Adirondack Mountain Club-Ramapo The Ramapough www.hudsonhikers.org Summer 2008 The View From The Summit Recently, while on a hike in Bear Mountain Park, plenty of other things for you or your spouse to we were walking along a section of the Appala- do. Read the announcement and reservation chian Trail when we came across a combination deadline in the newsletter and book your spot of trash and garbage left over from some hikers’ early. previous lunches. It was a sad and shocking sight to see the area despoiled by irresponsible people Hopefully, many of you participated in some ac- who left their trash behind. tivity for National Trails Day on June 7 th . Many people volunteer to clean up a trail or help to I have been reflecting on the importance of our restore an old trail. This event is part of the efforts to protect and improve our environment. It statewide Trail Celebration sponsored by ADK is not only important to pick up trash that other and local trail associations. If you’re not aware people leave behind, but it is equally important to of the events, look for them in the newsletter educate people about the consequences of their next spring. thoughtless behavior. Our forests and woods are too important an outdoor asset to allow them to Have you visited our website lately? Go to become spoiled over time by allowing trash to ac- www.hudsonhikers.org for new photos, copies of cumulate. The guideline of “leave no trace” that the previous and current hike schedules and we live by on our ADK hikes and outings is a plan newsletters. The photos sent in by various mem- of action that benefits everyone and everything. bers who participated on recent hikes help to remind you of the wonderful places we have vis- One thing we can all do on hikes is to inform ited on the trails. The website has links to the other hikers that we expect them to clean up any ADK headquarters’ home page which gives you trash they create when using our woods and access to special announcements and educa- trails. We can all collect the trash that we spot tional opportunities. Check the website fre- along the trails and dispose of it properly at the quently so you can stay up to date. end of the hike. I know a number of hikers who stopped using little plastic bags to hold their Finally, as I’ve mentioned in previous newslet- lunch items because they can easily blow away, ters, the growth of our club is dependent on and instead, pack their food in plastic containers, each of us talking to everyone about the joys of which are reusable. The forest areas are for us to hiking. By doing so, you will generate interest use today and should be left unspoiled for the which can lead to new members who are the generations who will come after us. lifeblood of our chapter. Share your enthusiasm for ADK and outdoor activities and help us to Be sure to save the dates, October 31- November grow our chapter. 2nd for the Ramapo Chapter’s fall outing to the Shawnee Inn and Resort. You will enjoy a beauti- See you on the trails. ful, activity filled resort, good meals and an op- portunity to hike in the Delaware Water Gap Peter Reiner, President area. This area is different from where we usually 845-634-7635 [email protected] hike so you’re in for some special treats on these trails. If you’re not into hiking, there will be Summer 2008 The Ramapough Page 2 Save the dates (Oct. 31- Nov. 2) for a Fall Foliage Conservation Corner Hiking Weekend at the beautiful Shawnee Inn and Resort in Shawnee on the Delaware, Pennsylvania. In conjunction with New Jersey Governor Corzine’s We will be guests at this beautiful hotel, which is situated budget reduction plans, the DEP issued a proposed plan overlooking the Delaware River and adjacent to National on Mar 31 for the complete closure of nine New Jersey Park lands, for two days of planned hikes in the Delaware parks - including High Point State Park, Worthington Water Gap National Park. The Appalachian Trail, Bush- State Forest and Jenny Jump State Park - and the elimi- kills Falls Trails, and many others are just minutes away. nation of services at others, including Ringwood State Included in the two day package are many amenities for Park. The prospective closures could affect access to por- non-hikers, such as a spectacular indoor pool and a nine tions of the Appalachian and Highlands Trails. While hole approach golf course. For an additional fee, you can opposition from recreational groups has forced the Gover- play their famous18 hole, River Island course. In addi- nor to backtrack on park staff reductions, the question of tion, fishing and canoeing are options along with shop- park service reductions remains an open issue as the ping at nearby, brand name outlet stores. Other options July 1 deadline looms for approval of the state budget. include strolling around the Hotel’s magnificent property The USDA Invasive Species Survey - a program involving or treating yourself to a massage at the hotel Spa. the NY-NJ Trail Conference, PIPC and Rutgers University Plan to arrive on Friday evening, October 31, to enjoy - continues this year in northeast Harriman/Bear Moun- dinner; the next day after breakfast, take a pack lunch, tain Parks in New York and Wawayanda State Park and and hike or engage in other activities, and have dinner on Abram Hewitt State Forest in NJ. Prospective plant pests Saturday evening. Check-out is after breakfast on Sun- to be studied are barberry, wineberry, Oriental bitter- day, November 2. We then have the option of participat- sweet, alanthus, multiflora rose, Hercules club, burning ing in one more hike before heading home. bush and Norway maple. Ramapoers interested in volun- The trip is only 75 minutes by car from the Trail Confer- ence Office in Mahwah. teering as citizen scientists on this project should contact Please look at the Hotel’s web site, www.shawneeinn.com. Anne Osborn at the NY-NJ Trail Conference. Also on the Call or e-mail me for more details. invasive invader front, the New York State Parks Depart- Suzan Gordon, Programs Chair ment and the Eastern New York Chapter of The Nature 201-871-3531 or [email protected] Conservancy are receiving $150,000 in state grants to eradicate the growing threat of invasive plants. The Ididaride Adirondack Bike Tour Parks Department will use its $100,000 to attack com- ADK is sponsoring the Ididaride Adirondack Bike Tour mon reed, barberry, knotweed, stiltgrass, leafy spurge, on August 17, 2008. It will be a 75 mile loop beginning multiflora rose and spotted knapweed in Minnewaska in North Creek, NY and is on wide shoulder roads for State Park; The Nature Conservancy will spend $50,000 most of the route, with much of the time on public For- to go after black swallow-wort, bush honeysuckle, giant est Preserve land. The start time is 8:30 AM from North hogweed and mile-a-minute in areas of the Catskills. Creek. For those who want a shorter ride, ADK is spon- Chris Connolly soring a 20 mile ride to Indian Lake and back to North Creek. The start time for the shorter ride is noon and THE ANNUAL MOHONK DAY IS SET includes a shuttle from North Creek to Indian Lake. Our fun-filled day at Mohonk in New Paltz, NY is For more information or to register go to www.adk.org, scheduled this fall for Saturday, Sept. 6th with a rain or call ADK at 800-395-8080 Ext. 14. date of Sept 13th. We will spend our day at the hotel hiking, walking the In Memoriam carriage roads, doing rock scrambles or spending We are deeply saddened time at the lake or gardens. At 4PM, tea will be served by the untimely passing on the veranda overlooking the lake. We may shower of Alta Sumner. She will and change for dinner in the spa, using their big be remembered for her fluffy towels, soap and shampoo. A four course deli- radiant smile, sparkling cious dinner will be served at 6PM in the main dining eyes, even disposition, room where attire is now "resort casual". Men are not delight in anything choco- required to wear jackets; nice jeans are OK but no late, and thoughtfulness sneakers. We will be on our way home after dinner to all who knew her. She about 8PM. and her husband Richard The price is LESS than last year, $49.50 pp. which enjoyed music, theater, the arts, traveling, biking, includes tip and tax. The final date for responding is and good food together. But most of all, Alta loved Aug. 15 . Call or e-mail me and then send a check to hike. She heard the birds, observed the trees made to Ramapo ADK for the required amount per and flowers, and was swept up in the joys of each person. Details will follow after you have reserved. season in the woods. Two years ago she began her Suzan Gordon Programs Chair, Ramapo ADK most difficult climb. She faced it bravely and with 201-871-3531 [email protected] courage, never giving up the challenge. She will be missed. Suzan Gordon, her friend Summer 2008 The Ramapough Page 3 HIKE REPORTS Stillman on Storm King March 3 0 vertical climbs, the hike proved each person’s stamina On Sunday, Eileen Turner led 11 others on her sopho- and endurance.