The creation of long-distance trails help us disconnect from the everyday, while working to connect parklands, greenways, and further land conservation. Planning, patience, and a fair amount of luck are requirements when working on completing a long-distance trail, not just in the adventure of a successful thru-hike, but even more so in the actual creation of
Sometime back in the spring of 2007, I was asked by Jim Haggett, chair of the Dutchess-Putnam Appalachian Trail Committee, “Do you want to build a new bridge behind RPH cabin?” Since 1998, the Ralph’s Peak Hikers (RPH) Cabin Volunteers, a member club of the Trail Conference, has maintained the Appalachian Trail’s RPH Cabin in East Fishkill, N.Y. I
The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has been awarded two grants from the New York State Conservation Partnership Program to continue our efforts to protect and complete the Long Path, “New York’s greatest trail.” The Land Trust Alliance and the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the awards, funded by the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), on April
By supporting the Trail Conference’s Conservation Detection Dog Program, you’ll allow us to be at the forefront of early invasive species detection. The Trail Conference is the leader in regional efforts to combat invasive species. As such, we are always looking for the most effective ways to diminish the impact invasives are having on the environment. That’s
Coming to a trailhead near you! Over 300 trailhead signage panels have been delivered to state parks in Northern New Jersey. We’ve all been there before— slowing the car to a crawl on some backwoods road, craning our neck for the telltale 2×3-inch splash of color that indicates a trail crossing. Or standing puzzled on
On April 29, Vernon, N.J., was officially designated an Appalachian Trail Community—the second A.T. Community in New Jersey. Among those presenting the honor during the event at Heaven Hill Farm were Trail Conference Executive Director Ed Goodell, Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Karen Lutz, Regional Superintendent of the Northern Division of NJ State Park System Joshua Osowski,
At Long Pond Ironworks State Park, the restoration of the Wanaque River bridge, washed away in Hurricane Irene in 2011—was finally completed at the end of 2016, with the finishing touches added late last year. At 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, the Friends of Long Pond Ironworks will be holding a ceremony with speakers from the Trail
After a lot of hard work and dedication from our fantastic volunteers and partners, a newly rerouted section of the Highlands Trail is now open in Goosepond Mountain State Park! The Trail Conference has been busy improving public access in and around Goosepond Mountain State Park in Orange County, N.Y., over the last year. Thanks to the
Discover a little history on your next adventure in Worthington State Forest. Trail maintainer Jon Stelling, environmental scientist by day, enthusiastically adopted the Rock Cores Trail in New Jersey’s Worthington State Forest when he moved to nearby Pennsylvania to complete his PhD at Lehigh University. But he was frustrated that the unique and historical significance of the trail’s
Breakneck Ridge Trails will remain open through 2018, and the Trail Conference, our volunteers, and partners are working hard to protect this popular hiking destination. Breakneck Ridge in Putnam and Dutchess counties’ Hudson Highlands State Park has once again been named the most popular hiking destination in North America. In a recent survey on Trails.com, it received more
In 1923, Trail Conference volunteers built the original section of the Appalachian Trail. Our volunteers still maintain and protect the Trail to this day. Most trail lovers know the Appalachian Trail runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. But quiz even the most enthusiastic thru-hiker, and she may not even realize that the
Trail Tramps Crew Chief Mary Dodds reflects on their 2017 season on the trail. It’s been a while since you heard from the Tramps, and I know you are curious to know what we have been up to. Changes We dropped Westchester from our crew name and are now just plain old “Trail Tramps.” This
