N e w s

The week of October 11th begam with rain all day on Sunday with highs in the low 50's. Monday will be cloudy in the morning followed by times of sun and clouds in the afternoon qith highs in the high 60's. Tuesday will be cloudy with a couple of showers in the afternoon and highs in the low 70's. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy and a steady breeze with highs in the high 60's. Thursday will be mostly cloudy and a steady breeze with highs in the low 60's. Friday will have considerable cloudiness with steady rain becoming intermittent with highs in the low 60's. Saturday will be chilly with a sun-and-cloud mix with highs in the mid 40's. Most trails were drying out until it rained all day on Sunday! Many trails will have pools of water, mud, and some running water especially early in the week. It is a good time to visit waterfalls! 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 has will continue decreasing heading toward the winter solstice. 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.

Thursday: September 3rd: Parksville Falls
Tuesday: September 8th: Parksville Falls
Thursday: September 10th: Parksville Rail Trail (Old Liberty Rd)
Tuesday: September 15th: Parksville Falls
Friday: September 18th: Flynn, Big Rock, Quick Lake
Tuesday: September 22nd: Parksville Falls
Thursday: September 24th: Beaverkill Campgrounds
Friday: September 25th: Round Top Maintenance
Tuesday: September 29th: Parksville Falls
Friday: October 2nd: Hodge Pond Lookouts and Frick Pond
Wednesday: October 7th: Parksville Rail Trail