12-mo. Calendar

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024: TRAIL MAINTENANCE DAY

Join us on the trail to work on annual autumn maintenance! Preparing the trails for winter activities, cutting back summer growth, and marking trail hazards is the big push during this annual event.

JANUARY 1, 2025 @ 11 AM: FIRST DAY HIKE

A record 82 people participated in the First Day Hike in 2024.

Join us this New Year’s Day!

FEBRUARY 8, 2025 @ 5PM: FULL-MOON SKI, SNOWSHOE, HIKE

Bring your friends and join us for a winter trek! Saturday, February 8, 2025. 5:00 PM. State Route 244 Parking Area for Phillips Creek State Forest. Headlamps and proper footwear and clothing are a must. It is very helpful to download the Avenza Map app for a cell phone https://www.avenza.com/avenza-maps/ and the Phillips Creek, Turnpike and Palmer's Pond State Forest Map from the DEC https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/mappalmerspondphillipscreekturnpike.pdf for easy use on the trails. This app allows trail users pinpoint their location. IMPACT also has a webpage for reporting trail hazards, so pins from Avenza are easily uploaded.

All trail users are required to sign in and out for this event, as many people will be returning after dark. Trail safety is paramount always.

Moonrise 1:16 PM Sunset 5:35 PM

This is a perfect time to be out on the trail! The silence of the forest is all around during the Snow Moon in February, aptly named after abundant snowfall. Some North American tribes called it the Hungry Moon due to the scarce food sources during mid-winter, while others named it Bear Moon to refer to when bear cubs are born. Storm Moon, Ice Moon, and Snow Moon were common Celtic and Old English names.

MARCH 8 @ 5:45 PM: TWILIGHT SKI, SNOWSHOE, HIKE

Bring your friends and join us for a winter trek! Saturday, March 8, 2025. 5:45 PM. State Route 244 Parking Area for Phillips Creek State Forest. Headlamps and proper footwear and clothing are a must.

It is very helpful to download the Avenza Map app for a cell phone https://www.avenza.com/avenza-maps/ and the Phillips Creek, Turnpike and Palmer's Pond State Forest Map from the DEC https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/mappalmerspondphillipscreekturnpike.pdf for easy use on the trails. This app allows trail users pinpoint their location. IMPACT also has a webpage for reporting trail hazards, so pins from Avenza are easily uploaded.

All trail users are required to sign in and out for this event, as many people will be returning after dark. Trail safety is paramount always.

Moonrise 12:13 PM, Sunset 6:10 PM

This is a perfect time to be out on the trail! The last Full Moon of the winter season in March is the Worm Moon because of the earthworms that come out when the soil warms up. Native American tribes called it the Crow Moon for the crows coming back, Snow Crust Moon, and Sap and Sugar Moon for when the maple sap runs.

The Anglo-Saxons called it Lenten Moon after the Germanic Lenten for spring. The Celts called it the Wind Moon and Plough Moon. In Old English, it was known as the Death Moon and the Chaste Moon referring to the purity of the spring season.

APRIL 19, 2025 @ 12 NOON-4:00 PM: ANNUAL TRAIL MAINTENANCE DAY

On this important work day, help us clear trails of winter blowdowns, cut fallen limbs into kindling, and identify trail hazards that require the attention of the DEC Forestry Office. At noon, at the Phillips Creek State Forest parking lot, we will dispatch crews for work on Trails 1, 2 and 3, as well as on the Beginner Trail.

SIGN UP by sending an email to impactfriendsgroup@gmail.com. If you are bringing others, let us know how many are in your group.

NOTE:  Wear sturdy boots and heavy gloves and bring loppers and bowsaws, if you have them.

MAY 3, 2025 I LOVE MY NEW YORK PARK DAY

We will be doing routine trail maintenance on the horse trails at Coyle Hill State Forest and the hiking trails at Phillips Creek State Forest. We will also be cutting wood (fallen limbs and branches?) at Stewart Forest Road camping area as well.

JUNE 7: NATIONAL TRAILS DAY and IMPACT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Hike or ride in the morning, followed by a picnic lunch and the IMPACT Annual Membership meeting. Details TBA