Winter Outings
Rensselaer Land Trust and Rensselaer Plateau Alliance have teamed up again to offer these wonderful winter outings.
We can't wait to get outdoors with you!
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Important Note: winter hiking requires proper equipment and gear for conditions: warm layered clothing, micro-spikes, cleats, or snowshoes for ice or snow, and the willingness and ability to negotiate uneven, rocky, icy, wet, muddy or steep terrain. Please read the full description before joining an outing, and contact us if you have questions. Extreme weather may cancel or postpone any outing.
Winter Walk
Robert Ingalls Preserve
​Saturday, January 11, 10am - 12pm
Trip Leader: Peter Wood, peterrmapleacres@gmail.com
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A winter walk through Rensselaer Land Trust’s compact but diverse jewel will take us along the sparking Black Brook, across a field of glacial erratics, and passing by evidence of long-gone people’s efforts to wrest a living from this rocky land. We will snowshoe or hike as conditions suggest; participants may need traction devices such as cleats/microspikes if it is icy.
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The walk will cover about two miles and involve up and down some steep slopes, negotiating rocky and uneven terrain, and likely some icy, wet, or muddy spots. Best dress with layers that can be taken off or added as needed, and bring hiking sticks if you use them.
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We will meet at 9:45am at the Ingalls Preserve parking area on Garfield Road, just west of the intersection with Horse Heaven Road in Stephentown. (The closest address is #546 Garfield Road.)
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Please register in advance through EventBrite. $5 suggested donation, payable on day of event. Contact trip leader with questions.
Snowshoe Hike
Lt. Col. Gundrum Preserve
Saturday, February 1, 10am - 1pm
Trip Leader: August Schneeberg, ajschneeberg@gmail.com
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Beginning at Rensselaer Plateau Alliance members' house on Bower Road in Sand Lake, we'll hike or snowshoe to a beautiful beaver pond on the Lt. Col. Gundrum land, then up to cliffs off Firetower Road that overlooks the Wildlife Management Area and Taconic Crest, and back. Hike/snowshoe will be four or five miles, over several hundred feet of elevation change, and take about three hours.
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Driving Directions: Beginning at the intersection of Routes 43 and 66 in Sand Lake (Cumberland Farms, Sand Lake Town Hall, Tremont Lumber), head east on Taborton Road about five miles. Turn right on the Kipple Road. At unmarked T intersection turn left on to Bower Road, follow it to the end.
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Please register in advance through EventBrite. $5 suggested donation, payable on day of event. Contact trip leader with questions.
Full Moon Hike and Campfire
Albert Family Community Forest
​Saturday, February 8, 5:15pm - 8pm
Trip Leader: Peter Wood, peterrmapleacres@gmail.com
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An almost-full moon mid-winter walk, and afterwards a campfire, at one of Rensselaer Plateau Alliance’s beautiful community forests. Bring your own sandwiches/snacks and beverages* of choice to spice it up. We’ll hope for snow cover, and to snowshoe through open forest in silvery reflected light.
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This will be a moderate and meandering walk of about an hour with some up-and-down but no steep or rocky sections. No flashlights! We’ll let our eyes adjust to the moonlight! You’ll need snowshoes (we have a limited number to share by prior arrangement) or cleats/microspikes if it is icy, warm boots, and appropriate layered clothing for conditions. Maybe a flashlight in your backpack just in case. We’ll provide some marshmallows for toasting.
*Alcoholic beverages allowed.
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Please register in advance through EventBrite. $5 suggested donation, payable on day of event. Contact trip leader with questions.
Snowshoe Hike
John B. Staalesen Vanderheyden Preserve
​Saturday, February 15, 10am - 1pm
Trip Leader: Fred McCagg, fredmccagg@fairpoint.net
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Snowshoeing has become one of the fastest growing winter sports in the country. Simply strap on a pair of snowshoes and go on a winter hike or backpack! This class is a great introduction to the sport. We will start by focusing on the gear selection and the initial skills needed to get on the trails. Then we will hit the outdoors for some fun in the snow and to learn snowshoe techniques, ascending and descending hills and winter preparedness. Discover the joy of winter and the freedom of snowshoeing!
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We will send information before the class on proper clothing and gear for this great adventure. Some snowshoes will be available to borrow. Meet at the parking lot of the Staalesen Preserve on Wynantskill Way in Troy.
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Please register in advance through EventBrite. $5 suggested donation, payable on day of event. Contact trip leader with questions, or to reserve snowshoes.
Snowshoe Hike
Grafton Forest
​Saturday, February 22, 9:30am - 4pm
Trip Leader: Peter Wood, peterrmapleacres@gmail.com
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We’ll snowshoe or hike on and off trail through this 1000+ acre Rensselaer Plateau Alliance forest, passing through hardwood and hemlock glades, skirting along wetlands and cascades, and taking in spectacular views.
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This will be a serious 5-6 mile winter outing for the fit and motivated, with steep, rocky, uneven terrain, and icy, wet, and muddy conditions likely encountered. Participants will need snowshoes and/or cleats/microspikes, warm/waterproof boots, perhaps hiking sticks, and appropriate layered clothing. Carry water and lunch/snacks for a lunch break.
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We will meet at the Brittonkill Central School parking lot and drive/carpool to the nearby forest. Heavy snow cover may mean we will have to hike into the starting point, if the road is impassable.
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Please register in advance through EventBrite. $5 suggested donation, payable on day of event. Contact trip leader with questions.
Snowshoe Hike
Taconic Crest Trail
​Saturday, March 7, 8:30am
Trip Leader: Michael Jensen, jensenmk@gmail.com
*Note: This event has been cancelled.*
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We'll snowshoe (or hike depending on snow depth) for about 7 miles along the Taconic Crest Trail from Mattison Hollow to Robinson Hollow.
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This is a moderately strenuous hike, so please be prepared. Bring gear appropriate for the weather: snowshoes, spikes, or hiking boots. Wear warm clothes and bring water and snack/lunch. We could be out for five hours.
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Meet at the Robinson Hollow trailhead. We'll shuttle people and a few cars to Mattison Hollow trailhead, where we will begin our hike. (To get to the Robinson Hollow trailhead: out of North Stephentown, Giles Road leads east off Rt.22. Where Giles Road tees with Whitman Road, turn LEFT, then very quickly turn RIGHT onto Robinson Hollow Way. Follow Robinson Hollow Way to the end, where there is a parking lot.)
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Please register in advance through EventBrite. $5 suggested donation, payable on day of event. Contact trip leader with questions.
Winter Tree Walk
Kinderhook Creek Preserve
​Saturday, March 14, 10am - 12pm
Trip Leader: Tom Phillips, mossvet@nycap.rr.com
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We’ll explore several trails at the scenic Kinderhook Creek Preserve and identify trees in their winter form by examining twigs, bark, and old leaves or fruit. The walk will be about 2 miles, depending on group interest.
The trails have moderate climbs and snowshoes or microspikes may be needed depending on trail conditions.
Dress appropriately for the weather with consideration for cold or wet conditions. Bring water and snacks. Meet at the parking area for Kinderhook Creek Preserve, 300 Martha Hicks Road in East Nassau, .
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Please register in advance through EventBrite. $5 suggested donation, payable on day of event. Contact trip leader with questions.