Outings

If you do not feel well, please stay home!

Click Here to download printable PDF of the rating charts.

OUTINGS RATING CHART

IS THIS OUTING RIGHT FOR YOU?

Please take care to match your physical condition, abilities and limitations to the stated length and elevation gain of the outing you choose and refer to the ratings chart above. The “level of effort“ is not the same for everyone. If you are new to hiking or unconditioned, a hike listed as moderate would be very strenuous for you. The outing leader may ask questions in order to determine if you can complete the trip safely. Please cooperate for your safety and the safety of the group. It is your responsibility to have appropriate equipment and clothing for an outing. It is in your best interest to let someone know if you have limiting physical conditions or are taking a medication.

APRIL

Monday, April 29: Kinderhook Preserve C 

We will explore 3+ miles of the beautiful trails in the preserve. Hoping for dry conditions and spring flowers to be blooming. 

Leader: Sharon Bonk - scbonk@gmail.com

MAY

Wednesday, May 1: Valentino Family Community Forest B-

We will hike most of the trails in this relatively new Rensselaer Plateau Alliance property. There are beautiful hemlock stands, hardwoods, rocky outcroppings, ponds, and wetlands along the way and there should be spring wildflowers peeking out of the ground. Starting at the main parking lot “A” we will hike along the creek and take the red trail up to the old Sugar Shack, and back down to the yellow trail. We will follow the trail along the pond, go by the beaver dam and the new lean-to. Continuing onto a white trail then to another red trail which we will hike most of the way to the “B” parking lot. We will backtrack then circle around the upper beaver dam pond and loop back to the lean-to. If I time it right, we will enjoy lunch at the lean-to. Afterwards we will hike back along the pond and the creek to our cars.

This is a moderately paced hike of almost 6 miles and 600+ feet of gain. We might get lucky but expect wet conditions (as usual this year!). Bring water, snacks, and lunch.

Link to RPA’s VFCF page: RPA | Valentino Family Community Forest (rensselaerplateau.org)

Contact leader for meeting time and location.

Leader: Martha Waldman – martha829r@aol.com

Wednesday May 8th: Zim Smith Trail Bike B-

We will start at the parking area in Mechanicville and ride to the end in Ballston Spa. On our return we may stop for a treat at Leah’s Cakery in Round Lake. I haven’t been there but have heard rave reviews. This trail is a bit more hilly than the usual rail trail, but 100% bike path and paved.

23 miles and 1100ft elevation. It is rated B-

Contact Leader for meeting time & location.

Leader: Leslie Siegard - lsiegard2@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 15: Poestenkill Community Forest B-

We will explore this RPA property on the central Rensselaer Plateau. Starting on the Saphouse trail we will hike many of the perimeter trails, including Hemlock, Doree Cox, Moose, Barred Owl, Old Albany Rd, Porcupine, etc. We should see some spring ephemerals, beautiful hemlocks, hardwoods, wetlands, brooks, and rock walls along the way.  

Hike will be 5+ miles, 500- 600 feet gain at a moderate pace. Bring water, lunch, snacks.

Link to RPA’s PCF page: https://www.rensselaerplateau.org/poestenkillcommunityforest

Contact leader for meeting time and location.

Leader: Martha Waldman, email - martha829r@aol.com

Wednesday, May 22: Moreau Lake State Park: Lake Bonita – Ridge Loop B-

We will hike alongside Lake Bonita and take the Lake Ann Trail past the lean to, then hike up and over the picturesque High Rock Trail to the Palmertown Range. Once on the ridge we will take a left on the blue Eastern Ridge Trail and follow that to the Lake Ann Trail, which we will take back to Lake Bonita. If we time it right, we can use the Lake Ann picnic bench & lean-to for lunch.

The hike will be approximately 6.2 miles with about 600 feet cumulative gain.

Contact leader for meeting time and location.

Leader: Jim Gorman - jimgorman102@hotmail.comHike Poestenkill Community Forest B-

Fri May 24: Hand Hollow Conservation Area, New Lebanon C

This attractive Columbia Land Conservancy property provides us with three miles of mostly flat woodland, open field and lakeside trails. Located on Columbia County Rte 9, about a mile south of US 20, it is close to Blueberry Hill Cafe which we can visit for a snack, lunch, or a treat. (approx 4 miles)

Contact leader for meeting time.

Leader: Sharon Bonk email: scbonk@gmail.com

Wednesday, May 29: Yokun Ridge along a portion of The High Road, B

This hike will feature about three-quarters of the first portion of Berkshire Natural Resources Council’s vision of The High Road. https://www.bnrc.org/thehighroadyokunridge/

We will hike north from Reservoir Road in Lenox along the Yokun Ridge Trail, which features vistas at Lenox Mountain, Yokun Seat, Osceda Mountain, and Mahanna Cobble, and finally down the Mahanna Cobble trail to its trailhead at Bousquet Mountain Ski Area. The one-way hike is 6.75 miles with an overall elevation change of about 1,100 feet. Because the hike is one-way, we will be spotting cars, and then traveling about 5 miles to the trail head.

Please contact leader for meeting time and directions.

Leader: David Dutra, email: ddutra@nycap.rr.com

JUNE

Saturday, June 1: SPRING GATHERING, GRAFTON LAKES STATE PARK

Join us at the THC SPRING GATHERING at Grafton Lakes State Park, at the Deerfield Pavilion on Saturday, June 1. You may come for all or part of the event. Meet old friends and make new friends!

We will start with a brief meeting at 9:30 at the Deerfield Pavilion, followed by a group hike. We plan to hike around Shaver Pond and take a side trip on the Granville Hicks Trail. You can paddle on Long Pond or stroll along the beach if you don’t want to hike.

We will meet again at the Deer Field Pavilion for a “bring your own” picnic lunch. If you cannot make the morning hike you can still join us for the picnic lunch; plan on arriving by 11:30. 

After the picnic you can paddle in on Long Pond, take another hike, or relax and hang out at the pavilion. Bring your own kayak or canoe; remember to bring your life vest, white light, and whistle.

Registration: Contact Margaret Parks at email: margaretparks213@gmail.com

Please let her know if you will be attending all, just the meeting and hike, or just the BYO lunch. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Monday, June 10: Taconic Trail State Forest (below the Taconic Ridge- Williamston) C+

From the parking area on Rte. 2, Williamstown, located 1.9 miles east (down) from Petersburg Pass, we will walk across Rte. 2. From there we will do a loop starting with the the Sarah Tenney Trail (briefly) and the RRR Brooks Trail. We take a brief detour and go up the Fitch Trail to Bee Hill and return the same way. We will continue back up the RRR Brooks Trail, to the Sarah Tenney. From there we hike to Bob's Ski Loop Trail, take that trail and reconnect to Sarah Tenney. Rolling terrain in woods and fields, some short ups and downs but not a strenuous hike, some very nice views.  Total approximately 4-5 miles, 600+ feet gain.

Contact leader for meeting time. Bring water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen, bug protection, etc.

Leader: Sharon Bonk email: scbonk@gmail.com

Thursday June 27: Hand Hollow C

Join me on a 3 1/2-to-4-mile leisurely walk at Hand Hollow, my favorite Columbia County preserve. We will walk through meadows and woods, past an active beaver pond to the lakeshore where we will enjoy a snack. Then it’s back through the woods to our cars.

Register with Blanche Nelson, biancanelson45@aol.com or 914 462 8054