At Dyken Pond Environmental Center

When we understand the vocalizations of birds, unseen happenings become more visible to us. As our awareness expands and our disturbance lessens, the fox, hawk and weasel hidden in the landscape are revealed. Instructor Kevin Bose has an endless supply of excitement for bird language, wild plants, tracks, and any other natural mystery. Kevin will give an introduction about bird language, then lead a “bird sit,” or bird language observation. Everyone’s observations will be combined to give a story of the land. Kevin sees nature connection as a powerful tool not only for bringing out an individual’s gifts, but also for rebuilding the “village” in the human community. Limited to 20 attendees, fee $15 or $10 for members of Friends of Dyken Pond or Rensselaer Land Trust. To pre-register, contact Lisa Hoyt at (518) 658-2055 or e-mail dykenpond@gmail.com.

Join us for the annual spring wildflower walk with Tom Phillips. We will hike toward the Taconic Crest on the Mattison Hollow Trail. Mattison Hollow has many interesting early spring flowers along a scenic stream with several small waterfalls. We’ll also listen and search for migrating song birds and warblers. We may also look for old charcoal kilns that are remnants of an old Rensselaer County industry. Meet at the Berlin Central School on Route 22 in Berlin at 1:00 p.m. where we will carpool to the trail head. The hike does involve moderately steep climbing so sturdy footwear, snacks and water are recommended. $5, members free. To register, contact Tom Phillips at his e-mail.

Never been spelunking? Here is your opportunity to see inside a local cave with expert guides. The event begins with a 1/2 mile hike up to Bentley’s Cavern, then a short drop into the entrance cavern, followed by a brief crawl through water to get to an inner chamber. Bring a LED headlamp, bicycle helmet, a light jacket and a complete change of clothes for entering the cave. Joint event with Northeastern Cave Conservancy and the Helderberg Hudson Grotto. To register, contact Rebecca Krakowiak (716) 939-8910  or krakowir@gmail.com.

This event is cosponsored by the Rensselaer Land Trust, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center, Friends of the Dyken Pond Center, and Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area.

Join us for one or both days of our two-day Plateau Traverse Hike. Or come for just the morning or afternoon of either day. Become an end to ender. We will meet at Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area at 7:30am on Saturday and take shuttle buses to our starting point just below the plateau escarpment and will spend the day hiking back to Pineridge (about 16 miles mostly on trails but with some bushwhacking). Participants are welcome to pitch a tent and spend the night. We will have a potluck dinner after the Saturday hike. We will leave Pineridge by 8am on Sunday to hike to the other half of the Plateau (about 16 miles on trails, logging roads and some bushwhacking). Shuttle buses will bring participants back to Pineridge at the end of the day. Note: we scout out new routes each year and will not know the exact route until Sept.

Registration

Advance registration required.
Deadline to register: Sept 23rd Register at 518 712-9211 or jim@rensselaerplateau.org
$10 / day suggested donation to offset the fuel costs of shuttle buses.

Additional Information
A mix of trail conditions (flat, rocky, etc), logging roads and bushwhacking. Bushwhacking will be easy to moderate difficulty with a few short difficult areas. Trails may be muddy or wet depending upon weather conditions prior to the event.

Activities: We will pass views and historic sites including the opportunity to ascend the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower on Saturday morning. We will eat dinner and breakfast together Sat evening and Sun morning for those who are interested. We ask participants to bring something to share.
Additional Equipment Required: Day pack, water bottles, sturdy footwear.

Event Duration (hours): 8+ hours each day, 4 - 5 hours half day
Lunch Break: Yes
Bring your own lunch.
Difficulty: Difficult
Not suitable for children under age 14.
Length (miles): 15 - 17 per day(half day options each day)
Path: Returns to start
Boots Needed: Yes

Join Grafton Lakes State Park’s Environmental Educator on a 3 mile round trip hike to this historic fire tower, recently restored by the Friends of Grafton Lakes State Park.  Fall foliage and views of three states greet those who climb the eighty steps to the top.  The hike includes brief steep portions and uneven terrain over an old fire road, so hiking boots are recommended.  Pack water and a lunch to savor on the hilltop. Please pre-register: 518-279-1155

Join the Ingalls Preserve steward for a mid-winter trail walk along the brook and into the uplands. We’ll snowshoe if nature allows and walk otherwise, looking for signs of activity. If we’re lucky a barred owl may call or even fly overhead! Perhaps a short side trip to see the remnant of an old homestead, and some more speculation about the mysterious 9-foot square stone foundation. The trails may be icy or muddy, are steep and rocky in places, and we‘ll cover about 2.5 miles.

$5 and free for members.

To register Online Click HERE or

Call Peter Wood at 518-378-1361

Learn more about our Robert Ingalls Preserve HERE.

Rain date Sun., April 23

Join us for an Earth Day hike through the woods on private land protected under a conservation easement with Rensselaer Land Trust, onto the Barberville Falls Preserve of The Nature Conservancy to visit the 90-foot high waterfalls. Portions of the trail are steep and may be wet and slippery. Be prepared for a small stream crossing. $5 donation.

Register HERE

Contact Marcia Hopple 518-283-5353 or mhopple@nycap.rr.com.

Birds in full spring migration, followed by the finest locally brewed beer – a great combination! Join us as we see and hear a wide variety of spring birds along the Hoosic River Greenway trail in Hoosick Falls. Bring binoculars. Then we’ll head to North Hoosick to partake in the fine craft beers at Brown’s Brewing Company’s Taproom and Brewery.  Walk led by John Loz of the Audubon Society of the Capital Region, our co-sponsor. $5 donation.

To Register e-mail Nick Conrad

Directions to Meeting Location

The meeting location is in Hoosic Falls, NY at the very end of Water Works Road, behind the Little League baseball fields.

Take NYS Route 22 north towards the Village of Hoosic Falls.

As you cross over a curved bridge and approach downtown, take a right on to Fiske Street. There is a small "HRG Trail Access" sign pointing you down the street towards the trail head off of Water Works Road. Look for a white 'Audubon Event' sandwich board.

Google Maps

We will hike the entire 37 miles of the Taconic Crest Trail in six separate trips over several months. This beautiful ridge-top trail winds through NY, MA, and a corner of VT, from near New Lebanon to North Petersburg, passing by the renowned Snow Hole and over Rensselaer County’s highest peak. With about 7000 feet each of cumulative ascent and cumulative descent, views include the Little Hoosick Valley and Mount Greylock. Join us for one, some, or all of the sections. Those who complete the entire trail (with us and/or on their own), can receive a patch from the Taconic Hiking Club.

$5 donation per hike. Please register with listed contact. All hikes have long steep uphill and/or downhill sections over rocky ground.

Part I: Sat., May 20 • 9:00 a.m.
South end (Route 20 near New Lebanon) to Potter Road in Hancock, MA, 10.5 miles.
Register: e-mail Nick Conrad

This is our longest section, passing through Pittsfield State Forest and by Twin and Berry Ponds, and great views, ending with a long steep descent. Spring wildflowers abound.

For those aiming to complete the entire trail, there is a 2.1 mile section along roads between the Potter Road and Madden Road trailheads; this section can be hiked on your own, or before the following hike.

Part II: Sat., June 10 • 9:00 a.m.
Madden Road in Hancock, MA, to Robinson Hollow, Stephentown, NY (6 miles).
Register: e-mail Michael Jensen

This is our shortest section, but has a long steep ascent and descent at either end. The trail passes through hardwood forests, grassy knolls, and the only bench on the trail.

Part III: Sat., July 15 • 9:00 a.m.
Robinson Hollow in Stephentown to Mattison Hollow in Cherry Plain (7 miles).
Register: Peter Wood: 518-378-1361

The Robinson Hollow access will be the starting point for our third leg on the Crest Trail, along aptly named Misery Mountain. Lots of elevation change here, on a less well known section of the trail. We’ll end by descending into amazing Mattison Hollow.

Part IV: Sat., August 12 • 9:00 a.m.
Mattison Hollow in Cherry Plain to Southeast Hollow in Berlin (7.2 miles).
Register: Peter Wood: 518-378-1361

We’ll start up Mattison Hollow, now threatened by logging, past towering hemlocks and white pines, brooks and waterfalls, and access the Crest Trail after an incredibly steep climb. Here the Crest Trail follows a narrower ridge, where at times you can see into valleys east and west. We’ll hike through a magical conifer forest and descend into beautiful Southeast Hollow.

Part V: Sat., September 9 • 9:00 a.m.
Petersburg Pass in Petersburg to Southeast Hollow in Berlin (7.3 miles).
Register: e-mail Michael Jensen

Going north to south this time in order to start at Petersburg Pass’ higher elevation, the trail has some steep ascents on the way to the summit of Berlin Mountain, at 2,818 feet New York’s tallest peak outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills. Then through an uncommon spruce-fir forest and over some minor summits, and down Southeast Hollow.

Part VI: Sat., October 14 • 9:00 a.m.
Petersburg Pass to north end in N Petersburg (7.9 miles)
Register: e-mail Nick Conrad

The Snow Hole, a deep crevice where snow and ice last well into the summer, is the highlight of this section. Also long views to the west and to the east into Vermont, white quartz, and a short stretch in Vermont, finishing with a long, steep descent to the north trailhead along Route 346.

We will hike the entire 37 miles of the Taconic Crest Trail in six separate trips over several months. This beautiful ridge-top trail winds through NY, MA, and a corner of VT, from near New Lebanon to North Petersburg, passing by the renowned Snow Hole and over Rensselaer County’s highest peak. With about 7000 feet each of cumulative ascent and cumulative descent, views include the Little Hoosick Valley and Mount Greylock. Join us for one, some, or all of the sections. Those who complete the entire trail (with us and/or on their own), can receive a patch from the Taconic Hiking Club.

$5 donation per hike. Please register with listed contact. All hikes have long steep uphill and/or downhill sections over rocky ground.

For those aiming to complete the entire trail, there is a 2.1 mile section along roads between the Potter Road and Madden Road trailheads; this section can be hiked on your own, or before the following hike.

Part II: Sat., June 10 • 9:00 a.m.
Madden Road in Hancock, MA, to Robinson Hollow, Stephentown, NY (6 miles).
Register: e-mail Michael Jensen

This is our shortest section, but has a long steep ascent and descent at either end. The trail passes through hardwood forests, grassy knolls, and the only bench on the trail.

Part III: Sat., July 15 • 9:00 a.m.
Robinson Hollow in Stephentown to Mattison Hollow in Cherry Plain (7 miles).
Register: Peter Wood: 518-378-1361

The Robinson Hollow access will be the starting point for our third leg on the Crest Trail, along aptly named Misery Mountain. Lots of elevation change here, on a less well known section of the trail. We’ll end by descending into amazing Mattison Hollow.

Part IV: Sat., August 12 • 9:00 a.m.
Mattison Hollow in Cherry Plain to Southeast Hollow in Berlin (7.2 miles).
Register: Peter Wood: 518-378-1361

We’ll start up Mattison Hollow, now threatened by logging, past towering hemlocks and white pines, brooks and waterfalls, and access the Crest Trail after an incredibly steep climb. Here the Crest Trail follows a narrower ridge, where at times you can see into valleys east and west. We’ll hike through a magical conifer forest and descend into beautiful Southeast Hollow.

Part V: Sat., September 9 • 9:00 a.m.
Petersburg Pass in Petersburg to Southeast Hollow in Berlin (7.3 miles).
Register: e-mail Michael Jensen

Going north to south this time in order to start at Petersburg Pass’ higher elevation, the trail has some steep ascents on the way to the summit of Berlin Mountain, at 2,818 feet New York’s tallest peak outside of the Adirondacks and Catskills. Then through an uncommon spruce-fir forest and over some minor summits, and down Southeast Hollow.

Part VI: Sat., October 14 • 9:00 a.m.
Petersburg Pass to north end in N Petersburg (7.9 miles)
Register: e-mail Nick Conrad

The Snow Hole, a deep crevice where snow and ice last well into the summer, is the highlight of this section. Also long views to the west and to the east into Vermont, white quartz, and a short stretch in Vermont, finishing with a long, steep descent to the north trailhead along Route 346.