Tramp & Trail

Write-up: Nancy Schenck
Leader: Nancy Schenck
Co-Leader: Carolyn Eastman

What a wonderful day we all had. When planning a hike three months in advance so many variables over which you have no control affect the outcome of a hike;  weather conditions, trail conditions, hiker’s desires, abilities, stamina and comfort levels, etc. Then the day before the hike the chance of rain goes from 20 to 90 percent!

Never fear when you’ve got the Tramps. It rained on the drive to the trailhead and again as soon as we were driving home, but never while we hiked.

We had a beautiful hike from West Trapps Parking Lot via the Overcliff Road, Old Minnewaska Road and the Lake Shore Road. These are well maintained carriage trails through beautiful woodlands.  We were looking for the entrance to the Labyrinth which would take us to the Lemon Squeeze. It runs parallel to another groomed, diamond dust trail to Sky Top, the tower that overlooks the Mohonk Mountain House and the Hudson Valley. Ten of the 11 of us decided to do the Labyrinth.  Immediately we came to a slanted slippery plank over a very deep crevice. We were all able to cross that losing only 1 hiking pole. It had rained all the night before and the wet wood and wet rocks were very slippery.

The next challenge was crawling on your belly like a reptile through a cave like tunnel. Only Diana Henry did that. The rest of us found an alternate route around. All but four of us bailed out after that. The conditions made it too dangerous. We will go back on a dry day to conquer this challenge. The four continued out of their comfort zone, but eventually found an escape route before they got to the Lemon Squeeze.

Lu found us a warm rock out of the wind for us to enjoy our lunch at Sky To. We all enjoyed the views.

Then the fun really started. On our way back nine of us took the Tough Route through Cope’s Lookout Path, Cathedral Path, Arching Rocks Path and finally the Giants Workshop. We felt like kids again. Huge boulders have fallen off the cliffs into piles just asking us to climb up, down, around and through. There were times we had to take off our packs to squeeze through narrow spaces, hold onto tiny ridges on the rocks as we slid down hoping our feet would find a hold before we fell. We jumped over deep crevices and climbed up huge rocks only to slide down the other side. It took a lot of team work and we all thank Diana Henry for her help in really BAD places. We were all relieved we made it to Laurel Ledge Road unscathed, but disappointed that the challenge was over.

On the way back on the Undercliff Road we stopped to watch technical rock climbers scaling the cliffs.

The two who took the Humpty Dumpty Road had their excitement as well. They saw a very large black bear about 100 feet from them. Fortunately he continued away from them.

It was a great day for all! We topped it off with a delicious Italian dinner at Russo’s in Amsterdam.

Hopefully we’ll get back to conquer the Lemon Squeeze and some of the many other trails that have been suggested to us.

 

Write-up: Carolyn Eastman
Leader: Carolyn Eastman
Co-Leader: Nancy Schenck

We started our trip with 12 tramps and added 4 more at the trailhead of Minnewaska State Park where we walked some of the carriage roads and trails to Gertrude’s Nose.
The trails took us along some rock ledges, a small stream crossing and some serious downhills and of course “ups” to a wonderful view of the valley around New Paltz NY and surrounding areas.

We left presents all along the way for Bobbie to find for her birthday. She looked like she was in a parade with all her balloons and gifts hanging out of her backpack.

Write-up: Bobbie Scarpino
Leader: Bobbie Scarpino
Co-leader: Pam Carrier

Three days prior to this scheduled bike, we were driving in white-out, blizzard conditions and experiencing freezing temperatures. Having little faith that the weather forecasters would be correct with predictions of spring arriving on Sunday, this leader and co-leader decided to change the bike to a hike. As it turned out, the sun was out in all of its glory and only light jackets were needed.

26 Tramps enjoyed a 6-mile loop hike on very hilly country roads in the Town of Augusta. Leaving the Village of Oriskany Falls, our first climb took us past the Barker Brook Golf Course where we cheered on a number of golfers who were very happy to be back on the greens for the first time this year.

At the top of one hill with a 180 degree view of the surrounding valley (known to locals as “Starvation Corners”), a friendly neighbor came over to chat with our group. He added to our hike by taking us on a wooded path behind his property that ended at a pond.

On the way back down Skyline Drive, Meg surprised her grandniece (Sue’s grandaughter) who was playing outside with a big hug. Bobbie trespassed onto the lawn of her former home to say hello to the new owners who were taking advantage of the beautiful weather to rake up outside.

Before returning to our cars, we stopped for a view of the Oriskany Falls. A side trip to the Boro for a brew and popcorn made a perfect ending for a perfect day.