Write-up: Lisa Robertson Leader: Lisa Robertson Co-Leader: Bobbie Scarpino 19 Tramps registered, 13 showed at trailhead parking lot, whereupon 3 wisely – and immediately – opted out, without ever exiting their warm, dry car. 10 of us set out on trail, cheerfully assuming the unrelenting rain would (must?) stop any moment. As it turned out, we were lucky it didn’t, because we had the usually heavily trafficked trails all to ourselves! The constant cold, soaking rain kept us clean, even…

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Write-up: Greg Sipp Leader: Greg Sipp Co-Leader: Tom Smith On a beautiful day, five of us decided to explore East Pond. The group covered 9.5 miles, enjoying the scenery along the way. A notable highlight of the trip was the newly constructed bridge over the beaver pond, which added a unique feature to their journey.  We didn’t have to reroute nor get wet.  There’s also a future hike in the works to search for the Mica Mine just past Blackfoot…

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Write-up: Dave Rockwood Leader: Dave Rockwood Co-Leader: Carolyn Eastwood We had a group of five on this hike billed as 9 miles.  Paul, the original hike leader could not make it for medical reasons, so we picked up the torch and did the hike for him.  The trailhead toward Pine Mountain (Castle Rock/Upper Sargent Pond) is on the north shore of Blue Mountain Lake (near Minnowbrook Conference Center).  There is no trail up Pine Mountain. We had a cool, clear…

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Write-up: Greg Sipp Leader: Greg Sipp Co-Leader: Paul Sirtoli Fourteen signed up for the 3rd attempt at the Vly, four backed out.  Even on the schedule to co-lead, the Sirtoli name rings reluctance with many, not knowing that many of us are students of his “improved hiking” teachings.  Today, instead of his 20% addition rule to distance, it was a modest 10%. We started off the hike with Tom spilling the tea, and not the metaphor, he really spilled the tea.  Opening his trunk,…

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Write-up: Walt Pillar Leader: Walt Pillar Co-Leader: Instead of a stroll  through the woods, the first part of the hike at Basswood Pond was a trek through a waste land. DEC had, for some reason, clear cut most of the northern part of the forest and eliminated some of the trails.  We also surprised and woke up a woman camping in the lean-to by the pond. The rest of the 4-mile hike for the 23 participants was uneventful on a warm,…

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Write-ups: Group 1 – Bobbie Scarpino Group 2 -Greg Sipp Leader: Greg Sipp Co: Leader: Paul Sirtoli Leader: Bobbie Scarpino Co-Leader: From Group 1’s leader point of view!Aside from overshooting the seasonal road to the trailhead from the highway because it was misnamed on my map, I thought the hike was very organized! Perhaps it was the Group 2 leaders’ organizational skills that were amiss! Group 1 even had to maneuver a car shuttle that went off without a hitch!  Dividing into…

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Write-up: Paul Sirtoli Leader: Paul Sirtoli Co-Leader: Tom Smith I define a destination hike as a bushwhack excursion to a named location selected on a topographical map. It could be a remote pond, or mountain where no view is expected, but certainly welcomed. For me, and I assume the special friends who accompany me, it is a chance to engage the forest on its own terms, away from the popular, crowded trails. It is an encounter with our creator, if…

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Write-up: Bobbie Scarpino Leader: Bobbie Scarpino Co-Leader: Lori Waterman             On a spectacular autumn day, 27 Tramps journeyed 90 miles to the shores of Lake Ontario to experience one of New York State’s natural wonders. We were met at the entrance by the park ranger who explained how the bluffs were formed. They are drumlins made up of sediment left behind by the glaciers. Located right on the edge of the lake that looks more like an ocean, they are worn…

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Write-up: Jim Wasielewski Leader: Jim Wasielewski Co-Leader: Lorrie Wasielewski Not the hike I wanted with the construction zone on the mountain site with all trails and roads closed, however we improvised and had an interesting hike on trails, a little bushwhacking and some roads. Weather again was outstanding and the view from the rooftop bar eased some of the pain. Not sure what the deer was doing in the church yard, maybe penance?

Write-up: Walt Pillar Leader: Walt Pillar Co-Leader: Moe Pond is a 38-acre pond above Cooperstown. It is part of SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station and is extensively analyzed for its chemistry, fish and plant life. Sixteen Tramps hiked 5 miles in the woods around the pond that included a Red Pine Plantation and a large beaver pond. There was also a short bushwhack when the trail was lost. Several stopped at the Scenic Campground Bar and Grill for refreshments after…

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