Sat, Feb 4 – Walk at Vassar Farm.
Leader: Georgette Weir, georgette.weir@gmail.com
Easy loop of about 3.5 miles on Farm Road and woods trails. Must have spiky foot traction; no coils. All participants must be fully vaccinated against the Covid virus.
Sun, Feb 5 – Snowshoe/hike through art installations at Art OMI Sculpture & Architecture Park C level hike, about 4-5 miles with intersecting loops
Leader: Lyn W., hikebuddy@gmail.com
We’ll snowshoe or hike on the grounds of the sculpture park, with large scale art installations set among rolling fields and woods. Stunning photo opportunities. Visitor center and gallery on premises, Admission is free. Columbia County, 1 hour drive from New Paltz, https://artomi.org/exhibitions/ . All participants must be fully vaccinated against the Covid virus.
Sun, Feb 12 – Vernooy Kill Falls loop 8 miles rated B
Leader: Sharon Klein, CatsNGunks@gmail.com
We will hike a loop in the Sundown Wild Forest from the Grahamsville trailhead. We will pass and stop at the beautiful Vernooy Kill falls, gorgeous and flowing in every season. This hike is mostly flat for its entirety and makes a great snow shoe hike for this reason. Snow or no snow this is a beautiful winter outing. All participants must be fully vaccinated against the Covid virus.
Friday, Feb 17 – Mon, Feb 20 – 2023 Wiezel Cabin Program
Leader: Pete Cantline, pete.cantline@gmail.co
The MHADK Chapter will be renting Wiezel Cabin at Heart Lake, North Elba, NY for our exclusive use for Presidents’ Day Weekend (2/17-2/20). The cabin holds 16, four in each of four bunk rooms. We share Men’s/Women’s bathrooms, a common room for socializing and eating, and a small kitchen for meal preparation. Occupancy of the cabin shall conform to the ADK Covid-19 Precautions and Protocols listed below. These are subject to change over time and can be viewed at adk.org. The cost for 8 persons will be $150 per person, for 10 persons it will be $120, for the three nights. If the number of registrants is less than eight or more than ten, a revised fee schedule may be issued.
Arrival date is Friday the 17th . Friday dinner will be on your own. Saturday and Sunday dinners will be pot-luck meals . Hors-d’oeuvres and beverages will be on your own, including wine glasses. Meals can be eaten at the Loj with prior reservations. This policy may change.
ADK Covid-19 protocol, as of 11/12/21, requires the following:
- All participants must be vaccinated
- Participants over the age of 12 are required to show proof of vaccination upon check-in unless a valid medical exemption is provided.
- Masks are optional
- Participants are encouraged to make every effort to maintain social distancing (6 feet or more) from staff and guests outside their party. Participants are also asked to maintain healthy hand sanitation, including regular hand washing and use of hand sanitizer.If a participant experiences symptoms of COVID-19 during their visit, we ask that they notify the outing leader immediately and make arrangements to leave the property. Refunds will not be provided.
Sat, Feb 18 – Mon, Feb. 20 – Sled-Packing (Backpacking too) in the Sundown Wild Forest, Southern Catskills Strenuous; Mileage in description below
Leader: Russ Faller 845-297-5126 (before 9 PM) or russoutdoors@yahoo.com
This outing is joint with AMC. Participants must register with both clubs. Contact leader for link to AMC registration form.
On Presidents’ Weekend, let’s sled-pack into the 32.100 ac. Sundown Wild Forest of the southern Catskills. (Backpacks welcome.) The forest should be beautiful under a mantle of pure white snow. The views from Ashokan High Peak are worth the climb. Westerly, we’ll see the Rocky/Balsam Cap/Friday ridge and adjacent Hoople Mtn. We’ll also see the Ashokan Reservoir. Southerly, we’ll see the Rondout Valley, in all its splendor, framed by the Shawangunk Ridge. It’s only about 1 mile to a small campsite on a stream or 2.7 to another site higher up. The trail is a well-graded old woods road. There are no lean-tos or privies; therefore, you’ll have to carry out your used toilet paper in a zip lock plastic bag inside another zip lock bag. No smell, no smear. On the day-of-arrival, we’ll climb Little Rocky Mtn. (3,015 ft.), one of the lesser summits of the Catskill 67. On Sunday, we’ll hike the Ashokan High Peak (3.091 ft.) loop, ~6 mi. from the first tent site. On our last day, we’ll pack up and head out after breakfast. Winter beginners or novices can attend this outing. They’ll need to have day hiking experience in winter, 3-season experience in backpacking, need to have slept out in colder temperatures and have all the required winter gear & equipment. Contact leader for a list. No snow, rain or extreme temps will cancel. Rain, extreme temperatures or lack of snow will result in canceling this outing. All participants must be fully vaccinated against the Covid virus.
Fri, Feb 24 – Moderate hike at Fahnestock SP.
Leader: Georgette Weir, georgette.weir@gmail.com
A moderate hike or snowshoe to Chimney Top from Dennytown Road. Out on Catfish Loop, back on the AT. About 4.5 miles. Must have spiky foot traction; no coils. All participants must be fully vaccinated against the Covid virus.
Sun, Feb 26 – Snowshoe/Spike hike NE Trail to Bonticou. Moderate, 5-6 miles
Leader: Roberta Forest, robertaforest@gmail.com
This is a scenic winter hike starting from Spring Farm trailhead of the Mohonk Preserve. Weather conditions will determine our route up to Bonticou Crag, where we get a grand overlook of the area. Dress in layers, always carrying an extra rain or wind jacket. Have food and a warm drink for our outing. Carry whatever medicines or first aid supplies you may need. $15 entrance fee to Preserve for non members. All participants must be fully vaccinated against the Covid virus.