Out and About – The Westchester 100

– By Paul Hicks –

Since its publication a year ago, “Walkable Westchester” has received rave reviews, including one in the May 22, 2009 issue of this newspaper. The guidebook’s encyclopedic list of walks has even inspired the Westchester Trails Association (WTA) to launch a project called “The Westchester 100.”

WTA’s goal is to encourage more individuals and families to enjoy walking and hiking in this area. Anyone who completes 50 of the walks selected from the book by the association will qualify for a certificate, and those who finish 100 or more of them will get a WTA badge.

The history of WTA dates back to 1923, when it was formed by the Westchester County Department of Recreation. Its primary mission is to encourage an appreciation for the natural beauty of Westchester County, as well as to promote hiking and outdoor recreation in Westchester and the surrounding areas.

Eileen West, president of WTA, noted that in addition to Westchester, a number of their walks take place in Rockland and Dutchess counties, as well as in northern New Jersey and Fairfield County. They are nearly all located within an hour’s drive of the North White Plains train station, which is the usual WTA meeting place.

Some of the WTA outings are run jointly with the Mohican chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club, which also has its own schedule of walks in this area (see www.adkmohican.org). For example, on February 6 there is a joint hike in the Bear Mountain region along a part of the Appalachian Trail that features views from Anthony’s Nose.

WTA also operates some of its walks in partnership with an organization called Shorewalkers, whose mission is to “enhance, preserve and protect shore paths near New York City.” On February 20, the two groups have scheduled a hike along the Hudson River from Piermont to Nyack, followed by a dinner (optional) in Nyack.
The winter hiking schedule of WTA is posted on their website (www.westhike.org) together with general information for new and experienced WTA hikers, as well as membership forms. Almost every weekend there are outings scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday with various individuals acting as volunteer leaders.

In the coming weeks there are a number of walks on the WTA schedule that are easily accessible from Rye and particularly enjoyable. Moreover, they qualify for Westchester 100 credits. One of these, on Sunday, January 24, is a hike around Cranberry Lake, a tranquil 190-acre preserve in Valhalla.

The following Saturday, January 30, there is an easy walk along a section of the Croton Aqueduct to Rockwood Hall State Park, a former Rockefeller family estate in Sleepy Hollow that offers outstanding views of the Hudson River.

Somewhat further away is a walk that is scheduled at Ward Pound Ridge on Sunday, January 31. As is the case with most walks, it will be canceled if there is bad weather, but if there is good snow, go there anyway and bring your skis and sleds.

Many people who have taken their children to Muscoot Farm in Somers to see the farm animals are probably not aware that it is one of the better places in Westchester to go walking. WTA has scheduled a walk there rated “easy to moderate” on Sunday, February 7.

A particularly interesting walk is scheduled for Sunday, February 21, on the Bedford Riding Trails. The walk starts near St. Matthews Church on a trail that runs along a stream and through a beautiful woodland of tall hemlocks. It is a great opportunity for hikers to see the extensive system of riding trails that runs through woods, meadows and pastures of large estates in back-country Bedford.

For the full WTA hiking and walking schedule, consult their website or follow the instructions on their home page to obtain more information. Once you complete the Westchester 100, you will be ready to qualify for membership in other exclusive groups, like the Adirondack 46ers, which consists of hikers who have climbed the 46 major peaks in the Adirondack Mountains.