RAILWALKER TNEW YORK/NEW JERSEY TRAIL CONFERENCE — MAINTAINING 1,629 MILES OF FOOT TRAILS MARCH/APRIL 2006 In this issue: Spring Workshops...pg 3 • Crew Schedules...pg 5 • Co-ed Teen Group...pg 6 • The Stalwart Duo...pg 6 • A 19th-century Walk...pg 10 TC Land Buys It’s the start of something Further Protect Shawangunk Ridge Trail 3.5 Miles of Rail Trail Secured in Mamakating BIG In the final days of December 2005, the Trail Conference concluded a long and Trail U Volunteers complicated purchase of more than 140 acres in Mamakating, NY (Sullivan County), Will Rebuild and from LaFarge North America, Inc. The acquisition protects a key section of the Restore Trail Network Shawangunk Ridge Trail, which uses the abandoned rail bed on the property. Funds on Bear Mountain for the purchase were provided by capital campaign gifts to the TC Land Acquisition Plans are approved, the first trainings are and Stewardship Fund. scheduled, and work will be getting under- The land abuts the Wurtsboro Ridge way this spring at the Trail Conference’s State Forest and contains 3.5 miles of a new Trail University at Bear Mountain scenic rail trail that runs through the heart State Park. (See page 9 for the schedule of of the forest. This old abandoned rail bed outdoor training sessions.) Experienced trail builders Eddie Walsh and Chris Ezzo will be among the faculty teaching novice starts near the junction of Route 209 and Already, some 100 individuals have and advanced courses in trail work at the Trail Conference Trail University on Bear Mountain. Ferguson Road north of Wurtsboro. It con- indicated an interest in the Bear Mountain continued on page 7 trails project, says Trails Director Larry Mountain for visitors of varied expertise, and will work with existing trail crews and help Wheelock. But hundreds more will be to recruit and train trails volunteers keep our region’s trails open and properly required over the next five+ years that it is who may then become involved in trail maintained for public enjoyment.” expected to take to complete the ambitious work elsewhere in the New York/New The project at Bear Mountain is distinc- program of trail building, rehabilitation, Jersey region. “We are getting more and more tive among Trail Conference projects, not and ecological restoration on one of requests for assistance in building and main- only in its scope, but in the mix of trails the most frequently hiked mountains in taining public foot-paths than ever before,” that will be worked on. The Major Welch the country. says Executive Director Ed Goodell. “One of and Appalachian Trails, on the north and The project’s goals are to improve the our goals at Bear Mountain is to increase the south faces of the mountain respectively, quality of the outdoor experience on Bear number of trained trail volunteers who then will be built to typical moderate-use hiking continued on page 7 Hosting clubs recognize that the meeting forerunners in the work of protecting and trails we have to our visitors.” And Carolyn Company’s Coming: is an opportunity to show off their region, maintaining hiking trails.) Taking that Canfield, excursions co-chair, remarks, including “their” sections of the AT, other theme to heart, both the hikes and “There is so much to see and do in the area, ATC Biennial Conference local hiking trails, and local recreational excursion chairs already have formed the committee has to pick out what we in Our Region in ’07; opportunities. Over the past 18 months, I committees, which are meeting to develop hope are the excursions that will interest have slowly assembled a steering commit- those portions of the conference. A people the most. This way non-hiking Planning Underway tee comprising chairs of committees that website, www.Ramapo2007.org, is up and spouses can enjoy the event.” By Jane Daniels, Ramapo ’07 Conference Chair will plan hikes, excursions (to historical, running and a brochure is available. At present, we need volunteers to serve environmental, and cultural sites in both The ATC Biennial Conference typically on the youth program, marketing, finance, The New York/New Jersey Trail Confer- New York and New Jersey), workshops (for attracts 1,000 guests. We would like to hospitality, workshop, and entertainment ence will be hosting the biennial meeting of example, we have no qualms about inviting attract people who have never before come committees and to help plan those parts of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy July 13- our guests to learn new skills by helping to one of the conferences. Pete Kohlberger, the conference. We encourage our member 20, 2007, at Ramapo College in Mahwah, out on the Bear Mountain project, which hikes chair for the event, notes, “We’re clubs to consider helping in one of these NJ. This seven-day event gives hikers from will be well underway at the time), a youth assembling a great program of varied hikes areas, staffing the committee with club all over an opportunity to take relevant program in conjunction with the Weis for people of every level and ability. It’s members or offering to supply volunteers workshops, go on excursions, attend Ecology Center (to prepare our next gener- going to be fun to show off the wonderful continued on page 9 concerts, talk with fellow hikers, and, of ation of trail builders and to allow parents course, to hike. The conference location time to enjoy their vacation), and enter- VOLUME XXXIII, NUMBER 2 ISSN 0749-1352 PERMIT #970-100 rotates among the hiking clubs that main- tainment (evenings will not be just for tain the Appalachian Trail. The NY/NJ sitting), as well as to take care of “house- Trail Conference last hosted it in 1983, in keeping” duties such as marketing, New Paltz, NY. registration, food, housing, and signs. The theme of the ’07 conference is Always a Step Ahead, which reflects the attitude of both the ATC and NY/NJ Trail Conference. (Both groups have been RAIL ALKER T W FROM THE CHAIR VOLUME XXXIII, NO.2 MARCH/APRIL 2006 GEORGETTE WEIR EDITOR LOUIS LEONARDIS GRAPHIC DESIGNER The TRAIL WALKER (USPS Permit #970- there each September for the Hudson A third place I love is the bike path that 100) (ISSN 0749-1352) is published bi-monthly Playing Favorites Valley Ramble. The views never fail to goes north from Upper Nyack. Expect to by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as Playing favorites is something we are impress, and I love to see people’s reactions see lots of people along the path as it winds a benefit of membership. Subscriptions are available to libraries only at $15.00 a year. taught not to do. But when it comes to when we finally arrive on the top of its way along the edge of the Hudson Periodical postage paid at Mahwah, N.J., and hiking trails, well, that is an entirely differ- Anthony’s Nose. Having lunch there River at the base of the Palisades. Hearing additional offices. Postmaster: Send address ent story. I admit that I play favorites before resuming hiking is a wonderful way and seeing the water rip rap on the shore is changes to the address below. Opinions expressed among hiking destinations, and I thought to relax. relaxing even in winter. On hot summer by authors do not necessarily represent the policy that I would share three of them with you. Another favorite place is Rockwood days, the wind from over the water is cool or position of the Conference. Contributions of typed manuscripts, photos, and drawings are I am a bit partial to views and even more Hall, just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge. and refreshing. welcome. Manuscripts may be edited for style inclined to like ones that go to or have The unmarked carriage roads in this for- The reasons that make a destination a and length. Send SASE for writers’ guidelines. views of water. Trails that offer views of the mer Rockefeller estate circle the property favorite vary. For some it is the view, for Submission deadlines for the TRAIL WALKER Hudson River is where I really play and offer views across the Hudson River to others it is a particular experience. But are January 15 (Mar./Apr. issue), March 15 favorites, and without a doubt my all time the Palisades. It is small enough that you, a whatever the reason, sharing your favorite (May/June issue), May 15 (July/Aug. issue), favorite is the Camp Smith Trail. The views friend, and a picnic lunch can hide in the hike can make it more special. Consider July 15 (Sept./Oct. issue), September 15 (Nov./Dec. issue), November 15 (Jan./Feb. along the trail change with the seasons. I shade of a tree away from the other visitors. sharing yours by writing an article for the issue). Unsolicited contributions cannot be have seen the view from Anthony’s Nose in Yet it is large enough that you can visit it Trail Walker about a favorite place that you acknowledged unless accompanied by SASE. all seasons and all times of day, even at many times and find still other interesting like to hike. Turn to page 10 to learn about For information on advertising rates, please write night. Hiking with others along the Camp spots. The exotic species of trees, wide a favorite hike from another TC member. or call. Smith Trail makes that hike all the more paths, and sweeping views make it an Copyright 2006 by: New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, Inc. enjoyable. It’s why I choose to lead a hike enchanting way to spend the day.