Westchester Trails Association

WTA Welcomes its New Members: Angela Byrne, Marie Carasco, Deborah DeMasi, Jill Garland, Kenneth Golub, Susan Hannon, Judy Hoff, Robert Jaffe, Lori Josephs, Joshua Knight,Daniel Leiman, Darcy Lis-Beglane, Chuck MacMath, Franicis McInerney, Linda Nastaszewski, Jody Reiss, Siobhan Regan, Paula Romeo, Janet Schneider, Laura Lee Spence, Jennifer Stevenson, Darlene Wilson, Patti Winder, Peter Winder.

And Welcome Back: Rose Fishbein-Brum, Judy Gonzalez, Judy Hochberg, Jennifer Reidy, Karen Schectman.

...relaxed on Todd Mountain in the Mohawk Trail State Forest...

Scenes from our Hiking Week in the Berkshires. Each year we spend a week or so in a more distant location. We've been to Acadia, Shenandoah and Harpers Ferry National Parks, the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and the Green Mountains of Vermont. This Sepember we returned to the Berkshires after a seven year hiatus. Here are some photos from our trip:

...and enjoyed each other's company during late afternoon "happy hours".

It was a wonderful week of hiking and camaraderie, and we took advantage of our one dreary day to visit museums and other attractions. To top it all off, we were able to spend time with friends old and new - always the best part of our trips to far away places!

Others enjoyed the woods and sculptures at Field Farm Preserve in Williamstown.

Winter Hiking Tips: Dress in layers so you can add and remove items as your exertion levels change. Wear a synthetic base layer such as polyester or nylon to wick moisture away from your skin; one or more middle layers of fleece or wool; and an insulated outer layer to protect you from rain, wind and snow. Wear a fleece or wool hat, and fleece, wool or insulated gloves or mittens. Wool or wool blend socks are great natural insulators, even when wet; wear them over synthetic liners for wicking. Leave the cotton clothing home - cotton retains moisture and contributes to hypothermia. Never, ever wear jeans - if you get a little snow or water on them, they turn into icy boards around your legs for the rest of the hike. Bring plenty of food and water and a hot beverage to warm you. Be sure to carry microspikes, stabilicers or other traction aids in your pack in case you need them, and remember that snow and ice on the ground increases the difficulty of any hike. Having said all that...winter hiking can be lots of fun as long as you’re prepared for the weather!

Some folks climbed to the summit of Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts.

                                                       Have a most enjoyable winter. See you on the trail!

Join WTA in completing the Westchester 100, a project inspired by the "Walkable Westchester" book written by Jane and Walt Daniels. The book has been an invaluable resource for hiking in our home county, and the most recent (third) edition details more than 635 miles of trails in over 200 parks, preserves and sanctuaries.

We launched our Westchester 100 project in the fall of 2009 when the first edition was published, listing local hiking areas and trails that featured 91 “regular” hikes and 18 “half hikes” throughout the county. Those who complete the challenge (either with our club or on their own) are rewarded with a certificate, a patch, and unlimited bragging rights.

To see our updated Westchester 100 list, please click here. We invite you to join us in exploring the many places to walk or hike that Westchester County has to offer.

We visited “the Cobble”, on a hill high above the town...