Ten months after the historic storm that led to its closure, the Appalachian Trail at Bear Mountain State Park will reopen for Memorial Day weekend 2024. Additionally, the previously closed sections of the Major Welch and Suffern-Bear Mountain trails will also be open to hikers. Some trail closures remain in effect. Even where trails are passable, the shaded area is…
Shaun’s journey of recovery and self-discovery has been closely tied to the trails he’s hiked. Struggling with addiction and depression, Shaun’s life felt like an endless winter — “an ongoing darkness where every task felt like climbing a mountain” — until he found solace in the wilderness. Shaun completed a recovery program for addiction in 2015 and, inspired by stories from…
The Trail Conference is excited to announce that it has been awarded a Smart Growth grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation! The Trail Conference will receive $73,443 in support of its Catskill Trail Conservation Program. This funding will support the Conference’s efforts to provide comprehensive trail maintenance activities across the Catskill…
Spring hiking can present challenges that require special preparation in both gear and mindset. It seems like the only thing that is constant is change, and that’s especially true of the seasons. As a member of New Jersey Search and Rescue (NJSAR), I need to be ready to deal with varying conditions year-round and usually…
Upon hearing the term “invasive species,” you may immediately think of spotted lanternfly – or maybe even giant hogweed (bonus points for the latter)! Invasive species are non-native species that have negative impacts that outweigh their possible benefits and cause environmental, ecological, economic, or human harm. For example, spotted lanternfly poses a threat to our orchards and…
As of late 2023, the New Weis Center has relocated the Otter Hole Trail (Green) off their property and onto Snake Den Road. Hikers are still able to park in the lot provided by the New Weis Center but are asked to follow the relocated green blazes along Snake Den Road for approximately 0.4 miles…
Tell Governor Murphy to Protect Funding for Open Space New Jersey stands to lose 48 million dollars over 10 years to preserve and protect open spaces, farmland, and historic sites from being destroyed. Here’s what’s happening: a surcharge on the two percent most wealthy corporations is set to expire on December 31, 2023, and unless enough…
The Nominating Committee of the Trail Conference presents the following candidates for the Board of Directors for three-year terms and At-Large Voting Members for one-year terms. These nominations will be voted on at the Annual Meeting to be held on Saturday, December 9th, at the Trail Conference Headquarters (600 Ramapo Valley Rd. Mahwah, NJ 07430) from 9:30 to 11:30…
We are deeply grateful to the wonderful Trail Conference community for their energetic, friendly presence and amazing generosity at this year’s Annual Gala. Nearly 175 individuals came together in celebration and support of the Trail Conference. The spirit of preservation was tangible as we celebrated the Trail Conference’s dedication to conserving, protecting, and advocating for…
The Catskills Lark in the Park is an annual celebration of the Catskill Park and the Catskill Mountains Region. The 2023 Catskills Lark in the Park will be held Saturday, September 30 through Monday, October 9. Since its inception in 2004, the Lark has brought together people and organizations participating in hundreds of events aimed at celebrating and…
Due to major storm damage on July 9, 2023, areas of Bear Mountain State Park and Harriman State Park remain closed. Please refer to the map below, our Trail Alerts page, and the NYS Parks website for the latest details on trail updates and any remaining impacts. Even where trails are passable, the shaded area on the map below is closed to the public, and…
The Trail Conference has some exciting news to share! As you flip through the pages of the Fall 2023 issue of Trail Walker, you’ll likely notice it has a fresh new look. The decision to redesign our newsletter wasn’t taken lightly. Our goal with the update is simple: we want to provide our supporters, members, and volunteers with a…
