Upcoming Long Path Race

Phoenicia Ridge to Valley Trail Half Marathon Race June 4th Join us on a half marathon trail race that celebrates the hamlet of Phoenicia and the coolest new trail in the Catskills. The race will start in downtown Phoenicia and head into the woods 1.2 miles later. From there, the Long Path gently ascends Romer Mountain, putting you on a ridge with rolling terrain and plenty of breathtaking scenery, including sweeping views of the Burroughs and Devils Path ranges. The race will end near the Woodland Valley Campground where we'll have a barbecue. This is a perfect first half marathon for newbies and a nice fast course for more experienced runners. Shuttle service to be provided to get you back to your car from Woodland Valley. More details to come, but you can register here now: http://www.storehouseny.com/#!registration-/mgb6d This event is part of the Long Path Race Series, which aims to build awareness for the Long Path and the work of the Trail Conference and its volunteers and to get more people running and hiking on New York's beautiful trails.

Lane Street to Woodland Campground

Well, I finally have some time to blog this week. It has been a crazy time work-wise so I haven't had a chance to tell you all about the 12 mile hike that I did on Sunday. The group went out from Lane St (just outside of Phoenicia) along the newly blazed section of the Long Path and ended the day with a barbecue in the Woodland Valley Campground rest area. We went up and over Romer Mt and Mt Pleasant then along the ridge on Cross Mt. and onto Terrance Mt before dropping down into Woodland Valley.

It was a 12 mile, mostly moderate hike, with some harder uphill sections. But it was a lovely day and the trail is GORGEOUS. It is very long, but I think it is one of the nicest that I have ever been on in the Catskills.

The people who worked to build the trail should be very proud! It was extremely well thought out and expertly cut with switchbacks and stairs making the uphill climb from Lane St much easier. And unlike many of the trails in this area, it was not just rocks, but a fair amount of level ground too which is far less tiring on your feet. The only negative thing about it in my opinion is that it is under marked in certain areas. In a couple of stretches I had to work very hard to find the next blue circle blaze. But other than that it was excellent.

The views were amazing. There was several big payoff vistas that we enjoyed along the way. There were views of the Ashokan reservoir and several panoramas of the local mountains. And even if you didn't want to do the entire 12 mile length you could hike in from the Woodland Valley side and get to a decent view in a few hours. I definitely want to do that some time again this summer.

It was a great group and I had fun hiking with fellow Woodland Valley residents Michael Janensch and Philip Ficks who are big fun (and very nice for watching out over me along the way). And I would like to shout out Tim Luby from The Storehouse (camping supplies on the Boardwalk in Phoenicia - storehouseny.com) and Jeff Vincent from Catskill Mountain Wild (guided mountain nature tours - catskillmountainwild.com). They were the leaders of the trip and did a great job in making sure everyone was having fun and staying safe. And also Pete and Rose DiScafani of The Catskill Rose (great local restaurant - catskillrose.com) in Mt Tremper. They made an AWESOME barbecue for us to have at the end of our trip! Many thanks to all. It was a fabulous day!!!

Long Path Hike On July 5th

Sorry I haven't posted for a few days. I have been super busy. But I am back now with something that I think will be fun and it is right in the neighborhood. On Sunday the 5th of July there is going to be a group hike of the Long Path in Woodland Valley that will finish with a fun barbecue (with food by the Catskill Rose) at the Woodland Valley Campground. If you don't want to make the 6 hour hike you can just go to the barbecue. The hike is brought to you by Catskill Mountain Wild, Storehouse and the Catskill Rose. Here are the details I got from the Facebook page about the event.

Join us for a 12-mile hike of the new section of Long Path, guided by Jeff Vincent of Catskill Mountain Wild. We’ll finish the day off with a barbecue at Woodland Valley Campground with food provided by Catskill Rose. This is an outstanding trail, with many nice features and views. It’s a moderate hike with an initial ascent and then rolling terrain throughout. It will take approximately 6 hours to complete at a leisurely pace. We will shuttle people back to their cars at Storehouse or the trailhead. Please wear appropriate footwear and bring lunch and water.

The doors at Storehouse will open at 9am and we will depart for the trailhead at 9:30. The hike will start at 10am SHARP from the trailhead at the end of Lane St. in Phoenicia. The barbecue will start at 4pm. You DO NOT need to participate in the hike to go to the barbecue.

Map of trailhead parking: http://goo.gl/maps/R2xsm

We hope to see you there!

Free Pass To Mohonk Preserve for Ulster County

Ulster County residents who enjoy walking or hiking can get a free pass to explore the Mohonk Preserve property for a month. The program starts during Healthy Ulster Spring Week which begins on April 23rd. Although it is a bit far from us here in Phoenicia, this is an excellent opportunity to explore this gorgeous property at no cost. So it might be worth getting the pass even if you just use it once or twice.

For further information on where and when you can get your pass here is a link to the article in the Daily Freeman: http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20150409/free-pass-to-mohonk-preserve-to-ulster-county-residents

Long Path Trail Opening This Weekend

The newly finished section of the Long Path trail will open this Saturday. This new segment is 9 miles long and runs from Phoenicia over Romer, Cross and Pleasant mountains. It ultimately joins with the Burrough Range Trail in the Slide Mountain Wilderness. There will be an opening ceremony on Saturday followed by an inaugural hike. The details are below. For more information you can follow the link at the bottom of this post.

Event Details
What: Long Path trail opening and ribbon cutting ceremony followed by guided hike
Where: Lane Street Trailhead, Phoenicia, NY (26 Lane Street, Phoenicia, NY 12464 | 42.078670, -74.319349)
When: Saturday, June 7th, 2014 at 11am
RSVP: Please RSVP to catskills@nynjtc.org if you are planning on attending by Friday, June 6 to ensure an accurate headcount for the event.

http://nynjtc.org/event/opening-new-long-path-trail-section-catskills-national-trails-day-event?utm_source=Catskills+eWalker+June+2+2014&utm_campaign=CatEWJune2&utm_medium=email

Menla Trail Blazing Weekend May 29 - June 1

Our wonderful neighbors at the Menla Center for Health and Happiness are having a trail restoration retreat this coming weekend. They wanted me to reach out to the community and let you all know that you are invited to join the fun. They will be cleaning and restoring the beautiful trails around the Menla property and sharing lunches, dinners and other activities together. The schedule for the events can be found by following the link.

http://menla.org/programs.php?sub=menla_232

Here is a message from our friend Chisti Dryden at Menla about the weekend.

Next weekend, Menla invites you to join an intrepid group of volunteers to restore the network of trails on their magical property nestled below Panther Mtn.  When the Pathwork Center owned the property there was an extensive network of trails and Menla's goal is to restore them for use of guests and neighbors.   Past years have been lots of fun with bonfires, communal meals and evening movies.   Local residents are welcome to participate in all meals and activities at no cost.

For more information contact:

Chisti Dryden
Email: kdryden@menla.org
Phone: 845-688-6897 ext. 7518

Trying To Open WV Section Of The Long Path

As you may know, many people have been working to open up the section of The Long Path that runs along the head of Woodland Valley. WCA member Steven Heffner has been involved with the project and sent me along a scheduled of work parties from Andy Garrison. They will be gathering this weekend and for the next several weekends going forward. They want to finish in time to open this section by June 7th (National Trails Day). Below is Andy's letter. Reach out to him if you want to help.

Hi all,

I'll be at the end of Big William Way again both Saturday and Sunday. The race is still on to finish the trail. We want to open it on National Trails Day, June 7 and we really need help. Last weekend we again spent two beautiful days clearing the trail on Mount Pleasant. The snow was all gone. Information can be found in the links below. We have work for all levels and appreciate any help we get.

Andy Garrison
Home 845-888-0602
Cell 845-866-7201

Saturday April 26 - http://www.nynjtc.org/crew/trail-crew-long-path-mount-pleasant-4

Sunday April 27 - http://www.nynjtc.org/crew/trail-crew-long-path-mount-pleasant-5

Saturday May 3 -  Details coming soon.

Sunday May 4 -  Details coming soon.

Saturday May 10 -  Details coming soon.

Sunday May 11 -  Details coming soon.

Thursday May 15 - Need a hand bringing tools and gear up the mountain for a rock project. Contact me for information.

Friday May 16 - http://www.nynjtc.org/crew/catskills-trail-crew-long-path-over-pleasant-mountain

Saturday May 17 - http://www.nynjtc.org/crew/catskills-trail-crew-long-path-over-pleasant-mountain

Sunday May 18 - http://www.nynjtc.org/crew/catskills-trail-crew-long-path-over-pleasant-mountain

Also contact me if you are interested in our week long camp/work trip 5/31 to 6/7.

--
Andy Garrison
Home 845-888-0602
Cell 845-866-7201

Hikers With Dogs - Be Aware

While we are on the subject of dogs, this article was posted online about a gentleman that hiked all over the Catskills with his faithful Lab. The dog was poisoned deep in the woods. It was published on the NY/NJ Trail Conference blog. If you have a dog that hikes with you please read this article and beware!

http://blog-tw.nynjtc.org/?p=596

Long Path Volunteers Needed

I received this message from Steven and Mary Heffner last week regarding the work being done on the Long Path over Romer Mountain/Mt Pleasant at the beginning of Woodland Valley. Here is what Steven had to say:

I was hoping you could post this announcement for a trail work party this coming long weekend. We were part of the crew this past weekend and we highly recommend the experience!

Help Build the New Trail over Romer Mountain/Mt Pleasant

Did you know a new section of the Long Path is being built along the top of Romer Mountain and Mount Pleasant, on the eastern side of Woodland Valley? The crew is looking for additional help, especially over the upcoming Veterans Day Weekend (Nov 9, 10, 11), when they will be building stone steps and other treadway improvements along the southern descent of Romer Mountain. On those days, the group will hike up to the trail via a bushwack the crew found from the top of Fawn Hill Road. The work can involve some strenuous activity (digging up and moving stones, swinging a pick-ax or sledge hammer) but no experience is required and any assistance, especially carrying tools up on Saturday and/or down on Monday, would be very helpful.

The group meets at 9 AM at the Lane St future trailhead, then drives over to the hike-in spot. See links below for more details and contact information to let Andy Garrison (the NY/NJ Trail Conference leader of the effort) know you will be joining.

Saturday November 9  http://www.nynjtc.org/crew/clone-trail-crew-long-path-beyond-summit-romer-mountain-3

Sunday November 10  http://www.nynjtc.org/crew/clone-clone-trail-crew-long-path-beyond-summit-romer-mountain

Monday November 11  http://www.nynjtc.org/crew/trail-crew-long-path-beyond-summit-romer-mountain-9

For those who are not familiar with the Long Path, this is a 350-mile hiking trail that runs all the way from the George Washington Bridge to Albany, going through all the major hiking sites in the Catskills, including the Slide/Cornell/Wittenberg mountains, the Devils Path, and the Escarpment trails. The trail is still not continuous and runs along roads in several areas, including Woodland Valley Road. When this new trail is complete, through hikers will be able to hike in the mountains along the valley instead of using the road. The trail will also provide us locals a great nearby trail that we won’t have to drive far to enjoy. If plans stay on track, the new Romer trail will be open by next summer. This project is a fun opportunity to see how our hiking trails get created, and to join in an effort that future generations of hikers will use for years to come. And this time of year, with few if any leaves on the trees, the top of Romer Mountain affords some pretty nice views!

Thanks,

Mary & Steven Heffner

Possible Cabin For Nature Lovers

Paul Misko sent me this amusing post for the blog. Read on.....

This little beauty has all the extras.....

Pre-Code Solid Stone construction.

Easy Access doorways.

High Ventilation windows.

Blown Leaf Insulation.

Star-Gazer Roof System.

Open Floor Plan.  

Bluestone Countertops.

Flow-Through Plumbing

Natural Sediment Floor.

And....It comes pre-populated with mice! (and  some other critters ,which only come out at night)

Nature at your doorstep!

Interested? Contact realtor Ivanna Cheetum for a closer look.

Lark In The Park 2013

For all of you who love the great outdoors the 2013 Catskill Mountain "Lark In The Park" promises to be a lot of fun. The schedule is up and there are a lot of great things to do. At this point it looks like it is mostly hikes but they may add things as it gets closer (they have in other years) so keep checking back to the site. I have provided a link below.

http://www.catskillslark.org

WV Hikers - Wildflower Hike Report

Paul Misko sent this report about the Woodland Valley hikers "Wildflower Hike" last Saturday. Here is what Paul had to say.

"It was a perfect day for a photo hike, with the hazy filtered sunlight, and barely a breeze. Perfect for grabbing some flower photos. There were a lot of downed trees from recent storms to climb over and around, as we visited each patch of blossoms along the way, much like a swarm of bees would do. Along the way we found a deer antler, and someone almost thought they may have possibly heard a bear, but it proved to be inconclusive. Several tips were shared, such as using a small magnifying glass in front of the camera lens to give you more macro capabilities. We eventually returned to civilization without losing a single hiker."

- Paul Misko

Wildflower Hike Rescheduled To This Saturday

The Woodland Valley Hikers outing that was cancelled last week due to weather has been rescheduled for this Saturday. If you are interested in joining the hike please email Paul Misko directly at the address below.

Saturday, May 18th:10:30-3:30.  Wildflower and Photography hike. This is the hike rescheduled from last week. Moderate 3 mile hike near the head of the valley. NO DOGS PLEASE. Space limited so you must register for meeting place and more details at woodvalleybear@gmail.com . Paul Misko

Wildflower Hike: Saturday May 11th

Paul Misko, leader of the Woodland Valley Hikers group, just sent me this email regarding a hike he is planning for this weekend. Anyone who would like to join the group itself or this particular hike should CONTACT PAUL DIRECTLY AT THE EMAIL ADDRESS BELOW. This will be a great way to get outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather we are having!

Wildflower Hike: Saturday May 11th. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Join the Woodland Valley Hikers for a wildflower hike. Lets take a walk and see Spring's new flowers, as we seek out as many varieties as we can and photograph them. I'll share some local history, as we all share photography tips, and if we trip over a sleeping bear, we'll share tips on running for our lives. The hike will be at near the head of Woodland  Valley, and will be about 3 miles long. It will be a moderate level hike. NO DOGS PLEASE. Meeting place and further details to be given upon registration at woodvalleybear@gmail.com .

                                
Paul Misko

Reminder - Lark In The Park Begins Today

I wanted to remind you all that the 10 day " Lark in the Park" event begins today. There are many different activities for people of all ages. To find out what the organizers have in store you can just go to http://www.catskillslark.org and explore the schedule. There is something for everyone. And this is a great time to get out and enjoy the fall season here in the Catskills.

2012 Lark in the Park

The 2012 Lark in the Park will be held from September 29 thru October 8. There is lots of fun for everyone. So jump in and enjoy the Catskills with hiking, paddling, cycling, fishing and family adventures. Newly opened New York City Reservoirs and other lands promise even more events!

For a complete schedule of activities, including The Catskill Mountain Club Dinner on September 30th, visit http://www.catskillslark.org/ or call 845-586-2611.

Lark in the Park is a partnership of The Catskill Mountain Club, The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, and the NY-NJ Trail Conference with cooperation from the NYS DEC and NYC DEP.

WCA Scramblers Hike - October 13th

WCA member Rich Feuer is going to lead a group up the easier (west side) of Giant Ledge. Here is Rich's message regarding the upcoming hike. Sounds like it will be a lot of fun!!

First (of many) WCA Scramblers Hike:

Date: Saturday, October 13.  Giant Ledge From the West Side.

Time:  Meet at 8:15 AM in the parking area off of the bridge connecting WV Rd to East Rd (after Herdman).  We will leave promptly at 8:30 AM to car pool to the trailhead off of RT 47.  The hike will take about four hours with 1/2 hour travel to and from the hike.  If you drive directly to the trailhead on Rt 47 make sure that you meet us at the hairpin turn parking area (not the Slide Mountain parking lot).  We will start the hike promptly at 9 AM from the trailhead. 

Hike Leaders:  Richard and Tammy Feuer.  Rich is an experienced hiker (http://woodlandvalleyview.blogspot.com/2011/08/richard-feuer-reaches-new-heights.html), having summited the highest point of the 48 contiguous states). 

Who Should Hike:  This is a beginner hike, but it is uphill.  You should have the ability to walk at least 3 1/2 miles to participate.  The pace of the hike will accommodate the slowest hiker.  We will have multiple cars so hikers who feel that they cannot complete the hike can return with Tammy before completing the hike.  Don’t be afraid to join.  We want everyone to experience the joy of hiking in the Catskills. 

What to Bring:  Bring a sandwich and snack (e.g., energy bar), water or energy drink, a warm jacket for the summit and a rain shell.  Pack these items in a light backpack or fanny pack.  If you don’t have a pack, please contact Rich via email.  He will be able to carry a limited number of items in his pack for hikers who do not own packs.  You will need to bring a canteen.  Rich will bring first aid supplies.

What to Expect:  The hike is up a mountain (less than 2 miles one way).  The hike is steep in some places and requires some rock scrambling.  The pace of the hike will be a C pace for those who have been on group hikes. 

After the Hike -  Hikers are welcome to relax at Tammy and Rich’s cabin after the hike. 

Limited to 10-12 people. Contact Rich Feuer at 609-617-8807 or e-mail bytegently@verizon.net

Giant Ledge is on Panther Mountain where you can see beautiful views of the valley and surrounding mountains, unsurpassed in the fall.  Woodland Valley is in the Panther Mountain watershed.  You can hike to Giant Ledge from the parking lot at the end of Woodland Valley Road across from the campground.  This is the more strenuous route to go to Giant Ledge.  You can also hike to Giant Ledge from the trailhead and parking for the Phoenicia-East Branch trail which you travel on for less than a mile before it intersects the Giant Ledge-Panther- Fox Hollow trail.  It is located on CR-47 about 7 miles south of NY 28 (Map 43 of the NY-NJ Trail Conference Southern Catskill Trails series).  This is about a 20 minute drive from Phoenicia.   

Giant Ledge from this trail is a short hike that has big rewards as far as views go. There are numerous viewpoints slightly off the trail. The finest one is probably the first one you'll encounter. Wittenberg, Cornell, and a portion of Slide are boldly in front of you. In the distance you get to see a great view of the Indian Head Wilderness and the peaks along the famed Devils Path.

The hike to Giant Ledge is very popular. It is under 2 miles one way, and is not that difficult. People of all ages and ability are able to do this hike.

Wittenberg and Cornell mountains from Giant Ledge in the fall.

Viewed from Giant Ledge. Here starting from the left is the long ridge of Plateau followed by Sugarloaf, Twin and Indian Head. I believe that is Plattekill Mountain on the far right.

WV Hikers Event - A Bright Idea

This just in from Paul Misko, the leader of the Woodland Valley Hikers group. 

First Annual Woodland Valley Lantern Walk:

     Ever take a walk by lantern light? If not, now is your chance. Come on out this Saturday, May 12th to the head of Woodland Valley and join us for a  walk in the gathering gloom. Meet at the Woodland Valley Campground Day Use Lot at 7:30 p.m. and historian Paul Misko will share some illuminating comments about antique lighting, then we'll pass out the lanterns and perambulate around the campground. He will also share some local history during the walk.  You can bring your own lantern if it's kerosene, no noisy pressurized or gas lanterns please. Bring a flashlight in your pocket just in case. No Dogs Please, as there will be enough to trip over without them. You should only participate if you are in good walking shape, and can see well enough in low light. Dress warm, and expect this event to be about 2 hours long. This should be a memorable experience. If you can, let me know you're coming, and for more info, e-mail to woodvalleybear@gmail.com

The 2011 "Lark In The Park" Starts Tomorrow

The 8th Annual Catskill "Lark In The Park" will run this year from Oct 1st - Oct 10th. There are tons of hikes and other events that will celebrate the Catskill Park. The full range of offerings can be found at http://www.catskillslark.org/. Many of the hikes and activities are free. There is even a "Woodland Valley History Hike" on October 8th. So check it out and celebrate the beautiful area we call home!!

Gowns 4 Greenbacks Hike From WV

If you would like to help some of the farmers who were affected by the recent flooding from Hurricane Irene here is your chance. Geologist Danny Davis (you all will remember Dan from the talks he gave for the WCA) and a group of his friends have been doing a wacky fundraiser this summer. They have been hiking all the high peaks of the Catskills wearing gowns. They get folks to sponsor their hikes and then give all the money to charity. Their next hike is from Woodland Valley to Giant Ledge. All the proceeds from this hike will go to help local farmers who lost crops (and their livelihoods) in the flood. Below is the information from the "Gowns for Greenbacks" blog about the event. If you would like to sponsor, or even join them, you can get all the details below. It sounds like a lot of fun for a good cause. I also put up some photos of the group at the bottom of this post for your enjoyment. I must say I think Danny looks awfully good in a dress!

PS - For those of you who can't hike you can donate directly to the Watershed Agricultural Council - Farmer Flood Relief.
________________

Getting Formal for the Farmers: Ballgown Fundraising Takes On The Flood

We started out getting formal for the forest (thank you, Melissa Bean, for coining that phrase!), but we didn’t stop there. The ballgown hikers are getting formal for the farmers, to show them the love, care, and dollars they deserve and need!

Here in the Catskills, hurricanes are not regular occurrences. Irene and Lee were truly out of the ordinary, dumping huge amounts of rain and causing massive flooding throughout the mountains, forests, villages, and beyond. As residents, hikers, fund raisers, and eaters of farm products, the g4g crew (I use the royal “we” here) felt compelled to respond to this disaster.

It didn’t take long to craft a response. A little research, a few emails to the g4g email list (which is growing bigger by the minute – please drop me a line at gowns4greenbacks@hotmail.com if you’d like to be on the list – but be forewarned, we do seem to send each other a fair amount of mail), and we had a plan. A single hike with specific fund raising to benefit regional farms: we picked a date and a destination and starting emailing and facebooking the heck out of it. Perhaps a reader with a twitter account could “tweet” about this for us.....twitter still eludes me.

Quick summary for those of you that are skimming and don’t want to read all my hikerly details and asides:

what: hike from Woodland Valley to Giant Ledge with option to continue to Panther
when: 10/2/11, 9 a.m. start time

where: Woodland Valley Trail Head and Parking Area is at the end of Woodland Valley Road, at the state campground, technically in Phoenicia, I think.

why: to support small scale farmers in the Catskill region that are unable to apply for FEMA or other funds

who: HIKERS! Non-HIKERS! YOU! We need people to hike and folks to sponsor them.
The hike is open to the public but DEC limits the size of a group to 20. We are asking that every hiker come with at least $100 in sponsorships and donations. To hike, contact me. To sponsor a hiker, contact me.

Recipient: All funds for this hike only will be donated to the Watershed Agricultural Council. Make checks payable to WAC and note “Catskill Farmer Relief” on the memo line. They are a 501c3 organization, meaning you can get a receipt and all donations are tax deductible.

Hikers: yes, you should show up at the hike with your envelope full of checks, cash and coins. I will collect the donations at the hike and get them to the WAC pronto. Sponsors, yes, you should write your check to the WAC now, and give it to your hiker now. You may simply mail the WAC a check if that is easier. Use the address and info on their website to do so.

Ok, if you are still reading, then that means you probably care about hiking minutiae! Here ya go: the distance is from WV to GL is 3.45 miles, and the hike is of “moderate” difficulty. Not a miserable endless slog up killer steep trails, but not “easy.” I haven’t hiked this section of trail in several years, and I don’t know how lumpy and bumpy the trail has gotten since Irene and Lee turned it into a river, but I would guess that at least some parts of it are washed out making the hiking feel a bit like walking up a dry creek bed. A little hard on the feet and ankles, but nothing too crazy.

A few of us that have been g4g-ing all along plan to continue to Panther Mountain from Giant Ledge. From Giant Ledge to Panther is another 1.85 miles. We plan to continue from Panther’s summit north to the Fox Hollow parking area (another 4.9 miles), where we will have stashed a few cars for the shuttle back to Woodland Valley. You can do the math: 3.45 plus 1.85 plus 4.9. A little over ten miles total, all trailed.

Post-hike, might I suggest a visit to a local eatery? Please consider stopping in Phoenicia to grab a bite, stroll, shop, and support the businesses that have been repeatedly slammed by flooding.

The bigger g4g project has been going strong, right up until Irene’s appearance. We have done 12 mountains (Danny has done 13!), and have had some great times. Those hikes will continue, and that project is on-going. For those just coming up to speed on g4g, the overall project is a collection of hikes to bag all 35 Catskill peaks over 3500’ in elevation IN BALLGOWNS. We are seeking sponsors for that project, and all of those funds will be donated to the 3500 Club – a completely volunteer effort that provides people and cash to maintain the trails in the Catskills – lean-tos for overnight adventures or bridges for those tricky stream crossings, the 3500 Club has a hand in almost all the seen and behind the scenes work that goes on in the forest, maintaining the infrastructure and keeping the trails open for our enjoyment.

For those of you who would like to read more about the Gowns 4 Greenbacks group here is a link to their blog: Gowns 4 Greenbacks