Author Archives: Trail Walker

About Trail Walker

Since 1920, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has partnered with parks to create, protect, and promote a network of more than 2,100 miles of public trails in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region. The Trail Conference organizes volunteer service projects that keep these trails open, safe, and enjoyable for the public. We publish maps and books that guide public use of these trails. The Trail Conference is a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization with a membership of 10,000 individuals and 100 clubs with a combined membership of 100,000 active, outdoor-loving people.

The SRT Run/Hike Completes Its Third Year with Record Participation and Success Rate

By Ken Posner, SRT Run/Hike Co-founder and Trail Conference Board Member/Volunteer The third edition of the SRT Run/Hike took place Sept. 16-17, drawing 102 participants to the spectacular Shawangunk Ridge Trail. This unique connector trail, created by the Trail Conference, … Continue reading

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Help Build Lean-tos in the Catskills

Text and photos by Peter Senterman Ever wonder what it takes to build a lean-to? The Trail Conference, with the cooperation of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), is building two lean-tos on the grounds of the … Continue reading

Posted in Catskill Conservation Corps, Catskill Region Trail News, New York Trails, Trail Crew, Volunteering | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

New Trail Opens at Catskill Interpretive Center on National Trails Day

By Jeff Senterman, Board Member Good things sometimes do take time, and that was the case as we celebrated the opening of a new 0.5-mile nature trail at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center (CIC) this National Trails Day. … Continue reading

Posted in AmeriCorps, Catskill Region Trail News, Conservation Corps, Hikes, New Trail, New York Trails, Trails, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Build a Sturdy Dry Stone Trail Structure Using Stones That You Find Right on the Trail

The techniques used in building dry stone walls can be applied during the construction of a number of trail features, including water bars, steps, armoring, and crib walls. By guest blogger Peter Welch, president of The Stone Trust. Illustrations by … Continue reading

Posted in Darlington Schoolhouse, New Jersey Trails, New York Trails, Science, Trail Crew, Trail U, Trails, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fully Funded NYS EPF Designates $300M for Hikers to Get Paid to Explore Trails

Yesterday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the final 2016-17 New York State budget includes a $300 million Environmental Protection Fund—the state’s largest EPF budget ever. Not only is this a historic moment for open space protection in New York State, … Continue reading

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Join Photour Adventures for an Earth Day Celebration

Submit your best nature pictures in the Capture the Beauty of the Earth photo contest to be featured at the event! Plus: Enjoy refreshments, wine, a raffle, and more By guest bloggers Susan Magnano and Michael Malandra, owners of Photour … Continue reading

Posted in Giving, Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails, Hikes, New Jersey Trails, New York Trails, Profile, Trails | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Registration Now Open for April & May Dry Stone Wall Workshop Weekends at Trail Conference HQ

Registration is now open for the two freestanding dry stone wall workshops scheduled to take place April 15-17 and May 28-30 at Trail Conference Headquarters in Mahwah, N.J. The purpose of these workshops is to construct a dry stone wall along the front of … Continue reading

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Trail Blazing at Mills-Norrie State Park Continues this Spring

By Georgette Weir, Volunteer Trail Supervisor Volunteers from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference have been out reblazing trails at Mills-Norrie State Park in a project that began this past winter and, as of mid-March, was expected to be completed … Continue reading

Posted in East Hudson Trails, Hikes, New York Trails, Trail U, Trails, Volunteering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Long Distance Trails Crew Chief Chris Reyling Named ATC Mid-Atlantic Volunteer of the Year

By Members of the Long Distance Trails Crew Congratulations to Long Distance Trails Crew Chief Chris Reyling, who was named Appalachian Trail Conservancy Mid-Atlantic Volunteer of the Year! Long Distance Trails Crew (LDTC) members submitted the nomination of their crew … Continue reading

Posted in Appalachian Trail, Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails, Hikes, New Trail, New York Trails, Profile, Trail Crew, Trails, Volunteering, West Hudson Trails | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our Trail Builder Goes to Washington

By Ama Koenigshof, Trail Builder and Educator It’s early February, which means most of my trail work is taking place indoors. Currently, I’m on the train heading to Washington, D.C., for the Corps Network National Conference and Hike the Hill, an … Continue reading

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