TW-JulyAug04_6/10 6/21/04 5:16 PM Page 1 RAILWALKER TNEW YORK-NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE — MAINTAINING OVER 1,600 MILES OF FOOT TRAILS JULY/AUGUST 2004 In this issue: Trail Conference Annual Report...insert • Trail News...pg 4 • Recyclers of the Trail...pg 5 • Favorite Hike...pg 10 63 Volunteers Bridge Popolopen Gorge tion, and cleanup work. A dozen people, Ganz, Joseph Gindoff, Tom Glasser, Leslie including PIPC staff and volunteers, Gravel, Victor Green, Pete Heckler, Sarah helped unload and move materials to the Heidenreich, Mary Hilley, Bill Horowitz, site on the Thursday prior to the construc- Joan James, Andy Jay, Jared Jay, Russell Jay, tion effort. The project was funded by the David Klopfenstein, Richard Lynch, John Recreational Trails Program of the U.S. Mack, Paul Makus, Robert Marshall, Gay Dept. of Transportation, built by Trail Mayer, Lori Maynard, Douglas McBride, Conference volunteers, including the West Edward McGowan, John Moran, Jason Hudson Trail Crew, manufactured by E.T. Rangel, Robert Reardon, Hank Reisler, Techtonics, Inc., and accomplished in col- Monica Resor, Kevin Riley, Trudy laboration with the Palisades Interstate Schneider, Bruce Shriver, Melissa Shumer, Park Commission (PIPC). Kaspar Spurgeon, Pete Tilgner, Denise The bridge, down since September 1999, Vitale, Eddie Walsh, Edward Walsh Sr., carries the 1777, 1779, and Timp-Torne Maureen Walsh, Larry Wheelock, Trails across the Popolopen Creek from a Sherman Woililke, Hanson Wong, and trailhead north of the creek and on the west Steve Zubarik. side of Route 9W. For the past year, crews A bridge side is made have also worked on a related project to ready for high-lining. restore these three trails. That work contin- ues and is to include adding interpretive Nearly five years after Tropical Storm Floyd from the summit of Popolopen Torne.” signage and installation of a 15' bridge over destroyed the bridge in Harriman/Bear Nearly 40 volunteers turned out on the a small creek on the Twin Forts Trail. Mountain State Park that carries three weekend of May 15 and 16 to help install Thanks go to PIPC Executive Director major trails over the Popolopen Creek, the new truss bridge, which is 62' long, Carol Ash and her staff, especially Sue Conference Trails Chair Pete Heckler was weighs three tons, and made of fiberglass. Smith for her invaluable guidance and at last satisfied. “I am happy to report the Others contributed countless hours before assistance in preparation of the grant appli- bridge across Popolopen Creek has been and after to planning, organizing, prepara- cation, Chief Architect Sal Cuciti, Chief replaced,” he emailed on May 23. “I feel Ranger Tim Sullivan, and Police Chief confident I speak for all the wonderful TC Greg Stewart. volunteers when I say the camaraderie Thanks also go to the 63 volunteers who derived through participation in this proj- participated in one or more phases of this ect equaled the physical, spiritual, and project: Paul Abdis, Vic Alfieri, Karen environmental achievements.” (See sepa- Blersch, Jane Bonnell, Juliet Bonnell, rate story, “Building Bridges,” for one Roland Breault, Gail Brown, Jim Brown, participant’s personal view of the project.) Brian Buchbinder, George Cartamil, “This bridge once again reopens full hik- Douglas Clarke, Chris Connolly, Walt ing access to not only the historical 1777 Daniels, David Day, Paul Drumgoole, and 1779 Trails, but also to circular hikes TOM DUNNTom Dunn, Michael Eckenfels, Josh MAKUS PAUL via the Popolopen Gorge and Timp-Torne The 1,500-pound section Erdsneker, Chris Ezzo, John Fleischmann, TOM DUNN Trails, affording the spectacular panorama is “flown” into position. Richard Forman, Joyce Gallagher, Claudia Ready for hikers. Since then, I’ve worked with the West State Acquires Shawangunk Land BuildingBridges Jersey and West Hudson crews, the most Trail work yields recent project being the building of a new from Trail Conference bridge across the Popolopen Creek unexpected lessons (see separate story). New York State recently purchased 151 protect the Shawangunk Ridge Trail (SRT). By Denise Vitale As I watched the sides to the bridge, acres from the Trail Conference on the The purchase money will return to the weighing 1,500 pounds apiece, being high- Shawangunk Ridge that will be managed by Conference’s Outdoor Fund, which sup- If you had told me 10 years ago that lined across the gorge, it occurred to me the Dept. of Environmental Conservation ports conservation and advocacy efforts. I would be moving 1,000-pound rocks how much I have learned about life, team- (DEC). This is the first property the Trail The 151-acre Stutzman parcel that with pry bars and helping to build a work, and overcoming challenges by Conference has sold directly to the state as was acquired by New York from the 62-foot long, 3-ton bridge, I wouldn’t have working on the trail crews. Because of the part of its nearly 14-year effort to create and believed you. I was coming out of a length and complexity of the bridge continued on page 7 divorce, having gone from being a good project, and my involvement as a volunteer daughter, to being a good wife, and a good from the beginning of construction, that VOLUME XXXI, NUMBER 4 ISSN 0749-1352 PERMIT #970-100 day was one where everyone agreed with moment marked the synthesis of my each other. lessons, years of learning coming together But 10 years ago, I made the decision to in the months of preparation, conferring, begin living a life that was more meaning- and really hard work on this project. ful and challenged me to be the best person Leading up to the point of setting the I could be. Close to the beginning of this bridge, there had been a significant amount new life, I found myself working with the East Hudson Trail Crew doing a relocation. continued on page 8 TW-JulyAug04_6/10 6/21/04 5:16 PM Page 2 TRAILWALKER FROM THE CHAIR VOLUME XXXI, NO. 4 JULY/AUGUST 2004 GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR LOUIS LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER The TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970- 100) (ISSN 0749-1352) is published bi- on crews and knew that rock steps did not although they may work alone, that monthly by the New York-New Jersey Trail A Sense of Conference as a benefit of membership. just happen, and so I was one of them. We trail links them to the extended Trail Subscriptions are available to libraries only at Community talked about working on projects in general, Conference family. $15.00 a year. Periodical postage paid at expressed concern for someone who could The list could go on and on with the Mahwah, N.J., and additional offices. Hikers are often considered loners. Many not be there that day and was in the hospi- various opportunities to volunteer. Postmaster: Send address changes to the address below. Opinions expressed by authors do not of our coworkers or family members who tal, and exclaimed about what a great However, I would be remiss if I failed to necessarily represent the policy or position of don’t understand why we hike or how we project the bridge was. mention our member clubs, which, like the Conference. Contributions of typed could enjoy walking for five or even two Those back-to-back experiences got me the Trail Conference, offer their members manuscripts, photos, and drawings are miles, would be surprised to learn that, in thinking about our community and what it opportunities to connect with others who welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. fact, we are part of an extended communi- means and does. There are as many reasons enjoy the outdoors and help to build our Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER ty. It’s a community that includes people of to belong to a group as there are people; hiking community. are January 15 (Mar./Apr. issue), March 15 a variety of ages from a widespread area and being a Trail Conference member gives any A wonderful attribute that hikers have is (May/June issue), May 15 (July/Aug. issue), July 15 (Sept./Oct. issue), September 15 diverse backgrounds. hiker a chance to feel connected to a larger that they do not care whether you are (Nov./Dec. issue), November 15 (Jan./Feb. On Saturday, May 22, I saw what a com- group of people who share that interest young, old, speak with an accent, or what issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot be munity we are in two very different and, for some, also offers the chance to you do or did for a living. They do care acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. situations. The first was at the memorial make a difference in the world. about being outdoors and walking. While For information on advertising rates, please write or call. service for Paul Leikin, a dedicated hiker Trail crews are special groups of people hiking with them you learn of places to Copyright 2004 by: and Trail Conference volunteer. (See obitu- who particularly enjoy getting dirty and visit, equipment, and other things to make New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. ary on page 6.) It was a colorful event, since doing hard sweaty work. Although not for hiking more pleasant. Your companions 156 Ramapo Valley Road (Rt. 202) Mahwah, NJ 07430 there was a memorial hike scheduled after everyone, being on one of our trail crews might not know much about your person- 201-512-9348 the service and people were dressed prima- gives a real sense of belonging to a commu- al life or you of theirs, but they do know e-mail: [email protected] rily in hiking clothes.