Mud? Ice? High water at stream crossings?
This is the place to let the trail community know what you encountered, where and when (be as precise as possible). Suggestion: Make the trail or park name your subject.
To report serious trail problems that need Trail Conference attention, including illegal trail use issues, visit our Contact Us page. Problems reported through our Contact Us page get to the maintainers fast and reliably. Problems reported on the forum below may help fellow trail users avoid problem areas until they get fixed, but not all maintainers read this regularly.
Water
Damaged bridge on HTS Trail
A report has been sent in to the TC.
Crowded Campgaw
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail Markings
Trail Conference Volunteer Is Following Up
Agreed.
Sadly, i actually sent in a report of this exact problem to the TC about a year ago, but nothing seems to have been done. When i hiked the entire SBM a few months ago, i had to make the final descent in the dark, and the fact that i made it down without a problem i consider to be a combination of luck and the fact that i know this area of the trail well from having hiked it numerous times .
If need be, i will be taking a can of yellow spray paint with me the next time i hike this section of SBM...
".....Sadly, i actually sent
Thanks for assuming!
Fact #1:
When i sent my report in a year ago, i received a reply that stated "the trail maintainer for that section will be notified". If i understand english correctly, this would lead one to believe there already is a maintainer for that section of the trail.
Fact #2:
The TC lists trail maintainer openings right here on the website, and i check them on a regular basis, waiting for one to open up that i will be able to work on given that i have limited access to only a select number of trails.
Fact #3:
Part of my time spent on every hike is helping to keep the trails i am on maintained, whether it's clearing the trail, picking up other people's garbage they've left behind, or fixing cairns that have fallen apart, etc.
Fact # 4:
The TC has stated here on this forum that they do not encourage "phantom trail maintenance", so other than the simple activities listed above, i have refrained from adding/fixing blazes on trails. However, since not even one person from the TC has bothered to respond to this topic, i guarantee you that the next time i am on the SBM, i will have a can of yellow spray paint with me, and will be re-doing the faded blazes, so other hikers won't have the problems i've encountered.
I know all the work is done by volunteers, but i trust the TC to be on top of things, and if there is a trail maintainer opening, or problem keeping up with a trail section, they should be letting us know, not expecting us to figure it out for ourselves.
OK, sorry. I didn't mean to
No worries.
Our collective goal is hopefully to make hiking these trails an enjoyable experience for all those who use them, while also treating nature with respect. This requires us to all work together, but it's important to remember that there are a lot of people who are doing work on the trails without looking for recognition or wanting some sort of "official" position.
Major Welch Trail
West End of Major Welch Trail Closed
You're correct. Please see Trail News item about this here:
news/major-welch-trail-bear-mountain-closed
Thanks
Major Welch Trail
Fire Safety
I've done this hike numerous times before. None of the streams i usually pass had any water in them. In fact, i did not see any water at all during my hike. I have never seen Harriman this dry.
If you are out hiking and/or camping, please use caution if you must have a fire. One mistake could mean the loss of a substantial part of our beloved park.
I realize most people reading this already practice good fire safety, but i felt it was important enough to post anyway. Thanks.
Part of Highlands Trail in NJ not maintained
Highlands Trail in Clinton WMA
Thanks for the post about your recent hike on section 8 of the Highlands Trail in Hunterdon County.
This is a section of the Highlands Trail that we struggle with because we are not permitted to do any maintenance in Clinton WMA between April 15 and August 1st in order to protect and leave undisturbed significant bird nesting areas. The HT Supervisor has spent at least two full days recently in that area attempting to clean it out, but it is almost impossible to do without a substantial mower after all the grass grows for 4 months. The WMA will not assist us with the trail maintenance.
I think your comment that the entire section is unmaintained is a bit misleading, although I completely agree with you about the Clinton WMA. The HT through the remainder of this section should be in pretty good shape based on other recent reports I have received, and is not subject to the maintenance requirements of Clinton WMA.
We are always trying to do our best to both maintain and keep improving the entire 150 mile route of the HT. However, as you may know, the entire HT project--routing, building and maintaining--is performed by volunteers. If you are interested in joining this effort we would welcome the assistance! This weekend we will be building a small reroute between Tower Hill and Jugtown Mountain to move the HT from its current route through the power line right of way, which is not the most pleasant place to hike.
Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions about the Highlands Trail. You can also find information about the HT sections via this link: www.highlands-trail.org/description.html.
Thanks for taking the time to post a report. I hope you are able to enjoy hiking other sections of the Highlands Trail.
Brenda Holzinger
Chair, Highlands Trail--Hudson to Delaware Rivers
email: [email protected]
cell: 973-303-3538
Some Delaware Water Gap Trails Closed - Wildfire
Note: All trails are open again as of noon on Saturday the 14th.
Larry Wheelock
From National Park Service website on 8-9-2010 http://www.nps.gov/dewa/index.htm:
A wildfire burning within Worthington State Forest has resulted in hiking trail closures within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which adjoins the state forest.
The following trails are closed until further notice to ensure public and firefighter safety:
Kaiser Trail - the 2 mile trail is closed from the trailhead on Old Mine Road to the Appalachian Trail.
Coppermine Trail - the 1.8 mile trail is closed from the trailhead on Old Mine Road to the Appalachian Trail at Camp Road.
Appalachian Trail - the trail is closed from the Mohican Outdoor Center south to Holly Spring. Hikers will follow alternate routes along nearby roads. The Appalachian Trail is open from the Dunnfield Creek trailhead north to Holly Spring.
Rattlesnakes
Yes!!!