N e w s

The week of October 5th begins with a very warm Sunday with plenty of sunshine and highs in the low 80's. Monday will be mostly sunny, nice and warm with highs in the mid 70's. Tuesday will remain warm with sun followed by clouds and highs in the mid 70's. Wednesday will have a couple of morning showers giving way to partly to mostly sunny skies with highs in the high 50's. Thursday will have plenty of sunshine with highs in the mid 50's. Friday will have times of sun and clouds with highs in the mid 50's. On Saturday there will be variable cloudiness with a couple of showers possible and highs in the mid 60's. Most trails are now a little damp but with no significant rain in the forecast for this week and the trails will dry out. The week starts out very warm with cooler weather at the middle and end of the week that will make for great hiking conditions. Daylight will slowly decrease heading toward the winter solstice wuth shorter and shorter days. Packing a working headlamp is always a good idea as it may mean the difference between finishing a hike easily and wandering around in the forest. NEVER assume that conditions at the trailhead are the conditions on the mountain. When the weather conditions are constantly changing, be sure you have dressed appropriately in clothing that will wick away moisture to prevent it from accumulating in your clothing, which can, at the very least, be uncomfortable. Layering should be with non-cotton materials as cotton tends to hold moisture. Keeping hydrated is essential no matter the temperatures since hydrating properly will allow you to hike longer and in greater comfort. Be sure to carry plenty of water with you as local water sources can be unreliable and may be contaminated. Once you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! Remember, the weather forecast is only a prediction and always contains percentages. Be prepared and have a plan for the most likely and least likely forecast! Are you prepared to stay out overnight on a trail? Conditions in the morning can change drastically by the afternoon. Conditions at the trailhead do not always reflect the conditions on the peaks! Variable trail and weather conditions are a hallmark of these mountains. BE CAREFUL AND BE PREPARED!

Sheila: September 24, 2011 - July 12, 2024

Sheila was with us for more than 12 years. She was a great friend and a fantastic hiking companion. She went with me on all but a handful of hikes in many diverse places. Her first hike was at Frick Pond in December 27, 2011. Her last hike was July 1, 2024 on the Parksville Rail Trail. After that hike, her health began to deteriorate rapidly. When she could no longer breathe properly we called on the staff of the Jeffersonville Animal Hospital to put an end to her suffering. We cannot express are gratitude for the caring and compassionate treatment we received. The end was quick and quiet. Cindy and I stayed with Shiela until it was over. She never seemed in distress. We are heartbroken but knew that what we did was right for our good friend.

Monday: September 1st: Round Top Loops
Tuesday: September 2nd: Parksville Rail Trail: Sonoma
Wednesday: September 3rd: Round Top Figure 8s
Thursday: September 4th: Round Top Small Loops
Friday: September 5th: Frick Pond: Loggers Loop
Monday: September 8th: Trout Pond: Counterclockwise
Tuesday: September 9th: Round Top Figure 8s
Wednesday: September 10th: Parksville Rail Trail
Thursday: September 11th: Mongaup Pond: Ledges and Frick Loop
Friday: September 12th: Beaverkill Campgrounds
Monday: September 15th: Huggins Lake
Tuesday: September 16th: Parksville Rail Trail
Wednesday: September 17th: Windsor Hills
Thursday: September 18th: Round Top Figure 8s
Friday: September 19th: Parksville Rail Trail (Complete from Parksville)
Monday: September 22nd: Round Top Figure 8s
Friday: September 26th: Frick Pond: Flynn and Big Rock
Monday: September 29th: Parksville Rail Trail
Tuesday: September 30th: Hodge Pond Lookouts
Thursday: October 2nd: Trout Pond Clockwise