Events under 'Outdoor Event'

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.

Ecologist, Dr. David Hunt, will lead another visit to a Mud Lake, this time in Berlin, NY. Explore the fen, bog, and swamp surrounding the lake, and experience walking on a quaking bog mat of floating moss. Hunt will show us the unusual plants living here, including insect-eating pitcher plants and sundews, and plants rare in Rensselaer County. The walk will be short but wet and adventurous. Wear footwear you can get very wet.

$5 donation.

To register e-mail Nick Conrad or call 518-279-1963.

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 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.

Registration is Currently Full.

Sue Van Hook, local mycologist, will lead us into the woods at our Robert Ingalls Preserve in East Nassau. Participants will have a chance to develop their field skills in mushroom identification. Bring a basket or bag with stiff sides, a field knife or trowel, and a hand lens if you have one.

Fee $10/person, kids are free. 

Limited to first 25 registered/paid people. Directions will be mailed to participants registered two weeks before the walk.

Come learn about the local history and the changing landscape of south Troy shaped by the Wynants Kill from Colonial time mills to the Industrial Era Burden Iron Works. Start at the former Burden Iron Works offices to hear from local historians and examine pictures and maps of the changing landscape. Reconvene a short drive upstream at the parking area of the Burden Pond Environmental Park. Then hike through an urban nature preserve with a deep gorge, a water fall and remnants of dams and infrastructure that supplied water power. We will stand in an area that had once been a mill pond. We will finish at a historic church and vantage point to see where the Burden Iron Works once stood and imagine what it all looked like.
 
Register with Joe Durkin: (518) 279-9870. $5 donation.
Hike distance and time; 2.5 miles out and back, 2 hours?Difficulty:  Moderate, some short hill climbs, dirt paths.
 
Location:
Meeting Place for Part I: Burden Iron Works Museum, 1 E Industrial Pkwy, Troy NY 12180?
Meeting Place for part II: Burden Pond Environmental Park, Corner Route 4/Mill St and Campbell Ave, Troy NY 12180

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 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.

Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT) and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) have teamed up to share opportunities for you to unplug, connect with nature, and experience what Rensselaer County has to offer. Join us!

We need you!  This reservoir provides drinking water to over 135,000 people in our region. Meet at the NYS DEC public access parking lot on NYS Route 7 just before the causeway over the reservoir. Bring gloves.  Garbage bags are provided. We will work regardless of the weather. 

Register online HERE.

Or contact Paul Schroeder at 518-674-2480 or E-mail

Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT) and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) have teamed up to share opportunities for you to unplug, connect with nature, and experience what Rensselaer County has to offer. Join us!

At this workshop, we will be discussing invasive plants, their identification characteristics, and their negative impacts on the ecosystems of Rensselaer County.  We will also be learning how to map invasive species populations at RPA's Albert Community Forest in order to improve management capabilities on the ground.  Our goal is to create a full map of invasive species at our Community Forest.

We will follow this later in the year with a workday to start removal of some invasive plants.

Questions? E-mail: Fred McCagg

To learn more about RPA's Albert Community Forest click HERE.

Rensselaer Land Trust (RLT) and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA) have teamed up to share opportunities for you to unplug, connect with nature, and experience what Rensselaer County has to offer. Join us!

Enjoy spring wildflowers and explore the new RPA Lt Col Gundrum property on the Rensselaer Plateau with Tom Phillips. We can also keep watch for spring birds, ferns and any other interesting find. A great opportunity to see one of our newest conserved lands and Teal Pond.

Suggested $5 donation collected day of the walk.

Contact Francille Egbert 518-674-3214 or E-mail