N e w s

The week of June 14th begins with a very warm Sunday with clouds and sun with the a possibility of a heavy thunderstorm late in the afternoonand highs in the mid 80's. Monday will be cooler with partial sunshine and highs in the high 60's. Tuesday will be pleasant with partial sunshine and highs in the low 70's. Wednesday will be mainly cloudy with a couple of showers and highs in the low 70's. Thursday will be mostly cloudy with a steady breeze and a gusty thunderstorm in the afternoon with highs in the mid 70's. Friday will be pleasant with times of clouds and sun with highs in the low 70's. Saturday will be mostly cloudy with a thunderstorm possible and highs in the mid 70's. The trails have been very dry but this week's rain may create some muddy conditions. The trails that were drying out last week could be a little lmore challenging this week. Conditions may change significantly from morning to afternoon and day to day. What you wear for clothing and on your feet will depend on your hiking location. Daylight is slowly increasing heading toward the summer solstice on Sunday, June 21st with longer and longer days. Packing a working headlamp is always a good idea as it may mean the difference between finishing a hike easily and wandering around in the forest. NEVER assume that conditions at the trailhead are the conditions on the mountain. When the weather conditions are constantly changing, be sure you have dressed appropriately in clothing that will wick away moisture to prevent it from accumulating in your clothing, which can, at the very least, be uncomfortable. Layering should be with non-cotton materials as cotton tends to hold moisture. Keeping hydrated is essential no matter the temperatures since hydrating properly will allow you to hike longer and in greater comfort. Be sure to carry plenty of water with you as local water sources can be unreliable and may be contaminated. Once you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! Remember, the weather forecast is only a prediction and always contains percentages. Be prepared and have a plan for the most likely and least likely forecast! Are you prepared to stay out overnight on a trail? Conditions in the morning can change drastically by the afternoon. Conditions at the trailhead do not always reflect the conditions on the peaks! Variable trail and weather conditions are a hallmark of these mountains. BE CAREFUL AND BE PREPARED!

Sheila: September 24, 2011 - July 12, 2024

Sheila was with us for more than 12 years. She was a great friend and a fantastic hiking companion. She went with me on all but a handful of hikes in many diverse places. Her first hike was at Frick Pond in December 27, 2011. Her last hike was July 1, 2024 on the Parksville Rail Trail. After that hike, her health began to deteriorate rapidly. When she could no longer breathe properly we called on the staff of the Jeffersonville Animal Hospital to put an end to her suffering. We cannot express are gratitude for the caring and compassionate treatment we received. The end was quick and quiet. Cindy and I stayed with Shiela until it was over. She never seemed in distress. We are heartbroken but knew that what we did was right for our good friend.

Friday: May 1st: Frick Pond: Loggers Loop
Monday: May 4th: Parksville Rail Trail
Thursday: May 7th: Parksville Rail Trail
Tuesday: May 12th: Alder Lake: Beaver Ponds
Saturday: May 16th: Parksville Rail Trail
Tuesday: May 19th: Frick and Hodge Ponds
Tuesday: May 26th: Parksville Rail Trail Times Two
Wednesday: May 27th: Shavertown Trails
Thursday: May 28th: Parksville Rail Trail
Tuesday: June 2nd: Beaverkill Campgrounds
Wednesday: June 3rd: Parksville Rail Trail
Friday: June 5th: Frick Pond: Loggers Loop Counter
Monday: June 8th: Parksville Falls Linear Loop
Tuesday: June 9th: Parksville Rail Trail: Fox Mt to Old Liberty Rd
Thursday: June 11th: Trout Pond Clockwise