Westchester Trails Association

WTA Welcomes its New Members: Linda Alfini, Anne Barile, Lorraine Brink, Andra Capodanno, Edward Clarke, Frank Clemons, Kathy Cody, Samantha Conklin, Judith Glazer, Shari Goodstein, Debra Guida, Ruth Gyure, Natasha James, Yasho Lahiri, Doron Maze, Irit Maze, Rick Mone, Peggy Reich, Rosa Reyes, Emilia Reynoso, Irina Sandigursky, Mark Sandigursky, Kathleen Shanahan, Irene Studwell, Naomi Szabo-Wexler, Yu Xuan Wu, Rochelle Yankwitt.

And Welcome Back: Judy Behrens, Janet Benetti, Eileen Blank, Mark Girvin, Halina Karachuk, Svetlana Sabau.

...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.

Spring Hiking Tips.  If you’re getting back into hiking after a winter’s rest, start with shorter and easier hikes until you feel in shape for something more strenuous. Be aware of seasonal conditions - spring rains can cause muddy trails and swollen streams. Give your boots a good waterproof treatment, and consider wearing gaiters. To avoid eroding muddy trails, look for established routes in sunny areas, on rocky surfaces, or with well-drained soils. If you find yourself on a muddy stretch of trail, don’t walk off-trail to avoid it - that will only increase erosion. Use common sense when encountering a swollen stream. Poles or sticks will help with balance, and wet feet can easily be tended to with a fresh pair of socks, but fast running water can also be dangerous. If you don’t feel that you can safely cross a stream, turn back.

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

Have a most enjoyable spring. 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...