Tramp & Trail

Write-up: Walt Pillar
Leader: Walt Pillar
Co-Leader: Sharon Kaelin

23 Tramps hiked almost 4 miles around the forests, fields and wetlands on the trails of the Clark Foundation by Clark’s Irish Tower.

Some paused for a moment to try to find a use for a large tank perched on a 10-foot stand in the middle of the woods. At the Tower, a short history of the Tower and the Clark Foundation was given. The only disappointment was that the Ommergang Brewery was still closed for renovations. So we overwhelmed the Red Shed Brewery nearby. Some then finished the day by going to the Cooperstown Library to see Bobbie’s painting exhibited there.

Write-up: Paul Fortin
Leader: Paul Fortin
Co-Leader: Tom Schenck

Tramps trimming while trekking through Carpenter Rd. trails.
We had a fun time, happy trails to you.

P.S. from Mary Pat Connors
Hats off to this crew! They did more work on trail maintenance than any I have ever witnessed!

The last two clean-ups were cancelled because of weather and attendance, so there was much
blow-down to contend with. The largest and most difficult trees were left for DEC, but I could not believe the trees that our workers were able to clear! Paul made the correct decision to keep the entire group together instead of splitting into teams. Many hands working together were what was needed on this trek.

More Carpenter Rd. photos may be found in Gallery June 2018.

Write-up: Jerry Stewart
Leader: Jerry Stewart
Co-Leader: Meg Higgerson

I know you’re all wondering, “So how did your Memorial Day hike go?” With this crew it’s always an adventure and this proved to be no different. 28 met at Valley View Golf Course and away we went. Meg made ribbons with the names of Tramps who had crossed over the big divide, which we wore.

Along the golf course we went up to the Eagle. This spot is rumored to be the Inspiration Point of Utica, amazing what you learn on the trail! From there it was no longer a follow-the-leader hike. We split into groups, handed out maps, which were marked with locations of our early club founders and were off in search of old tramps. We had bio’s of some, which we sent out with the maps. Very interesting people.
Abigail Dimon was the first secretary, lead the first hike and repeated that hike for #500! The bio’s were informative and added much to the adventure. We read them aloud at the graves. It was their vision, which made the club that we enjoy today. On the way back we had an extra mileage option which half took advantage of. As we usually do, we planned to stop for a beverage. Finding that most other establishments were closed, we were invited to Scarpino’s for pizza and beer on the veranda! Thank you Bobbie!

More photos of this hike may be found in the Gallery.

Write-up: Diana Henry
Leader: Diana Henry
Co-Leader: Carolyn Eastman

Rainy day turned our bike day into a hike day. Seven hardy Tramps hiked the Mount Hope Reservoir trail plus a portion of the Westwood Preserve for a total of 3.1 miles on Sunday, May 27.

Write-up: Mary Pat Connors
Leader: Mary Pat Connors
Co-Leader: Lu Blanchard

The Susquehanna River is a great destination for a kayak in the spring. The water level is on the higher side, and there are few of those pesky black flies.

When my co-leader and I checked the route out, it was a gorgeous spring day, just perfect for our first paddle of the season. The birds were in full chorus. We spotted many sandpiper-type birds along the shore along with a pair of common mergansers. There were many ferns with fiddleheads, a spring delicacy just out of reach.

It also was a reminder for us to bring sunscreen, as we both got good sunburns.

Of course, when it came time for the actual paddle, it was cool, overcast and drizzly. Seven of us braved the weather, but by the time we started paddling it became clear. We even had some sun peek through the clouds later in the day. We put in at Crumhorn Landing and did an up and back north to the bridge. We had a fairly easy paddle even against the current.

We saw a few other paddlers really moving fast, possibly practicing for the General Clinton Regatta the following weekend. This is a 70-mile endurance race on the Susquehanna from Cooperstown to Bainbridge. Our very own Roger Felske designed the logo for this race when he was young and lived in Bainbridge.

Our group ended the day at Redneck BBQ in Cooperstown. I don’t think any of us sampled the barbecue but the beer was cold and tasty.

Write-up: Bobbie Scarpino
Leader: Bobbie Scarpino
Co-leader: Carolyn Eastman

Seven lady Tramps showed up at Gems Along the Mohawk in a steady cold rain. The forecast for all of New York State for the entire day called for the same. Rather than drive an hour and a half to walk in the rain, we decided instead to don our duck feathers and webbed feet and slosh east from Mohawk along the canal. 2.5 miles later we came to German Flatts and the Fort Herkimer Church.

This church is one of the most historically important buildings in the area. Built in 1767 from limestone taken from the Mohawk River, it acted as a stronghold to defend the valley settlers during the French and Indian War. During the Revolution it was a center to house colonial militias and troops. Today it is the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church and used for various religious, patriotic and family services.

We returned along the same route and hurried home to find some dry clothes. Total hike was 5 miles. The Helderberg Escarpment in Thatcher State Park will need to wait for the fall schedule and better weather.

Write-up: George Fogg
Leader: George Fogg
Co-Leader: Charlene Zebley

Enjoyable hike even with slight rain. Wild leeks in full leaf, trilliums in bloom, and all profuse, including waterfalls.

Write-up: Mark Decker
Leader: Mark Decker
Co-Leader: Margaret Decker

We had 41 people on a beautiful sunny day on our Pools Brook hike, including four children which was great. We crossed the bridge and walked along the old Erie Canal. Some went on to Chittenago Landing Canal Boat Museum.

Dick Blanchard saved a baby goose from the canal bank and sent it on to its parents.

Afterward, the North Pole ice cream shop was busy with Tramps waiting in line.

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.