Spring has sprung

Along the Old Croton Aqueduct section of the HT near Irvington, NY, on a day so gorgeous that the path was chock-a-block with people, our trail crew erected a few ski-blue proto markers at appropriate points.

The trail passes Columbia University Nevis research center. One of the buildings was built by the son of Alexander Hamilton. Another impressive sight on the walk is the Octagon House. This was built in the 1860s and currently is being restored by its owner. We were told about both these things by Ellen, a Friend of the Old Croton Aqueduct, who happened by.

What were you doing Sadie Hawkins Day!?

We were blazing the Hudson Trail in Bell Hollow.

Take a look at the video to see and hear Bob describe the work (not our best video: it was very cold).

We have been given permission to put sky blue blazes on the Old Croton Aqueduct from the Bronx-Westchester border to the Croton Dam. We are working with people in the Bronx to obtain permission for the route from Highbridge to the border. The route is essentially the NYC Old Croton Aqueduct Trail.

The weather is turning nice and we need everyone’s help to complete markings of the South Trek to make our deadline of National Trail Day, June 7^th, for events along the Hudson Trail, including crossing the Appalachian Trail at Sunken Mine Road.

Ossining’s Hudson Trail

Bob, Jeanine, Liz and Max scouted the Hudson Trail in Ossining from Route 9 to Route 9, along the Old Croton Aqueduct. It was a cold and windy day, with a snow scrawl aplenty.

As you can see from the picture, we are attracting elite volunteers. Please contact us if you fall into this category!

The Scouts of November

It is very difficult to get males of a certain age to give up football of a Fall Saturday, but Scout master Jon and two of his lads went out marking trail from the Spitzenberg to Montrose Station Road.

As you can see, our boys used additional energy to climb around the old rain shelter on Spitzenberg summit.

Highways now Hudson Trail!

Boy, did we get good news! Three towns: the Highway Departments of Cortlandt, Philipstown, and Putnam Valley have each enthusiastically approved the route of the Hudson Trail along their roads.

Thank you: Roger, Gary and Joe, and Kathleen.

See the page on the right to access the current route using Google Maps or Google Earth.

Christmas Day Hijinks

We found a blue metal trail marker at the junction of the Hudson Trail and Dickie Brook Trail in Blue Mountain Reservation. As you can see, a giant must have put this up. However, Bob still was able to add the Hudson Trail logo.

Click to see “Anything to put a marker on a tree”

Winter Work

Bob put in blazes to connect a piece of trail in the town of Cortland.

Click for a Santa’s gone to blazes show

Corey paints HT

At the New Croton Dam on Veterans Day 2007, Corey marks the trail with an HT monogram on our gorgeous sky blue marker. This spectacular part of the Hudson Trail overlooks the spillway of the Croton River.

Hudson trail: markers up!

The place: Watch Hill Road near Peekskill

The time: Tuesday, October 16, 2007, a crisp autumn day

Jeanine applies the first marker of the Hudson Trail on Telephone Poll 85, on the old Briarcliff-Peekskill Trail.

Heading south, we marked the trail to Furnace Dock Road, roughly a mile. And as we found out on our return to the car as dusk enveloped us, the bright blue blazes stood out like beacons! Come see for yourselves.

Liz at the Wheel

We were busy in August and September, though mainly dealing with officialdom. We also have gathered new individuals and groups to work on the Hudson Trail. However, we have made use of the yellow measuring wheel mentioned in the previous post.

Take a look at the video to see Elizabeth (named ACL for assistant crew leader by Bob) putting the wheel through its paces on the Spitzenberg.