Trail Conditions Forum

Hiked this section yesterday (12/28/2013) taking advantage of the good weather and lack of snow on the ground.  The section was well marked and the trail in good condition with very limited snow or ice.  Weather was cold and cloudy with a stiff breeze but sun the appeared at the end of the day. Walking from Stage Rd. to John Boyd Thatcher SP was quick and easy.  Views along the way to the west were very good.  The hills just seemed to go on forever into the distance.  At the entrance to the park we met a couple that are part of the LP-North group.  Very nice to meet some of the folks who work so hard to maintain this area of the trail.  One interesting note we discussed with them was the change of the path from the 5th Ed. book description to the current on-line description.  In particular was the loss of access to the Roemer Property that had been formerly been included in this section.  The gentleman we met (a former maintainer in this area) explained that some off road cyclists had an arguement and run-in with the property owner of this area (not Trail Conference hikers) and upset the property owner to the point where access is now no longer allowed.  The property owner was not necessarily upset with the hikers and TC but just did not want to have to deal with anyone on the property anymore.  I guess it reinforces the point that we are all ambassadors for the Trail Conference and need to act accordingly when in the field. John Boyd Thatcher SP was magnificent.  The views were great even though it was a bit cloudy.  The Indian Ladder was closed this time of year and will require a future visit to experience this very unique geologic feature.  Fossils were observed through out the park.  The natural fissures described for this section were impressive, some appearing to descend into the rock and earth for over 10 feet.  Beaver lodges were observed by one of the ponds in the park and their efficiency in tree removal and dam building was notable.  The escarpment walk was really impressive and one could spend most of a day just walking the edge and enjoying the views.  The park is really a jewel for the State of New York.   This was the last section for us to reach what is currently the final end point of the trail.  It was a great hiking project and we had a lot of fun.  We are also inspired to hike the northern extension to the Adirondack Blue Line next year.  We recommend this trail for anyone looking for a great hiking experience and to see the many faces of New York and arguably a great hike in the limited section in New Jersey.  Thanks to Vincent Schaffer for his idea and all of the other people (Trail Conference, planners, maintainers, etc.) that have kept this historic trail alive and well.

Do you know if parking is allowed on Townsend Rd. (the street just beyond the West Brood Rd gate where parking used to be allowed) near where the Highlands Trail heads uphill into the woods?

I'm looking to hike the Nawahunta Fire Road /  Long Path /  Menomine triangle tomorrow.  Can someone tell me what the snow / ice conditions are there as of today?  One of us has Yaktrax & the other has Microspikes and / or Yaktrax.  I'm hoping there's some nice packed snow helping to even out all the rocks.

There is about 3 or 4 inches on the ground with about 2 inches of hard crust on top of that.  The crust would not bear the weight of a hiker.  We used Stabilizers instead of Microspikes, and thus had no problem with balling up on our feet. There was a coating of ice on most branches but that melted off during the warm up on Sunday afternoon.

As many of you know, construction work has started on a new causeway across the Wanaque Reservoir. Traffic from Ringwood Ave./Rt. 511, may be reduced to a single lane, but passage will remain open in both directions unless it's shut down by the inspectors. We will attempt to keep you apprised of this as the work goes forward.  Parking will still be allowed along West Brook Road, but DO NOT park in front of the GATE by the enclosed staging area, or you may be towed. All other conditions remain as is.

12/3/2013  Hiked this section today.  Pleasant, easy walk through the south Albany area.  Views of the Catskills on the way to & from the area are impressive, although the clouds did not reveal the true impressiveness of the views today.  Currently there is snow on the ground, ranging from non-existant to approximately 2".  View towards the west & south of the Gifford Hollow area were one came from along Wiltsie Rd. were very good.  The beaver pond was impressive, the beavers are industrious. Their lodge was fairly large and the area was surrounded with lots of gnawed stumps.  Hunters were fewer today but still out, we met a few on the trail.  We also visited three older cemetaries along the trail, most date back to the 1800's.  The Albany area Doppler radar dome was interesting to see and reminded us of a metal soccer ball.  We ate lunch prior to the dome by the now closed camp pond.  Nice view of the camp and pond was observed.  A quiet hike today.    The only confusing area is by the final crossing of a field to arrive at Rt. 443 & Stage Rd.  It's easy to miss the turn and walk right up to the roadway due to other blazes being in clear view there.  However, as the section description notes, one needs to follow the edge of the field in a clockwise fashion to more easily meet the road and continue on the trail.

12/1/2013 Does anyone know how much snow is on the ground near Berne or Albany?  Looking to hike there Tuesday and I'm not sure how to find out this information.  Any information regarding this subject is appreciated, thanks.

Was wondering how the conditions are from Bear Mountain to CT?? We will be hiking this section this weekend.

Myself and 2 friends stayed at the Stone Memorial shelter on Saturday night in the south east part of the park. While we were cutting some firewood off a downed tree nearby, 2 guys on ATV's came past. I didn't think much of it until about 7:30pmish when 7 ATV's came storming by the shelter on the woodsroad thats directly behind. They were heading down the woods road towards where it would eventually meet up with the power lines.   Any idea who these people might have been? Maybe park workers, or Trail Conference people?