Wednesday, November 28, 2012

2012-13 Winter Outings Schedule

Saturday, December 1: Fifth Peak, near Bolton Landing NY

This is a relatively strenuous hike of approximately 5 miles RT with 1500’ ascent. The reward is wonderful views of Lake George’s eastern shore and the Lake itself. There is a lean-to that will shelter us while we eat lunch. Meeting place will be Northway Exit 9 Park and Ride at 8:45 AM. 

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, sboqc@mindspring.com, Email preferred as I will be away 11/26-30. If you want to contact me by phone, use my cell number 917-864-7437.
LENGTH: Approximately 5 miles round-trip.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 100 miles round-trip.

Tuesday, December 11: Henning Preserve, Providence, NY

Henning Preserve is a 604-acre Preserve in Saratoga County, which boasts 5 miles of trails that traverse through mature evergreen forest, pond overlooks, civil war-era foundations and more. Hike or snowshoe at relaxed pace. Contact Susan for details.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts at 766-4170.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: Meeting place to be determined.

Saturday, December 15: Hopkins Forest, Upper and Lower Loops, Williamstown, MA

This will be a late fall hike. If there is lots of snow it can be a snow shoe trip. We will park at the entry to Hopkins Forest and meet at the Rosenburg Center 10AM. The trip can be 1.5 miles (lower loop) or 3.9 mile doing both upper and lower loops. The Rosenburg Center is open and heated. For map and more details go to www.williams.edu/ces/hopkins.htm

CONTACT: Rob Bayly at ckarp00000@aol.com or 279-4402.
LENGTH: 1.5 to 3.9 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Depends on your departure point.

Tuesday, December 18: Cook Mountain and preserves around Lake George, NY

Cook Mountain Preserve is near Ticonderoga. We will take snowshoes if conditions permit. The trail to the summit is about a mile long, moderately difficult and climbs steeply through mixed hardwood forest. The summit has an expan-sive view of northern Lake George. When we finish this hike/snowshoe, we will decide if we want to do another hike in the area. Please be prepared for winter conditions.

CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at 371-1293 or mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com for more information.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 160 miles round-trip.

Thursday, January 3: Spruce Mountain, Saratoga, NY

This will be a moderate climb to a restored fire tower north of Saratoga Springs. Snowshoe hike at moderate pace. Please be prepared for winter conditions.

CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com or 371-1293 for more information.
LENGTH: 2.2 miles with a fire tower at the summit.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 40 miles round-trip.

Wednesday January 9: Mausert's Pond Clarksburg State Forest, Clarksburg, Mass.

Hike or snowshoe a three-mile loop at a relaxed pace. If one bridge is still under water we will bushwhack around it. If there is sufficient time and interest, those who wish may stop at MASS MOCA. Contact Susan for details.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts at 766-4170.
LENGTH: Approximately 3 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined by meeting place

Sunday, January 13: Open house at Tony Eldering’s, Altamont, NY

This will be a potluck get together after a hike/snowshoe/ski at a nearby location. The hike will depart at noon, but please arrive by 11:30 a.m. if you are going to hike so that we can select a hike and be ready to leave by noon. The choices for the hike are Thacher State Park, Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center, Tawasentha Park or

Western Turnpike Golf Course. All are 15 minutes from my place. Food will be served at 3:00 p.m. Please contact Tony by January 7th with your pot-luck offering. My address is 402 Kelly Circle, Altamont, NY 12009, but it will not show up on your GPS! Type in 136 Brandle Road, Altamont and you will get here.

CONTACT: Tony Eldering at tonye11@verizon.net or 861-6828.
LENGTH: To be determined by group.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to Altamont

Wednesday, January 16: XC Skiing, Leaders Choice

Snow conditions will determine whether we go to Pine Ridge in East Poestenskill or to Notchview Reservation in Windsor MA. The latter had great snow in early January last year! Both are fee areas, have warming huts, and a place to stow your gear and eat your lunch. Contact Sharon for details.

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, sboqc@mindspring.comor 674-0042.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: To Notchview, approximately 85 miles round-trip from Schodack Park and Ride.

Saturday, January 19: Winter Festival, Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton, NY

A full day of outdoor winter activities, including a X-C skiing trek with THC's Rob Bayly. The club will also be hosting a information booth at the main building and could use a few volunteers to help get the word out about the Taconic Hiking Club and the Taconic Crest Trail.

CONTACT: R.J. Hydorn @ 283-6056 or rjhydorn@laycos.com for THC info or GLSP at 279-1155 for complete list of the day's events.
LENGTH: Depends on your choice of activity.
ROAD DISTANCE: Your house to GLSP.

Wednesday, January 23: Dyken Pond Snowshoe or Hike, Grafton, NY

We can explore 6 miles of trails by using the interlacing loops. With fresh snow we will find many animal tracks. No significant elevation gain except on the drive up to Dyken Rd.

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, sboqc@mindspring.com, or 674-0042.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined by meeting place.
Saturday, February 2: Hopkins Forest, Ford Glen Brook/Hoosic River, Williamsown MA

This is a snow shoe outing. We will park at the entry to Hop-kins Forest 10AM, head east on Ford Glen trail (0.3 miles) to the Hoosic River Trail (1.0 miles).

This is an out and back trip. If people are interested we can go into town to the Purple Pub for lunch. For more map details go to www.williams.edu/ces/hopkins.htm

CONTACT: Rob Bayly at ckarp00000@aol.com or 279-4402.
LENGTH: Approximately 2.6 miles.
ROAD DISTANCE: Depends on your departure point.

Sunday, February 3: Botheration Pond, North River, NY.

This six to eight mile loop was described in the Adirondack Explorer as a novice ski trip. It isn't. There are short, steep, narrow stretches, with trees on the path. I plan this as a snowshoe trip, the woods are lovely. Contact Susan for time and meeting place.

CONTACT: Susan Roberts at 766-4170.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: Meeting place to be determined.

Sunday, February 10: X-C Skiing at Grafton Lakes State Park, Grafton, NY

Approximately 4 mile loop using Spruce Bog Trail with a break for an optional walk up to the fire tower, continuing on part of the Long Pond Trail. Some hills, mostly forest and fire road. Skiing is dependent on the depth of snow. No groomed tracks. We may have to remove skis in some spots. Snowshoe or hike in the park may be an option if we can’t ski.

CONTACT: Sharon Bonk, sboqc@mindspring.com, or 674-0042.
LENGTH: To be determined.
ROAD DISTANCE: To be determined by meeting place.

 

Friday, February 15, Spring Activities Due for March, April and May

Time to send in your bike rides, hikes or kayak trips for our spring schedule. Let’s make this our busiest spring ever!

CONTACT: Gayle Fountain at pfounta1@nycap.rr.com or 371-8585.
LENGTH: You decide.
ROAD DISTANCE: Unlimited.

Wednesday, February 20: Harvey Mountain and Pinnacle Point

This makes for a shorter but lovely winter snowshoe outing not too far away. The trail to Harvey Mountain's 2065' open summit area has some good steep spots over 1.5 miles, with 800' vertical. We'll check out the Mass/NYS border marker, savor the views south, west, and north, and then continue down the roadway 1 mile to the start of the Pinna-cle Point Trail, which in another 1.5 miles of ups and downs and views west out over Austerlitz to New York state leads back to the trailhead.

CONTACT: Karen Ross at 794-7474 or kcoyross@aol.com or Dona Burdick 413: 717-1665 or
djbhiker20022000@yahoo.com or Lori McCarron, 587-1957 or mmccarr2@nycap.rr.com
LENGTH: 4 miles with app.1000’ vertical
ROAD DISTANCE: Contact Karen or Dona for details.

Saturday, February 23: Berlin Mountain from Petersburgh Pass

Snowshoe or hike.. This is a hike along the Taconic Crest Trail about an hour east of Albany. 7 miles round trip with 1500 feet elevation gain. Moderate difficulty. Open summit with good views to the west.

CONTACT: Mary MacDonald at 371-1293 or mmacdonald003@nycap.rr.com for more information.
LENGTH: About 7 miles round-trip.
ROAD DISTANCE: Approximately 60 miles round-trip


Taconic Hiking Club Motto for 2013:
HEAD FOR THE HILLS