 570-828-6207. Meet: 9am at Reeves Meadow Visitor Center on Seven Lakes Dr. Moderately strenuous hike with some RVW. Ashokan High Point (3080'), Catskills, NY. Leader: 845-

M spectacular scenery. Includes Seven Hills and HIllburn-Torne- O

338-8772. Moderate+ hike: 7.5 miles, 6 hours; elevation gain C . Sebago Trails with some great views, and return down Cascade of A

1980'. Meet at 8am. Inclement weather date—following Monday. R D Slid. Bad weather cancels. N A

Thursday, November 5 L A NYR. Colonial Greenway, Mamaroneck, NY. Leader: Kay M L

UCHC. Shepherd Lake, Ringwood State Park, NJ. Leader: Bob E Cynamon, 212-865-3245. Meet: 8:20am at Grand Central A

Bieri, 201-664-3813. Meet: 10am at Shepherd Lake parking. H C Terminal for 8:37 New Haven Line train (RT Mamaroneck; check I M Moderately strenuous 7-8 miles; for experienced hikers. Marked . train times). Local roads to Saxon Woods, then complete Colonial W and unmarked trails, and old carriage roads. W

W Greenway via Weinberg Nature Center, Hutchinson River AFW. Buttermilk Falls, Rockland County, NY. Leader: Must Lake Kanawauke in Harriman State Park Parkway, Twin Lakes Park, and Leatherstocking Trail. register at 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. WTA. Three Preserves in Easton, CT. Leader: Eileen West, WTA. Mt. Taurus, East Hudson Highlands, Cold Spring, NY. UCHC. South Mtn. Reservation, Millburn, NJ. Leader: Naomi Meet: 10am; register for location. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. [email protected]. Meet: 9:15am at North White Plains Leader: Peter Hibbard; for more hike info contact Eileen West at Shapiro, 973-564-8780; call before 9pm. Meet: 10am at Locust train station ($6 fee if carpooling), or contact leader about Saturday, November 7 [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am at North White Plains Grove parking, corner of Glen Ave. and Lackawanna Pl., across alternate meeting place. Moderate 9 miles. Explore Trout Brook, UCHC. Watchung Trail Maintenance, Mountainside, NJ. train station ($6 fee if carpooling), or send email inquiring about from RR station. Moderate 4-5 mile hike. Steady pace, uneven Crow Hill and Jump Hill Preserves; views of Saugatuck Reservoir. Leader: Register by calling Betty Kelly, 908-789-3683. Meet: alternate meeting place. Moderately strenuous 6 miles, more terrain. Rain cancels. Optional stop on way home at Apple Barn. Rain cancels. 9:30am; we’ll work until noon. Have fun while giving back to the moderate in the afternoon. Climb to top of Mt. Taurus for views Sunday, November 15 trails; no experience needed. Bring work gloves, bag for trash, and then descend past streams and a former dairy farm. UCHC. Jockey Hollow National Park, Morristown, NJ. Leader: clippers/loppers if you have them. Trail work is held unless there AMC-NY/NoJ. East Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Don Mae Deas, 908-233-6641. Meet: 10am at visitor center parking. TNC. Family Nature Walk, Tenafly, NJ. Leader: TNC environ - is severe weather. Kress, [email protected] or 973-743-4833. Meet: 9am in Casual morning ramble of about 4 miles in this gem of a mental educator; sign up at www.tenaflynaturecenter.org or call Suffern, NY; parking near junction Rts. 59 & 202. Hilly 9 miles. national park. Steady rain cancels. AMC-NY/NoJ. Breakneck Ridge to Sunset Point, East Hudson 201-568-6093. Enjoy a guided walk along one of the center’s Hike toward Pine Meadow Lake and eastern end Pine Meadow Highlands, NY. Leader: Hallie Wolfe, [email protected] or trails. Program intended for adults and families; no strollers Trail. Short shuttle; rain or shine. Monday, November 23 914-941-5331. Meet: Contact leader. Rocky climb with exposure; please. Preregistration requested but not required. Free for UCHC. Old Short Hills Park, Millburn, NJ. Leader: Cherryll IHC. Hasenclever Iron Trail, Hewitt, NJ. Leader: Jim McKay, 973- 9 miles – difficult but rewarding hike. Newbie-friendly, but not for members; $5 for nonmembers. Short, 973-299-0212. Meet: 10am; call for directions. Easy to the faint of heart or short of breath. Laid back pace and lots of 538-0756. Meet: 9:30am at Sterling Ridge South End trailhead on Monday, November 9 moderate 3 miles, quite hilly. support for first-time scramblers. Rt. 511. Moderate 8 miles. Includes the new Monks Connector Trail, RVW. Balsam Cap (3623') and Friday (3694') Mountains, with lunch at Monks outlook. Possible detour on way back at the RVW. Blackhead Mtn. (3940'), Catskills, NY. Leader: Call 845- ADK-MH & Trail Conference. Shawangunk Ridge Trail, Catskills, NY. For details: Call 845-246-8616. Strenuous Patterson Mine. Possible early out with a road walk. 246-8074. Moderate hike: 5 miles, 5 hours. Meet: 8am. Inclement Ferguson Road to Sam’s Point, NY. Leaders: Georgette Weir and bushwhack: 7.5 miles, 7.5 hours. Meet: 8am. Inclement weather weather date—following Monday. Jean-Claude Fouere, [email protected] (put SRT Hike in AFW. Long Mountain/Turkey Hill Lake, Harriman State Park, date—following Monday. Tuesday, November 24 subject line) or 845-462-0142. Meet: Contact leaders for details NY. Leader: Register at www.adventuresforwomen.org or 973- and to register; registration limited. 12 strenuous miles. The Wednesday, November 11 644-3592. Meet: 9:30am; register for location. Moderate hike; ADK-MH. Franny Reese Park, Highland, NY. Leader: Fred Otte, NY-NJ Trail Conference has been developing this trail for UCHC. Ramapo Lake, Oakland, NJ. Leader: Micky Siegel, out by 2:30pm. 845-462-8305. Meet: 9am; register with leader for meeting decades. Section includes Roosa Gap State Forest and the new 201-797-7054. Meet: 10am at Skyline Dr., first lot on left at bottom WTA. Pawling Nature Preserve, Pawling, NY. Leader: Carol place. Easy 3-4 mile hike in park with interesting history and views South Gully Trail. Shuttle required. of hill (I-287 to exit 57). Very scenic, casual hike, well worth the Harting, 845-669-6731. Meet: Call for directions and meeting from west side of Hudson. drive. Beautiful view of the lake; bring snack or lunch for WTA. Westchester Wilderness Walk, Pound Ridge, NY. Leader: time ($7 fee if carpooling from North White Plains). 6-7 moderate Thursday, November 26 20-minute rest stop. Call if in doubt due to inclement weather. Marcia Cohen; for more hike info contact Eileen West at miles. Explore this Nature Conservancy Preserve in Putnam UCHC. Thanksgiving at South Mountain, NJ. Leader: contact [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am at North White Plains RVW. Buttercup Farm Sanctuary, Pine Plains, NY. Leader: County, possibly a section of the AT as well. Terry Kulmane for info, [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am train station ($3 fee if carpooling), or send email inquiring about Call 845-758-6143. Easy Hike: 3 miles, 3 hours. Meet: 9am. Monday, November 16 at Locust Grove parking, corner Glen Ave. and Lackawanna Pl, alternate meeting place. Easy to moderate 5-6 miles; shaded Thursday, November 12 UCHC. Patriots’ Path, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Roz Bloom, 973- Millburn, NJ. 2-hour, moderately paced hike. paths on varied terrain. UCHC. Seven Hills Trail, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: 364-0186. Meet: 10am at Speedwell Village; call for directions. Saturday, November 28 Ron Kuhns, 201-836-5256. Meet: 10am at Lake Sebago boat Easy 3 miles, along old Rock-a-Bye Railroad and the Whippany WTA. Fahnestock State Park, Cold Spring, NY. Leader: Carol launch parking. Moderately strenuous 7-8 miles with nice views; River. Bad weather or icy conditions cancel. Ann Benton, [email protected]; must email leader to for experienced hikers. RVW. Edmund Niles Huyck Preserve, Rensselaerville, NY. register. Meet: 9:15am at Hubbard Perkins Lodge. Moderate 9-10 Leader: Call 518-895-8474. Easy+ hike: 4 miles, 3 hours. Meet: miles. Stops at two ponds and at the view from Round Hill. Short The activities listed are sponsored by member clubs of the NY-NJ Trail Conference. All hikers are welcome subject to club regula - 8am. Inclement weather date—following Monday. shuttle required. tions and rules of the trail. You are responsible for your own safety. Wear hiking boots or strong, low-heeled shoes. Bring food, water, rain gear, first aid kit, and a flashlight in a backpack. Leaders have the right and responsibility to refuse anyone whom they believe Tuesday, November 17 UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Gail cannot complete the hike or is not adequately equipped. Easy, moderate, or strenuous hikes are relative terms; call leader if in doubt. AFW. Blauvelt Mountain, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Waimon, 973-467-4761. Meet: 10am at Trailside Nature Center on Register at 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. Coles Ave., at New Providence Rd. Brisk 4+ miles with some rocky More than 100 clubs belong to the Trail Conference, and many of our affiliate groups sponsor hikes not listed in the Hikers’ Almanac. Meet: 10am; register for location. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. trails. Rain cancels. For a descriptive list of Conference clubs, consult our website or send a SASE with your request to NY-NJ Trail Conference. Sunday, November 29 Club Codes UCHC. High Mtn. Preserve Park, Franklin Lakes, NJ. Leader: Vin Dryer, 201-264-0976. Meet: 10am at end of Indian Trail Dr. in ADK-MH. Vanderbilt Mansion Walk, Hyde Park, NY. Leader: Only those clubs with hikes offered in this issue are listed below. Please call numbers listed to confirm. Franklin Lakes. Moderate 7 miles; for experienced hikers. Climb Carol Gray, [email protected] or 845-471-1168. Meet: ADK-MH ADK Mid-Hudson Chapter RVW Rip Van Winkle Hiking Club Beech Mtn. for views of the reservoir, then High Mtn. with views 10:30am at mansion parking lot. Easy 3 miles on park roads, AFW Adventures for Women TNC Tenafly Nature Center of New York, Bergen and Passaic Counties. Some road walking on including trail to Bard Rock. AMC-NY/NoJ AMC New York-North Jersey Chapter UCHC Union County Hiking Club the way out (views of the McMansions), then to Buttermilk Falls. AMC-NY/NoJ. Thanksgiving Weekend Wrap-Up, Harriman IHC Interstate Hiking Club WTA Westchester Trails Association State Park, NY. Leader: Stanley Lewin, 212-929-7012. Meet: Con - tact leader. Hilly 7 miles at a moderate pace. Time to work off NYR New York Ramblers some of that turkey we had over the holiday; join us for this fun Clubs wishing to have hikes listed in Hikers’ Almanac should send their schedules to [email protected] or to the Trail Conference Office. hike. Call 6:30-7:30am day of hike if weather in doubt. The deadline for the January/February issue is November 15. November/December 2009 Page 9

WTA. Popolopen Gorge, Bear Mountain State Park, NY. Leader: 845-454-4428 or [email protected]. Meet: 9am to carpool at George O’Lear, 914-631-8441. Meet: 9:30am at North White Plains Rt. 9 Holiday Inn, Fishkill. Moderate 4-5 miles. A landmark above Green and but it has been a delight to actually witness ($7 fee if carpooling), or ask leader about alternate meeting the Hudson, 800 feet high, High Tor offers spectacular views of the aggressive growth of adventitious buds place. Moderate 7 miles. We’ll hike to Popolopen Creek, with stops the river and to the west. Additional walking along Long Path or out of blackened, dead-looking trees. Any - at Brooks Lake, Popolopen Gorge, and Torne, then return to Bear through town of Haverstraw may be added. Bad weather cancels. Black Forest one who hiked Jenny Lane/ Long Path this Mountain and Hessian Lake. Bad weather cancels. AFW. Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Register at 973-644- At Minnewaska, nature summer saw a dazzling abundance of blue - WTA. Erie Rail Bed, Nyack to Piermont, NY. Leader: Stewart 3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 10am; register for berries. And in mid-September, the forest Manville, 914-582-1237. Meet: 10am at North White Plains ($4 fee location. Moderately strenuous hike; out by 3pm. thrives a year after floor was carpeted with a plethora of light if carpooling), or ask leader about alternate meeting place. Easy, Sunday, December 13 level 2.5 or 5 miles (your choice). Views of Hudson River, stop in pink and red berries protruding from AMC-NY/NoJ. Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Mahwah, a major fire Piermont for a café lunch. abundant wintergreen. NJ. Leader: Ellen Blumenkrantz, [email protected]. By Laura Conner IHC. Patriots’ Path: Schiff Reservation to Scherman-Hoffman Meet: 10:15am; must contact leader to register, limited to One surprise has been the super-sized Audubon Sanctuary, Morristown, NJ. Leader: Claire Bransfield, 12 people. Moderate 10 miles. Our loop will also include Ringwood The Overlooks Fire at Minnewaska State return of the sassafras. After the fire last 908-240-1479. Meet: 9am at Jockey Hollow visitors center in State Park, passing three lakes and two great viewpoints. Park Preserve, which lasted for six days in year, I noticed stump-sprouting sassafras Morristown, NJ. Strenuous 11 miles. Hike will also include Lewis UCHC. Echo Lake Park, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Mae Deas, Morris Park and Cross Estates. Shuttle required. Rain cancels. April of 2008 and closed the Preserve for that seemed to grow stronger, bigger, and 908-233-6641. Meet: 10am at lot closest to Mountain Ave. over a week, was significant in size and faster than other trees. The sassafras are still Monday, November 30 Casual walk; may also go up hill by the lakes and investigate a intensity. The fire burned through 2,700 going strong, but other plant species seem RVW. Millbrook Mtn., Minnewaska State Park, NY. Leader: Call marshy area. acres of forest with reported flames as high as to be catching up. Included among these 845-338-8772 Moderate hike: 6 miles, 4 hours. Meet: 9:00. Tuesday, December 15 Inclement weather date—following Monday. 70 feet. Some trails, notably Jenny Lane are New York fern, bracken fern, tulip tree AFW. Tallman Mountain State Park, NY. Leader: Register at (co-aligned with the Long Path), were closed saplings, hay-scented fern, sheep and December 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 10am; register for location. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. to hikers for months as nature was allowed mountain laurel, wintergreen, Indian Tuesday, December 1 to take its course with as little disturbance as cucumber root, red maple, chestnut oak, UCHC. Skylands Manor, Ringwood, NJ. Leaders: Carolyn and UCHC. Ramapo State Forest, Wanaque, NJ. Leader: Carol possible. When hikers re-entered the fire- and bear oak. O’Keefe, 973-328-7395. Meet: 10am at back beach parking area. Jim Canfield, 973-728-9774. Meet: 10am at parking at end of Moderate 5-6 miles; for experienced hikers. Hike on some newer Morris Ave. Moderate 5-6 miles; for experienced hikers. Great struck trail areas, however, they saw evidence In 2008, it was easy to distinguish the trails on the west side; some climbs and nice views. views from Mount Defiance. of a regenerating forest. pockets of forest that had burned hotter Thursday, December 3 Thursday, December 17 The Shawanagunk Ridge has a history of from those that were more lightly scorched. UCHC. Seven Hills Trail, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Irene UCHC. Waywayanda State Park, NJ. Leaders: Carolyn and Jim fire dating back to the late 19th century, The hotly burned forests revealed the Logan, 845-753-5651. Meet: 10am at Lake Sebago boat launch. Canfield, 973-728-9774. Meet: 10am at boat launch parking. when local berry pickers set fires to increase charred skeletal remains of mountain lau - Moderately strenuous 7 miles. Climb the Seven Hills Trails, then Moderate 6 miles. If swamp is passable, Pumphouse loop around their harvest. The berry picker fires culmi - rel, and the tall blackened trunks of mature on to Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail, and the Buck Trail. Crampons/ice the lake is possible. nated in the largest recorded fire on October trees retained leaves only in their crowns. creepers may be needed. Bad weather or bad forecast cancels. Saturday, December 19 30, 1947, which burned for six days and Other areas were burned so lightly that AFW. Ramapo Tourne, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Regis - ADK-MH. Race the Bear Hike, Taconics, CT. Leader: Russ Faller, charred between 7,000 to 8,000 acres. charring could be seen only upon a close [email protected] or 845-297-5126; call before 9:30pm. ter at 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: examination of the forest floor and the bot - 10am; register for location. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. Meet: Contact leader. 9 miles, over 1500 feet ascent; winter gear may be necessary. From Race Brook Falls, we’ll hike up Mt. Race, tom of tree trunks. Saturday, December 5 continue on the AT down into beautiful Sages Ravine, then up In 2009, though plants rebounded and UCHC. Watchung Trail Maintenance, Mountainside, NJ. Bear Mtn., the highest mountain in CT. Leader: Register by calling Betty Kelly, 908-789-3683. Meet: added their green costume over the black - 9:30am; we’ll work until noon. Have fun while giving back to the WTA. Orchard Beach and City Island, NY. Leader: Marcia Cohen, ened ground and stumps, a keen observer trails; no experience needed. Bring work gloves, bag for trash, and 914-478-1172. Meet: 10am at the Orchard Beach parking lot could still pick out these areas. Many of the R

(right, front side of the main lot). Easy 5 miles. Stroll along the E clippers/loppers if you have them. Trail work is held unless there N

N badly burned deciduous trees, in particular

beach, through woods, then over the bridge to streets of City O is severe weather. C

Island. Lunch at a cozy spot in City Island (purchase there or bring A red maple, chestnut oak and birch, are R

ADK-MH. James Baird State Park, LaGrange, NY. Leader: Marie U your own). A sprouting vigorous, almost shrubby new L Caruso, [email protected] or 845-452-9086; call before growth from their stumps, even as lightly 10pm. Meet: 10am; contact leader for place. Easy 3-4 miles, UCHC. South Mtn. Reservation, Millburn, NJ. Leader: Naomi Adventitious buds on charred pitch pine. through woods and across the golf course to view ponds. Bad Shapiro, 973-564-8780; call before 9pm. Meet: 10am at Locust leafed upper branches struggle to sustain weather cancels. Grove parking, Glen Ave. & Lackawanna Pl. 4-5 miles at a steady Native Americans in this region used fire these large trees. pace; uneven terrain. Rain cancels. UCHC. South Mtn. Reservation, Millburn, NJ. Leader: Ellen as a tool as far back as 3,000 years ago. Reg - Jeydel, 908-232-2413. Meet: 10am at Locust Grove parking, Glen Sunday, December 20 ular burning of the forest created a park-like Ave. and Lackawanna Pl. Moderate hike. Rain cancels. AFW. Raccoon Brook Hills Trail, Harriman State Park, NY. landscape with overarching nut trees com - Leader: Register at www.adventuresforwomen.org or 973-644- AMC-NY/NoJ. Skannatati Skedaddle, Harriman State Park, plemented by a grassy understory with fruit 3592. Meet: 9:30am; register for location. Strenuous hike at NY. Leader: Art Almeida, 914-271-8659. Meet: Contact leader. Hilly moderate pace; out by 2:30pm. producing shrubs. This sort of open forest 9 miles at a moderate pace. Steep initial climb, then wander as made for easy hunting and traveling. many interesting trails as we can find. Call morning of hike if IHC. Three Reservoirs, Harriman State Park, NY. Leader: Dave weather doubtful. Sutter, [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am at Lake Sebago parking The forest at Minnewaska has evolved to on Seven Lakes Dr. Moderately strenuous 9 miles past three be fire-dependent, and the plants living in

AFW. Deer Park, Hackettstown, NJ. Leader: Register at N

reservoirs and more. Rain cancels. it have adapted specifically to survive and N 973-644-3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 10am; U H

ADK-MH. Table Rock Photo Hike, Mohonk Preserve, NY. even thrive through fire. For instance, a H

register for location. Easy hike; out by 2pm. S O

Leader: Brian Sullivan, 845-594-9545. Meet: 9:45am at Spring J Sunday, December 6 close look at the trunk of a pitch pine often Farm trailhead; call for directions. Easy to moderate 5 miles; out reveals clusters of pine needles. These IHC. The Fire Escape in Winter, Bear Mtn. State Park, NY. by noon. Bad driving conditions cancel. Leader: Dave Sutter, [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am at Iona Island bright green tufts surround adventitious parking on Rt. 9W; 1.4 miles south of Bear Mtn. Bridge. Strenuous Wednesday, December 23 buds that are capable of producing new 8 miles. Bring crampons or ice creepers as there may be a UCHC. Watchung Reservation, Mountainside, NJ. Leader: Ellie growth if other portions of the tree die. King, 908-233-8411. Meet: 10am at Trailside Nature Center, Coles very difficult ascent. This section of Bear Mtn. Park, south of And, the pitch pine has serotinous pine Doodletown, has some of the best views in the park. Ave. at New Providence Rd. Moderate 2-hour walk. Rain or heavy snow may cancel. cones, which remain tightly closed until AFW. Merrill Creek Reservoir, NJ. Leader: Register at 973-644- 3592 or www.adventuresforwomen.org. Meet: 10am; register for Friday, December 25 exposed to extreme heat, when they open location. Moderate hike; out by 2pm. IHC. Ho, Ho, Ho, Happy Holidays in Harriman State Park, NY. for pollination. This strategy provides the N

Leader: Larry Spinner, 845-517-0858. Meet: 10am at commuter tree with a competitive advantage. The fire N

WTA. Monksville Reservoir and Ringwood Manor, NJ. Leader: U lot in Sloatsburg, NY (right at blinker light, one block, then right H Eileen West, 914-747-3776 or [email protected]. Meet: eliminates other plants, which would vie H S

again). Moderate, holiday-enjoyment pace. Leader will bring O 10am at North White Plains ($6 fee if carpooling), or ask leader for sunlight and nutrients in the forest, and J about alternate meeting place. Easy to moderate 5-6 miles. cookies and hopes others will bring treats to share. All levels and A charred area in early June 2008 (top) beginners welcome. Snowshoes or crampons/ice creepers may the organic matter resulting from their Morning hike features views all around the reservoir, in the after - destruction produces a rich, humus layer was sporting green one month later in July. noon we’ll explore trails around the Manor. Optional tour of the be needed; those without needed gear may be turned away. Manor, decorated in 19th-century holiday décor, after the hike Bad weather may cancel; call after 7am if in doubt. that is ripe for seed germination. On late summer walks along Jenny Lane ($7 admission). UCHC. Traditional Christmas Day Hike – South Mtn. Reserva - Fire tolerant trees, such as chestnut oak I observed an abundance of wildlife, TNC. Family Nature Walk, Tenafly, NJ. Leader: TNC environ - tion, W. Orange, NJ. Leader: For info, contact Terry Kulmane, and pitch pine, have a thick, flaky bark that including chipmunks, red squirrels, ravens, mental educator; sign up at www.tenaflynaturecenter.org or call [email protected]. Meet: 9:30am at Tulip Springs parking protects the living cambium layer beneath numerous song birds, coyote, turkey, deer 201-568-6093. Enjoy a guided walk along one of the center’s on Brookside Ave. Moderate 2-hour hike through the pines. from burning. These trees, as well as many and insects. Overall, a visit to the site of last trails. Program intended for adults and families; no strollers Monday, December 28 other fire tolerant plants, have the ability to year’s forest fire left me with an impression please. Preregistration requested but not required. Free for mem - UCHC. South Mtn. Reservation, W. Orange, NJ. Leader: Joe resprout from root material. This category of a peaceful, vital, bright green forest bers; $5 for nonmembers. McLaughlin, 973-263-2799. Meet: 10am at Deer Paddock; call for directions. Easy, fairly level 3 miles. Hike to Washington Rock. Bad of plants includes laurels, blueberries, humming along just as it is meant to. Thursday, December 10 huckleberries, oaks, and sassafras. UCHC. Ringwood State Park, NJ. Leader: Eric Singer, 973-744- weather or icy conditions cancels. 7147. Meet: 10am at Ringwood Manor upper lot. Moderately Friday, January 1 It’s been no surprise to see the pitch pine Laura Conner is Environmental Educator at strenuous 8 miles. Starts level but gradually gets steeper. UCHC. Traditional New Year’s Day Hike – South Mtn. Reserva - trees bouncing back as ecologists predicted, Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Crampons/ice creepers may be needed. tion, W. Orange, NJ. Leader: For info, contact Terry Kulmane, Saturday, December 12 [email protected]. Meet: 10am at Tulip Springs parking ADK-MH. High Tor, Rockland County, NY. Leader: Pete McGinnis, on Brookside Ave. Moderate 2-hour hike through the pines. Another Way to Give Have you considered investing in the Trail Con - Find More Scheduled Hikes on our website! ference’s mission? Making a donation in the Go to www.nynjtc.org and Click on form of a charitable gift annuity from Scheduled Hikes under Go Hiking. the Trail Conference might be the perfect opportunity for you. A charitable gift annuity pays you a steady fixed income for the rest of your life. Charitable gift annuities are very popular gifts because of the high rate of return, which will never change after a gift is made, regardless of interest rate fluctuations. And, a charitable gift annu - ity is simple to establish. With a charitable gift annuity you would get an immediate income tax deduc - tion for a significant portion of the value of your gift, and favorable taxation of the annuity payments will increase the spending power of your annuity. For more information, please contact Jennifer Hezel at [email protected] Hudson River view from Bear Mountain State Park. or 201-512-9348, ext. 28. Page 10 November/December 2009 DONORS TO THE ANNUAL FUND Hunting Seasons 2009 August 9, 2009 – September 30, 2009 GIFTS NEW YORK Hunting is not allowed in Bear Mountain- ADK North Jersey Ramapo Chapter, Victor A. Alfieri Jr. & Jonathan Alfieri, Sheela B. Amrute, Estelle Anderson, John & Bonnie Deer Seasons: Regular and Archery Harriman State Parks. However it is Anlian, Patrick J. Applegate, Jill H. Arbuckle, Steven & Christine Arkin, Ellis Arnstein MD, Harvey G. Aronson, Felice Aull, Southern Zone allowed in parts or all of other state parks. Catherine A. Bales, Peter M. Balma, Alexander & Margaret Bancroft, Victoria Guarnieri & Anne Baumann, Dr. George L. (includes Hudson Valley and Catskills) Call parks for details. Becker Jr., Barbara J. Benjaminson, Eric Blaine, Susan Blakeney & Eric Sieber, Ed Blaumeiser, John B. Blenninger, Philip Blocklyn, John A. Boehning, Brian & Jody Boland, Jack & Susan P. Bolnick, Malcolm A. Borg, Bill Boyle, Robert & Rose Regular: Nov. 21 – Dec. 13 Black Rock Forest (845-534-4517) Marie Boysen, John & Patricia Brotherton, Raymond M. Bulley, Ferdinand Caiocca, Evangeline Caliandro, James & Carolyn Bow: Oct. 17 – Nov. 20, Dec. 14 – Dec. 22 closes to all hikers from Nov. 21 through Canfield, Dennis Carbonero, Daniel D. Chazin, William Chiappane, John L. Clark, Derek D. & Barbara Cocovinis, Herbert J. Coles & June Fait, James A. Conklin, Joseph A. & Marion Costa, Robert W. Cresko, Philip D. Cristantiello PhD, Peter Westchester County Dec. 13. Cruikshank, Ernst Daly, Jane & Walt Daniels, Geoffrey & Lauri Novick-Dann, Jerome Dean, Fred DeBergh, Mary DeBiasio, Bow only: Oct. 17 – Dec. 31 For more info about deer season in Dell Direct Giving Campaign, John P. Denkowski, Laurie E. Donald, William H. Doremus, Douglas K. Eads, Earth Share, Joan Ehrenfeld & David Ehrenfeld, Vincent Ellison Jr., Charles Evans, Jr., Chris Ezzo, Charlotte Fahn & Stanley Fahn MD, Suffolk County New York, go to www.dec.ny.gov/ Herbert J. Coles & June Fait, Sanford Felzenberg, Janice L. Fink, Ronald R. Fontana, Thomas Francois, Jakob Franke & Gely Bow only: Oct. 1 – Dec. 31 outdoor/28605.html. For info about Franke, B. Harrison Frankel & Phyllis Frankel, Christopher & Dorothy Freeman, Roy C. Geist, William H. Gelles, Kenneth all big game hunting seasons and P. George, Bernard R. & Irene S. Gingras, Dan & Ann Gladding, Robert J. Glynn, Richard W. Goldsmith, Jack Goldwasser, regulations in New York, visit Toby Golick, Suzanne Goodell, James & Susan Goodfellow, Peter Tilgner & Suzan Gordon, Glenn S. Gray, Judith Green, John & Anne Grob, Ann Gruhn & Peter Franaszek, Joseph O. & Dolores Grupp, John & Marianne Gunzler, Dr. Thomas B. www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/10003.html. Hakes, Mary Hall & David Barnes, Gordon L. Hamilton, Deborah E. Hammond & David Emanuel, David Harris, Mary & Patrick Hartery, Jacquelyn Hartley, Marilyn Gross & Kim Hausner, Edward Z. Hawkes, Tracy Heydweiller, Kenneth A. Hicks, NEW JERSEY A one-day shotgun season is set for Peter E. Hobday, Blaine T. & Mary Jo Hoekstra, Michael Holober & Melissa Hall, Seth Jacobs, Lance Jacobs & Esta Shapiro, December 16 in many zones with addi - Pat T. & Don G. Johnson, Michael A. Kaye, Peter L. Kennard, Albert Kent Jr., Howard D. Kessler Jr., Charles & Anita Kientzler, In New Jersey, the safest course in the Harry R. & Karen S. Kissileff, Mark Klingenstein, Janet C. Kohler, Laura Kokasko, Susan Kornacki & Charles M. Gordanier, fall is to hike only on Sundays, when tional days permitted in some zones. Charles Kovacs, Stuart J. Kurtz, Gregory Lake, Douglas Laws, Russell M. Layne, Michael A. Lea, Robert F. & Cheryl Lehmann, hunting with firearms is generally For the complete set of deer season reg - John J. Lenihan, Fred R. Liberman, John P. Linderman, Chester S. Logan, H. Max Lopp II, Donald P. Lynch, Leonard & Sue prohibited throughout the state. Other - Lyon, Robert G. Mackay, Stefan Madajewicz, John C. Mahle Jr., Eileen T. Mahler, Paul Makus, Dick Manley, Harold Marciari, ulations, go to www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw, Brian Markey & Virginia M. Lincoln, Robert Marshall, MaryAnn & Charlie Massey, Anders Maxwell, Douglas F. McBride, wise, hunting seasons vary by weapon then click on Hunting, then Deer. Go to Shawn McDonough, James & Kathryn McGrath, Steve M. McGrath, Roland B. McIntosh, Seth L. McKee & Ellen Butowsky, and geography. the same site for other hunting seasons Donald B. McLellan & Jeane S. McLellan, Philip & Lynne McLewin, Alan Melniker, Kevin Miles, Keith Mogerley, Jeanne Moos, Dennis R. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Brian P. Mulraney, Michael C. Natale, NECA, Wesley Nicoll, Elke & Gregg Noll, A six-day firearm season is set for and information. Edward T. O’Brien & Barbara O’Brien, Edward T. O’Connor, Chris Oldfather & Fredrica Wyman, Joachim & Lila December 7-12 in all zones. Oppenheimer, Walter L. Ortz, Anne & Fred Osborn, Robert Ostermann, John Palczynski & Pat Laverty, Carol B. & Eugene J. Pantuck, George D. Patterson, William F. & Mary H. Penny, Jeanne Petta, William & Georgann Pettenger, Walter R. Pfaff, Frederick J. Pinkney, Gale & Louis Pisha, Trudy Pojman, Elizabeth & Jim Posillico, John A Pritchard, Dan Pupel, Daniel Raleigh, Roger Roloff & Barbara Petersen, Ron & Marilyn Rosen, Jack Rosenbaum, Weiland A. Ross, Tracy & Daniel Those 70 1/2 Years Old Can Use IRA Distribution as Charitable Gift Rossettini, John Rowan, Mark Rubin & Barbara Rubin, Donald & Susan Rudbart, John Rudder, Robert Russo, Edward Saiff, Harold & Marie Salwen, Helen Schneider, Marypat & Todd Schreibman, John Schweighardt, Steve R. Schwinn & Susan J. December 31, 2009 is the deadline for those of you 70 1/2 years and older to use your IRA to Schwinn, Paul E. Scraggs, Patrice & Charles M. Scully, Chester Sensenig, Alfred A. Seymour-Jones, James R. Sheil, Terry make your charitable gifts this year and avoid federal tax on your required IRA distribution. Sherman, Linda Shwab, Constantine & Anne Sidamon-Eristoff, Steven Silverstein & Maite Jimenez, Mr. Harry J. Smith, Norman J. Smith, Chuck Smith, Erik S. Spencer, David Spiwak, Y. Spravtsev & I. Poznanskaya, Robert Sternhell, Susan Some additional restrictions apply: Sterngold , Anthony M. Stolarz, Kristine Stortroen, Peter W. Strong, Jan A. Summers, David & Naomi Sutter, Peter & Claudia • Tax benefits apply for gifts up to $100,000 per person, Swain, Dean B. Talcott, Chris Tausch, Phyllis Teitelbaum & Anthony Lunn, Carl E. & Victoria A.D. Thune, Cynthia A. Tollo- Falls & Stuart Falls, Thomas N. & Diane Tuthill, United Way of Tri-State, Ernest V. Valera, Dale Van Demark, Jan & Sandra • This federally tax free distribution is only available through 2009. van Heerden, Christie Van Kehrberg, Nicholas J. Viggiano, Wal-Mart Foundation, Ed & Eudora Walsh, William C. Ward Jr., According to the law, after that, this window of opportunity will be closed. Larry A. Wehr, Judith M. Weiner, Robert & Virginia Weismantel, Barbara Westergaard, William E. Wickey, Leonora H. Wiener, Joan H. Wise, Sondra Wolferman, Richard & Nancy Wolff, Hanson Wong, Trudy L. Wood & Jacob Goldberg, Ellen Yoffa, • Your gift distribution must be directly to the Trail Conference, Stephen Zimic, H. Neil Zimmerman. • Only outright charitable gifts can be made (not to a donor advised fund PEOPLE FOR TRAILS HIKE-A-THON or income gifts such as charitable gift annuities) David Adelman, Kori Allen, Estelle Anderson, Cameron Anderson, Ali Asghar, Shirley Banks, Robert Baum, Parag Bhimani, You should consult with your financial adviser or accountant to see how the Pension Susan Billard, Lisa Bonanno, J & V Bonnell, Diana Bottiglieri, Kate Bowers, Robert & Rose Marie Boysen, Jim Brooks, Lori Bukiewicz, Liz Cammarano, Cheryl Cannatelli, Amy Cason, Gabe Cassaniti, Fred & Kaye Champlin, Ira Chavis, Kyunghee Protection act can help you. Cho, Inshik & Sookza Chung, Jeffrey Cohen, Chris Connolly, Vincent Crudden, Donna T. Davis, William & Muriel Davison, To inform the Trail Conference that you are making an IRA distribution, please contact Joshua Fred DeBergh, Eileen DeFilippis, Denise Donofrio, Paul Douglas, Judith Drake, Peter Dunbar, Fred Duro, Simon Ekizian, Howard, the TC’s Deputy Executive Director, at [email protected] or 201-512-9348, ext. 14. Samantha Ekizian, Enzo Creative, Andrew Forste, Jakob Franke & Gely Franke, Liz Gallegos, Faye Gemmellaro, Danielle & Billy Getty, Robert Halderman, Amanda Halloran, Paul Holly, Jonathan Holtz, Susie Hsu, Josh Huntington, Ibex, Daren Ileczko, Kelly & Tyrone Jackson, Ritesh Jha, Isabel Jimenez, Jeffrey Kail, Krupal Kapadia, Marvin Kaufman, Laird Kelly, Hans Khimm, Vicki Kiernan, Matthew Kitchen, Joseph Kogan, Marcelle Carol Layton, Sang Lee, Rebecca Leege, Mom & Dad PHIL MCLEWIN TRAIL NEWS Leonardis, Ronald Leonardis, Tom Lessig, Frank Libert, Belinda Ligon, Stephen Lillis, Brian Linde, Brent LucDesigns, Mike Malandra, Ryan Malluk, Michael Marinoff, Christine Martin, Zackary Martin, Heidy Martinez, Lorraine McDonald, Bill continued from page 1 continued from page 4 McLernon, Jackie McNulty, Ken Montal, Elyssa & Joel Mosbacher, Erika Mosier & Larry Giacoletti, William Mullally, Tom Murray, Jessica Nicolosi, Eric Nolte, Joe O’Dowd, Shizuko Okunura, Linnea O’Mara, Allison Ordonez, Barbara Parisi- All-in-all, by mid-September, Phil had Road, and Victory and Ramapo-Dunder - Sanchez, Pippin Parke, Sarah Jessica Parker, Trudy Pojman, Kim Power, George Preoteasa, Ronald Redfield, Gordon developed content for 14 regions and 185 berg Trails. Reusink, David Ridge, Bea Rimas, Ruta Rimas, Andrew Wyman & Kate Roohe, Michele Sabran, Mark Saiff, Gerald & Susan parks, in the process writing more than Savage, J Savage, Chris Saxman, Anne Schumacher, Howard M. & Shayna Sebold, Jacqualyn Siegfried, Bea Simpson, IN RAMAPO MOUNTAIN Michael Skelly, Jackie Skrzynski, Charissa Slack, Kelly Smith, Cindy Spence, Christopher Spence, Janet Stark, Roberta 50,000 words, roughly the size of a 200- Sutherland, Angela Tennaro, Tent & Trails, Jim Travers, Frank Treanor, Cinthia Umemoto, Richard Weiler, Georgette Weir page, double-spaced manuscript. “I did not STATE FOREST & Jean Claude Fouere, Chris Williams, Andrew & Edward Williams, Marty & Nancy Willick, Ben Yen, Bob Zelen, Bill keep a careful count on the number of Cannonball Trailhead Closed in Zumsteg, Jeanne Zylber. Pompton Lakes DARLINGTON SCHOOL HOUSE FUND TRIBUTES Access to the Cannonball Trail from Barbara Dr. George L. Becker Jr., Ian M. & Carroll Highet, In memory of Tom Dunn Drive in Pompton Lakes, at the southern - Mary Smart & Irving Fletcher, Hans Khimm Lawrence Gries most point of Ramapo Mountain State BEAR MOUNTAIN TRAILS In memory of Don Erbe Forest, is officially closed by the property John Blenninger, Pete & Rita Heckler Charels Scully owner, DuPont. The closure is part of a In memory of Alta Sumner Pete & Rita Heckler planned three-month renovation of the soc - In honor of Basha Kill Area Association cer field in the area and, we hope, is Tributes are only printed for donations of $25 or more. Paula Medley temporary. Negotiations to allow continued access to the Cannonball Trail once the field THANK YOU TO WAL-MART FOR PROUDLY SUPPORTING renovation is complete are in progress. Alter - OUR TRAIL CONFERENCE VOLUNTEERS native access to the Cannonball Trail can be had via the Hoeferlin Trail from parking on Web volunteer Phil McLewin regularly the north side of Pool Hollow Road in Oak - gets away from his computer for hikes in the parks he writes about. A favorite land, or via the Indian Rock Trail from and nearby destination is Ramapo Valley parking at Back Beach Park in Wanaque. County Reservation, the first park he (See North Jersey Trail Map 115.) entered into the web database. hours spent,” he admits, “in part because it was an enjoyable process of discovery and I became engaged without thought of time.” For Trail Conference record-keeping pur - poses, he figures he averages five hours per location for research, writing, and upload - ing content. That works out, he notes, to practically 1,000 hours over the past 16 months. Phil next plans to review the information he compiled on the earliest parks, to contin - ue monitoring comments on web pages for needed updates, and to search for and add parks that may not be included in the Walk Books , particularly county parks. There is, in fact, no end to “finishing.” Phil welcomes suggestions to correct errors, clarify, add or delete information. Just go to "find a park" (under the Go Hiking tab), select one you know, and post a comment as appropriate. He will find it, because, once again, he plans to keep at it during his next cold- season sojourn on the California coast. November/December 2009 Page 11 On the Trail with GPS Book Review 10 Hikes in Harriman Park Some of the hikes are attractive loops, and More but one includes a long roadwalk for the How to Choose a GPS Receiver 1 Day Vacations return trip, and some involve off-trail hik - By Jeremy Apgar, Trail Conference cartographer ing for part of route (generally not allowed). The descriptions are not always As the staff cartographer here at the Trail Positional Accuracy: Look for GPS clear; in some instances, it’s impossible to Conference, I am often approached by vol - receivers that utilize a 12-channel parallel figure out which way to go without con - unteers or members asking, “I am interested receiver system, as this allows the receiver to sulting a map. in getting a GPS receiver to hike with but lock onto multiple satellites at the same Unfortunately, the text includes substan - don’t quite know what to look for…can you time to more accurately pinpoint your tive and typographical errors. For example, provide any recommendations?” location. Many factors affect GPS accuracy, reference is made (p. 9) to the “Hillburn- More and more people are carrying a GPS regardless of the model; but some receivers Torne-Sloatsburg” Trail (it should be receiver when they hike. In addition, many provide enhanced accuracy under certain “Hillburn-Torne-Sebago); and the Arden- people are getting into geo-caching, a fami - conditions, such as with a system called Surebridge Trail leading down to Lake ly-friendly activity that utilizes GPS receivers WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Sys - Skannatati is erroneously identified as the to hunt for treasure in the great outdoors. In tem). GPS receivers need unobstructed “Ramapo Dunderberg.” Two of the three a survey we conducted earlier this year con - access to satellites overhead, so to maintain maps contain errors that are pointed out in cerning trail map usage, 50% of the 660 the best connection, they should not be iUniverse, Inc., 2007 the text, an awkward solution. The hikes are respondents noted they use a GPS receiver hidden inside a deep pocket or backpack Reviewed by Daniel Chazin all rated, but it is difficult to understand when out hiking, with their frequency of use (keep in mind that it is still possible to lose why the hike beginning on p. 24, which ranging from rarely to always. satellite connection even under seemingly When Bill Myles’ Harriman Trails guide - includes a steep 1,000-foot climb of Bald (Fortunately, over 90% of total respon - perfect conditions). book was first published in 1992, one Mountain, is rated “moderate,” as this is dents noted they carry a trail map at least shortcoming of the book was that it only one of the most strenuous hikes in the park. most of the time. GPS units should not be ADVANCED FEATURES described trails and did not suggest any loop In sum, the author has identified some considered substitutes for map and com - Maps: Not all GPS receivers have mapping hikes. 10 Hikes in Harriman Park and More , attractive hikes, but a novice hiker is likely pass, but supplements to them. Like any tools. The most basic units document and written and published through iUniverse by to have some difficulty following the electronic technology, they are not wholly record data such as miles traveled, way - Paul Huberman, attempts to address this author’s descriptions. reliable: batteries may die, the unit may points, or elevation, simply as numbers. deficiency. It contains descriptions of ten fail, contact with satellites may be lost.) Some GPS receivers have basic mapping hikes in Harriman-Bear Mountain State Daniel Chazin is editor of the New York and With so many different brands offering capabilities, showing your location in refer - Parks, all of which are broken down into New Jersey Walk Books and other Trail Con - multiple models with a wide range of fea - ence to major roads or towns. Others can be “short manageable stretches,” along with ference books. He writes the Trail Conference’s tures (Garmin, for instance, offers over 40 used to access fully-featured topographic hand-drawn maps for the first three hikes Hike of the Week column for The Record , in different GPS receivers for “On the Trail” maps that are either preloaded or available and many photos. The book also has a list of Bergen County. use), it can certainly seem like an over - for purchase. Certain GPS receivers even recommended overlooks, “peaceful spots” whelming task to find the GPS receiver allow user-created maps to be used. It is and waterfalls in Harriman, and ends with a perfect for your use. This article aims to important to identify what kind of map - section, entitled “Extras,” that covers such provide some guidance about what to look ping capability you need, as this variable topics as the author’s favorite restaurants in for when shopping for a GPS receiver, plays a big role in the overall price. nearby Suffern. keeping in mind that everyone has distinct Color vs. Grayscale: More expensive needs and varying wallet sizes. models tend to provide color screens while less expensive models have a grayscale screen. This factor often goes hand-in-hand New West with mapping capabilities, as topographic maps are often easier to follow with a color Hudson Trails screen. If the intended use of the GPS receiver is less focused on using maps, con - Map Set Now sider a grayscale model to save some money. It is also important to make sure the screen Available! is readable in the outdoors, as certain screens can appear to be washed out in sunlight. USEABILITY Size/Weight: Though many GPS receivers for hiking use are designed to be handheld, their sizes and shapes widely vary. Some are small enough to fit comfortably in a child’s hand, while others can be bulkier and be eas - ier to use with larger adult hands. Screen sizes and resolutions also vary, so be sure you D T L can easily read the text and maps on the , N I

M screen. The best way to figure out what R A

G works for you is to find an outdoor retail store such as Campmor or Ramsey Outdoor that carries GPS receivers and allows cus - FIRST, IDENTIFY YOUR NEEDS tomers to handle the units and try them out. Do you want to just track your mileage or perhaps your elevation ups and downs? Do PRICE you want to record and find specific loca - Each of the above factors influences the tions (waypoints, perhaps for geo-caching)? cost of a GPS receiver, so if you can decide These are fairly straightforward GPS appli - what you need in a receiver, you can easily The revised fifth edition of the Trail Con - cations and you probably can get away narrow your possibilities. A small, grayscale ference’s West Hudson Trails map set is with simpler and less expensive units that receiver with no or very limited mapping now available. This edition includes have no built-in map. capabilities and other functions may cost updates to the trails in Storm King State Or perhaps you want to record tracks of about $100, while a top-of-the-line color Park, Black Rock Forest, and Schunemunk your hikes and impose them on maps on receiver with topographic mapping, a Mountain State Park. New GPS data for Hudson Valley Cottages your computer at home or in your GPS touchscreen display, and other advanced many trails was collected by volunteers and Join friendly, historic 3-season bungalow unit? Maybe you want to follow a trail map features may cost as much as $600. Lucki - used to improve the accuracy of the trail community in Westchester County, steps from installed on your unit. Mapping features ly, there are some great GPS receivers that locations, especially in Black Rock Forest. Blue Mountain Reservation. 1 –3 bedroom cottages, $20 –95K, cash sales. Sorry, no dogs. tend to lead up the GPS scale of products offer a good mix of these extremes for The maps show the route of the Long 973-951-8378 or [email protected]. and therefore in price. around $300. Path through Schunemunk Mountain Keep these points in mind as you figure State Park as well as a 20-mile section of the STANDARD FEATURES out your needs and research different Highlands Trail, including a recently-com - The following features are fairly standard brands/models on the internet or at an out - pleted segment that extends down to the among many handheld GPS receivers, but door retailer. Please visit our website at Hudson River from Storm King Moun - it is still important to make sure they are http://www.nynjtc.org/content/GPS-trail tain. The section of Map #113 that www.enzocreative.com included for the particular model you are to learn more about how to choose a GPS includes the Hudson Highlands Nature interested in. receiver and view some specific GPS receiv - Museum Outdoor Discovery Center has See our short Rugged/Waterproof: GPS receivers er recommendations. If you have been revised to show the new entrance to Hike-a-thon video! used on the trail should be able to with - experience with GPS receivers and would the museum and its updated trail system. www.enzocreative.com/blog stand some abuse, from getting wet in a like to provide your personal recommenda - Stay up-to-date with trail changes in the surprise thunderstorm to being dropped on tions or additional input, please leave your region. Refresh your map collection by For more information, a rocky trail. Look for at least some protec - comments on this webpage for others to ordering this new edition of West Hudson call 908.219.4703 or email tion to dropping and a waterproof rating. read. (You must be a registered user of the Trails. Or consider giving it as a gift to your [email protected] Battery Life: Most new GPS receivers site to read and write comments.) trail-using friends and family. can exceed 16 hours of use on two AA bat - To order, see the Hikers’ Marketplace on teries, which works out great for most day page 12, call 201-512-9348, shop online at trips. It’s a good idea, though, to bring www.nynjtc.org, or stop in at the Trail along an extra set of batteries. Conference office. Page 12 November/December 2009

When the yellow and orange trails Directions (from north and east): diverge, continue to follow the orange- I-287 to exit 57.Take Skyline Drive to its Featured Hike blazed Roomy Mine Trail, which turns northwestern end at Greenwood Lake right and descends, first on switchbacks Turnpike (County Route 511). Turn left By Daniel Chazin and rock steps, then more gradually to and proceed south for 1.6 miles, then turn its end on the Highlands Trail. (This trail right onto West Brook Road and cross the New Highlands/Roomy Mine Trail section was recently constructed by a Girl Wanaque Reservoir. At the next T junc - Scout for her Gold Award; see page 4.) tion, turn left and proceed for 0.3 mile to a Turn left onto the Highlands Trail and pullout on the left, with cement blocks and Loop in Norvin Green S.F. retrace your steps to your car. a gate. Despite the “No Trespassing” signs, hiker parking is permitted here. A new loop hike of 3.1 miles in Norvin Turn left for 150 feet (do not cross the Leave a note reading “Hiker” on your Green State Forest in New Jersey is now footbridge), and you’ll come to the historic dashboard, and do not block the gate. possible, thanks to an extension of the Blue Mine, active in the 1800s but now Roomy Mine Trail to a new junction with filled with muddy water. Retrace your steps the Highlands Trail. (See project story on to the trail junction and proceed north Hikers’ page 4.) (again, do not cross the footbridge). Con - In the opinion of Central Jersey Trails tinue past the junction with the Highlands Marketplace Co-chairs Bob Jonas and Estelle Anderson, Trail, following the red-on-white and this new route “offers the hiker a little bit of yellow-on-white blazes along a rocky NY-NJ TC member? YES NO JOINING NOW Member #______everything as its makes its 3.1-mile circuit woods road. When the yellow-on-white Please order by circling price Retail Member P/H Total up and down a series of hills, passing two blazes diverge to the right, continue to old mines, a few scenic viewpoints, a love - follow the red-on-white blazes of the Maps (TC published except where noted. Discounted shipping available for orders of 8 or more.) ly forest, and gorgeous rock outcrops.” The Wyanokie Circular Trail. Catskill Trails (2005) & see combo $14.95 $11.21 +$1.75 ______description here has been adapted by the In 600 feet, look for a small boulder fes - East Hudson Trails (2008) $10.95 $ 8.21 +$1.60 ______Trail Walker editor from Daniel Chazin’s tooned with blazes along the path. The Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails (2008) & see combo $ 9.95 $ 7.46 +$1.60 ______longer hike write-up on the Trail Confer - Wyanokie Circular Trail ends here, and you NEW!! Hudson Palisades Trails (2009) $ 8.95 $ 6.71 +$1.60 ______ence website (www.nynjtc.org/view/hike). should turn right onto the orange-blazed NEW!! Kittatinny Trails (2009) & see combo $13.95 $10.46 +$1.75 ______Roomy Mine Trail. You’ll pass the mine entrance in about 500 feet; it is closed to NEW!! North Jersey Trails (2009) $ 9.95 $ 7.46 +$1.60 ______the public. In another 200 feet, turn Shawangunk Trails (2008) & see combo $10.95 $ 8.21 +$1.60 ______sharply left and head uphill, now following South Taconic Trails (2006) $ 4.95 $ 3.71 +$1.20 ______both the Roomy Mine Trail and the famil - Sterling Forest Trails (2008) $ 7.95 $ 5.96 +$1.40 ______iar yellow-on-white-blazed Mine Trail. NEW!! West Hudson Trails (2009) $ 8.95 $ 6.71 +$1.60 ______Near the top, you’ll reach a south-facing Old Croton Aqueduct (Friends of OCA, 2008) $ 4.95 $ 3.71 $1.10 ______viewpoint over Wyanokie High Point, S

A Books

N Carris Hill, and the Wanaque Reservoir. O J

T Now turning left and traveling north, a lit - NEW!! Walkable Westchester (2009) $24.95 $18.71 +$3.70 ______R E

B Appalachian Trail Guide to New York $22.95 $17.21 +$3.20 ______

O tle further along (and up) you’ll pass a View from near Wyanokie High Point R west-facing viewpoint over Wyanokie High & New Jersey (2007) Point and Saddle Mountain. Hiking the Jersey Highlands (2007) $22.95 $17.21 +$3.70 ______The hike begins on the Highlands Trail New York Walk Book (2005) & see combo $22.95 $17.21 +$3.70 ______(HT) from a parking area on West Brook New Jersey Walk Book (2004) & see combo $19.95 $14.96 +$3.70 ______Road west of the Wanaque Reservoir. Fol - low the HT’s teal blazes parallel to West Day Walker (2002) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.20 ______Brook Road, turn left onto Townsend Hiking Long Island (2008) $22.95 $17.21 +$3.70 ______Road, then turn right into the woods. The Kittatinny Trails (2004) & see combo $18.95 $14.21 +$3.20 ______trail climbs, passing the orange-blazed Long Path Guide to NY/NJ (2005) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.20 ______Roomy Mine Trail on the right (the return Scenes & Walks in the Northern Shawangunks route), then continues for about half a mile (2006) & see combo $13.95 $10.46 +$3.20 ______over undulating and scenic terrain, passing Nature Walks in New Jersey (2003) $14.95 $11.21 +$3.20 ______many glacial erratic boulders and crossing a number of picturesque rock ledges. It then AMC Catskill Mountain Guide (2009) $23.95 $17.96 +$3.20 ______descends to a junction with the red-on- ADK Catskill Trails (2005 ed. with revisions, 2009) $19.95 $14.96 +$3.20 ______white-blazed Wyanokie Circular Trail and Shawangunks Trail Companion (2003) $18.95 $14.21 +$3.70 ______the yellow-on-white-blazed Mine Trail. Moon Take a Hike NYC (2006) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.20 ______Walking Manhattan’s Rim (2003) $13.95 $10.46 +$3.20 ______Get the “Hike of the Week” 50 Hikes in the Lower Hudson Valley (2008) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.70 ______www.NYNJTC.org 50 Hikes in New Jersey (2006) $16.95 $12.71 +$3.70 ______Best Hikes w/ Children in New Jersey (2005) $15.95 $11.96 +$3.20 ______Best Hikes w/ Children in the Catskills & Hudson River Valley (2002) $14.95 $11.21 +$3.20 ______Join/Renew Membership to Hudson to Delaware: The Great Valley (2004) $75.00 $56.25 +$5.70 ______the NY-NJ Trail Conference West Milford’s Bakers Dozen (2008) $ 9.95 $ 7.46 $2.70 ______Combo-Packs 1,700 miles of trails; your membership helps us expand our horizons. NY & NJ Walk Books $38.60 $28.95 +$4.75 ______Included with membership, Trail Walker , 10% discount on purchases at many Shawangunk (3-map set & Scenes & Walks book) $21.65 $16.24 +$3.25 ______outdoor stores, and 25% discount on all Trail Conference maps and books Kittatinny (4-map set & book) $28.60 $21.45 +$3.25 ______purchased directly from the Trail Conference. Catskills (5-map set & ADK Catskills Trails book) $30.35 $22.69 +$3.25 ______Save time and a tree by joining or renewing online at www.nynjtc.org. The Personal Touch Just click on the Join/Renew Now button. Note Cards: TC Collection $12.00 $ 9.00 +$3.20 ______MEMBERSHIP TYPE Long-sleeve Denim Shirt Circle: M L $29.90 $22.42 +$6.00 ______Select one: Join Renew Membership # if available______Polo Shirt (Forest Green) Circle: S M L XL $19.90 $14.93 +$6.00 ______Trail Conference Baseball Cap $ 5.00 $ 3.75 +$2.30 ______Individual Joint/Family Trail Conference Logo Patch $ 2.50 $ 2.50 postpaid ______Regular $30 $40 Long Path Logo Patch $ 2.75 $ 2.75 postpaid ______Sponsor* $60 $75 Trail Conference Logo Decal Circle: Inside Outside $ .85 $ .85 postpaid ______Benefactor* $120 $150 Subtotal ______Senior (65+) $25 $30 Life* $1,000 $1,500 Postage/handling from above ______New Jersey residents add 7% tax* ______To purchase a gift membership, call 201-512-9348, extension 26. TOTAL ENCLOSED $ ______Name ______Address ______Method of Payment: NAME Check or money order enclosed City ______State ______Zip ______Visa Mastercard Amex ADDRESS Day Phone ______Evening Phone ______Card #______E-MAIL ______CITY STATE ZIP Exp. Date: ___ /___ Check or money order enclosed Visa Mastercard Amex Signature: ______Card # ______Exp. Date: ____ / ____ EMAIL TELEPHONE Make check or money order payable to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, Make check or money order payable to NY-NJ Trail Conference, and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley and mail to: 156 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430. For a full descriptive catalog, please write or call 201-512-9348. *Tax must be paid on books, maps, misc., but not on clothing or shipping, by customers *New Sponsor, Benefactor, and Life Members may elect to receive a with NJ ship-to (not billing) addresses. Prices are subject to change. (11/09) Trail Conference cap. Check here if you would like us to send you a cap. Tax-deductible. Dues are not refundable. YOU CAN ALSO ORDER AT OUR WEBSITE: WWW.NYNJTC.ORG